PATRICIAN YOUTH CENTRE Report of the Trustees FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 The trustees present their report with th¢ financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Stat¢inent of Recominended Practice applicable to chai'ities prepai'ing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims Pati'ician operates under the auspices of the Diocesan Constitution, under review, wliich states that Ihe Youth Centre is eslablished to provide, Inaintain, and proinote facilities and activities of a social, spiritual, educational. and reci'eational nature with the object of improving the conditions of life of ihe young people in the area of benefil. It states that the Centre shall exist for the use and benefit of all young people in the locality of Downpatrick and environs, witliout distinction of sex, political, I'eligious, or other opinion adding that, the Centre is available to all such youi)g people and to those of theii. invitees. from outside the area of benefit, as sliall ac¢epi the aims of the Centt'e ai)d subscribe to the rules from time to time in force therein. Patrician Youth Centre is fully committed to the Care, welfare and safety of the children, young people and adults in ils cai'e. The Centre carries out this duty through th¢ pi'ovision of a caring, supportive, and safe environment iii which individuals al'e valued for their unique talent and abilities and Iheir social and personal development are nurtured to its full potential. Patrician Youth Centre is a full-time voluntary youth provision, purpose built, having a registered membership li) excess of 700 members during the year. The Centre is the main youih provision in Downpatrick catering for a large population spread of young people who iEside in the town and in SUlTounding areas/villages. Patrician resides in Downpatrick DEA, sti'addling the Ballymote and Cathedral Electoral Wards of NM&DDC which, according to the Inost recent Multiple Deprivation Measures Report are within the top l 00/0 of most deprived supei. outpul areas of NortheiTJ Ireland. The Centre has a Parish outreach provision - St Colmcille's Youth Club at the Ballymote Sports and Wellbeing Centre, Glebelown Drive, Downpatrick, one night weekly for a te17n time programme and during July for summer provision. This provision is also located in Downpatrick DEA and area of social need, attracting membership fi'oin the adjacent l)ousing areas. aT)d surrounding electoral wards. The provision delivers a generic youth club provision lo the indigenous population. The Youth Centre offers an extensive programme of activities through addressing the DENI 'Priorities for Youth Policy, (2014) and Youth Service 'Model for Effective Practice, document. prO-a[n1lle delivery includes the PerfoiThing and Creative Arts, Provision for Sport, Meinber Training, Award and Personal Development Programines, Local Travel Prograinmes, Information Technology, Outdoor Education, CRED Programine Linkages, Inclusion Programimes, After SchoollExtended Schools Programmes, Coinmunity Involvement and Development Education Pi'ogrammes. The Centre provides for the youth service age range of 4-25 years, matching targeted programme interventions to age and needs of childi-en and young people. The Youih Centre is managed by a Voluntary Manageinent Committee appointed by the Trustees. The Centre is staffed by full-time professional staff along with part-time qualified, ti?inee staff and volunteers. The Centre relies heavily on the input of voluntai'y work at 011 levels. All staff contribute voliintary hours to Ihe operation of the organisation and delivery of the pro.aMMe. All prograinmes delivered in the Youth Centre airn to be self-financing, and the Centre continues to actively seek funds from a variety of funding sources to maintain service delivery. The Youth Centre tlirough monitoring and evaluation processes develop new programme initiatives to respond to and target needs base of young people in aiea.
