RAMS (NI) LTD Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporaling the Director's Report) Year ended 31 December 2019 The trustees. who are also the directors for Ihe purposes of company law. present thelr report and the unaudited Ilnancial statem8nts ol the charily for the year ended 31 December 2019. Reference and admlnlstrallve detalls Rogistored ¢harity name RAMS (NII LTD Charlty iegl$tYaHon number N1101381 Company reglstratlon number N122025 Princlpal ofllce and reglstered 94195 Cily Business Park olfi¢o The Cutts Dunmurry Bellast BT17 9HU The trusteos Mrs P Crawford MTWJBeck Mrs M Wilkinson Mrs K GeTvin Mr S Mcerlean Mrs R Gillis (Retired 24 May 2019) (Appointed 24 May 20191 Company secretary Mrs Penny Crawford Independent examlner John Magee 631 Lisburn Road Bellast BT9 7GT
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrector's Report) (conllnued) Year ended 31 December 2019 Slru¢ture. governance and management Govomlng Documont Race Against Multiple Sclerosis IRAMSI is a company limited by guaran*ee{Company No: N1220251 and is a regisler8d charity with the NortheTn Ireland Charity Commission INIC 1013811.The charity was incorporated on 12th October 1988. li was founded under a Memorandum ol Association which established the objects and powers ol the charitabl8 company and is governed by ils Articles ol Association, which were amended and approved by Special Resolution on 27th April 2015 to enable individuals with both MS and other debilitating conditions to avail and benefit Iiom its seTvices. Organlsatlonal Structure The charity Is managed by the Trustee Management Commrttee comprising the company directors and meets at leasi quarterly. The Committee sets the stralegic direction, budgets. policies and wactices of the charity and monitors its successes and performance. Day to day management of the charity is delegated to the Centre Manager ,ineluding training and supervision ol staff. Racrultment and Appolntm•nt of Managomont Committee A minimum of 3 and maxitnum of 10 Board Mernbers are appointed by election at each Annual General Meeling IAGM) of the Gharity. BoaTd Members must retire Irom offico al each AGM and are eligible for re-eleclion. The charity can appoint an employe8 lo the Committee wher8 this is in the best interesls of the rhaTity; the advantages ol Ihis clearly oulweigh Ihe disadvantages; conflicts ol inlwesls can be adequately managed,. and the employee receives no addilional pay or benefits as a direct result of becoming a Trustee. The olficers of the company are appointed by Ihe Board at their first meeting following the AGM. Trustee Indu¢llon and Tralnlng New Tru8lees are briefed on the oblectives and aclivilie8 of the charty and the environment vjilhin which it operates and on their duties and responsibilities to the charity, ils supporteis and beneficiaries. All Tnjstees are required lo familiarise themselves with the charity's policies and procedures and with The Northern Ireland Charity Commission's 'Running your chatity: support for charity Trustees on key aspects ol running a charity effectively,. Rlgk Managernent The Truslees have conducted a review ol Ihe risks to which the charity is exposed and asses$ed th6ir relative significance. Where appropriate, systems and procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Policies and procedures are in place lo ensure the health and safety of stsff, volunteers. users and visitors ol the Cenlre. These procedures are periodically reviewed lo ensure that they continue to meet the needs ol the charity. The Trustees are sponSible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financÈal statements in accordance with applicable law. The trustees have paid due regard lo the Charity Commission guidance on public benelit. The trustees are confident that RAMS. aims and objectives are in accordance with the regulations on public benefit.
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Llmiled by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (conllnuedj Year ended 31 December 2019 Objectlves and acllvliies Purposes. oblectlveg and actlvltles RAMS. main purpose. as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. is to aid and improve for the public benefit the health, well-being and quality of life ol those living in Northern Ireland with Multiple Sclerosis Imsland other debilitating health conditions. Thls Is accompllshed by: providSng a range of holistic and benelicial complementary medicd therapies offering speclalist support to Individuals, carers and families providing professional information, guidance and advice provlding a communlty therapy centre where irKlividuals and theiT families can meet lo help and support one another people affected by lilelong debilitating illnesses still have a meaningful Tole within society- to family, WOTk, spirituai. SOCI and community life. We believe they should hav6 access to trgatmenl and support S8Tvices that are: holistic in their approach useful and impact positively on health and well-being additional and complementary lo any existing serviGes of high quality delivered by statt wth spaG5a11 expertise aflordable ¢onvenienily located easily accessible community based We aim to help those with MS and other chronic debililaling conditions to feel and function better- stay as active and independent as possible. remain living in their own homes,. conlinue in education and paid employment. carry on caring for their children and dependants,. reel more conlident and able to cope and less isolated, stressed and depressed. think positively,. plan ahead; look foNard to the future. and enjoy participating in family, leisure, spiritual and community lile. We support people living across the ènlire province of Northern Ireland. Ensurlng our work lIverS tho ¢harlty's aims The TTUStees refer to the guidance Provided by the Charity Commission on public benefit when planning any activi118S to ensure they conform with th8 charitS purpose and fundamental ethos and contribute to th8 achievement ol RAMS, aims and objectives. In addition, RAMS has a general policy to bring together persons living with MS and persons interested in MS, and those living yth other debilitating conditions, to form a member based community. in which the treatment and support delivered by RAMS benefits the well-being and quality of life for everyone in that community. Prlnclpal actlvllles The charlty exists to support people with Muttiple Sclerosls and other debilllatSng condltlons and to ease the impact of suffering on their, and their loved ones,. Ilves. MS and olher chronic illnesses are unpredictable, incurable and widely variable. Chronic diseases cause a variety of unpleasant and incapacitating symptoms. affecling movement, mood and bodily functions. Their devastating and complex nature means that specialist support is essential to help people cope" manage theiT symptoms; stay as healthy and well as possible arsd improve their quality of life. Without our Therapy Centre the availability of holistic treatment and support servlces would be gravely limited in the local and wider area, and in many cases would be non-existent.
