FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15th Jan 2024 NORTH BELFAST WOMEN'S INTIATIVE and SUPPORT PROJECT TRUSTEE'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28" FEBRUARY2023 The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 28th February 2023. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply wwth the Charity's Memorandum and Arlicles of Association the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1021° (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016) Objectives and activities The Charity's objects as set out in its Memorandum and Articles are the relief of poverty and sickness the preservation, protection and promotion of mental health and well being for women and the aged the advancement of education, improvement of Ihe lrfe of women and their families. These objects are for the promotion of the benefit of the residents of Upper Ardoyne, North Belfast, County Anlrim and its environments { including Hesketh, Glenbyrn, Alliance, Deerpark and Wheatfield, hereinafter described as llhe area of benefif) without distinction of age, race, political. religious or other opinion by common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interest of SOGial welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of the life of the women and their families. Public benefit The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake. Achievements and performance Our work in 202212023 continued with on-going delivery of Co-ment Employability programme and Urban Villages funded Communities Together For Change programme. We were successful in our application lo Urban Villages to expand the number of schools involved in the Let It Grow aspect of the programme and secured a further one year of support from Dfc for staff salaries and from Belfast City Council for running costs. Programmes have been open to people of all ages, cultures, religion, abilities and gender and attracted 4458 participants from across the community. We provided the local community with a Pla for ommunal meeting and for its users to participate in programmes, workshops and information sessions that focus on improving their well-being whilst becoming further integrated into the community through communication with people from other backgrounds and communities. Our annual 'Meet the Neighbour event, directly contributes to building capacity at community level as well as fostering positive identity. We are continually developing programmes and seeking funding to meet the current needs of the community. By organisinglrunning these programmes we achieved the following outputs'.- 1953- people using Holistic Therapies, Hair & beauty 200- peoplelfamilies received Lets Cook-lt packs 12- people participated in Mental Health Awareness Training 92- people participated in cross community& intergenerational summertrips
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15th Jan 2024 350-people attended Meet The Neighbours Family Fun Day 122- people benefitingfrom Advice. sign posting and wrap around support 12- people participated in Relaxation Sessions 16- people participated in Money Matters Programme 179- people benefited from use ofthe Sensory room 12- people attending weeklygardening workshops 16- people participating in War Memorialworkshop 20- people participated in History of Grand Opera House workshop &tour 16- people attended ACT Museum &Talk 22- people participating in weeklyGenealogy classes 22- people participating in weekly arts & crafts classes 44-Wrap around support. Drop-ln. sign posting. Benefits advice 18- children attending weekly lego therapy classes 50-families received xmas food & toy hampers 23- people attended cross communitytrip to Ulster American Folk Park 22- people participated in Women Exploring History residential 18- children benefited from 10wk lego therapy programme 12- adults took part in lego therapy 216- children have improved their reading ability by participating on Reading Partners Programme 334- (weekly)- Let It Grow Project 350- (weekly)- Healthy Lifestyles Project 10- people completed OCN L2 Garden Horticulture 10- people completing OCN L1 Garden Horticulture 240-Children participated in shared learning programme 16 -young people recruited on to Co-ment programme 1- person gained full-time employmentfrom attendance on OCN course 2- members of staff completed CPD training 12- young people completed Job specific courses 20 - people completed Train the Trainer (Reading Partners) training 3- young people gained employment through participation on Co-ment programme 13 -young people returned to full-time education through participation on Co-ment programme
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15th Jan 2024 NORTH BELFAST WOMEN'S INITIATIVE & SUPPORT PROJECT TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED28" FEBRUARY2023 Future plans With the uncertainty of funding and in furtherance of its pursuit of sustainability, the Charity continues to develop its social economy project, involving training and development of therapists and beauticians providing subsidised services to clients for the improvement of health and well-being and this has been further enhanced with the addition of the new sensory room equipment funded by Urban Villages. We are also developing a new Strategic Plan which we hope to have completed by March 2024. Funding applications have been successful for 2023124 - BCC - Revenue Grant . Dfc - Salaries, UK Levelling Up - Programmes, Urban Villages - Programmes & ResourGes. Financial review and reserves Following adjustments for accrued income and corrections to reported net assets and reserves for the 202212023 year, the charity finished the year (202212023) with a surplus on reserves of £52,925 at 28th February 2023. The Charity consistenuy managed its funding and cash flow in line with its policies and there were no significant financial events to report in the period. During 201812019, the Charity has received significant funding. particularly from Dfc and Urban Villages and these have been managed accordingly as Restricted Funds. It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specwfic use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure. The Charity are on target to achieve this throughout the next 12 - 18 months. The Trustees considers that reserves al this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. Structure, governance and management The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland number 103927- registration date 12th March 2015. The Trustees who served during the year were: Mrs Barbara Fisher. Chairperson and Holding Trustee Mrs Cathy Lundy, Vice Chairperson Mrs Christine Kirk, Secretary Mrs Lorraine Drumgoole. Treasurer and Holding Trustee Mrs Margaret Stewart- Holding Trustee Our Trustees are recruiled from members of the local community who understand the needs of women and the culture of the North Belfast community. None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. Strategic decisions are made by the Committee after discussing the recommendations provided by the Project Manager, to whom the Trustees fvlly delegate the day-t(Hlay running of the charity.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 15th Jan 2024 NORTH BELFAST WOMEN'S INITIATIVE & SUPPORT PROJECT TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28" FEBRUAR Y2023 New members of the Committee are inducted informally at present, with no specific training provided. The Trustees recognise thal the Committee needs to be strengthened in the areas of local knowledge and diversity to the existing skills and knowledge. Statement of Trustees, responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the accounts in accordan with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepied Accounting Practice). Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the stale of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources. including the income and expenditure. of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these accounts. the Trustees are required to= select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently- - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP" make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.. state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts" and prepare the accounts on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hen for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Mrs B Fisher Mrs L Drumgoole Chairperson Treasurer Dated- 1211212023 Date.. 1211212023