Company Number N1030477 Charty Registration No. N1102189 TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 AE29HDTL 1010512025 COMPANIES HOUSE
TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 CONTENTS PAGE TRUSTEES, REPORT REPORT OF THE AUDITORS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 15 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 16 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 17 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 18
TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK LIMITED REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Reference and Administration Details: Name: Training for Women Neiwork Ltd (TWN) Reg No: HMRC Chanty no: XO 2044-95 Nl Company No-N1030477 Nl Charities Commission No- NIC102189 Address: Ground FlfX)r. Suite 2 Elizabeth House 116-118 Holywood Road Belfast BT41 NY Trustees Patricia Lewsley Mooney (Chairperson) Dr John Bary Kelly Andrews (Vice Chair) Maureen Maguire Katherine Mccloskey (Treasurer) Eileen Bell (Company Secretary) Julie Flanagan Caroline Johnston (Resigned 1410912023) (Appointed 0611212023) Rhonda Lusty Dr Maire Branrff Chief Executive.. Norn Shearer Solicitors: Cleaver Fulton Rankin. Bank: First Trust Bank Ltd 33,-35 University Road Belfast Auditors: BMK Accounb"ng Ltd 43 Lockview Road Belfasl BT9 5FJ Page I
TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK LIMITED REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 2. Structure, Governance and Management Training For Women Netrwork Limited (TVW4) is govemed by a Memorandum. and Articles of Association and is a company limited by guarantee wrth charitable status. TWN is also a registered charity registered with the Northem Ireland Charities'commission Number NIC 102189. TWN is a membership organisation and as such its trustees are recruited from its membership base. TVblN members are invited to stand for election to the Board of Directors at the AGM. At the first meeting following the AGM, there is an induction and training programme to ensure that all members are aware of the roles and responsibilities of their posts as members of the Board of Directors. Board members serve for three years, after which they must stand down and apply for re-election. The Board's roles and spOnsIbl11t1eS are contained in the Board Inducts'on Manual and detail the strategic level of their decision-making powers. Operational matters are delegated to the Chief Executive who reports to the Board at meets.ngs held six times per year. 3 Objectives and Activities TVVN was called fOard for registration by the Charities Commission Northern Ireland and received its charity number and registration in May 2015. The Purpose of the Charity is: 1. To advance, prorrK)te. develop and coordinate the provision of adequate. aCSSible, quality training and pre-vocational training for women in Northem Ireland and beyond to maximise the integration ofwomen in the labour market. 2. To provide a fowml focus for Northern Ireland, representatives of the private, public and voluntary sectors. the trade unions. educab'on and training practstionersand individuals involved in women's training. 3. To promote any or all ackn'vities for the benefft of the community which now or hereinafter may be deemed in law to be charitable and in partj'cular the advancement of all forms of training of women. The publlc benefits that flow from the charitable purposes are: a) Women are securing: Enhanced educational attainffent, transferable skills. capabilities and capacities of women and improved potential to secure employment. The empowemient of women to play a full part in their communities and socEty in general. The beneficiaries are women throughout. These benefits can be evidenced through internal records kept of the progress and qualifications achieved by the participants, evaluations of the work and impact of the organisation, feedback from beneficiaries and independent evaluations for funding bodies. b) Advocacy, promotion and sharing of best practices in training for women. Research into issues impacting women and Development of appropriate flexible innovative training packages io meet the identified nee(J. The beneficiaries are women as individuals and through appropriate community and voluntary sector organisations. These benefrts are eVIdend through publications such as research reports, and monitoring retums. Page 2
TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK LIMITED REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 c) Increased efficiency and effectiveness of the cornmunity and voluntary organisations that receive support. resulting in enhanced outcomes and Servi delivery and. consequently, an improved quality of life for those who benefit from the work of these organisations. The beneflarieS are community and voluntary sector organisations. These benefits can be evidenced through intemal rmnitoring records and feedback and evaluations. No harm arises from these purw)ses. Incidental benefits may arise from transferable skills training offered to Board members to fulfil their duties. This is what TWN does.. - The preparation, provision and dissemination of informats'on about the training of women and other disadvantaged groups The provision of advice and assistance with regard to the training of women and other disadvantaged groups. The organisation and rna1ntenan of a network whereby all bodies, organisations or individuals, either involved in or interested in providing or receiving training for women can liaise and c(>operate with each other with regard to the training for women and exchange information and ideas on the training of women and other disadvantage groups. The holding of acb'vitEs and events relating to the training of wornen and other disadvantaged groups The promotion and Development of projects principally in areas where there is an idents'fied need for greater training for women to facilitate the training of women and other disadvantaged groups. The promotion andlor 5UPPOrt of regional initiative5 de5igne(J to 5akn5fy lool needs with regard to the training of women and other disadvantsged groups throughout Northern Ireland and Beyond. The estsblishment of links wilh European and other world networks The monitoring of European Union funding for women's training and that of other disadvantaged groups. The access tol raising of funding to accomplish the above. The support of anybody, organisation or individual having objects altogether or in part similar to those referred to above. 