RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) Year ended 31 December 2020 The trustees, who are also the direclors lor the purposes ol company law, present their report and the unaudited linancial statements of the charity lor the year ended 31 December 2020. Reference and admlnlstrative details Regislered charlty name RAMS INI) LTD Charity registration number N1101381 Company regi$lratlon number N122025 Prlncipal offlce and registered 94195 City Business Park office The Cults Dunmurry Bellasl BT17 9HU The trustees Mrs P Crawford MrWJBeck Mrs M Wilkinson Mr S Mcerlean Mrs R Gillis Company secretary Mrs Penny Crawford Independent examiner John Magee 631 Lisburn Road B&lfast BT9 7GT
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Llmiled by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 December 2020 Structure, governance and managem8nt Governing Document Race Against MLJlliple Sclerosis IRAMSI is a Company limitèd by guaranleelcompany No.. N1220251 and is a registered charity with the Northern Irelandcharily Commission INIC 1013811.The Charity was incorporated on 12th October 1988. 11 was founded under a Memorandum ol Association which established the objects and powers ol the charitable 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 debililaling conditions lo avail and benefit from its services. Organisational Slructure The charity is managed by the Trustee Management Committee comprising the company directors and rneels al least quarterly. The Committee sets the strategic direction, budgets, policies and practices ol the charity and monitors its successes and performance. Day lo day managemeni ol the harity is d&legaled to the Centre Manager.including training and supervision of staff. The Board ol Trustees has six legal responsibilities.. Ensure that our charity is carrying out ils purposes lor the public ben8fil Comply with our charity's governing document and the law Act in the charity's best interests Manage the charity's resources responsiljy Act with reasonable care and skill Ensure that the charity is accountable The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law. The Trustees have paid due regard lo the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. The Trustees are confident that RAMS. aims and objectives are in accordance with the regulations on public benelil. Recruitment and Appointment of Management Committee A minimum of 3 and maximum of 10 Board Members are appointed by election al each Annual General Meeting IAGMI ol the charity. Board Members musl retire from ollice al each AGM and are eligible lor re-èlection. The charity can appoint an employee lo th& Committee where this is in the best inl8resls ol Ihe charity., the advantages ol this clearly outweigh the disadvantages., conllicts ol interests can be adequately managed., and the Èmployee receives no additional pay or benefits as a direct result ol becoming a Trustee. The officers of the company are appointed by the Board al their first meeting following the AGM. Trustee Induolion and Training New Trustees are briefed on the objectives and activities ol the charity and the environment within which il operates and on their duties and responsibilities lo the charity, ils supporters and beneficiaries. All Trustees are required lo lamiliarise IhemsÈlves with the charity's policies and procedures and with The Northern Ireland Charily Commission's 'Running your charily'.SUF4)Ort lor charity Trustees on key aspects ol running a charity ellectively.. Risk Management The Trustees have conducted a review ol the risks lo which the charity is exposed and assessed their relative significance. Where appropriate, systems and procedures have been eslabllshed lo mitigate the risks the charity laces. Policies and procedures are in place lo ensure the health and safely of stafl,volunleers, users and visitors ol the Centre. These procedures are periodically reviewed lo ensure that Ih&y continue to meet the needs ol the charity.
