COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NIIM3631 CHARrrY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NIC100986 Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Financial Statements 31 March 2025 BREY AMPB Chartered accountants & statutory auditor 631 Lisburn Road Belfast BT9 7GT Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Financial Slalemenls Year ended 31 March 2025 Page Directors, annual report (incorporating Ihe director's report) Independent auditorfs report to the members Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) Statement of financial position 15 16 Notes to the financial statements 18 The following pages do not form part of the financlal statements Detailed statement of financial activities 29 Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Direciors. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) Year ended 31 March 2025 The directors, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements ol the charity lor the year ended 31 March 2025. Reference and admlnlslrallve detsils Reglslered charlty name Ulsler-scots Community Netriork Charlty reglslrallon number Company reglstratlon number N1043631 Prlnclpal off Ice and reglslered 1-9 Victoria Street off I Bemast BT1 3GA NIC100986 The dlreclors Mrs. E. Cameron Mrs. L. Mulholland Mrs. A. Smyth Mr. N. McCauslarKI Mr. G. Campbell Mrs. C. Evans Mr. W. Carlile Mr M. Smyth Company secretary Mr D Gilliland Audllor Aubrey Campbell & Company Chartered accountants & stalulory auditor 631 Lisburn Aoad Bellasl 8T9 7GT Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) {conllnu Year ended 31 March 2025 Slructure, governance and management Management The Ulster-scols Comrnunity Netriork (USCN) is overseen by a Board ol Directors who are responsible lor setting the strategic direclion of the organisation, wth Ihe day to day management undertaken by the Operations Director who also implements all necessary policies as agreed by ihe Board. The Director is resFM)nsible for ensuring that the organisalion delivers on agreed targets and objectives. He is also responsible for the Supe￿iS1on ol the staff team. Publlc Benefll Statement The trustees confirm that they have had due regard lor Ihe guidance pr(KJuced on public benefit by Ihe Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and are pleased to report thal during the period the charitable company has continued to prO¥￿e publ￿ benefits through the programmes and serrfices we offer. Currenl Slruclure and St•fflng Chairman Board of Directors Director (vacant since September 20241 Education and Outreach Officer (vacant since September 2024} Publications Officer Community Developfflent Officer Community Development Officer Cornmunily Development Officer Community Development Off icer Digital Communications Off icer Corporate Governance The Ulsler-scols Community Network is committed to high standards of corporate governance. Although the organisalion does nol have shareholders, the staff and Board have a responsibility lo prowde clear evidence of a Iransparenl and efficient organisation lo ils stakehoklers who include the Ulsler-scols community, funding bodies and government. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors. Annual Report (Incorporating Ihe Director's Report) (conlinued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Struclure, govefnance and managemenl (¢ontlnwdJ The Board of Dlreclors As detailed in the USCN Articles and Memorandum of Association, the Board directs the organisation's strategic planning, financial managemenl and operalional issues. The Board meets, on average, 9 times a year with a full General Meeting io be held al least once every 15 monlhs. The Chairman leads the Board. and the Direclor leads the management of the organisalion. The Chairman's responsibilities include setting the Board Agenda and wlh the Direclor, is responsible lor the distribution of accurale, timely and clear information pertaining to the aclivities of the organisation. The diversity ol interesi groups from within the wider Ulsler.Scots sector, represented by the Board is seen as a key strength ol the organisalion. The Director attends Board meetings as a linkage between the slalf ol the organisation and the Board. The Director plays a full role al Board Meetings but does not have voting rights al such meelings. The USCN Board are responsible for scrutinising the perfomiance of the managemenl to be satisfied as to the integrity and strength of financial information controls and risk management of the organisation. Internal Controls The Directors (Trustees) are responsible for the organisalion's systems ol internal conlrol which are designed to provide reasonable assurance lo safeguard Ihe organisalion's assets against unaulhorised use or disposilion and Ihe maintenance of pr(per accounting records and the reliability of financial information used within Ihe organisatim. The Ulster-scots Community Nelwork recognises that effective corporale governance remains key to maintaining a strong organisational ethos in which Ihe Ulsler-scols community, Government and funders can be confidenl. Policies and controls are reviewed regularly by relevant personnel and actions lo address non-conformance are undertaken without delay. The financial procedures of the organisation are specifically governed by a Financial Pracedures Policy and the Procurernent Policy. A management accounting system is in place probryding management with financial and operational performance measurement indicators. Detailed account summaries are prepared monthly arKJ combined with up to date banking records, are regularly presenled to the USCN Board in clear and concise fomials. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (willnuffjd) Year ended 31 March 2025 Objectlves and actlvlties Oblectlves The Ulster.Scots Community Network (USCN} was estat￿iShed in 1995 to promote awareness and understanding ol the Ulster-scots tradition in language, lileralure, music and dance as well as the contribution of the Ulsler-scots community lo Ihe developmenl of life in Northern Ireland, the border counties of the Republic of Ireland and the Ulster-scots diaspora. As a representative body of many Ulster-scots V￿th around 600 member groups, Ihe USCN is committed lo a comprehensive exploration of the intefaction between Ulster and Scolland, which has been a conslant factor in the hislory ol the British Isles. The Ulster-scots Community Network aims lo preserve, promote and develop Ulsler-scols herilage and culture in all its lorms and lo make a constructive and progressive contribution to delivering a lully inclusive society in which mulual underslanding and tolerance are accepted as the norm - a society at peace with itself. We seek lo work to develop a culturally confidenl and creative community capable ol plawng a key role in our socieiy in future. We aim to achieve this by: Providing an umbrella organisalion for all interest groups engaging in Ulster-scots aclivities - language, culture and history., Increasing capacity and building relevant skills wth the Ulster-scots community- Promoting Ulster-scots activities and aiming lo increase community confidence; Acting as a tocal point for dissemination of information concerning Ulster-scots; Dw4eloping Ulsler-scots cullure and heritage throughout the education and lourisrn sectors and throughout the wider community. Slrateglc report The following sections for achievemenls and performance and financial rw4iew lorm the slralegic report of the charity. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnu•d) Year ended 31 March 2025 Achievements and performance Membership and Member Groups The USCN has continued to support our core member organisalions. The NeDNork currently supports approximateW 600 registered groups throughout Northern Ireland, the bor(ler counties of the Republic of Ireland and the wider Ulster-scols diaspora. These groups include Ulster-scols cultural groups. marching bands, local history societies, educalion groups, churches, and schools amongst others. Aclivities, Publications and Events during 2024 and inlo 2025 Based in the Discover Ulsler-scots Cenlre within the historic Corn Exchange building in Belfast are the Ulster-scots Community Netsyork's office. The Network also manages the visitors centre, performance space and shop unit there. This space provides a visible presence tor Ihe Ulster-scots community in 8elfast and showcases their role, impact and contribution lo wider socieiy including within Northern Ireland, the Border Counlies, and the impact the diaspora has had on world history. It also allows us to showcase the role thal the Ulsler-scots communily played in the development ol Bellast and its industrial contribulion to the world. The Board and staff view the cenlre as an opportunily to heighten awareness ol this Gontribution and to maintain the visibility ol the Ulster-scots community. USCN also continue to build upon opportunities for providing Ulster-scots materials into the community as part ol our outreach work and our collaboration wilh member groups Other notable aclivities include= Maintaining membership engagement 70 groups either joined or renewed their membership of the Network over the course of the year, keeping membership around 600 groups. USCN staff prowded assistance lo mernber groups across the year with over 250 meetings and 1000 responses to vaTiOUS queries groups had. We continue to work wilh groups lo secure funding from a range ol sources to improve the sector. Throughout the year slaff delivered a range ol talks to groups, as well as exhibition materials in a variety of venues with a near doubling year on year - partly driven by the removal of restrictions - to 112 sessions. Work continues wilh schools and community groups as well as with visiting groups within the centre and USCN staff have been involved in a range ot activities including the Balmoral Show which provide OFJPOrtunities lor engagement. USCN processed almost 200 Access Nl certificates this year for member groups as well as assisting over 50 member groups wilh policy advice and guidance as we seek lo enhance the capaciiy of the community. USCN also continue to develop their online presence Ihrough a variety ol social media channels as they look lo broaden the reach of their message particularly as they look lo engage with Ihe Ulster- Scots diaspora. As part of its ongoing programme of work USCN also delivered Open College Network Nl accredited courses in Ulster-scots Hislory and Identity with 11 courses being delivered across Northern Ireland. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guaranlee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnuedj Year ended 31 March 2025 Flnancial review We are grateful to the following organisalions who provided support to the USCN during the period under review: Ulster-scots Agency - Core Funding support including salaries, establishment costs and project monies. Arts Council ol Northern Ireland - Salary support {Publications Off icer) under their NLPF scheme, as well as programming cosls for our artistic programme. Herilage Lottery under the CRESI scheTne administering funding on behalf ol Department for Communities to recruit staff lo assist the future development of Ihe organisation within the sector. The Nalional Lottery Cornmunity Fund for the delivery of a capacity building programme 'Access to Resilience.. RESERVES POLICY Reserves are required by any organisation lo help offsel the inherent risk potential of reliance on funding applications and the processes they entail. USCN aims lo hold three monlhs core operating costs as a Business Reserve at all times. This ensures an effective salary net exists to cover fixed costs and staff salaries as well as successfully completing any outstanding project commitments. The actual financial amount held in reserve is reviewed regularly and is dependent on the availabilily of assets and the mean monthly operating total as calculaled at each review. Plans for future periods USCN is committed to the delivery ol the Key Performance Indicators as set out in Ihe currenl 202516 Business Plan of the organisation. These include.. Help secure £250k in financial assistance for member groups Provide 400 advice sessions to member groups on a range of relevant issues. Deliver a range of geographically diverse intormalion sessions on funding. Support at least 40 member groups with policy development Facilitate 100 Disclosure certificates through Access Nl Recruit at least 100 participants for Ihe OCN Nl Accredited Courses offered by USCN. Deliver talkslPresentations to at least 60 groups Grow the Network by SY. during the year Increase walk-in visitors to the Discover Ulster-scots Centre by 100/.. Deliver a range of cultural aclivities through the centre Meel regularly with key member organisations and maintain a strong and visible online and media presence Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Plans for fulure periods (continued) Future Grant Funding The USCN has secured core funding from the Ulster-scots Agency lor Ihe 2025 calendar year. This agreement expires in December 2025. Negotiations will commence to secure a financial package from the Ulster-scots Agency for 2026. with a business plan being submitted in late 2025.lt is also hoped that dLJring 2026 we wll be submitting a mutti-year Iwsiness plan which will assist us to move away from the current funding model. The Directors are confident that the Ulster-scots Agency will agree to proNllde sufficient core funding to allow Ihe Network lo continue in existence and are not aware of any reason why the Ulsler-scols Agency's financial support mighl be y￿thdrawn. Arts Council funding has now been secured for the current financial year 2024125 to support the posl of Publications Officer and other financial supwrt has been received from Heritage Lottery Fund lo support an additional post wthin the Ne￿Ork through until mKJ-2025. Directors. responsibililles slalement The direclors, who are also directors lor the purposes ol company law, are resFM)nsible for preparing the directors, report and the financial statemenls in accordance wth applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards {Uniled Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclice). Company law requires the charity directors Io Pfepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to: select suitable accounting policies and Ihen apply them consistently", observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP. make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent" state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been lollowed, subjecl to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in bLbsiness. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accoLJnting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charivs Iransactions and disclose ¥￿h reasonable accuracy al any tirne the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure tttal the financial slalemenls comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for laking reasonable sleps for the prevenlion and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Directors, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2025 Audltor Each of the persons who is a director at the date of approval ol this report confirms that: so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit infomiation of which the charily's auditor is unaware; and they have taken all steps that they ought to have laken as a director lo make themselves aware of any relevant audit inlormalion and to establish that the charitys auditor is aware of that informalion. The auditor is deemed to have been re-appointed in accordance with section 487 01 the Companies Acl 2006. The directors, annual rewrt and the strategic report were atproved on 19 December 2025 and signed on behalf ol the board of trustees by: Mrs. E. Cameron Director Mrs. L. Director Iholland Mrs. A. Smyth Director Mr. N. Mccausland Chairman Mr. G. Campbell Director Mrs. C. Evans Director Mr. W. Carlile Director Mr M. Smylh Director Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Members ol Ulster-scots Community Network Year ended 31 March 2025 Oplnlon We have audited Ihe financial statements of Ulster-scots Community Network (the 'chariW) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statemenl of financial aclivtties (including income and expenditure accounll, statemenl of financial position and the related notes, including a summary of significanl accounting policies. The financial reporting framework Ihat has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Uniled Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclicel. In our opinion the financial statements-. give a true and fair wew ol the state of the charitys affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including ils income and expenditure, for the year then ended. have been property