2024-03-31-annual-report

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ANNUAL REPORT ARK KINGDOM MINISTRIES

Trustee Report Year Ending 31 March 2023

Ark kingdom ministries charity presents its annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 and confirms they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the trust deed, and the Charities SORP.

Constitution adopted 6 May 2003. Further updated upon Registration with the charity commission for Northern Ireland dated 24 March 2013

Ark Kingdom Ministries operate under a Declaration of Trust deed dated 2003.

The trustees of Ark kingdom ministries charity comply with the guidance of the charity commission in providing a service for the public benefit.

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CHARITY INSURANCE Ecclesiastical Marsh Bedford House Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7DX

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Mandar Patel Courtfield Trading Limited 13 Church Avenue Leicester LE3 6AJ

DANSKE BANK 14 Broad Street Magherafelt Co, Londonderry/ Derry BT45 6EA

AKMC OFFICE 55 Molesworth Street Cookstown County Tyrone BT80 8NX

GOVERNANCE Ark Kingdom Ministries adheres to our nondenominational belief and the principle of accountability. The charity is governed by a board of trustees and a leadership board that ensures the kingdom principles of our Lord Jesus Christ is without reproach.

TRUSTEES Pastor Ufuoma Obahor Pastor Stephen Bamgbala Mrs Sandra Obahor Miss Beth Service Mrs Eunice Marks

Method of Appointment The members elect trustees at the AGM

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Ark Kingdom Ministries

Statement of Trustees responsibilities

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year, which gives an accurate and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently

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Make reasonable and prudent judgements and estimates

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Prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to run.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the charity's financial position and enable them to ensure that the financial accounts comply with charity commission guidelines.

Objectives of The Charity

The Charity Is Established for the following: Advancement of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Ministry of Jesus Christ) In Accordance with The Letter and Spirit of The Trust's Statement of Faith

The Relief of Poverty

The Provision of Facilities in The Interests of Social Welfare for Recreation And Other Leisure Time Occupation Of People Who Are In Need As A Result Of Their Youth, Age, Infirmity Or Social And Economic Circumstances

For the Personal and Social Development of Young People to Reach Their Full Potential Physically and Spiritually

Promoting the Welfare and Safety of Individuals.

They are also responsible for safeguarding the charity's assets and taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the trustees by: Signature:

Name: Mrs Sandra Obahor

Date: 27[th] January 2025

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What We Do

The Ark Kingdom Ministries (AKM) is a faith-based charity governed by a board of trustees. Our core principle is to promote the welfare of families in line with the charity's objectives. We provide pastoral care, encourage spiritual growth in Jesus Christ, alleviate poverty, and promote the well-being of young people and adults through various recreational projects.

Operations

Based in Mid-Ulster, AKM operates a charity shop, a food bank, baby bank and work experience in Cookstown. These initiatives provide support the wellbeing of families and support for those with low income and facing hardship due to unforeseen circumstances.

• Customer service

• Professional presentation

• Workplace communication skills

Community engagement and volunteering allow local people to contribute to the charity’s work. The generosity of the community in donating goods has played a vital role in sustaining these efforts.

AKM has also assisted low-income families by offering a buy-now-pay-later scheme. Every visitor is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of background. Over the years, our charity shop has evolved into a community space where people connect, seek advice, and find encouragement.

Pastoral Support

Charity Shop

the charity shops offer a range of items, including:

Pastor Ufuoma dedicates his time to providing pastoral care, welcoming individuals who seek guidance and support.

• Clothing for children and adults

• Shoes

• Toys and puzzles

• Books

• Bric-à-brac

• Furniture

AKM ensures that all donated items are clean and in good condition before being sold. Clothing is washed, and items are tested to maintain quality standards

Our Mission

Ark Kingdom Ministries is committed to promoting the welfare and safety of all individuals. Our primary mission is to reach the community with a message of hope and restoration. Family is at the heart of our work, as we believe that strengthening family bonds is key to fostering a supportive and thriving community.

The charity shop supports young people and vulnerable adults practical work experience and employment skills training through the operation of our charity shop. Volunteers, including some trustees, run the shop, dedicating their time to serving the community. Additionally, the charity shop support network for families, providing advice on issues such as children struggling in school and peer pressure under AKM’s pastoral care. It also serves as a safe space where individuals can find a listening ear and seek guidance.

Achievements Community Support and Development The charity shop provided young people (five) and three) vulnerable adults with hands on work experience. These participants have built confidence, gained work experience, and developed essential skills, including:

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Antioch Foodbank & Ark Kingdom Ministries Annual Report 2023/2024

1. Introduction

Antioch Foodbank, founded in 2014 in Cookstown, operates as part of Ark Kingdom Ministries. The food bank is run entirely by dedicated volunteers who are committed to supporting the community.

2. Community Needs and Support

According to the 2014 census district survey, Cookstown was identified as a town below the poverty line. Antioch Foodbank continues to provide essential food parcels across the Mid-Ulster region, offering ambient food and toiletries to those in need. As of the writing of this report in 2024, our services have reached hundreds of individuals and families.