PATRICIAN YOUTH CENTRE Report of tlle Trustees FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 2024 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Publie benefit The Youth Centr¢ is established to pi-ovide, maintain, and promote facilities and activities of a social, spiritual, education and recreational nature with the object of iinproving the conditions of life of children and young people without distinction of sex, political, religious, or other opinion. The direct benefits which flow from this puiyose include an increase in social skills, improvement in einotional well-being, improved positive educational outcomes and inci'eased spiritual developinent in the lives of local young people. Tl)is purpose will also provide impi'ovement to overall community life. The above benefits will be evidenced through several evaluative means including observations of staff members and records of achievements; other qualitative data froin pai'ents, teachers, aiid community repi'esenlatives; quantitative data from programme and project evaluations; data from othei- sources including other service providers both statutory and non-statutory. The beneficiaries of this puiyose ar¢ children and young people as defined by Government policy in Northern Ii'eland living in Downpatrick. A private benefit could be gained by a Trustee who has a child who makes use of the facilities and activities of the centr¢. The child of the Ti'ustee applies to be part of the youth centt-e and is given access in the saine way as other beneficiaries. This benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiaries. Volunteers may gain an increased sense of well-being through their involvement in the ¢enlre; however, this benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure benefit is provided to bei)eficiaries. Staff inay gain opportunities to be involved in educational or reciEational activities. The b¢nefit is also incidental and necessary foi. the work of the organisation to take place. ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities The Centre delivei'ed youth services fulfilling Ihe requirements of EA specification during the year, working in yet another challenging financial environment dealing with further statutoiy funding cuts. Alongside which, the cost-of-living crisis continued to bite, adversely impacting many families, visibly present in lack of resources and need for practical interventions. We continued feeding children and young people at every session, heallliy snacks and hot Suppers which wei'e welcomed, providing sustenance for many, supporting participalion and wellbeing. Delivering mini chef sessions were also well I'eceived and working in partnership with our Trust Dieticians enabled us to continue a slow cooker programme providing resoui'ces and skills for oui- young people and Iheir families. During the year our Performing Arts members showcased two public productions, a Musical aiid Spring Showcase for oui. local schools and community. Oui. suminei. prograinmes were very successful, delivei'ed over a six-week period, in partnership wilh two of our primary schools, providing programines and activities for most of the holiday pei'iod. Work with schools and othei- partners continued over the yeai. also, delivering bespoke personal developinent pi'ograinmes to address i)eeds and SUPPOrt young people in their wellbeing. The Centre successfully engaged all age ranges in a variety of progi'ainine interventions and despite lack of I'esources relained our outreach service at St Colmcille's. Promoting inclusion remained key to work during ihe year witli the Centre Inainlaining contact witli agencies to ensure suppoit and inclusion of membership. For example, our ASD programme continued for existing and iiew membership, after school activity programmes were maintained and pi'ogrammes supporting young people to take conti'ol of their destiny in school and other spher¢s of lives were proinoted. The Centre engaged in outreach work on streets in response to needs highlighted by external agencies and to support recruitment of young people in youth sei'vices. Developing member volunteei's was also a focus during the year with seve171 new training programnies and interveiitioiis introduced lo encourage young people to be active pai'ticipants in the life and work of the Centre. The Youth Centre worked to agi'eed specification wtlh tlie Education Auihority, part of which included quaiterly 'Moderation Visits, in the organisation. During these visits undertaken by an external EA Officer, staff delivery was observed, members spoken with, and evidence collected relating lo ongoing work and response to agreed targets. Moderation reports compiled coinmended the high standard of work and practice being deliveiEd and wei'e all graded 'outstanding' throughout the year. Working with funders was a150 a key focus during the year, maintaining and developing to support programme delivery and introduce new programmes and activities. FINANCIAL REVIEW Principal funding source5 Our main source of funds continues to be the grant assistance received fi'om the Education Authoi'ity, enti'an¢e fees and associated ievenue and funding generated fiom fund-raising activities, as well as applications to charitable ti'usts.