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report {InCooratIng the Director's Report) {tIn(d) Year ended 31 December 2020 The trustees have paid due regard lo the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. The trustees are confident that RAMS. aims and objectives are in accordance with the regulations on public benefit. Objectives and activities PURPOSE. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES RAMS main purpose as sel out in its Memorandum and Articles ol Association is to aid and improve lor the public benefit the health. well-being and quality ol life ol those living in Northern Ireland with Multiple Sclerosis IMS) and olher debililaling health conditions. It achieves this by: providing a range ol holistic and beneficial complementary medical therapies offering specialist support to individuals, carers and families providing professional information and advice providing a 'walk-in' community therapy centre where individuals and their families can avail ol help as and when they need il and rneel lo socialise and support one another People affected by chronic. lifelong debilitating illnesses and disabilities sttll have a meaningful role within society- lo family, work, 8ducaiion, spiritual. social and community life. We believe they should have access lo treatment and support services that are: holistic in Iheir approach useful & impact positively on health and well-being additional & complementary lo any existing services high quality delivered by staff with specialist knowledge & exp&rtise affordable inclusive conveniently located easily accessible c¢Jmmunily based We aim to help those with MS and other Chron debilitating conditions lo feel and function beller; stay as active and Independent as possible,. remain living in their own homes,. conlinue in education
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporaling the Director's Report) (eonllnu•dJ Year ended 31 December 2020 and paid employment,. carry on caring lor their children and dependanls,. feel more confident and able to cope and less isolated, stress and depressed., think positively,. plan ahead,. look forward lo the future., and enjoy participating in family, leisure, spiritual and community life. We support people living across Northern Ireland. However, since the onset ol Covid-19, admission to the charity has bèen largely dependent on the community incidence ol the virus and th& government's strict travelling and health and safely conslrainls. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES The Charity exists to support people with Multiple Sclerosis and other debilitating conditions and lo ease the irnpacl ol suffering on their, and their loved ones, Ibves. MS and other chronic illnesses are unprediciable, incurable and wiclely variable. Chronic diseases cause a variety ol unpleasant and incapacitating symploms, allecting movement, mood and bodily lunclions. Their devaslaling and complex nature means that speeialisl support is essential to help people cope,. manage their symptoms., stay as healthy, active and independent as possible- and experien better quality ol lrfe. Without our Therapy Centre the availaiylily ol holistic treatment and supwrt services would be gravely limited in the local and wider area, and in most cases would be non-existent. The core aclivilies ol RAMS can be split into three broad elements.. Holistic Irealmenls includirKJ hypert)aric oxygen therapy,. physiolherapy & massage therapy. eleclromagn8lic stimulation therapy., vibration therapy," and Ilowtron therapy • Counselling; information- one-lo-one & group support,. advice,. and nulrilional guidance A supportive facility & network lor individuals and families affected by MS and other chronic illnesses Our work complements Ihal provided by the NHS and other voluntary organisations. With the addition ol our services, hospital visits and admissions can be avoided and hospital discharges accelerated and supported. Where the locus ol other charities is largely financial support, befriending, respite reliÈl, polilical lobbying or research, ours is lixed exclusively on health and well-being as these underlie every aspect ol a person's lil&. Holistic Treatments RAMS ollers a range of holistic treatments that are designed to help people feel and lunclion better. These Irealmenls are largely unavailable, inaccessible or unaffordable elsewhere in the province. number ol medical Irealmenls are available on the NHS, however these are not suilable lor everyone and some support services can have lengthy walting lists and a linile number of appoinlmenls. Treatments for advanced, progressive and degenerative conditions are often more limited and many drug therapies are associated wilh intolerable side effects. RAMS offers a range ol subsidised holistic therapies that are designed to complement and enhance any other medical Irealmenis people are receiving and to 8SSISI those lor whom NHS Irealrnenls are unavailable or unsuitable People can walk-in and sell-reler to our centre and can avail ol our services on a daily basis, when and as they need Ihern, particularly al critical limes and traumatic events during diagnosis, relapse and disease progression. Aceess lo the charity's services is available lo everyone, subject lo treatments being SLJIIab and beneficial to the individuas concerned and the charity's available resources. Any financial contribution rnade by those attending lor treatment is used towards the costs ol running
