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2024-03-31-annual-return

Charity registration number: 100583

The Welcome Project

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

The Welcome Project

Contents (continued)

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 15

The Welcome Project

Reference and Administrative Details

Chairman Mr Adrian Bird Trustees Mr Adrian Bird Mr Denis Paisley Mr Slawomir Cichy Mr Francis Ferris Mrs Peggy Kambule Charity Registration Number 100583 Principal Office 30 Bridge Street Lisburn BT28 1XY Auditor RBCA Limited Chartered Accountants Linenhall Exchange 26 Linenhall Street Belfast BT2 8BG

Page 1

The Welcome Project

Trustees' Report

Structure, governance and management

The charity is an unincorporated entity which was registered with the Charities Commission on 29 September 2014.

The Welcome Project is managed by a committee elected at an Annual General Meeting. This committee election is overseen by Lisburn Castlereagh City Council Good Relations Officer. This committee then elect officers and sub groups including Finance Committee and Festival Committee.

There are extensive policies adopted by the management committee, including Risk Management. Project workers are trained in quality and financial systems including Business Management degree.

Purpose and Beneficiaries

The Welcome Project provides advisory, information, advocacy and other support services to the migrant workers and their families and others from a Ethnically Minoritised background. Also family days, cultural events and activities for young people, from a ETHNICALLY MINORITISED background, are organised with the aim of promoting inclusion, integration and equality. Training courses, parenting programmes and arts and crafts workshops have also been delivered for ETHNICALLY MINORITISED families.

Objectives and activities

The Welcome Project primary aim is to create a truly inclusive and safe community which welcomes all regardless of difference and ensure that communities will be less racist, more integrated and more sustainable with effective community network. Our other aims include:

• Ensure that migrant workers coming into the area are welcomed and made part of the overall community so that they have a sense of belonging and through support to develop effective collaborative relationships with `others';

Activities

• Provide support to ETHNICALLY MINORITISED families living in Lisburn area through provision of Bi-lingual Youth Club, Lisburn Sure Start and Incredible Years etcCo-ordinating and networking with statutory agencies & depts, V&C orgs, civic leaders

Page 2

The Welcome Project

Trustees' Report (continued)

Outcomes

Impacts

Impacts within the project for the ETHNICALLY MINORITISED community include;

Emerging Issues

“To create a truly inclusive community which welcomes all regardless of difference”

The Welcome House Good Relations Hub is becoming a centre for inclusion work with several Under-Represented groups meeting in the hub to deliver drop-in and group work including: . Ethnically Minoritised groups;

Newcomers including Asylum Seekers and Refugees; LGBTQIA+ and Allies;

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

The Good Relations Hub promotes a vision of mutual understanding of the diverse and rich cultural diversity within our city with the view of reducing potential friction and dispelling myths that various communities may have of each other.

Priorities for Welcome House include:

Linking with Good Relations stakeholders including: Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Lisburn Castlereagh City Council CRO’s; PSNI Neighbourhood Policing Team; SE Health and Social Care Trust.

The Welcome Project complies with the duty to have regard to the Commission’s Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance:

Financial Review

Page 3

The Welcome Project

Trustees' Report (continued)

For the financial year ending 31 March 2024, the charity's unrestricted income totaled £1,159, while restricted income amounted to £8,265. Restricted expenditure matched the restricted income at £8,265, and unrestricted expenditure stood at £1,375. This resulted in an overall deficit of £216 for the year. The carried forward funds at year-end were £0 for restricted funds and £1,921 for unrestricted funds.

Achievements and Performance 2023-2024

Lisburn Castlereagh City Council

Community Support Grant

Welcome Project’s Community Support Grant delivered the following activities and objectives:

Ensuring Ethnically Minoritised groups are welcomed and have a sense of belonging in safe communities

Providing activities and awareness training that will address racism, prejudice and hate crime - groups in the Welcome House were able to meet up and address some of the needs in the City ncluding Bi-Lingual Youth Club and LGBTQi+.

Celebrating cultural diversity and traditions

Ensuring families with children can access public services through support and referrals - links to Surestart and Barnardos as well as the Healthy Living Centre.

Developing effective collaborative relationships with other stakeholders

Evaluate the project to identify best practice

Page 4

The Welcome Project

Trustees' Report (continued)

Community Festival Fund

The Foods of the World event was similar activities to pre-pandemic festivals and included the range of National Dishes and Cultural Traditions in the format previously used with each Nationality showcasing their Nations food and traditions while entertainment was provided by Slaw and accompanying guests.

