174TRUST REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEKqENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
174 TRUST TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees Mr Gavin Pantridge Rev. Prof J Patton Taylor MBE Mrs Heather Carey Dlrector Rev. DR. Blll Shaw OBE Principal Office Duncairn CoMpX Duncairn Avenue Belfast BT146BP Northem IrelarKI Charlty Number XN62669AIAR NIC 100531 Audltors Harvey & Co Accountsncy Serdices Ltd 5 Wllowbank Road Millbrook Larne Co. Antrlrn BT40 2SF Bankers Danske Bank PO Box 183 Donegal Square West Belfast BT1 GJS Sollcitors Hewitt & GIln 14- 16 James Street South Belfast BT2 7GA
174 TRUST TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23 The Trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Trust for the year ended 30 September 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wth the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Trust's trust deed and The Charities (Accounts and reFK)rts) Regulations (Northem Ireland) 2015. 174 Trust is approved by the Nl Charity Commission and registered NIC 100531. Chairfs Report Structure, governance and management. The 174 Trust was established in the Duncalm l New Lodge area of Belfast, in 1983, with a commitment to working for the good of the local community. The mission statement highlights the aim of the Trust's work In stating "174 Trust Is committed to a prOsS of Gommunity development based on building relationships with local people, working together to identrfy and meet local needs. Th8 Trust works towards thls, keeplng In mind the Trust's value base of "The proclamation of the Kingdom of God through demonstrating Christ's value in action" The trustees are appointed by the Board of Trustee5. The Trustees during the year 2022123 were.. Rev Prof Patton Taylor MBE Mrs Heather Carey Mr Gavin Pantridge Chair statement of Gompliance with the duty to have regard to the Commlsslon's guidance. 'In setting our objectives and planning our actlvities for the year the Irustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidan on public benefit to ensure that the actlvities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes arKI provide a benefit to the beneflciaries." The day-to-day managem8nt of the trust has been delegated to the Management Committee. Chair.. Treasurer.. Member., Member., Member. mem1r. Member: Mrs Heathér Carey Mr David Vander Merwe Mr Uavid Head Mrs Audrey Petersen Mrs Jane Grey Ms Aisling Mccormick Rev Prof Patton Taylor MBE Secretary: Mr Geoffrey Kerr Senior Management Team: DirectorlCEO: Deputy Directorlsecretary: Creative Director, Duncairn Arts Centre.. Rev Dr Imlliam Shaw OBE Mr Geofftey Kerr Mr Ray Giffen
Rlsk Management The trustees have considered the major risks to which the trust is exposed and established systems and procedures to manage those risks. The trustees have a risk management Strategy which comprises: An ongoing review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces. The establishment of policies, systems, and procedures to mltigate those risks identified. The implementalion of prOdureS designed to minirnise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those ri8k8 materialise. This work has identified that finandal sustainablllty is the major fi'nancial risk for the charity. A key eletnent in the management of financial risk is a regular review of available liquid funds lo settle debts as they fall du8, regular liaison with the bank, and active management of trade debtors and creditors balanc88 to 8nsure sufficient w01ng capital by the Trust. Attention has also been focussed on non-financial rlsks arising from fire, health and safety of artists and audlence, management of performing rights and food hygiene. All these risks are managed by ensuring accreditation Is up to date, having robust policies and procedures In place, and regular awareness training ft)r staff working in these operational areas. Obiectives and actlvities The Trust is an interdenominational Christian Community Development organisation, whose mission it is to "work with local people, helping them to identify and meet local needs" The Trust seeks to do this by providing an Inclusive, non-threatening and shared space environment for individuals and groups to access programmes and to be involved in a wid8 range of activities coverlng every age group from parent & toddlers to Senior Citizens. The Trust's local community work is focuss8d on North Belfast where there are few cross-communlty groups