Charity Reference No. NIC 102233 FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST CONTENTS Page Charty information Trustee's Report Independent examiners report Receipts and payments account Statement of assets and liabilities 10 Notes to the accounts
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST CHARITY INFORMATION Charity reference number NIC 102233 Trustees Ann Mccay Tommy Mccay Liam Mccloskey Address 11 Queen Street Derry- Londonderry BT48 7EG Independent Examiners Moore (Nl) LLP 21123 Clarendon Street Derry - Londonderry BT48 7EP Bankers First Trust Bank Meadowbank Strand Road Derry BT48 Solicitors Casey & Co 8 Shipquay Street Derry BT48 6DN
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Our vision and mission statement gtves a clear account of what we do and who we are. Our Vision That all people may find freedom and dignity through Jesus Christ, for the greater glory of God. '1 have come that you might have life and have it to the full.. John 10'.10 Our Mission To joyfully come together as a group of individuals believing and celebrating the power of Jesus Christ for mutual support, and to minister to other people so that all peoples may find freedom and dignity through Christ. The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefft when deciding what activities the charty should undertake. The strategies employed to achieve the charity's aims and objectives are to.. promote Christian Celtic spirituality in Our Celtic Prayer Garden and Sanctuary to schools and various other groups on request, run directed retreats to any member of the public, provide Worship Services with teaching and prayer five days per week for any person who wishes to avail of it at St Anthony's Dundrean, Columba House, Derry, or The Celtic Garden, offer facilitation in Columba House, losas Centre and at St Anthony's drFferent seasonal spiritual experiences for youth, families or individuals e.g. Lenten Prayer Experience I Confirmation Preparation (for schools)1 Follow the Star (Christmas Trail)ISummer Scheme for Children l Quiet Retreats, Follow A Star (Christmas Trail) This was a limited version curtailed because of electrical limitations and some covid restrictions l Quiet Retreats, we have produced a selection of CDS on New Life I Christs Healing Touch I Consolationl 3 CDS with music refiecting Celtic Spirituality and other topics, Three in One, In God Alone and The Souls Shelter. These are aayS available, provide 7-week seminars (one night per week) on Life in the Spirrt provide Meditation Every Sunday Morning for Residents at White Oaks. (This will continue when Pandemic conditions allow). take opportunities to promote publicly and creatively major events in the cty e.g., Repentance Services (Good Friday) Columba Pageants (St Columba's Day) We do not feel that the time is right for public major events in the City. Our presence is constant in the City and our centres in Donegal are well advertised and equally well attended. provide a space for meditation, contemplation, or quiet prayer in the Oratory in Queen Street Derry City 5 days per week 10.30 am to 4.30 pm and moming prayer daily at the same venue. A similar space is provided at St Anthony's daily Monday to Friday with an hour of prayer and reflection at 12.00 noon. Saint Canice's Oratory in the Cettic Prayer Garden at IOSAS Centre is also open daily Monday to Friday for quiet reflection. Since March 2020, delivery of our setvices has been seriously disrupted by Covid 19. Like many other organisations we have adapted to the Circumstances we find ourselves in, mainly by using technology to maintain connectivity with service users. We continued outreach activities via Facebook in the form of videos, written information music and images. Other social media platforms were also used quite exiensively including our website, and distribution of infomiation through local and national publications. Our weekly meetings were usually conducted through Zoom but at times we met in the various outdoor spaces in the Celtic Garden or the lawn at st Anthony's and inside our larger facilities with reduced numbers when permissible. Since March 21 there has been an easing of some restrictions but all services will continue to be promoted and managed by the Community according to the Government guidelines of the day. The Community also plans and delivers services at St Anthony's on a Monday Night once a month, Columba House on a Thursday Night once a month and on anniversaries etc at the appropriate venue.
