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 gives a clear account of what we do and who we are. Our Vision That all people may find freedom and dignty through Jesus Christ. for the greater glory of God. "I have come that you might have lrfe 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 beneftt when deciding what activities the charty should undertake. The strategies employed to achieve the charty's aims and objectives are to: promote Christian Cettic spiritualty in Our celt Prayer Garden and Sanctuary to schools and various other groups on request, run directed retreats to any member of the public. provide Worship servIs with teaching and prayer five days per week for any person who wishes to avail of it at St Anthonls Dundrean, Columba House, Deny, or The Celtic Garden, offer facilitation in Columba House, losas Centre and at St Anthony's different 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 Lrfe I Christs Healing Touch I Consolationl 3 CDS with music reflecting Celtic Spirtiualty and other topics. Three in One, In God Alone and The Souls Shelter. These are always available, provide 7-week seminars (one night per week) on Life in the Spirit provide Meditation Every Sundsy Morning for Residents at INhite Oaks. cfhis will continue when Pandemic conditions allow). take opportuntties to promote publidy 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 15 right for public major events in the Cty. Our presence is constant in the City and our ntre$ 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 Cty 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 Celtic Prayer Garden at IOSAS Centre is also open dai Monday to Friday for quiet reflection. Since March 2020, delrvery of our services 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 connectivty with service users. We continued outreach activtties via Facebook in the fomi of videos, wrttten infomiation music and images. Other social media plaffomis were also used quite extensrvely including our website, and distribution of information through local and national publications. Our weekly meetings were usually conducted through Zoom but at times we met in the various OLrtdoor spaces in the Cettic 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 Communty according to the Government guidelines of the day. The Communty 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 wtth. 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 ntre$ for the advi 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 individL5als with reduced levels of stress and anxiety contributing more positNely to the communty at large. These benefrts can be evidenced I demonstrated through oral feedback from clients in conversation, personal testimony attendances at Sel¢e$, greater social integration, and a more joyful and confident demeanour and the continuing supporting of Columba Communty by the freety giving of time skills and finan over many years by many individuals. We see no possibilty of hami emanating from our proclamation of the Christian message but the wider benefft to the public will OUe1gh any detriment arising in the course of Christian OLrtreach. The chartvs beneficiaries are any member of the public who presents for help or spiritual direction at any of our premises or services. Any private benefrt arising out of the fulrilment of our Christian ministry or to lay staff is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of religion. The AdVanrnent of Education The direct benefrts 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 possibilty of harm emanating from any teaching from experienced teachers but the wider benefft to the public will outweigh any detriment arising in the course of Christian teaching. The chanty's beneficiaries are any member of the public who presents for courses or lrte skills training at any ot our premises or services. Any pnvate benefrt ansing out of the fuifilment of our educational ministry by tutors I teachers I faciltiators 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 energeticalty to their families and communrties. We see no possibilty of hann emanatlng from any healing ministry or pastoral counselling from very experienced individuals engaged in this ministry. These beneffts can be evidenced I demonstrated through greater social integration, and a more joyful and confident demeanour among those vtho have experienced the removal of stress from their lives. The charity's beneficiaries are any member of the public who presents for relief of distress at any of our centres. Any private benefrt arising out of the fulfilment of our healing ministry by communty members or Christian ministers is essential to the fuffilment 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 difficuli time. The Facebook pages of both IOSAS Centre and Columba House were used extensNely to take the place of garden tours with articles on individual Cettic Saints, teaching videos from Fr Neal and other members of the community including a series of teachings on Columba and a seven-week course New Life in the Spirit all of which were favourabty 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 activtties meant tt 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. Wrth a target age range of 65 yrs+ the programme aims to enhance the INes of older people through lifelong learning opportunities accompanied by health and wellbeing elements such as meditation and exercise. We acknowledge the support of Dery cty 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 wtth an average weekw 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, tt is clear that the project provides a vttal SeN1 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 fu11 our mission and provide our services to the local community in 2022r23. 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. Addrtionally, youth volunteers assist wrth the design and delivery of youth programmes. We see the volunteer relationship as recipn)cal and mutually beneficial. As an organisation we beneftt from the time, talent and skills of volunteers and rety on their commitment to continue our vmrk. In the past year we have developed our volunteer management policy to incorporate regular volunteer I supe]visor evaluations. This has enabled us to better recognise and meet the needs of our volunteers. Feedback from these volunteer evaluations has noierj tsenefrts for volunteers including Improvements to mental heatth through volunteering, increased selfsteem, better social connections and desire for further training and leaming. FINANCIAL REVIEW Total income for the year was £18,711 of which £17.095 was genetated from donations and legacies. The balance of income was generated from rent recetved for room hire and sales of merchandise. Total expendtture by the charity was £20.339, all of which was expended on direct charitable acttvities. The balance on funds at the yearnd was £83,872 of which £38,826 is restricted funding carried forward 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 bn designated for a specific use should be maintsined at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a signtficant drop in funding. they will be able to continue the charty's current activities while consideration is given to way5 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 appr0matelY £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 monitor the general level of reserves in accordance with the upper level of the target so that they will be able to continue the current activtties of the charity.
FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 PLANS FOR THE FUTURE In the 2023r24 year we aim to continue to strengthen the spiritual and pastoral wort(, vthich is Caled out at all our centres, one in Northem 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 Clrcumstsns. We have retumed to Columba House for our Week meetings, and we intend at some time to run Baptism in the Spirf( 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 nomial 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 opportunities to enhance the range of activities offered to participants. We ceased providing pastoral support and prayer ministry to residents of V4hite Oaks Rehabilitation Centre at meetings on Wednesday nights monthly and Sunday momings and Saturday evening Worship were eventualty stopped by law, but this will conts.nue when possible. The residential programme reopened at Vthtteoaks and with limtted numbers because of Covid bLrt hopefully will now continue to operate and we will deal with issues rf 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 drficutties and overcome them where possible. We interbd to continue our limrted collaboration wtih the Lowng Sister Earth Movement to suppon the National Holy Wells Day in June but being led by obedience to any imposed restrictions. In 2021 work VRS at an advanced stage on establishing a Centre in Letterkenny for people who have completed the residential programme at IM)ite oaks but are not yet ready to go back into society. This Centre was indeed opened and has been appropriately named Carfin House in honour of our founder and director Fr Neal Carlin. it is managed and run by the Boar¢J of Vvhiteoaks. We wisn them every success and hope that during 2024 the Communty %*ill be able to go there for an informal visit. Looking ft)rward to next year at Columba House we will continue to deliver our youth work programme through The Lenten Experience rf 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 Celti¢ Garden delivered The Follow a Star Christmas event for familie5, Wtth 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 Pandetnic we have kept in touch with people and people have kept in touch with us by every means at our disposal. It is clear that people still want and need our seNi¢es and want to be part of what we do. This gives us hope for the future 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 wll continue to explore new avenues to keep the name and message of Colmcille alive in the cty. 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 On again reiterate that, as in previous years, the work of Columba Communty V11 continue, and we will endeavour to implement the leadings of the HO 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 charttable organisation and is governed by its Constitution. Recruitment and appointment of the Trustees All people in the area of benefit, withoLrt discrimination. are eligible for appointment as a Trustee. Proposals for application to membership are submttted to the Board of Trustees and individuals may be elected if they are so willing and acpted by the Board. in accordance with the charitls 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 aCknoedged 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 charty. All members of the Board of Trust*s give their time voluntarity and receive no beneffts from the charty. 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 Communty of which 6 trustees are also members being MarguerTte Hamilton, Fr Shaun Dohety, Ann Mccay, Tommy Mccay. Kathleen Devlin, and Martin McKeever. This management committee oversees the actNities 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 visttor5 arbd general duties as required at Columba House and St Anthon$. 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 responsibilty 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 Caled out by The Columba Community previously established over the years by Fr Neal and now continuing to work in Columba House, Derry Cty, St Anthonys Retreat Centre, Donegal, IOSAS Centre and associated White Oaks Organics, Cettic Garden, Sanctuary Chalets, Visitors Centre and Cafél Restraunt in Donegal and in a limited manner in V4lhtteoaks Rehabilitation Centre. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS The reference and administrative details of the charity can be found on page 1.
FELLOVVSHIP 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 requi the Trustees to prepare financral statements for each financial year. Under that law the Twstees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordan with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally ACpted Accounting Practice). Under charity 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 consistentty; Observe the methods and principles in the Chartties 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 conrn basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charty 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 with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charty and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wtth 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