South Belfast Altematives Year Ended 31 March 2024 Report of the Trustees The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes ofcompany law, present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. Structure, Governance & Management Governing Document The organisation is a private company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 16th April 2014 and registered as harity on 30th October 2014, Charity number NIC100790. The company was estsblished under Memorandum of Association and is govemed under its Articles of Association. Recruitment and Appointment of Management Committee The directors of the company are also charity Irustees forlhe purposes of charity law and underthe company's Articles are known as members of the Management Committee. Underthe requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the members of the Management Committee are elected to serve for a period of one year after which they must be re-elected at the next Annual General Meeting. Risk Management The Board has Gonducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. A risk register has been established and is updated at least annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Significant extemal risks to funding have led to the development of a strategic plan which will allow for the diversification of funding and activtties. Intemal control risks are minimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all transactions and projects. These procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the chartty. Organisational Structure South Beffast Alternatives comes under the Nl Alternatives management Commtttèe. Nl Alternatives Ltd {"NIA'I has a Board of up to six members who meet quarter and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present the Board has six members from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity. The Secretary also sits on the Board but has no voting rights. Objectives and Activities The company's objects and principal activities are to promote a non-violent restorative community response to justice issues in South Belfast. South Belfasl Alternatives will identify needs, often in partnership with local communities and other voluntary and statutory bodies, relating to safety and conflict within communities, and will attempt to heal relationships in a restorative way. At the same time, il hopes to raise community awareness on the issues affecting young peoplè and adults who are deemed to be at risk. The main objectives and activities of the company are: To organise within the community non-violent alternatives to issues of community justice. To help and work with young people in order to resolve the problems affecting their lives. To direct young people away from destructive and dangerous practices and towards healthy and constructive activities. To enable young people to personally reflect on the potentially damaging consequences of risky and criminal behaviour. To address areas of weakness and failure within the formal criminal Justi system. To heal relationships within the community and to promote better relationships beeen the communty and statutory agencies. To work towards a sustainable modél of delivery for as much of the company's services as possible.
South BelfastAlternatives Year Ended 31 March 2024 Report of the Trustees (continued) Achievements and Performance Youth Action Partnership (YAP) The aim of the project is to engage with young people who are availing of youth provision aGross the areas but also to tsrgetthose who are categorised as 'hard to reach and disaffected,. Delivering training & capacity building. specific issue-based programmes and developing 'cDmmunity champions,, under the themes of good relations. building better relationships, restorative practices, active citizenship, connectivity across the 3 communities and providing great&r opportunities for inclusion of young people from ethnic minority backgrounds. This 7 year project ended in March 24 and delivered: 52 separate Training projects were conducted involving 636 young people 76 Good Relations projects were conducted involving 1088 young people 48 Active Citizenship projects were conducted involving 715 young people In addition, 40 different evenls, involving 2800 participants, were conducted Mediation, Advocacy and Community Support (MACS) Exploring a programme on Racisrn I Sectarianism in sport. Have met with senior management from IFA and have a number of test cases being rolled out. This year MACS has delivered: 33 cases to address issues of racial or hate incidents or crimes situations. including potential volatileltense 39 adult trainings programmes and workshops delivered on anti-racism andlor restorative practices delivered to communities with over 500 participants. 33 youth trainings - anti-racism, diversity and restorative training programmes delivered to young people with 934 participants. 17 yOLrth prevention projects delivered focusing on restorative justice, diversity & tolerance with 387 participants. 183 victims supported as a result of racial harassment or hate crime. 197 1-2-1 IYS sessions (providing cultural awarenesslrace hate appreciation). 46 cultural diversity and communty safety events to promote understanding with a total of 1884 participants attending. 24 Mediations. 17 threat verifications. Department for Communities (DFC) 12 Community Relations Projects Supported 7T people involved in volunteering 26 communrty I voluntary groups supported 13 people attaining a formal qualtFication from participation in adult education 39 students in further & higher education participating in educational projects
South Belfast Alternatives Year Ended 31 March 2024 Report of the Trustees (continued) Positive Leadership Across South Belfast (PLUS) Project supporting young people to develop their own knowledge, skills and confidence while also developing external relationships and networks to help them make the most of their personal development and lifetime opportunities. The programme has engaged over 74 young people aged 16-25 not in educalion, employment, and training through partnerships with a range oforganisations including Hydebank Wood College, Malone College and the Simon Community. 9 participants from Hydebank Wood College successfully completed their level 1 in Restorative Practice. 5 Participants have progressed and are currently completing level 2 with a new cohort of 10 currently undertaking level 1. One of the participants went from not leaving home for years to attending weekly group sessions and participating in accredited training. PLUS programme has supported 8 participants experiencing homelessness to engage in social and personal development opportunities including accredited training. PLUS has supported participants in their job search jOLfrney through assistsnce wtth job applications. providing CV building workshops, job etiquette, interview preparation and accompanying the young person to purchase a new suit for their interview. Multiple participants have been able to secure part-time employment through support from the PLUS programme. Why Riot Project: OU action research project into 'what is community.. Pilot project across Belfast. Project developed by William Mitchell following civil dIsturbanS in Lanark Way, helping us to understand issues behind street disorder. Being delivered to a local group in South Belfast. Findings from this research will be used to influence T.-BUC policy. Our Peace Our Future Project (IFI) Lessons from Northern Ireland and Colombia, sharing learning on Peacebuilding from women activists from both Colombia and Northern Ireland. We provided 10 workshops, events and engagements with a total of 230 participants over the period of one week. Each of these engagemènts was a 0-WaY dialogue, sharing insights into current challenges to, and opportunities for, transformational work to address wnflict and the legacy of conflict. Making Life Better Project (PHA) This women's wellbeing project provided opportunities for learning and development, supporting a small group of local women who are working to build a women's group by assisting them with a better understanding of their own needs and issues, providing self-help initiattves whilst supporting them to connect with others in a safe environment. Activities included workshops around improving mental health to address challenges and established unhealthy coping mechanisms, it explored better ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, and provided opportunities for the women to make healthier choices about Iheir current lrfestyles and tske positive action for improved health.
South Belfast Alternatives Year Ended 31 March 2024 Report of the Trustees {continued) Directors. Responsibilities Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitsble company and of tts financial posttion at the end of that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to-. select suitsble accounting policies and apply them consistently., makejudgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The Directors have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has an appropriate system of controls, financial and otherwise. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to 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. Statement of Disclosure of Information to Examiner So far as each of the Directors in office at the date of approval of these financial statements are aware.. There is no relevant information ofwhich the examiner are unaware., and They have taken all the steps they ought to have taken a5 Directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the examiner are aware of that information. Examiner In accordance wth Article 382 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing that HMCI Limited be appointed as independent examiner of the company will be put to the Annual General Meeting. Registered office 33 Donegall Pass Belfast BT7 1DQ Signed by order of the trustees Tom Winstone Secretary Date: 1211212024