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The principal function of The Fellowship of Good Counsel Londondery is to support the advancement of the Christian Religion, by promoting through the creation and subsequent ministry of The Columba Communty, and being open to, and engaging with. society as a whole and offering support to the marginalised and the socially needy is essential to the practical delivery of Gospel Values. We have established four centres for the advice and counselling of the socially needy communty and a Rehabilitation Centre for those suffering from Addiction. The Advancement of Reli ion The direct benefrts which flow from Purpose 1 include improved spiritual awareness and an increase in faith resulting in more rounded individuals with reduced levels of stress and anxiety contributing more positively to the communty at large. These benefits can be evidenced I demonstrated through oral feedback from clients in conversation, personal testimony attendances at services, greater social integration, and a more joyful and confident demeanour and the continuing supporting of Columba Community by the freely giving of time skills and finance over many years by many individuals. We see no possibility of harm emanating from our proclamation of the Christian message but the wider benefit to the public will OUe1gh any detriment arising in the course of Christian outreach. The charity's beneficiaries are any member of the public who presents for help or spiritual direction at any of our premises or services. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of our Christian ministry or to lay staff is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. The Advancement of Education The direct benefits which flow from Purpose 2 include improved knowledge in specific areas, a greater experience in many subject areas and an increase in lrfe skills leading to a more confident and productive community. These benefits can be evidenced I demonstrated through feedback from clients on evaluation forms, a greater interest in the particular subject area, the observance of use made of the particular skills and the fact that beneficiaries return to further programmes. We see no possibility of harm emanating from any teaching from experienced teachers but the wider benefit to the public will outweigh any detriment arising in the course of Christian teaching. The charity's beneficiaries are any member of the public who presents for courses or life skills training at any of our premises or services. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of our educational ministry by tutors I teachers I facilitators is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of education. The Relief of Distress The direct benefrts which flow from purpose 3 include the creating of freer more positive and joyful individuals contributing energetically to their families and communities. We see no possibility of harm emanating from any healing ministry or pastoral counselling from very experienced individuals engaged in this ministry. These benefits can be evidenced I demonstrated through greater social integration, and a more joyful and Confident demeanour among those who have experienced the removal of stress from their lives. The charty's beneficiaries are any member of the public who presents for relief of distress at any of our centres. Any private benefit arising out of the fulfilment of our healing ministry by community members or Christian ministers is essential to the fulfilment of this purpose. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE The trustees gratefully continue to acknowledge the efforts of the Communty, our staff and the increasing number of volunteers who have enabled us to progress our vision and mission statement and to continue our work throughout 2022123. It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the sterling work of many of the communty members who worked tirelessly to keep St. Anthony's functioning throughout this difficutt time. The Facebook pages of both IOSAS Centre and Columba House were used extensively to take the place of garden tours with articles on individual CeIc Saints, teaching videos from Fr Neal and other members of the communty including a series of teachings on Columba and a seven-week course New Life in the Spirit all of which were favourably received.