This was held in Highway Inn Garden which has hosted Foods of the World for the past number of months including the Lisburn Castlereagh City Council Good Relations grant which seen a similar event. It is a proven success and attended by a wealth of Nationalities and groups including Arabic, Polish, Fijian, Indian and Northern Irish.

This project embraced the Ethnically Minoritised Groups in Lisburn City and gave a space where Newcomers could feel safe. The opportunity for locals and those from Ethnically Minoritised Groups to engage in a Shared Space where community feels safe and gains an understanding of the rich cultural traditions in Lisburn City was significant . Community influencers took the lead in this activity to ensure a message of tolerance was sent out to the wider community with publicity and support from elected members also sending a message of acceptance.

Groups participating made their traditional dishes for people attending to sample, along with a flavour of their cultural identity, for example, dress, flags etc, improving Good Relations outcomes for those talking part and the wider community in terms of having a voice, creating a safe space and gaining an awareness of the City.

The Welcome Project has met Charity Commission NI guidance on Public Benefit by:

(i) Adhering to the constitutional purposes, namely providing support for those from the ETHNICALLY MINORITISED community;

(ii) Providing reports to funders, demonstrating impact upon the public targeted;

(iii) Delivering activity that benefits the target public;

(iv) Having no management or individuals within the group gaining private benefits.

(v) Highlighting earlier in this report the benefits for those targeted, namely ETHNICALLY MINORITISED community within Lisburn City and those working to improve outcomes for the ETHNICALLY MINORITISED community.

The Welcome Project addresses barriers to participation by the beneficiaries, namely provision of materials in multi languages and interpreters aimed at ensuring maximum participation.

The Welcome Project complies with the duty to have regard to the Commission’s Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance:

In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.

31 Jan 2025

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Mr Adrian Bird Chairman and trustee

Page 5

The Welcome Project

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Welcome Project

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Welcome Project for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of The Welcome Project you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (‘the Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

• follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act; and

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

  1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006;

  2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records;

  3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the 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; and

  4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Brian Stewart

...................................... Brian Stewart FCA For and on behalf of RBCA Limited

Linenhall Exchange 26 Linenhall Street Belfast BT2 8BG

Page 6

The Welcome Project

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net expenditure
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
11		 Unrestricted
funds
£
-
1,159
1,159
(1,375)
(1,375)
(216)
(216)
2,137
1,921		 Restricted
funds
£
8,265
-
8,265
(8,265)
(8,265)
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
8,265
1,159
9,424
(9,640)
(9,640)
(216)
(216)
2,137
1,921		 Total
2023
£
47,084
-
47,084
(52,855)
(52,855)
(5,771)
(5,771)
7,908
2,137

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 11.

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7

The Welcome Project

(Registration number: 100583) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024

Note
Current assets
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
9
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
10
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
11		 2024
£
6,070
5,134
11,204
(9,283)
1,921
1,921
1,921		 2023
£
21,896
4,524
26,420
(24,283)
2,137
2,137
2,137

The financial statements on pages 7 to 15 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 31 Jan 2025.................... and signed on their behalf by:

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

Mr Adrian Bird Chairman and trustee

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8

The Welcome Project

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

The Welcome Project meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Presentation Currency and level of rounding

The presentational currency is £ and the level of rounding is to the nearest £.

Income and endowments

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

Gift aid tax recoverable is recognised on the date of the respective donation.

Fundraising income is recognised on the date of the event taking place.

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.ons, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the amount can be reliably measured.

Page 9

The Welcome Project

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the Statement of Financial Activities over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the charity has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

Page 10

The Welcome Project

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Page 11

The Welcome Project

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

2 Income from charitable activities

Charitable activities
LCCC
Big Lottery
OFMDFM
3
Other income
Other income		 Restricted
funds
£
8,265
-
-
8,265
Unrestricted
funds
£
1,159		 Total
2024
£
8,265
-
-
8,265
Total
2024
£
1,159		 Total
2023
£
37,396
9,050
638
47,084
Total
2023
£
-

4 Expenditure on charitable activities

Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

LCCC
Big Lottery
Other		 Unrestricted
funds
£
-
-
1,375
1,375		 Restricted
funds
£
8,265
-
-
8,265		 Total
2024
£
8,265
-
1,375
9,640		 Total
2023
£
37,396
9,050
638
47,084

Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

LCCC
Other
Big Lottery		 Activity
support
costs
£
8,265
1,375
-
9,640		 2024
£
8,265
1,375
-
9,640		 2023
£
37,396
638
9,050
47,084

5 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Page 12

The Welcome Project

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

2024 2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries - 23,461
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed
by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
2024 2023
No No
Employees - 1

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year

6 Independent examiner's remuneration

6
Independent examiner's remuneration
2024 2023
£ £
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examinations of the financial statements 833 758

