CATHOLIC GIIIDES OF IRELAND-NORTHERN REGION TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR EIYDED 31 MARCH 2024 The Trustees present their r¢port alld financial 8tat¢ments for the year ended 31 March 2024. Structure, Governance and Management The Charity is governed by its ¢onstitution and is constituted as a cbarity under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. The Trustees of the charity are nominated in tern]s of the constitution. A Trust¢e must be a m¢mb¢r of th¢ ChaTity or the nominated representative of all organisation that is a member of the Charity. The BoaTd of Trustees manage and administer the Charity. Day to day operations and decision5 of Catholic Guides of Ireland- Northern Region are undertaken through regular discussion between the Trustees. Objectives and PrincipaI Activities The Charity's mission is to provide a Challenging Guiding progratnme within a safe environment, to enable all girls and young women to develop their full potential. The Charity's vision is to be a positive, all-inclusive community movement on the island of Ireland empowering girls and women to re¢ognise the contribution they make to society. Achlevement5 and Performance The Charity made a net outfiow of funds durAng the year ended 31 March 2024 of £31,882 (2023: £18,482 outflow). The Charity was involved in fidIllg charitable projects to achxeve its stated objectives during the year. The Charity has assessed and is satisfied with the impact of its funding to these activities. Publtc Benefit Statement l. The advancement of Citizenship or Community Development The Catholic Guides of Ireland Northern Region delivers a progranllne to girls and young women aged 5 to 25 years that aims to increase their CODfidence, skills and knowledge so that they become active, responsible citizens. The programmes are age-sp¢¢ifi¢, progressive and ¢haElenging. They allow the children and young people to build fri¢ndship, work as part of a team, make decisions and t&ke on leadership roles at many levels. The programmes are delivered by a team of well trained, committ¢d volunteers who ensure that programme delivery takes place within a safe non pressured environment where the children and young women have fun, d¢velop their potential, and gain au understanding of their role in both home and socicty and also th¢ rcsponsibilities that these roles bring. 2, The advancement of Religion The work of the Catholic Guides of Ireland Northern Region is underpinned by our Catholic values and ethos and our commitment to encourage our members to live their lives using the mOTal values of Respect, Integrity, and Service. We take a holistic approach to develop the physical, mental, emotional, social and Spirial abilities and wellbeing of all our members. Although we are a Catholic organization membership is open to all sections of the community and we have a strong emphasis on cross comtnullity work, equity and diversity which is aligned with our Christian values and beliefs.
CATHOLIC GUIDES OF IRELAND- NORTHERN REGION TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 3. The advancement of Education Th¢ guiding programm¢ is deliv¢r¢d in a way that encourages each memb¢r to do her best and strive for more. Our principals are based on learning by doing, seeing, firsthand experiences, support and encouragement. All members are listened to, their opinions respected, and their achievements celebrated. Our inforn]al learning experience is designcd to build confiden¢¢, be fun and allow the children and young women to make the choices that enable them to reach their full potential. Our Programmes and d¢liv¢ry methods are reviewed on a regular basis and are supported, recognized and monitored at local, national and international Icvcls within the guiding community. Financial Revieiv Thc Trustees are satisfied with the financial position of the Charity at the year-end 31 March 2024. The Charity has managed its incoming resources effectively in the year under review. The balance of funds at 31 March 2024 is £399,544 (2023: £431,426). This is held as £12,51 l in unrestricted funds and £387,033 in restricted funds. Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in fijrtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds aTe held by the Charity to cover specific exp¢nses during the period including all apportionment of wages costs, light and heat, insurance, and accountancy fees. The principal fiu]ding in the year undei review was derived from the Education AuthoTity, Catholic Guides of Ireland - Northern Region has nineteen units/sections of Catholic Guides in the Region which fall within the common trust of the Northern Region and qualify as branches as defined by the Charities SORP 2019. The accounts for the individiial branches hav¢ not been included in the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 which is not in line wAth the requirements of the SORP. This is because the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has stipulated that the branches cannot all be registered under one umbrella as they are considered to be separate ¢ntAties and therefore each is registcrcd as a charity individually. This process has been completed. The last financial year has been ftnancially stable because we were in a further one-year cycle of funding under the Education Authority's New FurAding Scheme until 31 March 2024. W¢ have continued to engage with our members and participation at events and training has continued. We have continued to take part in successful recruitment drives with our national association and have been engaging and meeting with volunteers to address their concerns and challcnges. Financial implications for the next financial year will continue to include registration and affiliation fees. However, given the economic climate and budget restrictions we are unsure about the future of OUT funding with the Education Aiithority past March 2026 and must wait and see what new funding will be available. We are also looking at diversifying our funding and grant applications. We have been succ¢ssful in our application for Strategic and Development Funding until 31 March 2026 and hope that further budgets can be agreed after that date to allow stability and planning for the ture. We have no pension itnplications. Our debtors relate to uniform sales and we have funds to pay our creditors as they fall due.
CATHOLIC GUIDES OF IRELAM)- NORTHERN REGION TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 IVIARCH 2024 Trustees, Responsibilities The Trustees ar¢ responsible for preparing the Tte¢s, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicabl¢ law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (FRS 102). The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland requires the Trustees to prepare flllancial 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 of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees ar¢ rcquired to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. obs¢rv¢ the methods arAd pr&nciples of 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 statem¢nts' and PTcpare the financial statements on the going conccrn basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will Continue in operation, The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enabE¢ them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations orthern treland) 2015. The Trustees are also responsible for safelarding the assets of the charity and hence for Éaking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. On behalf of the Trustees Josephine Higgin5 Chair Francesca Braniff Treasiirer Roisin Reid Secretary Date: 2025