THE WOMEN'S SUPPORT NETWORK
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024
I A COTrIPANY LlIlllTED BI. GUAtLINTEE AIND NOT HAVIING A SHARE CAPITAL)
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER N1057580
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER NIC 102763
O'HARA SHEARER
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND STATUTORY AUDITORS
547 FALLS ROAD
BELFAST
BTI19AB

THE WOETrIEN'S SUPPORT NETWORK
FINANCIAL STATEtVlEIYTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDEI D 31ST IWIARCI.12024
CONTENTS
Page
Reference and Adni inistaitive Infoi'inatioii
Trustees Aiinual Repoit
(iiiclLid ing tlie Statement of Directors Responsibil ities
in respect of financial stc11einents)
2-10
Repoii of tlie Ind¢pendeiit ALiditors to tl)e Meinbers,
AccoLinliiig Policies
14-16
Siiileinenl of Financial ActivitiLs (incorporatiiigy the incoine and expeiidilLire accolint)
17
Balance Slieet
Statement of Casli Flows
19
Notes to the Financial Stateinents
20-26

THE WOMEN'S SUPPORT NETWORK
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND FIN.4NCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YIAR ENDED 31ST fvIARCH 2024
REFERINCE AND AD￿lINISTRATIvE INFORMATION
Directors
Tanya HLighes
Susan Mccl-oiy
ReneL Crawford
Eleanoi. Joi'dan (ResigFned 141081?0?4)
Eileen Gay Sheii?-Biiighain
Isobel Lougihi'an {Resigned I11091?0?3)
Lisa Maclean (Appointed 111091?093)
Companv Secret4ry
Renee Ci'awford
Operational Dircctoi.
Karen Sweeney
Registered Office
109-113 Royal Avenue
Bel fast
County AIiEI'IIII
BTI IFr
Auditors
O'Hai'a Sliearei.
Chditei'ed AcLouniaiils
& Staluloiy Auditors
547 Falls Road
Belfasi, BT I19AB
Bunk¢rs
AIBNI
111 l i Doi)ebJall Square Noitli
Bel fiist
BTI 5GB
Compuny Regislrution Nutnber
Nl 057580
Charity Commission for Northern Irelli n(1 Registration Number
NIC 10?763
HM Revenue & Customs Chllrity Rcgistralion Number
XR40415
Registere(I Cliai'ity Name
The Woinen's SLipporl Nelwoi'l(
Page I

The Nvomen's Su
ort Network
Aeom
anv limite(I bv uu4ll.1￿ ntee
Re ort of the Trustees
Includin￿ Directors, Re
for the Y¢ai- Endcd 31 larch 2024
ort
Tlie trustees, IN'lio al'e a150 directoi's of tlie cliai'itable company foi. tlie Plirposes ot company law, liave pleasui'e
ii) preseiitiiig tlieii. Triistees Repoit M'itli tlie audiied Fiiiai)¢ial Statemei)Is of Ilie cliai'itable compaiiy for Ilie
yeai. endLd 31 March ?014. Tlie Ii'iislees liave adopted tlie provisioiis of tlie Stateinent ot" R¢¢oinineiided
Pi'21clice (SORP) 'Accoiiiitiiigy aiid R¢poitiiiiJ by Cliai'ilies, 2015 applicable to cliariries preparii)o tlieir accoLllIts
in accordance ivitli Ilie Finaiicial Reporting7 Standard appl iC£1ble iii tlie UK and Republic of Ii'eiaiid (FRS 102)
iSSLied in JLII J. ?014. etTeclive O l J<2llLiai'v ?0 l ) in pi'ep<?I'jlllY the ti'iistees repoil <iiid financial statemeiits of tlie
Clial'itab￿e iompany, Kvliicli al'e also prepared lo meet Ilie i-equireiiieiits foi. a directors I'epoit and accoiinls for
coinp¢11)y aiid Lliarity la¥v piirposes.
IiEFERINCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DCTAILS
Charity Commission for Northern Ireli)nil Ret5iStration number
NIC102763
Company Registralion number
N IOi7580 (Nortliei'n I I'elaiid)
HfvIRC Ch#rity Registration number
XR4041i
Pi'incipid l and Registered office
Catliedral QLiarter Managyed Woi'lKspace, 109-113 Royal Aveiiiie, Belfast. Co. Antriiii, BTI I FF
Ti'ustees
Tlie trLlStees Nvlio served tl)e cliai'itablL coimpaiiy diirinbi tlie yeai. lip io tlie date of upproval were as tol Iow5'.
