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2023-08-31-annual-report

EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT)

The Trustees present their report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2013, The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland SORP 2019 (FRS 102).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Exodus Trust is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and a company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland. The company was incorporated on 6[th] August 2007. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed by its Articles of Association. The liability of its members is limited in that every member of the company undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of the company being wound up.

Reference and administrative details

The registered name of the charity is Exodus Trust, charity registration number: NIC 102463 and company registration number: NI 065788.

Registered office 29 Railway Street, Lisburn, BT28 1XP. Chief Executive Officer Mr J Brown UK & Ireland Director Mr J Cummings Auditor GMcG Portadown, Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor 17 Mandeville Street, Portadown, Co Armagh, BT62 3PB Bankers Bank of Ireland, 2 The Diamond, Coleraine, BT52 1DE Solicitors McFarland Graham McCombe, 41-43 Bachelors Walk, Lisburn, BT28 1XN

Trustees

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:

Mrs C Aiken (resigned 6 December 2022) Dr C Agnew (appointed 6 December 2022) Mrs G Maxwell (appointed 6 December 2022) Mr A R Lynas Mr P R Lynas Mrs G A Witherow Mrs L Bell (resigned 13 October 2022) Mrs L R Lynas Mr S J Richmond Mrs K Welch

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

Trustees (continued)

New Trustees are appointed when appropriate. Suitable candidates are considered on the basis of their skills, experience and sympathy with the aims of the charity to ensure that they are competent to fulfil their role. New Trustees will be agreed at a board meeting before being invited to join. Training and support for Trustees is provided as required.

How the charity makes decisions

The Trustees and executive management meet 3 to 4 times a year to set strategy, discuss significant matters and review management accounts for the charity. During these meetings important decisions are made by consensus of the board. Day to day decision making responsibilities are delegated to the charity’s senior management team and its departmental leaders.

Remuneration of key management

The Trustees set the pay for key management at a level they believe reflects the nature of the role and the level of responsibility involved. This is reviewed annually in light of current performance, cost of living and budgetary considerations.

Relationships with related parties

The charity requires Trustees to complete disclosure of interest forms on appointment and to update these as required in order to identify potential related parties that may require disclosure in the financial statements. This disclosure and a description of those related parties can be found at note 23 to the financial statements.

Additional related parties

The Exodus centres in Coleraine and Lisburn are both located in buildings owned by Padly Limited. These buildings have been made available to Exodus by way of a rent-free tenancy. Padly Limited has three trustees each named as a person of significant control. Two of these individuals (Peter Lynas and Andrew Lynas) are also trustees of Exodus.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The principal activity of the charity is to advance the Christian religion and promote the benefit of young people primarily but not exclusively in Ireland.

We are a charity that educates and assists such young people, irrespective of their religious beliefs, through their leisure-time activities so as to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society. In particular, we:

We also provide development aid and support to local communities, primarily but not exclusively in developing countries, for the furtherance of the relief of poverty, the advancement of education and other purposes beneficial to these local communities.

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Exodus was established in Portstewart, Northern Ireland in 1997 and our vision is to see generations of young people boldly following Jesus and becoming lifelong disciple makers.

We currently work alongside young people, disciple makers, churches and communities in Ireland, Hungary and Romania. We see our role as raising up young people who will live out a bold and active Christian faith where they live and through 25 years of disciple making, we have journeyed with over 15,000 young people and leaders.

We offer four primary opportunities full of depth, fun and adventure:

  1. TEAMS - Unforgettable small group adventures combining discovery, friendship and mission.

  2. EVENTS & RESIDENTIALS - Fun, intentional and creative opportunities which build community and create discipling moments.

  3. MENTORING - Deep discipling relationships between young people and older Christians.

  4. TRAINING AND RESOURCES - Creative materials and workshops to equip leaders, parents and young people to make disciples.

Grant making policy

The charity may provide some financial assistance to organisations that it believes will advance its overall objectives. Primarily this is directed to our sister organisation ‘’Exodus CEE’’ operating in Hungary and Romania.

Use of volunteers

The charity continues to rely on the work of volunteers who assist in office administrative roles, help at various events throughout the year and lead the teams which meet throughout the year and travel during the summer. We estimate a contribution of at least 45,500 volunteer hours in 2022/23 equivalent to £568,750 at an average hourly rate of £12.50.

PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

The Board of Exodus Trust confirm that they have had due regard for the guidance produced on public benefit by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and are pleased to report that during the year the charitable company has continued to provide public benefits through the programmes and services we offer. In particular, the directors consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set out.

Public benefits

The trustees believe that both our purposes satisfy both elements of the public benefit requirement.