4 Achievements and Perfomiance Re ional Infrastructure Su ortPr ramme RISP for women in rural and disadvanta ed areas. The RISP Consortium is comprised of the following organisations: Training for Women Neiwork (TWN) - Project Lead Vvomen's Resource and Development Agency {WRDA) Women's Support Network (INSN) Northem Ireland Rural Women's Network (NIRWN) Women's TEC Vvomen's cent Derry (WCD) Foyle Women's Information Nefvlork (FWIN) The Consortium is the estsblished link and strategic partner beiween Government and statutory agencies and women in disadvantaged and rural areas (D&RA). including all groups, centres and organisations delivering essential frontline services. adVe and support. The Consortium ensures a continuous bN&way flNI of informats.on between the Government and the sector. It ensures that organisationslcentres and groups are made avRre of consultations, government planning and policy implementation. In turn. the Consortium ascertains the views. needs and aspirations of women in D&RA. It takes these views foDward to influence policy development and future government planning. Page 3
TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK LIMITED REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 ultimately resulting in the empowerment of local women in disadvantaged and rurally isolated communities. TKIVN oversees the work of the Consortium. which conducts research, carries out consultations, develops lines of engagement. bottom-up and topdown and operates as one point of contsct between Government. statutory agencies, I(al partnerships and women in disadvantaged and rural areas. It continues to provide support, guidance, and signposting for strategic Development and delivery of services for women in disadvantaged and rural areas and promote the work and services of these specialist organisationslcentreslgroups. The Consortium supports funding bids to maximise specialist localised delivery for women in disadvantaged and rural areas. It actively works to widen the regional support to those women, groups and organisations operating in isolation in sorne of the most disadvantaged and ruralty isolated aa$ of Northem Ireland who previously did not have the opportunity to avail strategic support, guidan and engagement through regional organisations. Em lo abili Trainin Pro rammes GEMS Nl were contracted through Belfast MET (funded by the Department for the Economy) to deliver the Step-up Programme and TWN were sub-contracted by GEMS to work on 2 Strands of the Programme. namely College Connect+ & WRAP. College Connect+ is for young women aged 1&24 not in employmen( educalion or training and WRAP is for Worren Returners aged 24+ TWN provided 1-2-1 mentoring sessions. CV building. communication skills, teamwork. time management, inteNiew skills and mental health and well-being sessions to all participants. The 6 women returners availed of sewing classes and learned new skills to equip them to do cbothing alterations. The young women completed a Professional Brow Course and an Innovation and Enterprise course. On leaving the programme 9 progressed on to further training programme with 2 of these becoming self-employed and 3 gained empk)yment. DFA- Strate ic Partneh1 TWN made significant stn'des during the project year by advancing tailored reconciliakn.on and training initiatives for women. The completion of six training modules, including Conflict Transformation and Leadership for a Shared Future, was a notable achievement. The pilot phase engaged 20 participants from diverse backgrounds, fostering skills in conflict resolukn'on. cross-communty understanding, and active participatron in peacebuilding efforts. The development of a digital learning platfom and psychometric questionnaire empowered participants to Co-design their leaming paths, ensuring that training rnet individual needs. This approach not only increased participants. knowledge but also promoted long-term community cohesion, breaking down barriers and initiats'ng sustainable partnerships. DFA Unsun Hero's The "Unsung Heroes" project has made significant progress, celebrating the vital yet often overlooked contributions of women to the Go(xl Friday Agreement (GFA) and society at large. To date. six out of seven interviews with prominent female lItiCianS and six out of seven interviews with grassrcots community women have been completed, wrth their stories edited for inclusion in both a book and an exhibition. These efforts aim to preserve their narratives for future generations and counteract historical erasure. The project's outreach has sparked keen interest from participants who valued the opportunity to share their impactful experiences, ensuring their legacies are recorded and recognized. Portrait photography is nearly complete, and the project's comprehensive dTrgital platform and coordination efforts, including engagements with the Department of FOren Affairs, pave the way for a high-profile dual launch in Bellast and Dublin. This project has already begun fostering a greater understanding of women's roles in peacebuilding and political leadership across the island, aligning with the Reconciliation Fund's mission to promote dialogue, education, and a united civil society. Page 4
TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK LIMITED REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Belfast Cl Council - Ca aci Buildin Grant. During the reporting year, TM successfully adVand multiple impactful work streams. The organisation delivered comprehensive training that supported community organisations in adapting to the evolving educational and funding landscapes post-Brexit, ensuring staff development and readiness. Notably, 10 participants completed the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, awaiting certification, while new cohorts We recruited for further training. TWN also facilitated health and wellbeing workshops. engaging 38 participants who reported enhanced mental health and personal growth. Collaborative efforts included assisting smaller organisations in funding applications and offering govemance and financial management support, bolstering their resilien amid funding transitions. Additionally, TWN championed policy engagemenc enabling groups to acttvely respond to consultstions and shape strategic community discussions. Review of the Im aet of Brexit The Peace plus programme has been agreed un and its multi annual project open calls are in progress. A funding diversification strategy has been implemented to source additional non-EU funding strearr6 to support the work of the charity in the future. S. Financial Revlew The results for the year are set out on pages 14 to 23. The charitable company recorded a net deficit of £117.144 for the year (compared to £10.725 in 2023). As of March 2024, the total funds of the charity amounted to £45.797 (2023 - £162.941) comprising restricted funds of £9,570 (2023 - £63,003) and unrestricted funds of £36.227 {2023- £99.938). Reserves Policy TWN maintains a prudent level of reserves to manage financial risks and fuffil its commitments. The aim is to ensure the organisation can continue its work while adapting to changing circumstances. The reserves policy is designed to prevent seNtt disruption due to sudden funding shortages or unforeseen expenditure increases. The policy ensures that resen4es are nerther higher than necessary nor held for longer than required. This approach allows time to seek alternats've funding. restructure, or reduce $ts over a minimum of three and a maximum of six months if funding decreases. Compliance with this policy is monitored regularly, and the Board reviews its appropriateness annually. Prlncipal Risks and Uncertainties Risk Policy and Internal Control Framework TWN has implemented a comprehensive risk management process to identify and mitigate risks in line with its agreed risk appetite. The Management Committee has delegated the oversight of the Risk Register to the Governance, Audit. and Finan Sub-Group. which regularly reviews the key strategic and operational risks facing the organisats'on. The trustees confirm that effective controls and reporting systems are in Pla to assess risks and mits'gation measures. Financial Risks . The primary financial challenge is income generation. TVVTr4 relies heavily on securing funding from government and other grant-making bodies. Trustees recognise the significant challenges ahead, as the fundraising environment remains difficult and short-term funding complicates long-term planning. Page 5
TRAINING FOR WOMEN NETWORK LIMITED REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The immediate priority is to Secu funding to sustain projects and posts into the fvture. TWTr4 will also work to control costs and ensure services are delivered as efficiently as possible. Management and Operational Delivery TWN has robust governance structures. policies, and procedures to ensure sound decision-making and accountability. In response to the evoFving external environment, the Senior Management Team and Management Committee maintain structured oversight of operations and regularly review risks. Staff development is a priority, with ongoing training and perf0rrnan management to strengthen the team. The safety and well-being of TWN'S stsff and beneficiaries remain paramount, and the organisation has comprehensive policies Govering Data Protects'on. Heatth and Safety, Safeguarding for Children and Adults at Risk, and Customer Care. System Security TWN is committed to maintaining Secu systems that cornply with data protection legislation. All systems are protected by passwords and firewalls, with data access resln'cted to those who need it for their roles. Regular data backups (daily. weekty. and monthly) ensure that. in the event of a system failure or data breach. the organisation can recover data with minimal risk of loss. Compliance, Regulation, and Legal Risks Failure to comply wth legal, regulatory, or best pracb'ce standards coukl cause significant pUtatIOnal damage to TWN. To mitigate this risk, the organisation follows established policies and procedures aligned with best practices. These policies undergo an annual VIeW to ensure compliance with the latest legal and regulatory frameworks. External Risks TWN continuously monitors the external environment to anticipate political, social, and economic challenges. The organisation has robust procedures to develop plans that mitigate potential negative impacts on its activities and reputation. Despite these challenges. TWN remains confident in the continued need for its sep4ices. The organisation is committed to strengthening partnerships and ensuring high-quality training provision that meets the needs of its beneficiaries. TM will continue working wrth govemment departments to secure funding fortraining and development programmes that supportwomen in rural and disadvantaged areas across Northern Ireland. Plans for future periods: . TWN has secured the following future funding: Department for Communities- Regional Infrastructure Support Programme for disadvantaged and rural worrEn. DFA strategic Partnership DFA- Contentious objects Belfast City Councik Capacty Building Grant. 7: Future training and Development Diversity and transgender awareness training ILM suite of training from levels > to 7 in Leadership and Management on a commercial basis. TQUK Level 3 Award in Education and Training. TQUK level 3 Meditation Page 6