Taiiya Hub7lies
Sii%¢lli ￿ILCrorY
Reiiee Crawfoi'd
El¢aiioi' Joi-d1E 11
Gay Slierry-Bii)ghain
Isobel LoLl47liriin
Lis& Maclean
Cliairperson
Tre<isiirer
(I'esigvned 11109123)
(IL ppointed I11091?3)
SecretAry
ReiiLe Crawford
Operlltioiial Director
Kareli Sweeiiey
Auditoi.
O, Hai'a Sheai'ei.
Cliai'tered AcLountaiils & Slatutoiy Auditors
547 Falls Rocid
Belfast
BTI19AB
Banker$
Al B, 11-15 Doneg2L11 Sqiiare North. Beltast, BT15GB

The Ivomen's Su
ort Network
Acom
nl, limited bv
utti-antee
ort of the Trustees
inclu(linry Directors, Re
roi" tlie Ye'ar Ei ncled 3 l Mai'ch 2024
ort
continue(I
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTIUTIVE DETAILS continued
Insui'ance Bi'oker5
Willis Iiisiiraiiee & Risk Maiiag7eiiieiit
Nei￿s￿etter Biiildino
55-59 Doiiegall Sii-eet
Belfast
BTI IFH
OB.TECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
WSN MISSION
To advaiice wonieii s eqiicility aiid I'i&?lits bj. woi'kiiig lo influeiice policy, practice ai)d pi'ovisioii wliile also
reoioiiall! SLlPPOrtIllLY 1¢ lid represLntin(J
tlie intei'ebts, iieeds aiid pei'spectives of ￿'0Ine17. paiticiilarly tliose in
poveil), aiid iii disic dvai)li?IF¢d are7￿ S.
WSN VISION
To Li'e47te a jiist and pe<icefiil society devoid of ffciider discriim iiiation. nendei'_based violence <21)d wonien's
riglits violatioiis. iii Nvliicli ivoineii fi'oin al I b41ck&iroiiiids iqiid coiiimLlI)ities C<l1i Lxpei'ieiice liill eqii4ility of
oppoituiiity aiid pai'ticipalioii across all spliei'es of tl)eir eveiydi2)' lives.
Tlie Woiiieii's Siippoi'l Networl. (WSN) is ali uinbrel la oi'nciiiisation pi'ovidinbT SllPPOIt lo Illl coinmuiiity- based
woin¢ii s sectoi. e.bT. Ivoiiieii s cei)Ii'es. b>roiips. pi'ojects <qnd org7aiiisalioiis. WSN pi'ovidLs iiifui'matiuii, suppoit,
resources, I'eseai'cli and Irainiiig to siipporl tliese oi's?<21iisaliuiis iii Il)e delivery. of sei'vices tl)at incr¢ase
oppoituiiities foi. woiiieii Iliat ivui'l< loivai'(1s Ilie rel ief ol. povei'ty, addi'ess soc ial excliisioii, advaiicL ediicalion
aiid 5afLgTiiai'd IiL'4qltli for woineii iii Noi'lliei'i) Ii'elcll)d, p(?rlicLilai'ly iii areas ot d iSiidvanli2g7L. WSN aclivelj.
C<Qlll l?aiiTllS, Ii)bbii%, cai'i'i¢s OLIt I'eseai'Lli ai)d SLlPPOI'ls fiind iiiby bids 011 l(ey issiies ciffecliniy w'oineii, liaine1￿.
liealtli. poverty, clii Idcai'e aiid Ldiicalioii. WSN collates Il)e views of woinen to iiifoi-ln pol icy developnient
aiid tirticulate concer115 ai)d ai'Las of need to fLiiidLI's. govei-iiin¢iil depaiyinents, slaliitoi'v oi'iyanisations Kind
elected repi'eseiitalives liigylil igl)tii)b, local key issue5 Iliat iinpucl directly on womeii iii identitied areas.
WSN advocales for reqiiisite resolirces to facilitate tlie su%laiiiic bility and expansioii of ivoinen-only, Ivoinen-
led spaees aiid pi'ovisioii undei'piiined by fl'ee clii Idcare. WSN f¢i¢i l itcltes Ilie sliui-ii)g of iiifoi'matioii, good
pi'actice aiid, wl)ei'e possible, I'esoLII'Les bLtNweeii ivoinen's c¢i)tres. byi'oiii?s aiid oi'gaiiisalioiis. dLveloping7 ali
01) l inL preseiicL to accoininodale saini. WSN SLlI)ports ivoiiieii's CLI)Ii'¢s, gi'oLlPS aiid oi'gyanisations to woi'k
togyetliei. ¢ollLLtively aiid sti'alei7ically. not oli ly foi. Ilie beiiefit ot Nvoinen iii disadvantag7Ld ai'eas biit also to
pi'oinote woinen's equality and rig>lils aci'oss Noi'tliern Ii'elaiid aiid beyond. WSN acis as a first poiiit of contael
tlial bicYllPOSt5 Ivoineii ii) di5advaiita¥ed aiid rLlI'al coiiiinuiiities to sei'vices, advice and iiifoi'imalioii I'elevaiit to
Ili¢ii' parliculai. iieeds aiid iiitei'esls.