Purpose 1:

The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include:

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Public benefits (continued)

These benefits are demonstrated through stories recorded from participants and partner organisations, feedback from volunteers, quarterly updates and the annual report. In providing these benefits, Exodus seeks to share the core tenets of the Christian faith, however, it will not condone any activities which put undue pressure on individuals to take on these beliefs. The beneficiaries of this purpose are young people living in Ireland aged 15-25. There will also be a direct benefit to youth leaders trained in roles, an indirect benefit to the families of young people and a wider benefit to the local communities. A private benefit to staff will arise as they are paid and also trained to carry out the role but this is necessary and incidental and payment is in line with appropriate levels of remuneration. Another potential private benefit is that gained by a staff member or Trustee who also has a teenage child who takes part in activities. This individual applies for and is assigned places in the same way as all other beneficiaries. This benefit is incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiaries.

Purpose 2:

The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include:

These benefits are demonstrated through stories recorded from participants and partner organisations, feedback from volunteers, quarterly updates and the annual report. In providing these benefits Exodus seeks to share the core tenets of the Christian faith, however it will not condone any activities which put undue pressure on individuals to take on these beliefs. The beneficiaries of this purpose are individuals and communities primarily but not exclusively in developing countries.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

‘’I became a team leader after being a team member because there is no experience like it. Exodus changed my life. I can only give back.’’ - Exodus Volunteer Leader 2023

Ongoing Ministry Celebrations

Between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, Exodus staff and volunteers in the UK & Ireland delivered ministry opportunities across our 6 locations: Coleraine, Lisburn, Derry, Belfast, Carrick and Banbridge. Each area has significant cause for celebration.

The following are some ‘headlines’ from the life of Exodus in the last 12 months organised under the titles from our vision statement, ‘Reach’, ‘Disciple’ and ‘Partner’.

Reach

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

________________

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

Disciple

Partner

Development Celebrations

In March 2022, Exodus set out 12 Development goals linked to our drive for innovative and sustainable youth ministry until 2025. We are thrilled to share exciting progress in each of these 12 areas below:

1. Employing a fully funded Outreach Worker within Exodus North-East. Following a successful fundraising campaign in Spring 2023 we employed a full-time and fully funded Outreach Worker in August 2023. The role has been highly fruitful and has resulted in a range of new outreach initiatives including the establishment of an SU group in Ballycastle and expanded delivery of the SOAR leadership course for pupils in Ballymoney.

2. Piloting a team opportunity linked to leadership development that appeals to and engages those who aren’t Christians.

3. Pioneering a range of new and creative outreach initiatives.

4. Delivering a reshaped and re-branded intern programme with an intentional focus on leadership development.

In Spring 2023, we began reshaping our internship under the title ‘Emerging Leaders’ with 6 interns joining the signing up for the programme for September 2023. Developments included a new interns journal, programme of leadership training days and a leadership development trip to Romania.

5. Creating a full set of updated team courses.

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

________________

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

6. Building a strategic approach to developing innovative and adventurous placements for teams.

7. Building and launching a new model for Church commissioned Exodus workers who reach local young people with the gospel and raise up lifelong disciples of Jesus. We have begun piloting a new initiative called ‘Journey Together’ and are actively seeking church and community partnerships to launch new Exodus workers.

8. Launching a ministry to help fathers disciple their children.

9. Appointing a worker who will unlock more of the potential of Walk with Me through refining the process and targeted invitation, training and support.

10. Setting up a home for the ministry in Carrick and Newtownabbey.

In Autumn 2023, Greenisland Presbyterian Church welcomed Exodus Carrick to set up a new home within its premises. This generous invitation was paired with the permission and support to renovate a now youth-friendly space. The partnership has been very fruitful, and in February 2023 the Carrick team welcomed 62 young people and leaders onto Exodus Teams.

11. Building a new database and online platform to simplify & streamline activities for participants & staff.

We made significant progress on this project through a lengthy consultation process with a technology partner. This resulted in the development of a strategic plan and a successful funding application to support the work.

12. Forming a volunteer support group for each Exodus Area working to help the work flourish locally.

We have piloted a support group for our work in Belfast. This has provided excellent support for the ministry there and plans are in plans to continue the development.

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The detailed financial results for the year ended 31 August 2023 are shown on page 19 of the financial statements. The net expenditure for the year amounted to £13,428 (2022: net income of £76,472). At 31 August 2023, the funds of the charity amounted to £575,972 (2022: £589,400) comprising unrestricted income funds of £523,508 (2022: £559,102) unrestricted designated funds of £Nil (2022: £Nil) and restricted funds of £52,464 (2022: £30,298). At 31 August 2023, fixed assets included within unrestricted funds are £232,244 (2022: £248,549) and within restricted funds are £14,932 (2022: £16,215). At 31 August 2023, free reserves being total funds after deducting restricted funds, designated funds and fixed assets are £291,264 (2022: £310,553).

