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2024-03-31-accounts

Charity Reference No. NIC 102233

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

CONTENTS

Page
Charity information 1
Trustee’s Report 2 - 7
Independent examiners report 8
Receipts and payments account 9
Statement of assets and liabilities 10
Notes to the accounts 11 - 13

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 (NI) LLP 21/23 Clarendon Street Derry ~ Londonderry BT48 7EP Bankers First Trust Bank Meadowbank Strand Road Derry BT48 7TN Solicitors Casey & Co 8 Shipquay Street Derry BT48 6DN

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.

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 dignity through Jesus Christ, for the greater glory of God. ‘’I 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 benefit when deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

The strategies employed to achieve the charity’s aims and objectives are to:

Since March 2020, delivery of our services had been seriously disrupted by Covid 19. Like many other organisations we adapted to the circumstances we found ourselves in, mainly by using technology to maintain connectivity with service users. We continue outreach activities via Facebook in the form of videos, written information music and images. Other social media platforms are also used quite extensively including our website, and distribution of information through local and national publications. During covid restrictions our weekly meetings were usually conducted through Zoom but now we have returned to precovid arrangements for these. 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 2024

The principal function of The Fellowship of Good Counsel Londonderry is to support the advancement of the Christian Religion, by promoting same through the creation and subsequent ministry of The Columba Community, and being open to, and engaging with society as a whole and offering support to the marginalised and the socially needy, essential to the practical delivery of Gospel Values.

We have established four centres for the advice and counselling of the socially needy community and a Rehabilitation Centre for those suffering from Addiction.

The Advancement of Religion

The direct benefits 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 community at large. These benefits can be evidenced / 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 outweigh 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 life skills leading to a more confident and productive community. These benefits can be evidenced / 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 / teachers / facilitators is essential to the fulfilment of the purpose of the advancement of education.

The Relief of Distress

The direct benefits 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 / 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 charity’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 Community, 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 2023/24.

It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the sterling work of many of the Community members who worked tirelessly to keep St. Anthony’s functioning throughout this difficult 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 Celtic Saints, recorded 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 favourably received.

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Key objectives, outcomes and evaluations from programmes facilitated during the financial year are as follows:

The YARD Project

We have plans to revamp the Yard Project but at this point and although discussions have been held as to when to make a start, no definite date has been pinpointed. There will be some project activity to maintain our association with other youth groups on social media, email and other platforms.

The Connections Programme

Building upon the success of the pilot programme delivered previously, the Connections programme has developed into a regular service provided to the local community. With a target age range of 65 yrs+ the programme aims to enhance the lives of older people through lifelong learning opportunities accompanied by health and wellbeing elements such as meditation and exercise.

We acknowledge the support of Derry 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 community, 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 2023/24. 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 / 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 benefit 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 / 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 health through volunteering, increased self-esteem, better social connections and desire for further training and learning.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Total income for the year was £27,786 of which £27,686 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 £30,263, all of which was expended on direct charitable activities. The balance on funds at the year-end was £81,395 of which £42,052 is restricted funding carried forward to 2024/25 and the balance of £39,343 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 between 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 2024 are £39,343. 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 activities of the charity.

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

In the 2024/25 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.

We have returned to Columba House for our weekly meetings, and we intend at some time soon to re-run Baptism in the Spirit / Life 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 operational during this time. A decision on this will have to be taken soon.

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 have ideas on running courses on bookbinding, calligraphy and associated activities but may have to wait to find a possible funder,

We have plans to begin again to offer pastoral support and prayer ministry to residents of White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre at meetings on Wednesday nights monthly.

The residential programme has fully reopened at Whiteoaks and will continue to operate.

We intend to continue our limited collaboration with the Loving Sister Earth Movement to support the National Holy Wells Day in June.

In 2021 Work 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 was at an advanced stage. 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 visit.

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 2023 staff from the IOSAS Centre and Celtic 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 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 services 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.

We recently celebrated 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 and the Christian Message.

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 2024

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 submitted 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 Marguerite Hamilton Fr. Shaun Doherty 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 charity. 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 Doherty, 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 charity’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.

Fr Neal Carlin Founder of Columba Community passed away on the 6[th] August 2021. Fr Neal’s ministry still continues at all the Centres. Responsibility 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 Chalets, Visitors Centre and Café/ Restaurant in Donegal and in a limited manner in Whiteoaks Rehabilitation Centre.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

The reference and administrative details of the charity can be found on page 1.