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Key objectives, outcomes and evaluations from programmes facilitated during the financial year are as follows.. The YARD Project The circumstances of the pandemic and restrictions on activities meant it was not possible to continue YARD Project programme delivery during the year. This will be remedied when conditions allow. We have plans to revamp the Yard Project once the pandemic ceases but until this point there will be little project activty with the exception of keeping up our association with other youth groups on social media, email and other platFomis. The Connections Programme Building upon the success of the pilot programme delivered previously, the Connections programme has developed into a regular seNice provided to the local communty. With a target age range of 65 yrs+ the programme aims to enhance the lives of older people throLsgh lrfelong learning opportunities accompanied by health and wellbeing elements such as meditation and exercise. We acknowledge the support of Dery City and Strabane District Council in providing financial resources to develop and sustain this programme. The Connections programme is delivered weekly to a group of people aged 65-82yrs with an average weekly attendance of 12 people. The impact of the pandemic has meant it has been difficult for this programme to flourish and increase in breadth of activities. However, it is clear that the project provides a vital service with a demand in the communty, therefore we will continue service delivery in whatever way we can during this difficult time. Volunteer Recruitment and Development As a volunteer-led organisation we have relied on the support of a broad base of volunteers to enable us to fulFIl our mission and provide our services to the local community in 2022123. A number of volunteer recruitment initiatives were successful in attracting new volunteers to assist with various roles. Our volunteers assist with everyday roles such as reception l administration, housekeeping, workshop facilitation and other duties. Additionally, youth volunteers assist with the design and delivery of youth programmes. We see the volunteer relationship as reciprocal and mutually beneficial. As an organisation we benefrt from the time, talent and skills of volunteers and rely on their commitment to continue our work. In the past year we have developed our volunteer management policy to incorporate regular volunteer I supervisor evaluations. This has enabled us to better recognise and meet the needs of our volunteers. Feedback from these volunteer evaluations has noted benefits for volunteers including improvements to mental heatth through volunteering, increased self-esteem. better social connections and desire for further training and learning. FINANCIAL REVIEW Total income for the year was £18,711 of which £17,095 was generated from donations and legacies. The balance of income was generated from rent received for room hire and sales of merchandise. Total expenditure by the charity was £20.339, all of which was expended on direct charitable activities. The balance on funds at the year-end was £83,872 of which £38,826 is restricted funding carried fOard to 2023124 and the balance of £45,046 which is unrestricted in nature. Reserves policy It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to beeen three and six month's expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at 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 cost of providing a reduced level of services in order to continue operating in the event of a reduction in income and consider this amount to be approximately £20,000 per annum. Therefore, the target level of reserves is £5,000 to £10,000. Free reserves as at 31st March 2023 are £45,046. The Trustees continue to monff(or the general level of reserves in accordance with the upper level of the target so that they will be able to continue the current activities of the charty.
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE In the 2023124 year we aim to continue to strengthen the spiritual and pastoral work, which is carried out at all our centres, one in Northern Ireland and four in the Republic of Ireland. This has still been severely limited by the presence of the Covid restrictions, but we are planning for the future whilst trying to help people cope with the present circumstances. We have returned to Columba House for our weekty meetings, and we intend at some time to run Baptism in the Spirit l Lrfe in the Spirit seminars at one or more of our centres or at the invitation of any parish to us to minister there. The YARD project has not been able to operate as normal during this time although before that our aims were being followed as usual. Workshops and classes were not able to be provided for all of the dates they were booked in for. The Connections Programme continues to be delivered to accommodate all participants. We will completely revamp the Connections programme for older people and explore opportuntties to enhance the range of activities offered to participants. We ceased providing pastoral support and prayer ministry to residents of Vvhite Oaks Rehabilitation Centre at meetings on Wednesday nights monthly and Sunday momings and Saturday evening Worship were eventually stopped by law, but this will continue when possible. The residential programme reopened at Whiteoaks and with limited numbers because of Covid but hopefully will now continue to operate and we will deal with issues if they arise. Despite the restrictions placed on our work the stsff at each centre have worked hard, opening when possible by law, and attending zoom meetings when possible and continuing to adapt to all difFiculties and overcome them where possible. We intend to continue our limited collaboration with the Loving Sister Earth Movement to support the National Holy Wells Day in June but being led by obedience to any imposed restrictions. In 2021 work was at an advanced stage on establishing a Centre in Letterkenny for people who have completed the residential programme at White oaks but are not yet ready to go back into society. This Centre was indeed opened and has been appropriately named Carlin House in honour of our founder and director Fr Neal Carlin. it is managed and run by the Board of Whiteoaks. We wish them every success and hope that during 2024 the Community will be able to go there for an informal vistt. Looking forward to next year at Columba House we will continue to deliver our youth work programme through The Lenten Experience if possible. Work to upgrade the electrics in the Celtic Garden is needed. This will require funding. In the meantime in December 2022 staff from the IOSAS Centre and Cettic Garden delivered The Follow a Star Christmas event for families, with the assistance of volunteers. This event was on a smaller scale until funding becomes available to upgrade the electrics. We will seek to further build our volunteer base and develop the skills of existing volunteers through in-house and accredited training programmes when possible. Throughout the Pandemic we have kept in touch wtth people and people have kept in touch wtth us by every means at our disposal. It is clear that people still want and need our services and want to be part of what we do. This gives us hope for the fvture and so we enter this new year on an optimistic note. Last year was the 1500th year of Saint Columba's birth and we have already used Facebook and WhatsApp to spread the word to commemorate this event and will continue to explore new avenues to keep the name and message of Colmcille alive in the city. We have available for sale all four of Fr Neal's Books as hard copies and on Kindle and will no doubt continue to go down all avenues to broadcast that news. We once again reiterate that, as in previous years, the work of Columba Community will continue, and we will endeavour to implement the leadings of the Holy Spirit to bring new life to society in general.