RAMS {NI) LTD Company Limited by Guaranlee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporaling Ihe Dlrector's Report) (coniinued) Year ended 31 December 2020 the Centre. Our holistic therapies include'.- Hyperbarie Oxygen Therapy IHBOTI - this treatment involves breathing pure oxygen within a pressurized chamber. 11 helps to provide symptom relief aniy assist with the rehabililalion and recovery process. Patients report a number ol positive physical and menta health benefits. HBOT can help to relieve pain and inflammation,. reduce fatigue, inlection and depression,. aid sleep and relaxation.. improve mood. rnobilily and concentration., promote tissue regeneration,. and boost immunity and energy levels. Physiolherapy, Exercise and Massage- individu811y tailored programmes are provided lo improve strength and mobility,. promote independence,. and prevent delerioralion and permanent disability. Electromagnetic Stimulation Therapy- has analgesic, anli-inllammalDry, anlispasmodic, regenerative and relaxant effects and can help lo provide some symptom relief lor many chronic ailrnents. Whol& Body Vibration Therapy- lo enhance physical lilness, muscle strength, blood circulation, lymphatic drainage and bone densily. 11 Is particularfy useful in enabling people with physically debilitating conditions such as MS, Spinal Stenosis, Stroke, Osteoporosis, Arthritls, Parkinson's Disease and back pain lo exercise safely and easily. Counselling* Information & Advlce We help people and their families to live with an incurable and unpredictable condition and the many challenges il causes. Our friendly. professional and understanding staff offer great encouragement and support to everyone. We provide positive and practical expert inlonnation that is up lo dale and readily available. and constructive advice, counselling and group support that help lo make everyday life less of a struggle. Support Network We oller a welcoming and Inclusive walk-in and sell-refer community centre, where people in similar circumstances can meet lo share experiences., exchange ideas and solutions., make friendships., and support and help one another. ENSURING OUR WORK DELIVERS THE CHARITY'S AIMS The Trustees follow the guidance provided by the Charity Commission on public benefit when planning ils services and activities to ensure they conform with the charity's purpose and lundamenlal ethos. In addition, RAMS has a general policy lo bring together persons living wllh MS and persons interested in MS, and those living with other debililaling conditions, lo lorrn a membor based community. in which the treatment and support delivered by RAMS benelils the well-b&ing and quality of life for everyone in that community.
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limlled by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating Ihe Direclor's Report) Icontinued) Year ended 31 December 2020 Achlevements and performanc The treatment and support services provided by the charity were severely disrupted in 2020 by the Covid-19 pandemic. In line with our duly ol care to vulnerable staff we shielded and furloughed 3 employees and constrained our usual volunteer involvement. Prior lo Covid-19 we SUPPDrted people living across Northern Ireland, however, since the pandemic look hold, admission lo the charity was largely dependent on the incidence ol the virus and the government's strict travelling and heallh and safely conslrainls. Before the onset of Covid-19. the charity's principal activities comprised three broad elements.. Holistic Therapies Counselling, Informalion & Advice Support Network Aside from telephone consultations, all service and support activities were provided in person, face lo lace. In accordance with the lockdown rneasures imposed by the government nationally, the charity look the necessary decision lo suspend in-person services and support with eftecl from 23 March 2020. Our priority then, was lo seek ways lo continue providing the support and services upon which our membership depended. The focus turned lo adapting our support from predominately lace io lace aclivilies lo allernalive, safer, options. In a shorl period ol time the charity's team developed alternative support options using a rnix ol online conferencing tools such as MS Teams and Zoom,. improved information sharing via online media., and increased personal contact via telephone and post. In late July certain lace to lace services were re-comrnenced at the Cenlre, however strict shielding and distancing guidelines meant that services provided al the centre were strictly limited. When the second wave ol the pandemic look hold in December, in-person support al the centre was again suspended. Coronavirus and Ihe charity's response lo national reslrielions and clinical guidelines, were major factors impacting on the ¢harily's achievements and performance in 2020. From the Spring 012020, as the pandemic look hold, the charity's broad priorities were: Keeping people sale and as active and independent as possible Improving mental health Reducing isolation & loneliness As the impact ol covid on health and well-being became