WSN is a paitner iii tlie Woiiieii 5 Reglional Consoitiiiin. Tlie Coiisoitiiim is fiiiided by tlie Depaiti)ient foi.
Coininiin ities {DfC) in pai'li)ei'sliip ¥vitli tlie Depai-tinenl of AiyfiLiiliurL, Eiivii'oiiineiit aiid Riiral Affairs
(DAERA). Tlii'oiiiyli IliL RegFioiial Iiiti'astl'llcliire ai)d Siipi)oit Pi'ogi'iiinine (RISP), 11IL' Consortllim provides
tlieinatic regyional siipporl toi. Ivoiiieii's sectoi. oi'g?ai)isalion5 aLross Noriliei'ii Ii'eland, wli icli Ineet tlie needs of
niai'ginalised aiid isolated woinen iii disadvantaged aiid rural ai'eas.

The Women's Su
ort Network
Acom
nv limite(I b
uai'antee
ort nf the Triistees
inLlii(lino Directors, Re
foi. tlie Year Ei nde(131 M:Ireh 2024
ort
continued
ORJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES continued
Tlie Coiisoi'liuin is made LIP of seveii establ islied woinen s orgc1nisalions-. WSN. Traii)iiig for Woineii Netwoi'k
(TWN}. Nortliei-n Ireland Riii'<Trl Woineii s Network (N IR WN). Woineii s Resource aiid Development AgTency
(WRDA). Foyle Womeii's Iiitorlliaiioii Nctivoi'k (FWIN). Woinen s TEC and Tlie Woinen s Ceiilre DeiTy.
These oi'traiiiscilioiis worl< iii P<lltiiei'sliip to provide specialist siippoit. adv ice. in forinalioii aiid ti'ainiii&T on a
raii(TL of i()pics to iiici'ease cap<?C Ity, 51<11 Is, pliysical resoiii'ces aiid sli-IlCliii'e5 to benefit ivoineii in Noitliei'ii
Ir¢141nd. Tlie Consoi'tiiiin also opei'ales as tl)e liiik aiid poiiit ot coiilacl beliveeii goveriiineiit aiid tlie sector to
Ineer tl)e i)eeds of I'ecoinineiidatioiis i-esultinLy fi'oim coiisiiltaiions. siii'iieks ai)d policy devLlopinents tliat iiiipact
on womeii. WSN is I'espoi)sible tor the co-oi'dii)atioii ot policy aiid I'esearcli wiiliin tlie Consoi-liiiin.
WSN lias respoiisibility foi. the distribiitioii of fLindiiiiY aiid collective Inonitoi'iiig of activities delivered tlii'oiigyli
Belfast Flealtli & Social C41re Ti'LlSt to tlie five ivoineii's cei)tres iii tlie Belfast C1( tclim¢iil <ll'ea. Tliis fiiiiding
pi'ovides suppoi-l foi. cliildi'eii and tl)eir fainilieslcarei's. addi'essiiiiy spLLifiL iieeds isl terins of persoiial
dLvel()pinent, Iraiiiiiig, iiiipi-oved pliysical aiid Ineiiial l)¢'alil) oiitcoii)es. r¢diiced sti'ess aiid anxiety, advocacy,
efficacy inclLidiiib7 spoiisol'ed 1¢ lid retei-red clii Idcai'e. Tlii'oiiglioiit Il)e yecir Il)e ivoinen's ceiiti'es pi'ovided siippoit
aiid cidvocacy foi. Ivoinen aiid fainilies iiiipacted by isolatioii, disadvaiitag)e ai)d tlie conliiiLlillg 'Cost of Livins,
crisis across eacli of Ilieir ¢alcliiMent areas and beyond.
ACHIIVEIMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Iii tliis finaiici<il ye¢ll', WSN lias contiiiiied to engag?e in a I'aiig7e of oclivilies lo rai8e Ilie profilL of woimen's
Ol'l?iryli isatioiis aiid i￿011]e1),s ISSLILS aiid to siii)poi'l ivoiiieii s oi'(71< IIiS1L tions in Ilie delivei-y of fi'oiit-l iiie services
for woinen in disadvaiit1&ied and riii'iil ai'eas. WSN contlllLied lo siippoi't n121 rgTiiidlised WOlllLn aiid g?I'oiii).% lo
eiisLlI'e tliat Ilieii. voiLes wLre IiLard iiid vieivs taken aiid relL1J'ed lo de¥isioii-111¢2kei's Ihi'oiig7lioLlt Ilie veal. oli
.'ai'ioiis iS%Lllb Iliat iinpact woinen aiid tlie oi'&FaiiisatlOllS SLlPPOI'liiirF Il)eiii iiicliidiiigi tli¢ iiiipacl of tlie 'cosl ot
We lic1ve coi)linued to lobby aiid cainp&1igyn oli belialf OF iiidividiial ivoinen. Coininiinity-based
woincn'5 ¥¢1l1i'es, b?I'OLIP5 aiid orbyanisalions.
Reb)Lilar iiewsletlei's, e-ziiies aiid fiii)dinb' biles SLlI)POIt
Ol'gFill)isalioiis tliroLigli tlie provision of iiit.orinalioii. I'linding opportLiiiilies. policy updates and trainiiig
oppoItLinities.
WSN liave coiitiniied to liost regiilai. oii-liiie and iii-pLI'son ivoiiieii's ceiili'es, managei's, Ineetiii&?s to facil itate
networkiiiiy
sliaring of good pi'aclise iii tlieii- coiiliiiued siippoit foi. woiiieii iii eacli of Ilieii. PLrspective
coininLiiiilies <1¢ross Noi'tlieri) IrLlaiid. Tliese Ineelii)gs al'e ali oppoituii ity foi. tlie cei)tre iiiaiiagers to discuss key
issiies tliat impacl Ilie sector aiid delivery of siipporl surviLes foi. Ivom¢ii and cl)ildi'eii aiid l)oiv tliese Can best be
addi'essed and adapted iiicliiding Ilie provisioii of cli ildcare. Tlie key issues of concei'n foi. Ilie ceiili'e5 in Iliis
yeai. ¢oiiliiiiied to be pi'essLlI'es associaled witli the coiilii)Iiiiigy I'ise in Ihe 'cosi of i ivinby (qiid IliL pre5siiI'e Ili15
was Plittiiigy 01) staff iL nd biidiyets cls OPLI'atlllL7 Costs coiitllllied lo rise as did Ilie deiiiai)d foi. tlieii. sei-vices, sucli
as delii'ery of Ii-aiiii51&y aiid ediicatioft, special 1st advice. siipport and advocacy.
Ovei. tliis I'epoitiiis period WSN coiiliiiiied pLI'iodical ly to Ineel Kviili otliei. Ineinbei's of tlie 'Co-desigyn' worl(iiig
groiips tli¢1t inpLIt iiilo tlie dLvelopment of boili tlie Geiider Eqiii¢ lity and Anti- PovLI'ty Social Sti'alegies to eiisiire
tliat tliese sti'atLJcJies iVOLild be &lS 1( dvaiiced as sooii as possible ivheii tlie As5eiiibly relLlI'iied. Tlie Asseinbly did
retLirn in Janiiary 2024, however tlie iiicoim ing M inister lias yel to niake recoinineiidatioii on wliei) tl)e draft
str<ltegies will be publislied for consultation.
As a member of tlie Woinen'5 Regional Coiisortiiiiii. WSN is I'esponsible for co-ordination of policy and
researcli on iSSLies Iliat iinpact on w'oinen iii disadvantag7ed aiid riiral areas. Focus groups, consliltation events,
qiiestionnaires and semi-slriiclured intervieivs were undeitakeii to garner tlie view5 Ot wonien in these areas to
inform tlie policy responses and researcli ensLlI-ing tliat local woinen ivei'e afforded ali oppoitunity to l)ave tlieir
views piit foi'ward.
Page 4

The Women's Su
ort Network
Acom
nv limited bv auai'antee
ort of the Trustees
inelu(linr* Direetors, Re
for tlie Yellr Ended 31 LW1areh 2024
ort
continued
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE coDtinued
n Iliis year WSN made Ilie followi11¢7 eonsultatioii respoiises aiid siibinissioiis that dii'ectly iinpacl woiiieii in
Noi'tliei-n Ireland..
