2024-03-31-annual-report

Youth With A Mission NORTHERN IRELAND

Trustees Annual Report for

YOUTH WITH A MISSION (NI) LTD

for year ending 31[st ] March 2024

Charity Registration No. NIC101261

Youth With A Mission NI Ltd 44 Shore Road Rostrevor County Down BT34 3ET Northern Ireland

Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

44 Shore Road | Rostrevor, Newry, Co. Down BT34 3ET | Northern Ireland [phone] | [e-mail] | www.ywamireland.org

Companies House UK Reg. No: NI029316. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101261

Trustees Annual Report Youth With A Mission (NI) Ltd 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024

CHARITY DETAILS

Company Registration No . NI029316

Charity Registration No . NIC101261

Directors:

Mr S C Sotomayor Mr J R Clark Miss L E Lammardo Mr M K Oman Mr R I Clarke Mr S Mayers Mr D G Hines

Company Secretary:

Mr W S Nicora

Registered Office:

AnCuan 44 Shore Road Rostrevor County Down BT34 3ET Northern Ireland

Youth With A Mission NI Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered with the Companies House UK on 7[th] March 1995, and a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 15[th] December 2014.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

The charity’s primary mission is to promote the Christian faith, with a particular focus on engaging young people. This is achieved through residential discipleship training programmes, collaborative initiatives with local churches and communities, various outreach efforts, and the creation of opportunities for international mission work.

Throughout the reporting period, the Board of Trustees has adhered to the charity’s foundational documents, including the Memorandum & Articles of Association, Memorandum of Agreement, and Memorandum of Understanding. Their operations have also aligned with the current standards and guidelines provided by the Charity Commission in Northern Ireland.

OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

Since its establishment in 1995, the charity has overseen the activities of YWAM NI across Northern Ireland. During this period, YWAM NI has been active in six key locations: Rostrevor, Belfast, Enniskillen, Newry, Derry/Londonderry, and Bangor.

YWAM in Rostrevor – AnCuan Centre

During the reporting period, YWAM AnCuan continued to serve as a hub for reconciliation, community building, and Christian spiritual renewal, while offering missionary training. A variety of events and initiatives were held to support these aims. Weekly community worship nights provided a welcoming space for people to connect with one another and with God. The Children’s Art Club offered a fun and creative outlet for young participants.

The Annual Pumpkin Fest provided a safe and enjoyable Halloween event, attracting one of its largest turnouts to date. Additionally, the Multicultural Kids Camp brought children from diverse cultural backgrounds together for a free, three-day experience focused on connection and learning. AnCuan also served as a central venue during the village-wide Fiddler’s Green Festival, hosting concerts and operating a café that became a gathering point throughout the event.

44 Shore Road | Rostrevor, Newry, Co. Down BT34 3ET | Northern Ireland [phone] | [e-mail] | www.ywamireland.org

Companies House UK Reg. No: NI029316. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101261

Youth engagement included weekly game nights, offering a fun and inclusive space for young people to connect. AnCuan staff also supported a local church by assisting with worship, event decoration, and building maintenance. The centre ran an international Discipleship Training School (DTS) with six trainees, which included an outreach to Lebanon focused on peacebuilding and ministry service. Online Peacebuilding Small Groups and a two-week Foundations for Christian Peacebuilding course further emphasised the importance of fostering peace within local communities.

YWAM in Belfast

YWAM Belfast remained deeply involved in the community through a variety of activities and programmes. Regular events such as Bible studies, worship nights, and Community Nights provided opportunities for connection and networking. The annual peace prayer walk on 11th and 12th July highlighted their commitment to fostering reconciliation. Monthly open mic nights created a creative and inclusive space, complemented by occasional one-off events for this vibrant community.

YWAM Belfast partnered with local initiatives, including a school uniform project and winter coat drives, to support those in need. Their Christmas prayer project connected local churches with their communities, offering vital winter support. The ministry also hosted short-term mission teams from across the UK and the USA, connecting them with local partners to serve the city.

Team members actively contributed by teaching English to migrants, providing sports coaching, and leading peace tours in the area. They also supported local organisations through youth work, refugee tutoring, and participation in summer programmes. One team member served on the National Leadership Team for YWAM Ireland, while another focused on safeguarding at the national level. In January 2024, YWAM Belfast launched an international DTS with four trainees, culminating in an outreach to Albania, where they collaborated with local ministries.