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guaraniee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Dlrectorfs Report) (¢ontlnued) Year ended 31 December 2019 The principal activities of RAMS can be split into three broad elements: Therapeutic holistic treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy,. physiotherapy and massage therapy,. electromagneti¢ stimulation therapy- vibration therapy- and flowtron therapy. •Counselling, information, advice & nutritional guidance.•A supportive la¢ility and network for individuals and lamilies affected by MS arKI Chronic illness. Our woik complements that provided by Ihe NHS and olher voluntary organisalions. With the addition of our services. hospital visits and admissions can be avoided and hospital discharges accelerated and supported. Where the focus of other charities is largely on linancial support, befriending, SpIte relief, political lobbying or research ours Is fixed exclusively on health and wellbeing as these undertie every aspect of a person's life. Therapeutic Treatments Thè charity offers a range ol holistic treatments that are designgd to help people feel and fu[tiOn better. These treatments are largely unavailable, inaccessible or unaffordable elsewhere in the province. A number of medical treatments are available on Ihe NHS. however these are not suitable for everyone and some support services can have lengthy wailing lists and a linile numbei ol appointmenls. Treatments for advanced. progressive and degenerative conditions are often mole Ilmited and many drug th8Yapies are associatad with intolerable and unwanted side effects. RAMS offers a range of subsidised holistic therapies that are designed to complement and enhance any other medicd treatments people are receiving and to assist those lor whom NHS treatments are unavailable or unsuitable. People can 'walk-in' and sell-reler to our cenire and can avail of our services on a daily basis, when and as they need them, particularly at eritical times and Iraumati events during diagnosis, relapse and disease progression. Access to the charity's seNices is availabie to everyone, subjecl to Ireatments being suitable and beneficial to tho individuals, concerned and Ihe charity's available resources. Any linancial contribution made by those attending for tr6atment is used towards the costs of running the Cenlre. Our holistic therapies and servicas include:_ Hyperbarlc Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) - this Irealmenl involves breathing pure oxygBn within a pressurized chamber. It helps lo provlde some symptom rellef and assisl with the Yehabililalion and recovery process. Patients report a number of F)osltive physical and mental health benefits. HBOT can help lo relieve pain and inflammation,. reduce faligL&e. infectlon and depression; aid sleep and relaxation. improve mood, mobility and con¢enlration' promole tissue regeneration and b¢)ost immunity and energy levels. Physlothervapy, Exerclse & Massage - individually tailored programmes are provided to improve strength and mobility; promote independence; and prevent deterioration and permanent disability. Electromagnetlc Stlmulatlon Therapy has analgesic. anti-inllamrnatory, anlispasmodic, regenerative and relaxanl ettects and can help lo provide some symptom relief for many chronic ailments. Whole Body Vibration Therapy to enhance physical fitness, muscle strength. blood CiTculation, lymphatic drainage and bone density. 11 is particularly useful in enabling people with physically debilitaling conditions such as MS,Spinal Stenosis, Stroke, Osteoporosis, Arthritis.
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrector's Report) (n1[nu•d) Year ended 31 December 2019 Parkinson's Disease and back pain to exercise safely aTKI easily. Flowtron Therapy- used io help In a varlety ol vascular. circulatory and lymphatic conditions to boost blood flow and circulation In persons after trauma, orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery and is particularly useful for those who are unable to mobilise due to illness an(J/or disabilily. helping to prevent blood olots and oomplicalions of venotjs stasis. Counselling1 Inlorniation & Advl¢e - helps people and their families lo live wlth an In¢urable and unpredictable condition and the many challenges it caus8s. Our friendly, professional and understanding stalf offer great en¢ouragem6nl and support to everyone. Wg provide positive and practical expert infomiation that rs up to dale and readily available- and constructive advic8. counselling and group support that help to make everyday lrfe less of a struggle. Nutrltlonal Guldance - evidence based In the context ol MS and neLtrologl¢al disease to help relieve muscle weakness, spasms, bowel problems, fatlgue and other symploms. Support Network - we olfer a weS¢oming and inclusive community centre. where people in similar circumstances can meet to share experlences., exchange ideas and solullons. make frlend$hips: and support and help one anolher.