apparent, we were inundated with referrs, particularly tor our oxygen therapy, given ils role in the treatment and recovery ol many illnesses irlUding coronavirus. In order lo provide continued care and support lor our users, meet the growing demand and adapi to exceptional circumstancès, we employed a Specialist Support Worker in July lo develop and deliver sale services and recnJiled and trained 10 new volunt&8rs lo assist with lace lo lace and online lacililies. During the year, the charity provided 1225 Irealmenls and welcomed 104 new patients. We answered more than 1600 enquiries, made 416 supportive calls and carried out 227 supwrt sessions. We are continually improving our use ol digital technology and many ol our users and volunteers have improved their online and IT skills loo. Our Impact Feedback from our members highlights the benefits ol our continued support during the pandemic and rellecls the impact that the virus was having on their health and well-being:. 89 /0 ol users felt the interruption ol services al RAMS affecled their condition. 8341¢ ol those surveyed in August 2020 fell their symptoms had worsoned since the closure ol RAMS in March- most notably greater fatigue, pain and muscle weakness, rnobilily and bladder problems, inleclions, anxiely and depression. 46Y. fell socially isolated and lonely 64/. felt their mental healih had worsened- Ihey were more anxious and depressed and worried atx)ut the lulure
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limiled by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Direclor's Report) {conllnts) Year ended 31 December 2020 59°/0 reported greater financial strains However, the majority ol our members said the charity had helped them with their mobility, feeling happier and less anxious, having better quality ol life, having beller physEcal and mental wellbeing and le&ling less lonely. They reported less pain, stress. inleclions. falls and laiigue,. beller mood, energy levels. sleep, concenlralion and better bladder control", and fewer visits to their GP. Users reported being unable lo source our range ol holistic therapies together elsewhere in the province and 94 /. said they valued the specialist expertise ol the staff. Patients travelled from all 5 counties, demonslraling that comparable services are not available nearby. We received 52 enquiries from people living in the Republic ol Ireland as setvic&s are largely unavailabl& and unaffordable there too, signifying that comparable services are generally un8vailabl& throughout the whole ol Ireland. Al this critical time when health services are under immense pressure and resources are linile our charity is able lo both complement and support the work ol the NHS. Cornmitled Team OLJr team ol stall and volunteers is a holistic multidisciplinary team sharing extensive knowledge, skills and expertise. Our staff have more than 30 years ol expèrience in Iheir dedicated fields ol specialist healthcare. management and holistic therapy. Contribution of Volunteers Our wonderful volunteers are absolutely vital to the functioning ol the charity we girnply wouldn't be able lo operate wilhoul them and they have continued lo be hugely supportive throughout the pandemic. When we reslarled face lo lace appointments after lockdown, our volunteers were there lo help us accommodate the spiralling number ol referrals and were instrumental in helping us lo sel up and implement our new online services and in achieving our very lavourable outcomes.
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee Truslees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) l¢ontinued) Year ended 31 December 2020 Financlal review Income & Expenditure Oui accounts tell the story o12020- all the high and lows of a year like no other. RAMS is a small, independent and completely sell-lunding charity. 11 does not receive any stalulory funding or financial help from govèrnment sources and relies entirely on ils own fundraising activities and on donations Iroffl bDlh members and external sources for ils income. In March as reslriclions were irllposed nationwide and most ol the charily's normal face to laee activities wer& suspended, the continuity of income was a major concern. Public collections and fundraising events were cancelled and the impact on the wider economy threatened income from tnjsls and companies. Our income lor th& year was £139.110, comprising £36,852 from grant giving organisalions,. £13,889.01 from member and supporter donations- £8557.91 Irorn colle¢lions'. £6,125.95 from Gill Aid,. £41,939 trom the Covid Flecovery Fund,. and £28881.97 from the Coronavirus Job Relenlion Scheme. This money was spent directly on the £89,000 required lo run the Cenire and deliver its charitable activities throughout the year and any excess income will continue lo fund the charity's therapeutic services and covid related costs in 2021. Donations from individuals and companies wÈre a slaggeriro 91 V. less Ihan in 2019. Funds generated from fundraising events were down l 00°/. from the previous year and collections down 47Q/r>. We saw a 46 /0 reduction in mernber and SUFWOrter donations with a consequential fall in Gift Aid support. compared lo previous yèars. However, in a most extraordinary year we received an unexpected £36,852 01 Grant Aid in