and where there are very few, rf any, shared venues. Publlc Benaflts The advancement of citizenship or communlty development. The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconclllatlon or the promotlon of religious or racial hamiony or equality and diversity. The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disablllly, fi'nancial hardship nr 8nnthp.r rll8arlvanlHoe The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage, or sdence. The advanrnent of education The Trust has developed the Duncairn Complex, and the Macrory Centre, as shared spaces I neutral venues in North Belfast. Achievement and performance The Duncairn Complex continues to seTve as the base for the Trust's work and is used to promote cross community opportunities. It is home to about 12 autonomous groupsltenants and impacts on average 2,500 people most weeks throughout the year, somg of whom are among thp mnst marginAli7p.d Hnrl ifl IlnRrahlR in ni Ir snr.ifity. Actlvities The Trust operates several projects includiro:
PreChoOl Nursery The Nursery was established in 1995 to address the needs of the children in the New LodgelDuncairn area of Noth Belfast. It was registered for 24 children in this reporting period, aged between 2 years 10 months and 5 years. The nursery operates from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm within the fomier church halls of the Duncairn Complex. We are currently part of the Government pre-school expansion programme and are funded by DE through the Education ALrthority. The Education Authority provides the 174 Trust Nursery with several free places ft)r children who are in their last pre-school year. The Nursery ig approved by Social Services and Early Years registered, with all members of staff having relevant childcare qualifications. The excellent Staff team is committed to provide quality care and education in a slimulating and safe envlronment. The children are offered a daily range of activities to encourage all aspects of their development. The staff work closely with the Early Years Advisor and take on board suggestlons on how to improve the childcare provision. During this reporting year, the Deputy Leader left, and a new deputy leader was recruited, however, she also left due to family circumstances and anoth8r deputy was recruit8d. By Sept 23 we had a Leader {CCLD Level 5,) Deputy Leader (completing CCLD Level 5) and an Assistant (CCLD Level 3.) Bank stafflcover continued to be problem during this period. We were oversubscrib8d for the academic year 22-23, with all 12 preschooler spaces full and 9 pre-pre chlldren. All children In the setting wer8 a8sessed using Wellcomm SpeeGh Assessment, All preschool children were assessed using Boxall Assessment. These were used to inform plannlng and support children's needs. 3 children received a statement of SEN, meaning support for P1 was In place for starting prlmary school. We took part In the Getting Ready to Learn programme, hostlng workshops for parents and glving out book and play bags each weekend to all families. We were able to host the following extracurricular activities for tha children; Jump, Jiggle and Jive, Sonal Sportz, Jo Jingles, Amazon Jungle, Wee Critters and Kidzfarm Nl. We also had a local artlst In over 6 weeks completlng art with the children and hosting a Motherfs Day art morning. A Fathe¢s Day play and stay was also hosted outside in our playground. All parents, events were very well altended. W8 continue to have a very good relationship with CinemagiG, many of our families availed of free tiGkets to their festival. After-school Club The After-school Club provlded an invaluable Servi to the communlty for over 30 years, and supported hundreds of parentslnArers to pursue training andlor educatlon as a way back into employment. The After-school Club was based on fun, friendship, and lots of new 8xperiences - including help with homework- for 4-11-year-olds. Daily activities were devised in consultation with the children, with the aim of instilling a sense of self-respect, confiden, and resp8Ct for others. Registered with Social servIs and approved for 18 plaG8s, also registered wÉth PSayboard, and was Inspected annLially to png1.IfR a r,nnfini IHI qi IAlily nf prr)vision, The excellent team of fully quallfied staff ensured that the chlldren had a valuable and fun time from school pick up in our minibus to when parents collected them at the end of the day. Opening hours were 1.30 - 5.30pm every weekday throughout the school term.