prepared in accordance ¥￿th Uniled Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounling Practice., have been prepared in accordance wlh Ihe requirements of the Companies Acl 2006. Basis for opinion We conducled our audit in accordance wilh Inlemational Standards on Auditing (UK) IISAS (UK)) and applicable law. Our reswnsibililies undef those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements seclion of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements Ihat are relevanl to our audil of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance v￿th these requiremenls. We believe thal the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis tor our OFMnion. Malerial uncertainty related to going concem We draw attention lo note 3 in the financial statements. which indicates thal in forming our unqualified opinion, we have considered Ihe adequacy of the disclosures made in the financial statements concerning Ihe charitys ability to continue as a going concern. Short term granl funding horizons rnean Ihal the organisalion must apply lor core financial assistance on an annual basis and, at the dale ol our audit report, the charity is not in receipt of a specific letter of offer in relation lo this. The financial statements have been prepared on a going COnGern basis, the validity of which depends on the continued supporl of the charitys grant funders. As slated in note 3, Ihese events or condilions, along with the other matters as sel forth in note 3, indicate that a material uncertainty exists that rnay cast signilicant doubt on the charitys ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is nol modified in respect of this matter. OUT responsibilities and Ihe responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Ulster-scots Community Nelwork (contin￿d) Year ended 31 March 2025 Other Information The olher informalion comprises the inlormation included in Ihe annual report, other Ihan Ihe financial statements and our auditor's rekX)rt Ihereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on Ihe finanual statements does not Cover the other information and, excepi to Ihe exlenl other￿lse explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any lonn of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection wilh our audit of the financial statements: our Tesponsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materialty inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or olherwse appears to be materially misstated. 11 we identity such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statemenls or a malerial misstatement of the olher information. If, based on the woth we have perforrned, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required lo report that facl. We have nolhing to report in this regard. Opinions on olher matters prescribed by the Companles Acl 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course ot the audit: the information given in the direclors, report for the financial year lor which the linanciai statements are prepared is consistent wth the financial statements; and the directors. report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Matters on which we are requlred lo report by exception In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its eniironmenl obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identih.ed material misstatements in Ihe directors, rewrt. We have nothing to report in respect of the followng matters in relation to which Ihe Companies Act 2006 requires us lo report to you rf, in our opinion: adequate accounting records have not been kept, or retums adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us. or the financial slalemersts are not in agreemenl with the accounling records and returns,. or certain disclosures of directors. remuneralion specified by law are not made; or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audil. 10- Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Ulster-scols Community Network (contlnwd) Year ended 31 March 2025 Responsibilities of dlrectors As explained more fully in the direclors, responsibilities statement, the directors (who are also the directors for the purposes ol company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the linancial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and lair wew, and lor such inlernal Gonlrol as the direclors delermine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial slalements that are free from malerial misstatement, whether due to fraud OT error. In preparing the financial slatements, the direclors are responsible for assessing the charttvs ability to conlinue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis ol accounting unless Ihe directors either intend to liquidate the charity or to Gease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 11 Ulster-scots Community Network Company Limited by Guarantee Independent Audilor's Report to the Members of Ulster-scols Community Network (conlln¢ Year ended 31 March 2025 Auditorfs responsibilities for the audit ot Ihe financial stalements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the linancial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due lo fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonat￿e assurance is a high level of assurance, bul is not a guarantee thal an audit conducle¢J in accordance wlh ISAS IUKI wll always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misslatemenls can arise from Iraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions ol users taken on the basis of these financial slatements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances ol non