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The Fellowship of Good Counsel Trust is an unincorporated charitable organisation and is governed by its Constitution. Recruitment and appointment of the Trustees All people in the area of benefit, without discrimination, are eligible for appointment as a Trustee. Proposals for application to membership are submrtted to the Board of Trustees and individuals may be elected if they are so willing and accepted by the Board, in accordance with the charity's Constitution. Organisation Structure The Trustees who served during the year were.. Ann Mccay Tommy Mccay Liam Mccloskey (Liam passed away on the 7th April 2022 and The Trustees and the Communty members all acknowledged his contribution over the years.) Marguerite Hamilton Fr. Shaun Dohety Martin McKeever Kathleen Devlin The Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the organisation. The Trustees are from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity. All members of the Board of Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the Gharty. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in the notes to the financial statements. The trustees work with the management committee known as The Columba Community of which 6 trustees are also members being Marguerite Hamilton, Fr Shaun Dohety, Ann Mccay, Tommy Mccay, Kathleen Devlin, and Martin McKeever. This management committee oversees the activities of the centres providing staff line management, financial monitoring, programme design and evaluation. The charty's administrator manages the day to day running of the organisation including programme co-ordination and oversees a team of volunteers who provide office cover, answering the telephone and door, assistance to visitors and general duties as required at Columba House and St Anthony's. As reported last year Fr Neal Carlin Founder of Columba Community passed away on the 6th August 2021. Fr Neal's ministry still continues at all the Centres. Responsibilty for the implementation is under the jurisdiction of The Fellowship of Good Counsel with responsibility for its implementation in the hands of the trustees and specifically directed and led by Marguerite Hamilton assisted by Fr. Shaun Doherty. On the ground the work of operating the centres is carried out by The Columba Community previously established over the years by Fr Neal and now continuing to work in Columba House, Derry City, St Anthonys Retreat Centre, Donegal, IOSAS Centre and associated White Oaks Organics, Celtic Garden, Sanctuary ChaSets, Visitors Centre and Cafél Restraunt in Donegal and in a limited manner in Whf(eoaks Rehabilitation Centre. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The reference and administrative details of the charty can be found on page 1.