Unfortunately, we never recovered our numbers afterthe Covid years, and our attendance continued to be challenglng. This affected our income and meant we had to look for additional financial support from other sources, using some of our unrestricted funds to cover the costs of the project. At the end of last year, we completed an evaluation of the project in regards its long4erm sustainability and very sadly the decision was made to close the project in June 2023. This unfortunately meant that 5 members of staff were made redundant at that time. The associated redundancy payments glso had an impact on our abllity to generate reserves, and therefore we finished th8 year with a lower reserve amount than expected. Disablllty Project For over 30 years we have been involved in running activities for people with physical & learning dlsabilities. In partnership with BHSCT, w8 aim to make issues like integration, inclusion, self-confldence, individual dignity, and respect for others, accepted as normal within society. To this end we run the following clubs during the sthool term: Tuesday's 4.30- 7.30pm Youth Club for young p80ple aged 11- 18 years. Wednesday's 4.30 - 7.30pm Junior Club for children aged 5- 11 years. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are given over to the Junior and Youth Clubs wlth the alm being the Integratlon of able-bodied and disabled people through a wide range of activities provided In our large Indoor hall and a variety of trips and leisure experiences throughout the year. We have over 30 children from 5 - 18 years old involved in these two clubs. Friday's 4 - 6 pm for adults aged over 18 years. We had 8 involved in the Adult Disability Club this year. However, because this group of adults are amongst some of the most vulnerable In soclety It was obvious some of our members had deteriorated substantially throughout the pandamic and moblllty had become a much gr8ater issue. The BHSCT pemiitted us to test out a new way of doing things and allowed a new Coordinator time to contact each of the members and begln the process of establlshing a new relationship with them, We also maintained our new Monday evening group again durlng thls year and confirmed it as a part of our permanent programme, (the group that started during Covid in 2020) even though we had to continue to find the funding ourselves to do so. There were a growing number of young adults aged 19- 25 years who had previously come through our youth programme and were finding great difficulty in finding support once they reached adult age. We catered for approximately 21 younq adults and as the year progressed, we found that the group became a great support mechanism for each other. Awards for All provided an amount of funding during this year, and we had discussions with BHSCT to consider introducing a contracl for this age group, Towards the end of the year, we formed a Carers Project for famllies and carers to come together and provlde support to each other. Led by our vastly experienced coordinators, the very dedicated teams of trained and caring helpers & volunteers organise a range of activities focu5sing on life skills, health & educational classes, social interaction, mixed with sp8cial trips out to add a little bit of excltement for these very special people.. .and give som8 much-needed respite for family and carers. We continued to thrive with Ihe provision of our disability programme and provide a Servi for 40 famllles this year, with another 15 on a waiting list.
Duncaim Centre for Culture & Arts incorporating the Arts Outreach Programme. Another highly successful year of creative and artistic delivery at The Duncairn Centra for Culture & Arts. Our Music Programme has excelled in year, delivering a mullifaceted programme for all. We continue to shape a variety of projects that target new and emerging artists, providing a range of opportunities such as our Here's Your ChanGe programme, open to 16 to 25-year-olds and first-time perfomiers. We have further developed our highly successful CreatlV8 Collective, now boastlng 30+ young multi artfom artists, exploring and developing new work. collaborating with, and being mentored by seasoned professional artlsts, all of which are now enhancing our Gig programme as artists work to carve out careers in the contemporary and traditional Irish music industry, Workshops and classes go from strength to strength. not only are we providing opportunities for engagement in an interesting range of classes at very competitive prices, but we have also worked hard to 8trength&n our relationship with our community, engaging them in the multi-layered aspect8 of our work. Our audiences and participants return consistently, engaging in new music genres and new classes, which means it is important to ascertain why they continue to connect with us over other cholces within the cily, what are we bringing to the tabla that is different? In truth, they are telling us we give them a volce, they feel heard, and they feel like they belong. Their experiences and oplnlons are being explored through our Not A M8n7bership Pmgramm8: a non-monetary value based approach to engaging the community in helping shape the future of The Duncaim and north Belfast, and thls process Is really informing our potential, and how we ar8 impacting on tha local communlty. Impact such as this is prlceless, Its prlceless because wlth this participation, the real stories, and the real people we engage with, with their experiences and thelr opinion8 in our toolbox, we have the capacity to genuinely evidence our work at a grass roots, socletal18V81. Stories @ The Duncalrn This year Stories @ The Duncairn is celebrating