3. Services Provided

• Food Parcels: Distributed to individuals and families facing hardship.

• Voucher System: A food voucher is completed for record-keeping in compliance with GDPR regulations. An online service is also available for easy voucher completion.

• Walk-in Service: Clients can access support in person.

• Collaborations: Antioch Foodbank works closely with Sure Start, Social Services, the Young People's Housing Support Team, and Women's Aid to ensure that those in need receive comprehensive support.

The Baby Bank, Bump2Baby, has been a great support to organisations working with families, Family Intervention Team, and families referred from Gold Start. This year, our requests for baby essentials have been increasing, with support coming in from various organizations. The community has also generously donated items such as baby clothes, prams, travel cots, and Moses’ baskets. These contributions have been invaluable in helping families facing hardship.

4. Other Supporters

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to some of our supporters for their generous contributions:

• Girls Brigade, First Stewartstown Presbyterian for their kind donation of ambient food supplies.

• Kiddiwinkles Care & Learning Centre, Cookstown for donating toys, nappies, wipes, and food.

• NSL Parking Enforcement Team for their generous donation of ambient food.

• Loughry College, Dungannon for their food donations, including pasta, rice, sauces, cereals, biscuits, sweets, sugar, and tinned fruits.

5. Operational Hours

• Thursday: 10 AM - 4 PM

• • Friday: 10 AM - 4 PM • Saturday: 11 AM - 4 PM

• Emergency Assistance: Available outside of normal hours for individuals in urgent need, including those facing domestic violence, newly released prisoners, or refugees.

6. Financial and Community Support

• Antioch Foodbank operates with limited funding and relies heavily on the generosity of the community.

• Primary Supporter: Asda Cookstown, which consistently provides essential ambient food donations.

• Unmanned Trolley Donations: A weekly unmanned trolley at Asda Cookstown has resulted in approximately £5,500 worth of food donations, significantly helping to meet the growing demand for food parcels.

As the need for food parcels continues to rise, we remain dedicated to expanding our outreach efforts and strengthening our community relationships to ensure we can continue to support those in need.

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7. Easter Treat

In Easter 2023, Antioch Food Bank partnered with Asda Cookstown to distribute 91 Easter eggs. The Family Intervention Team in Cookstown received 53 eggs, and Gold Start Cookstown received 50. Additionally, Women's Aid and more families within the local community benefited from the initiative, all aimed at promoting family well-being.

8. Hampers & Toy Appeal

• With the support of the community, Antioch Foodbank distributed Christmas food hampers, providing essential groceries and toiletries to families in need during the festive season.

• In partnership with Asda's Community Champion, Antioch Foodbank's Christmas Toy Appeal distributed toys to children aged 0 to 17, ensuring that local children experienced the joy of the holidays.

9. Antioch Café

Antioch Café serves as a welcoming community hub that offers a supportive space for individuals to connect, converse, and improve their mental wellbeing. Open three days a week, the café supports people from all walks of life, regardless of social or economic background.

• The charity aims to recruit additional trustees and volunteers to diversify skills and better represent the community.

• A new annual fundraising strategy will be developed to support ongoing projects and future initiatives.

12. Media & Awareness

• Facebook and YouTube continue to serve as our primary communication platforms, with a focus on mental health and suicide prevention.

• Content is tailored to offer encouragement and support to vulnerable individuals within our community.

14. Policies and Procedures

Ark Kingdom Ministries (AKM) is committed to the health, safety, and welfare of its members, staff, volunteers, and service users. Policies are reviewed and updated annually in line with government guidelines.

Reviewed & Updated Policies:

• Health and Safety

• Data Protection (GDPR)

• Safeguarding (Children & Adults)

• Access NI

• Child Protection

• Equal Opportunities

• Fundraising Regulation

10. Pastoral Care

In 2023, prisoners faced heightened isolation due to pandemic restrictions. To counter this, zoom meetings were organized to provide them with social interaction, encouragement, and emotional support.

15. Thank You

We extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• Volunteers, organisations, and the community for their continuous support.

• Local businesses, particularly Asda Cookstown, for their contributions to the food bank.

11. Moving Forward

• The AKM charity shop has faced revenue losses and may need to relocate due to rising building costs.

• Schools, youth clubs, and community members for their donations to support various initiatives.

• The trustees for their commitment to the mission and ensuring compliance with the Charity Commission NI.

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Above all, we thank GOD, the giver of life, and His Son, JESUS CHRIST, through whom we have the HOLY SPIRIT.

16. Conclusion

Our primary goal for 2023/2024 is to ensure the safety of both service users and volunteers while continuing to meet the needs of the community, in full compliance with government regulations. This includes safeguarding vulnerable individuals while working within the community.

The trustees would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the community for their ongoing support of both the food bank and AKM services.

This report outlines the key activities and progress of Antioch Foodbank and Ark Kingdom Ministries over the past year and highlights our commitment to serving those in need. We look forward to continuing our work and strengthening our impact in the community in the year ahead.

Ufuoma Obahor – CHAIRMAN TRUSTEE

Signature : U. Obahor

Date: 27[th] January 2025

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