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Under charty law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these financial statements, 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 accounting 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 financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose wrth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. By order of the Trustees Tommy Mcca Trustee Date: 202 9/41 t
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST We report on the accounts of Fellowship of Good Counsel Trust for the year ended 31 March 2023, which are set out on pages 9 to 13. Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is our responsibiltty to.. Lxamine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charty Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(bl of the Charities Act State whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of independent examiner's report We have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65{9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters. Our role is to state whether any material matters have come to our attention giving us cause to believe: 1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Chartties Act 2. That the accounts do not accord wf(h those accounting records 3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 4. That there is further information needed for a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Independent examinerfs statement We have completed our examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, we have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. Moore (Nl) LLP Chartered Accountants Date: 21123 Clarendon Street Derry - Londonderry BT48 7EP ql4lc4
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Note Receipts Donations and legacies Other income 14,951 1.616 2,144 17,095 1,616 33,979 965 Total 16,567 2,144 18,711 34,944 Payments Charitable acttvities 18,371 1,968 20,339 41,482 Total 18,371 1,968 20,339 41,482 Net receiptsl(payments (1,804) 176 (1,628 {6,538) Reconciliation of funds: Cash funds last year end 46,850 38,650 85,500 92,038 Cash funds this year end 45,046 38,826 83,872 85,500
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 MARCH 2023 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Cash funds Current accounts 45.046 38,826 83.872 85,500 2023 2022 Assets retained for the charity's own use (unrestricted funds) Buildings (NBV) Long leasehold (NB Fixtures and fittings (NB Office equipment (estimated value) 420.227 10.177 86 438,041 10,177 172 1,000 1,000 431,490 448,390 Other monetary assets (unrestricted funds) Loan to St Anthony's Retreat Centre Loan to Vvhite Oak's Visitor Centre 55,000 10,000 55,000 10,000 65.000 65,000 The accounts were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: Tommy Mccay Trustee Date: qlo41102 Charity Reference No. NIC 102233 10
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prepared using the receipts and payments basis. Nature and purpose of funds Unrestricted funds are available for general purposes in accordance with the charity's objectives. Restrided funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charty's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity. Donations and legacies unstrICted Funds Restricted Funds Totsl 2023 Total 2022 Donations 14,099 852 14.099 852 22,047 2,787 4,895 Gift Aid Derry & Strabane District Council UK Government- Energy Bills Support Scheme WHSCT- Positive Aging Small Grants National Lottery Community Fund 1,200 1,200 500 soo 4,250 33,979 14,951 2,144 17,095 Analysis of material restricted funds Dery City & Strabane District Council Funding for the provision of programmes under the Connections project. b) WHSCT- Positive Aging Small Grants Funding towards the cost of the Inspiring Our Elders Programme. UK Government- Energy Bills Support Scheme Contribution towards costs of energy bills.
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Other income Unrestricted Funds Totsl 2023 Total 2022 Use of room 120 Sale of BookslCDslBiblestXmas Cards 1.616 1,616 1,616 1,616 965 Expenditure Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2023 Total 2022 Salaries and wages Rates 7,203 582 7,203 582 $47 Cleaning and housekeeping Insurance 160 160 220 1,148 3,148 1.972 967 1,148 4,792 1,972 967 Heat and light Repairs and maintenan Telephone Volunteer and Travel expenses Church requisites Donations 2,272 2,302 2,128 972 972 625 1,750 1,750 8,300 1,130 642 856 Programme facilitation Programme materials Programme catering Loan to White Oaks Visitor Centre 324 324 10,000 1,777 3,360 379 Printing books Accountancy fees Sundry expenses Bank charges 186 186 283 283 271 18,371 1,968 20,339 41,482 Transactions with Trustees None of the Trustees (or any persons connected wrth them) received any remuneration during the year, nor were any Trustees reimbursed expenses. Related party transactions The charity enjoys a close working relationship wtth St Anthony's Retreat Centre, which is a charrty operating in the Republic of Ireland. During 2017, the chari(y provided a loan of £55,000 to St Anthony's Retreat Centre. This amount was outstanding in full as at 31$1 March 2023. 12-
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Breakdown of Restricted Funds Opening balance Income Expenditure Transfers Closing balance White Oaks- YARD project HM Government Energy Support Scheme WHSCT- Positive Aging Small Grants Derry & Strabane District Council National Lottery Community Fund Restricted donations 30,000 30.000 1,200 (1,200) 500 (324) 176 (444) 4,250 4,250 4,400 4,400 38,650 2,144 (1,968 38,826 13