its first ten years of Shared Readlng, reading aloud for pleasure, in the local community. We currently deliver 3 weekly 'drop-in' sessions, In The Duncairn on Mondays and Tuesdays, and in Belfast Central Library, supported by Libraries Nl staff on Fridays. These groups are free and op¢n lo all. Weekly att8ndance totals around 35. occaslonal attendance is closer to 60. Volunteer facilitators read aloud short stories and poetry and open a conversation that engages people with great literature and with one another. Our volunteers also deliver other regular sesslons with the 174 Adult Disability Group, with Mindwise, and with Mill Court on the Falls Rd. We are also working with Queens University Belfast and Dementia Nl to support new reading groups over the coming months. In April our readers have been invited to curate and deliver a 'Dark Skies Fiction and Poetry Walk, in the Waterworks, as part of the Right to the Night project. a Household Project, supported by Belfast City Council. In August 2023, the annual 'Scribes at The Duncairn, writers, panel featured Michelle Gallan, Michael Magee, Lizz Murphy, and Tony Macaulay. With over 70 attending, It
was the largest audience to date, and once again the event was co-sponsored by the Greater New Lodge Community Festival and Féile an Phobail. We held two Christmas Shared Reading gatherings, with 46 attending, includjng several new participants some of whom are now regulars at our weekly sessions. Our reading team has att8nd8d several online masterclasses with The Reader charity in Liverpool, who continue to support us with volunteer resources. The Duncairn's project will be featured by The Reader in an upcoming interview marking our tenth anniversary, Future Plans Wrth a successful application to the Dormant Accounts fund of TNL we plan to recruit an Operations Director to drive the development of the community projecls, and focus on opportunities to generate new income by developing these and other new areas of activity. Opportunities to become more self-sustaining are imperatlve, not only because tha grants which we reiVed duriro Covid have now disappeared but there is also a fear that with the Gontinued Cost-of-living crises and the cuts in statutory funding, our income Is going to be detrimentally affected from that sector, We must increase our efforts with the philanthropic base (both here and in the USA) and look to generate more from our venue hire and fee-paying programmes. In addition to thls wa also intend to look at areas of social economy style income generatlon through areas of produGtion, film making, ticket sales and such lik8. With the Macrory Halls now well established to our ownership, we can continue to develop community programmes across the Duncaim Gardens interfa. These plans include the expansion of the community development work in north Belfgst and will allow us to operate activitles on an Interfa between the (republican) New Lodge and (loya115t) Tigers Bay, During 2021122 we developed a programme of activities in Gollaboration with other organisations, and In partnership with our managlng partner Building Bridges Club, an organisation recently establlshed to do outreach worf( with young people in the area. Financial Review Th8 trust is reliant on the income from its donors whlch amounted to £1,340,787 during the financial year. In regards th8 Opportunity for the Duncairn Centre to generate income as 8 venue for third party corporate hire, this year was a diffiGuIt one. The total we realised was just over £16k but that was with a limiled number of bookings after covid, and we were not up to tull capacity until Apnl-23. Reserves lthilsl it is the intention of the organisation to have a minimum of 6 months operational costs set aside as a Reserve, it is generally acpted that the ongoing cash flow situation of the Trust will determine how much of a reserve is aGtually set aside. As the Trust is the owner of the Duncairn Complex, it is recognised that the Gapital asset of the physical Complex will be used to cover any reseNe that may be required in an emergency, The present Value of the asset is more than £4M. The Trustees and Senior Directors of the Trust are continually searching for sour8 of funding to establish a cash reserve of 6 months operational costs. At the end ofthis accounting year, we had a small reserve of £31,130.89 set aside.
Trustees, responslbilities in relation to the financial statements The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for èaGh financial year, which grve a true and fair view of the affalrs of the trust and of its financial activities for that period. In preparing those financial Statements, the Trustees ar8 required to.. Select suitable acc4Junling policies then apply them consistently. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. State whether the applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject lo any departures disclosed and explained in the stalements. Prepare the financial statements on the golng concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the trust will continue in operation. The Trustees and management committee are responsible for keeping accountirvJ records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Trust, and which enable Ihem to ensure that the financial statements comply with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, The Charities (Accounts & Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, and the provisions of the trust deed. The trustees are responsible for 8afeguardlng the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Signed by.. Truslee: Rev Prof Patton Taylor Trustee: Heather Ca Dated 31 MARCH 2024 Dated 31 MARCH 2024