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

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 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:

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 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 McCay Trustee Date: 31/01/2025

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 responsibility to:

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 Charities Act

  2. That the accounts do not accord with 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 understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Independent examiner’s 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.

21/23 Clarendon Street Derry ~ Londonderry BT48 7EP

Moore (NI) LLP Chartered Accountants Date: 31/01/2025

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Receipts
Donations and legacies
Other income
Total
Payments
Charitable activities
Total
Net receipts/(payments)
Reconciliation of funds:
Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end		 Unrestricted
Funds
Note
£
3
19,740
4
100
19,840
5
25,543
25,543
(5,703)
45,046
39,343		 Restricted
Funds
£
7,946
-
7,946
4,720
4,720
3,226
38,826
42,052		 Total
2024
£
27,686
100
27,786
30,263
30,263
(2,477)
83,872
81,395		 Total
2023
£
17,095
1,616
18,711
20,339
20,339
(1,628)
85,500
83,872

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
£
£
Cash funds
Current accounts
39,343
42,052
Assets retained for the charity’s own use (unrestricted funds)
Buildings (NBV)
Long leasehold (NBV)
Fixtures and fittings (NBV)
Office equipment (estimated value)
Other monetary assets (unrestricted funds)
Loan to St Anthony’s Retreat Centre
Loan to White Oak’s Visitor Centre		 Total
2024
£
81,395
2024
£
402,413
10,177
-
1,000
412,590
55,000
10,000
65,000		 Total
2023
£
83,872
2023
£
420,227
10,177
86
1,000
431,490
55,000
10,000
65,000

The accounts were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

______ Tommy McCay Trustee

Date: 31/01/2025

Charity Reference No. NIC 102233

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared using the receipts and payments basis.

2 Nature and purpose of funds

Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity’s work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

3. Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Donations
18,792
Gift Aid
948
LFT – Charitable Trust
-
Derry & Strabane District Council
-
UK Government – Energy Bills Support
Scheme
-
WHSCT – Positive Aging Small Grants
-
19,740		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
6,000
1,946
-
-
7,946		 Total
2024
£
18,792
948
6,000
1,946
-
-
27,686		 Total
2023
£
14,099
852
-
444
1,200
500
17,095

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4. Other income

Unrestricted
Funds
£
Sale of Books/CDs/Bibles/Xmas Cards
100
100
5.
Expenditure
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
£
£
Salaries and wages
5,278
-
Rates
688
-
Cleaning and housekeeping
220
-
Insurance
1,348
-
Heat and light
3,852
-
Repairs and maintenance
2,362
-
Telephone
1,097
-
Church requisites
1,237
-
Donations
500
-
Programme facilitation
878
4,040
Programme materials
240
-
Programme catering
3,147
680
Accountancy fees
4,320
-
Sundry expenses
96
-
Bank charges
280
-
25,543
4,720		 Total
2024
£
100
100
Total
2024
£
5,278
688
220
1,348
3,852
2,362
1,097
1,237
500
4,918
240
3,827
4,320
96
280
30,263		 Total
2023
£
1,616
1,616
Total
2023
£
7,203
582
160
1,148
4,792
1,972
967
972
1,750
-
-
324
-
186
283
20,339

6. Transactions with Trustees

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, nor were any Trustees reimbursed expenses.

7. Related party transactions

The charity enjoys a close working relationship with St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, which is a charity operating in the Republic of Ireland. During 2017, the charity provided a loan of £55,000 to St Anthony’s Retreat Centre. This amount was outstanding in full as at 31[st] March 2024.

FELLOWSHIP OF GOOD COUNSEL TRUST

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

8. Breakdown of Restricted Funds

White Oaks – YARD
project
WHSCT – Positive
Aging Small Grants
Derry & Strabane
District Council
National Lottery
Community Fund
Restricted donations		 Opening
balance
£
30,000
176
-
4,250
4,400
38,826		 Income
Expenditure

£
£
6,000
(3,650)
-
-
1,946
(1,070)
-
-
-
-
7,946
(4,720)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-		 Closing
balance
£
32,350
176
876
4,250
4,400
42,052

Analysis of material restricted funds

a) White Oaks – YARD project

Funding to deliver quality personal, social and spiritual development programmes for young people aged 11-18 years.