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporaiing the Dlrector's Report) (¢onllnu8dJ Year ended 31 December 2019 Achlevements and pertorman¢e A¢hlevements and performance During the year we delivered 1384 treatments. helped more than 450 people and welcomed 71 new patients. We also recruited and supported 11 new volunteers. We answered more than 900 enquiries, performed 376 health assessments, undertook 116 Consultations and carried out over 300 sUPPOrt sessions. Wg continued relationshlps wlth many of our long-temi devoted friends, local businesses and organisalions and enlisted the help of several new funders who saw the valuable contributioll and difference we are making to the lives ol disabled individuals in Northern Ireland. We also teamed up wtth a local cancer charlty to provide holisllc treatments to people with secondary metastatic disease. We werg very kindly granted fun(ts lo purchase new physiotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy equipment that will enable us to extend our range ot physiolherapy treatments and cater for additional patients. Our service users were very satlslled overall with the staff, Centre and services provided. There were no accidents. Injurles or adverse Incidents reported throughout the year. 99Yo of patlenls said the cenlre had made a dlfference lo their quality ol lrfe. Thay reported less pain. stress and fatigue. betier mood. more energy. better sleep. better bladder control; less ch8sI and urinary tract infections,. fewer Irips and faits., sharper memory. better focus and greater concentration,. fewer visits lo GP and hospital and 18ss reliance on painkillers and other medications. More than 213 of those accessing trealment had progressive disease. All those using the centra would recommend il to othèrs with similar illnesses. Patienlg found it was èasy to contact the centre and arrange timely appointsnents. Patients travelled from all 5 counties, demonstrating that Comparable services are not available nearby and our centre is well situated to serve the entire province. Patients tTusled and valued the experience of staff and their ability to lislen, explain and advise. They felt welcomed, encouraged and supported. 82Yo of palients remained in paid employmenl. 99% remained living in their own homes. 91 reported teeling emotionally stronger. More than 113 had been vtsiting the centre for more than 5 years and attended weekiy, indi¢ating that we are providing long-term conlinuous support. Comrnitted Team Our team of staff and volunteers is a holistic multi-disciplinary team sharing extensTve knowledge, skills and expeitise. Our staff have more than 30 years experience in Iheir dedicated fields ol SP8cialist healthcare, management and holistic therapy. Contrfbutlon ol Volunteers The success of fundralsing events and public collectiorts are dependent on the ongoing support ol many volunieers. The Trustees are extremely graletul for all who have generously provided their skills and lime foT the benefit of Ihe charity Ihroughoul Ihe year.
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee . Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (eortiinu) Year ended 31 December 2019 Finan¢lal revlew Voluntary Income We are a small, independent and completely self-funding chaTity. We do not receive any financial help from the governmenl or NHS. To finance the provision of our aclivities, the charity is dependent upon voluntary income from the following sources:_ Fundraising activities Public collections Subscriptions & donations from members and supporters Donations & grants Irom charitable trusts, companies, councils and voluntary groups OUT income for lh8 year neared £72,000 and comprised £19,507 trom fundraising evenls and collectlons,. £16,806 from memb8T and supporter donations. £26.690 from grants and company donations. and £8,486 from Gift Aid. This money was spent directly on Ihe £73.000 required to run the centre and deliver Sls charitable activities throughout the year. We are delighled lo have raised sufficient lunds in 2019 to meet our modest and necessary expendlture. Thank you to everyone who lundraised, donated and supported our woik throughout the yeaT. Your support helps lo make a real ditterence lo the lives ol individuals who might otherwise have difficulty walking, talking, eating, writing and dressing,. develop problems with their sight. swallow. continence, memory and concentration- be forced to give up their jobs and relinquish care ol their Children- require nursing home care- and potentially dectde lo take their own lives. Reserveg Pollcy The charity is authorised within its constitution to Set aside funds for spgeial purposes or as reserves against lulure expenditurè. Ideally the Trustees aim to maintain a prudent level of free reserves at between 6 and 12 months ot operating expend(fure lo provide an immediately available sourCe should the Centre experience a significanl adverse event. Since the unforeseen and devaslaling flash flood of 2012 and Ihe significant costs that were incurred in refurbishing the Centre as a consequ8n of of the extensive damage Caused, the ¢haiitls Iree reseNes are currently sitting at approximately 3 to 4 months ol running costs. Invèstment Polky The charity is parmitted under its constilution to deposit and invest funds for Ihe purposes of furthering Its aim8 and objgctives. The charitys year on year annual incoming resources have however been used to m8et annual running costs. Srnall company provlslons This report has been prepared in a¢¢ordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companles exemption. The trustees, annual report was approved on trustees by.. and signed on behalf of Ihe board of Mrs P Crawford Trustee