PATRICIAN YOUTH CENTRE Report of the Trustees FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 FINANCIAL REVIEW Reserves policy The Youth Centre's objective is to Inaintain an operating surplus on an ongoing basis, thereby accuinulating unrestricted funding reserves. These reserves are to be retained in order to meet precautionary financial requirements. FUTURE PLANS Our financial objective is subject to the maintenance of a high standard of programme delivery. Our aim is to increase the amount of unreserved fvnds to allow the Youth Centi'e to continue to pi'ovide services. The Youth Centi'e will continue to endeavoui. to deliver and develop, whei'e possible, quality programme delivery and youth services to children and youi)g people in the locality throLEgh diversity of pi'ovision and promotion of inclusion for all. STRUCTURE, COVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is conti-olled by its goveming docuinent, a deed of trust and Constitutes an unincorporated charity. Recruitment and appointment of new trustees Ti'ust¢es of Ihe organisation are established through the Diocese. The Management Committee reinains in 51tu with membership changing only when required to replace retiring Ineinbers or tliose in an advisory capacity. All staff, Irgai'dless of position, on appointsnent al'e Access Nl Checked through Diocesan procedui'es and on clearance undergo an induction prograinme on taking up position. New Management Committee Members on joining the organisation are briefed on all operational aspects and day to day management. The Diocese continues to update Safeguarding Procedures for vetting staff and the Youih Centre iinplements accoi'dingly. Organisational structure The Charity has a Trustee appointed Manageinent Coininittee, pi'ofessional full-time staff along with ancillaiy siaff and parl-time paid staff and volunÉe¢rs. Related parties Patrician Youth Centre is affiliated to the following: Youth Action Nl. Youth Work Alliance and the Education Authority. The Centre has close working relationships with various organisations associated with the delivery of youth services as nained above as well as other organisations woi'king with children and young people. Tl)ese include SEHSCT (Souiheastern Health and Social Care Trust), all scl)ools, primary and secondary in the area, Youth Sei'vices, Children and Adult Disability Services, PSNIIPCSP, Surestart, Down Hub, YMCA, Newry Mourne and Down Couiicil and other voluntary and statutory organisations associated witli youth service delivery. The Centre continues to develop exleiiial links through programme d¢liv¢ry and referi?I processes, drawing membership from schools ar]d other educational organisations aci'oss the Community and beyond. Patriciai) has an active rapport with the South-eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Disability and Autism Services and Training Dieticians developing services and resource support for young people and families. The Centre continued to develop partnership woi'king with Youth Action Nl on several youth projects and staff programmes during ihe year, includiiig preparing for Peace Plus launch and leadership training. The Centi'e continued to work with Children in Northern Ireland rolling out the final of the final year of pi'ogramine addi'essing ierm time and holiday hunger, resulting in the provision of food at all sessions for membership and development of mini chef classes and focus on 'Gets Active, physical activÉty, a much needed and successful programme, forging links with other similar projects across Nl.
PATRICIAN YOUTH CENTRE Report of the Trustees FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 STRUCTURE, COVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Risk management The Cenli'e is managed and monitored to minirnise risk. The Centre adheres closely to all health and safety regulalions including both building risk and activity risk and ensures tl)at the building (a parish pi'operty) meets all European Regulations in relation to same through having an "Entertaininent's Licence" in place. Child and Adult Safeguarding procedures are adhered to rigidly, in relalion to the operation of the Centi'e, as well as progi'amine delivery. All staff coinplete certified training which is updated annually. The Centse has in place a fire risk assessment cei'tificate in line witll 201 O legislation and has a number of staff team trained as fire wardens. This assessment is reviewed annually, and staff undergo ti'aining on an ongoing basis. Outdoor Education and the Award Programme, which would be regarded as being of high I'isk, are only delivered by appiopriately qualified staff at designated locations. Out of Cenlre a¢tivities and events at outside locations, as well as travel prograinmes, al-e undertaken with all necessary procedures in place e.g. staff ratios, suitable accommodation, transport etc. Building and Activity Risk Assessinents are reviewed annually. The Youth Centi'e has in place all policies and procedure5 pertineni to the operation of the organisation, all of which are reviewed on an ongoing basis. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 102388 Principal address Clo The Treasurer John Sti'eet Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6HS Trustees Brother John Jordan Mr Colin Bowd Mr E McGrady Mrs Patricta Magee Mr John Thompson Rev Father M Henry Independent Examiner Conaill McGrady BSS¢ (Acc), FCA Chartered Accountants Ireland M.B.McGI'ady & Co Chartered Accountants Rathinore House 52 St Pati'icks Avenue Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6DS
PATRICIAN YOUTH CENTRE Report of the Trustees FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Ap ro d by order of the board of trustees on 21 March 2025 and signed on its behalf by: in owd ru