Page 13

The Welcome Project

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

7 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

8 Debtors

Other debtors
9
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash on hand
10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other loans
Accruals
11 Funds
Balance at 1
April 2023
£
Incoming
resources
£
Unrestricted funds
General
General Funds
2,137
1,159
Restricted funds
Restricted Fund
-
8,265
Total funds
2,137
9,424		 2024
£
6,070
2024
£
5,134
2024
£
6,583
2,700
9,283
Resources
expended
£
(1,375)
(8,265)
(9,640)		 2023
£
21,896
2023
£
4,524
2023
£
21,583
2,700
24,283
Balance at 31
March 2024
£
1,921
-
1,921

Page 14

The Welcome Project

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 (continued)

Balance at 1
April 2022
£
Unrestricted funds
General
General Funds
7,908
Restricted
Restricted Fund
-
Total funds
7,908
12 Analysis of net assets between funds
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets		 Incoming
resources
£
638
46,446
47,084		 Resources
expended
£
(6,409)
(46,446)
(52,855)
Unrestricted
funds
£
11,204
(9,283)
1,921
Unrestricted
funds
£
26,420
(24,283)
2,137		 Balance at 31
March 2023
£
2,137
-
2,137
Total funds
at 31 March
2024
£
11,204
(9,283)
1,921
Total funds
at 31 March
2023
£
26,420
(24,283)
2,137

Page 15

Issuer

Issuer RBCA Ltd Document generated Thu, 30th Jan 2025 22:44:18 GMT Document fingerprint 685f9d3c5f60b014696c04205e3ade94

Parties involved with this document

Document processed

Party + Fingerprint

Fri, 31st Jan 2025 9:35:47 GMT Adrian Bird - Signer (741899ab02e4b8e76afe514cc0535e78) Fri, 31st Jan 2025 10:01:10 GMT Brian Stewart - Signer (3ae60ef26523d4bd9c7c6b7f900398ed) Audit history log Date Action Thu, 30th Jan 2025 22:44:18 GMT Envelope generated by Paul Gibson51.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 22:44:18 GMT Document generated with fingerprint 8f11f3c4dbea5ed004a61d67430ae58851.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 22:44:19 GMT Document generated with fingerprint 1c034421a449896e40c01baea56d70a051.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 22:44:19 GMT Document generated with fingerprint 6db69e4e91a706ab8168cb8bfdfda2a451.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 22:49:00 GMT Document generated with fingerprint 76d80ee816f4479980d2f422c81fa9c651.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 22:57:23 GMT Document generated with fingerprint d6757e21351dfb7de3a46778753b2e4c51.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:01:07 GMT Document generated with fingerprint b6250ee13852b61808c94c768582e81151.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:04:01 GMT Document generated with fingerprint 084758a7e879291762be777130d7d3cd51.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:06:13 GMT Document generated with fingerprint 151eac2b01fc656e28056bb158a034dc51.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:08:37 GMT Document generated with fingerprint 685f9d3c5f60b014696c04205e3ade9451.155.1.223 Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:10:28 GMT Sent the envelope to Adrian Bird (adrian.bird@resurgamtrust.co.uk) for signing51.155.1.223

Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:10:28 GMT

Document emailed to adrian.bird@resurgamtrust.co.uk18.134.180.80

Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:21:53 GMT Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:21:53 GMT Thu, 30th Jan 2025 23:23:27 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 9:07:36 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 9:07:37 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 9:33:25 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 9:35:47 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 9:35:47 GMT

Fri, 31st Jan 2025 9:35:47 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 9:35:48 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 10:00:46 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 10:01:10 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 10:01:10 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 10:01:11 GMT Fri, 31st Jan 2025 10:01:28 GMT

Adrian Bird opened the document email.83.105.167.114 Adrian Bird opened the document email.83.105.167.114 Adrian Bird opened the document email.83.105.167.114 Sent Adrian Bird a reminder to sign the document.188.66.74.80 Document emailed to adrian.bird@resurgamtrust.co.uk13.40.119.112 Adrian Bird viewed the envelope31.121.186.74 Adrian Bird signed the envelope31.121.186.74 Sent the envelope to Brian Stewart (brian.stewart@rbca.co) for signing31.121.186.74 Adrian Bird viewed the envelope31.121.186.74 Document emailed to brian.stewart@rbca.co18.132.250.6 Brian Stewart viewed the envelope188.66.74.80 Brian Stewart signed the envelope188.66.74.80 This envelope has been signed by all parties188.66.74.80 Brian Stewart viewed the envelope188.66.74.80 Brian Stewart viewed the envelope40.94.96.27