Principal Sources of Income

Our principal sources of income came from:

Expenditure

Our primary areas of expenditure are linked to:

Reserves policy and going concern

The charity’s reserves should provide the organisation with adequate financial stability and the means for it to meet its charitable objectives for the foreseeable future.

The Trustees intend to maintain the charity’s reserves at a level which is at least equivalent to three months operational expenditure plus £70,000 for advance purchase of flights & insurance at the start of each financial year and have done so having regards to its manner of operation of likely funding streams.

The board will review the reserves to ensure that they are adequate to fulfil the charity’s continuing obligations on an annual basis.

This figure for three months' operations equates to £146,400. The additional figure towards the insurance and flights budget is £70,000 - bringing the total reserves figure to £216,400.

Making allowance for restricted funds the trustees are able to report cash of £294,771 at the end of 31[st] August 2023.

Comment on current Financial Picture

We had projected a financial deficit in 2022/23 however, the deficit was lower than expected due primarily to:

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FINANCIAL REVIEW (CONTINUED)

We are projecting a deficit for 23/24 due to the following:

Factors Affecting Future Financial Performance

Risk Management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. The Trustees maintain a written risk register in order to document and review identified risks. The principal risks continue to be:

Plans for the future

1. Ongoing Ministry Goals

In 2022/23 we are determined to Reach 10,000 young people through schools work, drop ins and connection events. To Disciple 450 team members, 200 DISCIPLES and 100 mentees and to partner with 100 churches and organisations in disciple making.

2. Development & Sustainability Goals

Alongside this our priorities for development are linked to our 12 goals with 2023/24 goals as follows:

1. Employ a new, fully funded worker for Exodus NE focused on reaching new young people. 2023/24 - Goal Achieved

2. Pilot a team opportunity linked to leadership development that appeals to and engages those who aren’t Christians.

3. Catalyse a range of new and creative outreach initiatives pioneered by our bases. 2023/24 - Build on what was started in 2022/23, pilot a 3 way partnership with schools and churches and launch a Train station outreach.

4. Deliver a reshaped and re-branded intern programme with an intentional focus on disciple making leadership development.

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FINANCIAL REVIEW (CONTINUED)

5. Create a full set of team courses - re-written, digitally delivered. 2023/24 - Release a new Ex-press course and Ex-tend videos for team members and an updated SOAR course for schools work.

6. Build a strategic approach to developing innovative and adventurous placements for teams. 2023/24 - Investigate opportunities in the USA, extend opportunities in Moldova, Catalonia & South Africa.

7. Build and launch a new model for Church commissioned Exodus workers who reach local young people with the gospel and raise up lifelong disciples of Jesus. 2023/24 - Strengthen partnerships in 3 development Areas with the aim of initial appointments in 2025

8. Launch a ministry to help fathers disciple their children 2023/24 - Appoint a new worker for Legacy (our ministry with fathers)

9. Appoint a worker who will unlock more of the potential of Walk with Me through refining the process and targeted invitation, training and support. 2023/24 - Strengthen the mentoring process internally.

10. Set up a home for the ministry in Carrick and Newtownabbey. 2023/24 - Goal Achieved

11. To build a new database and online platform to simplify & streamline activities for participants & staff. 2023/24 - Initiate the Digital Boost Project to build and launch new software by 2025. Appoint a project manager and launch tender for software build

12. To form a volunteer support group for each Exodus Area working to help the work flourish locally.

And finally - renovate a space in our Coleraine centre to create a new office and meeting room to help support the ministry growth around the centre.

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of Exodus Trust) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements the directors are required to:

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EXODUS TRUST (A COMPANY IIMTTED BY GUARkYIEEI YL4REfqDED31 AUGusf 21123 TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTENUED) STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS, RESPONSIBILrrIES (CONTINUED) The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable a¢curacy at any time the f￿all¢la1 position of the charitable wmpany and enable them to ensur¢ that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The directOTS are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of thc charitable con]pany and hence to take Tcasonable step5 for the pr¢vention aT]d detection of fraud and other irregularities. Disclosure of Inforn￿tiOn to auditors We, the directois of the company who held office at the date of approval of these Financial StateTncnts as set out above each Conf￿ so far as w¢ aware, that: there is no relevant audit infOrn￿tiOn of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware. we have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken as directors in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit inforn]ation and to establish that the charitable company's auditors are aware of that inforn)ation. The trnstees are res￿nsIble for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and fsnancial infonnation included on the Ch￿itable ¢OFnpanYs website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparntion and diss¢mination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurlsdictions. Small" conwanies, exemption This report has been prepared in accordance with the sp<xtal provisions relating to smaIl companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. Auditors GMCG Portadown have indicated their willingness to continue in office and a resolution concerning their re-appotntm¢nt will be proposed at the Annual General Mecting. By order of the Board Mrs L R Lynas Ttustcc Date: 12