addition lo the £41,939 awarded lor emergency covid funding and received a further £28,881.97 in furlough contributions. We concluded the year with an income exceeding our expenditure ol almost £89,000. Whilst this position appears healthy moving lorward into 2021. there are substantial covid costs ahead. We wish lo thank each individual and organisalion who supported the charity in 2020. We particularly express our Ihanks lo.. Awards lor All Bobby Morrison Funeral Directors Covid Recovery Fund Enkalon Foundation Garfiekj Weston Halilax John Moore Foundation McKibbens' Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK TBF & KL Thompson Thales The Dean al Si Anne's Cathedral Ulster Bank Ulster Garden Villages Zerohydaulics We are also immensely grateful lo the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme lor support during periods ol furlough. The support ol all those who lundraised, donated and helped us lullil our work throughout the year makes a real difference lo the lives ol individuals who might otherwise have diff iculty walking, lalkingi eating, writing and dressing., develop problems with their sight, swallow, speech, continence, memory and eoncenlralion,. be forced lo give up their jobs and relinquish care ol their children,. engage in
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guaranlee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) {COnlinued) Year ended 31 December 2020 harmful and antisocial behaviours,. require nursing home care; and potentially decide lo lake their own lives. Reserves Policy The charity is aulhorised within ils conslilulion to set aside funds lor special purposes or as reserves against future expenditure. Ideally the Trustees aim lo maintain a prudent level ol free reserves al between 6 and 12 months ol operating expenditure lo provide an immediately available resource should the Centre experience a significant adverse event. such as the coronavirus pandemic that we are currently facing. We estimate that du& to covid-19, our free reserves are currenlly silting at around 4-5 months ol iunning costs. Investment Policy The charity is permitted under ils conslilulion lo deposit and invest funds lor the purposes ol furthering ils aims and Objectives. The charity's year on year annual incoming resources have however been used to ffleet annual running costs. FUNDRAISING RAMS receives no stalulory revenuo funding and relies entirely on ils own fundraising activities and on donations from bolh mernbers and external sources lor ils income. Community fundraising is a vital source of unreslricled funding that enables us lo operate effectively and raise public awareness ol our work. Reslriclions on social acliviliÈs and lockdown during the summer and Christmas months brought community fundraising lo a juddering halt at our peak fundraising periods when a number ol events were planned to take place. Sell-isolation and lockdown prevented volunteers engaging in street collections and we lost a major source ol our income generation. As we continue into 2021 there is continued concern over altracling ongoing funding. Disruption lo fundraising events and public collections look lo continue lor some lime and the availabilily ol emergency grants is uncertain. Overall a depressed economy may limit funding available from trusts and companies who will have smaller funding pols available in the medium term and broader public fundraising may now locus on the NHS. PARTNERSHIP WORKING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Given that we have had lo substantially contract. pause or cease operations altogether during COVID- 19. conditions have not been ideal Ihis year lor fostering partnership working and community engagement. Throughout the years we have established good relationships with local schools, businesses and other voluntary organisalions. however many ol these were closed indefinitely this year. Our la lo face visits and community engagements were all cancelled so lew opportunities arose to make the public aware ol our work. As research continues into the allecls ol ¢ovid on health and well-Ing and the rose of oxygen therapy in Irealing ihe virus and ils complications, we have received greater interest and recognition ol our work in the community and our potential lor supporting the NHS in times ol crisis. FUTURE PLANS The pandemic has created a range ol new ne&ds. Evidence shows that some people who previously never needed charities are now relying on their seNices for the first lime because ol the pandemic. The road ahead is not going to be easy. The pandemic has exacted an immense economic. as well as human. cost on societies and it is inevitable that public finances will remain fragile for many years. As we move into the recovery phase ol the pandemic we plan lo'.- Oller activities via new mèdiurns. such as digitally. Move services online Develop new partnerships Develop our sports injuries clinic
RAMS (NI) LTD Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (6onttnued) Year ended 31 December 2020 Small company provisions This report has been prepared in accordan with the provisions applicable lo companies enlilled lo the small companies èxemption. 2Sjog111 The trustees. annual report was appToved on 3.1. trustees by= and signed on behalf ol the board of MrWJ Trustee 10-