YWAM in Enniskillen

YWAM Enniskillen underwent significant changes during this period, including relocating to a new base at 8 Cooper Crescent, a historic and centrally located home that offered fresh opportunities for ministry. Despite this transition, their work remained impactful. They organised and led the final Borderwalk, continued prison ministry across the border in Blacklion, and engaged in local Bible studies and a church-led football ministry.

The third Borderlands DTS was a highlight, with five trainees completing a two-month outreach in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This programme was particularly successful due to its strong staff team and speakers, as well as the new facilities. YWAM Enniskillen also hosted a retreat for the National Leadership Team (NLT) and began its first Foundations for Counselling Ministry school, facilitated by a team from YWAM Monterrey, Mexico. This programme involved 16 participants, adding vibrancy to the ministry.

YWAM in Newry

YWAM Newry focused on fostering community connection through their Fringe Coffee Co. project. Recognising the social challenges following the pandemic, the team worked to create platforms for interaction, including outdoor coffee events and a roastery. They continued renovating a caravan to develop a mobile coffee unit, furthering their vision of a physical Arts & Media centre.

During the reporting period, the team also travelled to South Africa, where they partnered with local organisations to offer support, encouragement, and explore potential life-skills programmes centred on coffee training.

YWAM in Derry/Londonderry - Oak Grove

In Derry/Londonderry, YWAM Oak Grove engaged in various activities to build relationships and foster community. They organised prayer walks, hosted small groups, and facilitated discussions on Christian life. Worship events were held across the city and surrounding areas, and one-on-one prayer sessions offered personal support.

The team collaborated with Youth Initiatives, hosted YWAM teams, and organised a worship event at St. Augustine’s Church to mark the completion of Borderwalk 2023. Their Christmas outreach, Trees of Hope, involved placing trees in public locations and distributing prayer tags to eight churches. Preparations also began for a Halloween outreach planned for October 2024.

YWAM Bangor

In Bangor, YWAM wrapped up its ministry activities as the main leaders transitioned out of Northern Ireland. Their legacy of service remains a foundation for future ministry in the region.

44 Shore Road | Rostrevor, Newry, Co. Down BT34 3ET | Northern Ireland [phone] | [e-mail] | www.ywamireland.org

Companies House UK Reg. No: NI029316. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101261

FINANCES

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) continues to exhibit creativity and adaptability in its approach to fundraising, maintaining a lean operation with minimal overhead costs. This efficiency has allowed YWAM NI Ltd to fulfil its mission and deliver vital services to the community, even amidst economic challenges faced across the country.

YWAM NI Ltd’s annual accounts have been prepared in accordance with established accounting policies, consistent with prior years. The organisation has diligently maintained accurate records and provided all necessary documentation to its independent examiner, ensuring that the financial report reflects a clear and transparent overview of the charity’s financial health.

Fundraising

YWAM NI Ltd is steadfast in its commitment to ethical fundraising practices, following guidelines set by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and the principles outlined by the Fundraising Standards Board. While not a formal member, the organisation upholds these standards rigorously. Fundraising activities are conducted openly during public meetings, fostering direct relationships with donors and ensuring transparency in the use of all funds received.

Reserves Policy

The organisation operates responsibly within its financial means and builds reserves when feasible. With no mortgage obligations and a staff composed entirely of unpaid voluntary workers, YWAM NI Ltd benefits from significantly lower expenditure compared to other charities. This unique structure allows the organisation to prioritise financial stability while maintaining flexibility. The reserves policy is reviewed annually to ensure it meets current and future needs effectively.

SUMMARY

As in previous years, we are pleased that our work is growing and becoming more crucial in Northern Ireland, throughout the island of Ireland and around the world.

On behalf of Youth With A Mission NI Ltd:

Mr Scott C Sotomayor Chair of Trustees

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Walter S Nicora
Secretary
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44 Shore Road | Rostrevor, Newry, Co. Down BT34 3ET | Northern Ireland [phone] | [e-mail] | www.ywamireland.org

Companies House UK Reg. No: NI029316. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101261