021051?3 Department of Jiistice (DOJ) and Departiiieiit of Healtli (DOH) - Response to Doinestic aiid
Sexiial AbLise Sii'aleiiy CoiisLiltÉ1tioii
0710612J
Dept. Foi. Coinmui)ities (Dfc) - Blidiyet ?013-?0•4 Eqiiality Iinpact Assessines)t
07106123 - Tlie Execiitive OftiLe (TEO) - Blidqel 2023_10?4 EqLial ity Impact Assessment
1210612J
Departmeiit foi. Iiifrasti'iieliii'e {Dfl) - Biidgyet ?0?3-2094 Equalily Iinpact Assessineiit
J-20?4 Eiiii<ilitv Impa¥1 Ass¢ssinent
9?106123 - Dept. of Healili (DOH) - BLidiyet ?0?"
011081?3 - Dept. for Ecoiioin J, (DtE} - BLid(YCt ?0?3-2014 Eqiiality Iinpact Assessineiil
1108123 - Dept. of Educatioii (DE) - Biidgel 20?3-?0?4 EqLl81ity Iinpact AssessI￿e1]I
11108123 - Dept. Foi. CoiMmiiiiili¢s {DfE) Respoiise to Clianges to Disci'etionary Support coiisiiltation
EQIA Eqiiality Impact Assessineiit
241081?"
Departiiient foi. Iiifi'ic Sti'ticture (Dfl) - Coiisliltatioii Response 01) fl'ee aiid discoiiiilLd fares oli
public ti'aiispoi't (concessioiiaiy f¢11'es).
18109113 Tlie Executive Office (TEO) - Coiisulialion Respoiise to Free Pei'iod Prodiicts
OJl10123 - Tlie Execlltive OffiLe (TEO) - Coiisliliaiioii Response to Eiid iiiiy Violence Agyainsi Woineii &
Gil'ls Sti'ategic Fi'aine¥voi'k and folindatioii Actioi) Plaii
23111123 Dept. of Educatioii (DE) Relatioiisl)ips aiid SexLial ity Ediicalion (RSE) Consultatioii
Response
09101124 - Depl. of Healtli (DOH) - CoiisLiltalioii 011 tlie 'Re-iiiti'odiiclioii of Hospital Parkiiigy Cliargyes"
as ￿ IMeasiii'e lo siipport blidgel SLlStuinabi l ity by I'aisiii(J additioiial I'eveiiLIL
17101124- Departimeiit of Finiiiice (Dor) - rin1¢ 1)cial Coiilext loi. Reveiiiie Raisinby CoiisLiltatioii Respoiise
09102124 - Dept. Foi. ComiMiinilic% (DfC} - Vol Liiilai'y ai)d Coiniiiiiiiitv Sectoi. I iifi'asiriiLtiii'e aiid Siippoit
Policy Fi'umeivork
1210?124 - D¢paitimLiit of Fiii&inLc l DOF) - DoinLStiL R¢ltiiiiF Imeasiires Coiisiiliatioi) Respoiise
08103124 - Dept. for Iiifi'asli-LILtLire (Dfl) - Response to W¢il¢r ai)d se¥vei'age cliai'ges- optioiis foi. i'eveiiiie
raisiiig
Additioiial Slibm i5sions:
1 ?105123 Subinission to Work & Peiisions Conim ittee UK InqLliI-y Illto Benefit Levels iii Ilie UK
12109123 - 'Costs of Ediicalioii Siiininai'y fi'oin Cost-of-LivingT I'eseai'cli sent to EdLicalioii Coinin ittee
MLA5 and APG on Pareiital Paiticipatioii iii Edlication nieiiibers
14109123 - 'Uiipaid Care, Sliminaiy fi'oin Lost-of-Liviiiby resLai'¢li sent to APG oli Cai'ers Ineiiibers
141061?3 - ' Meiilal Healtli Slllii iiiai-y fi'oi)) Cost-ot-Liviiibi reseai'ch sent to APG on Mei)ial Healtli
InenibLrs <111d FILalih Coiniiiillee MLAS
181091?"
' Womeii'5 Copiiig Beliavioiirs, Siiinniary froin Cosl-of-Living researcli sent lo APG on
UNSCR 1325 miinbers
19109123 - 'Debt & Savingys Sliinmary from Cost-ot"_Liviiig rLsearcli sent to Coiiiiiiuiiities Coinmittee
MLAS
?1109123 - ' Wliat Sliould Politi¢iaiis Do, Siiminary from Cost-ot-Liviiiv researcli seiit to all MLAS
Page 5

In tlie latter lialf of last yeai- in partnei-sliip ivitl) Ulstei. Uiiiversity Law. Clinic reseai'cli beiyaii oil 'Woinen s
Experiences of tl)e Cost.of-LiviniY Ci'isis in N. Ii'eland". Tlie ovei'all aiin of Ellis I'eseai'cli pi'oject ivas to exploi'e
tlie expei'ienees ot ivoinen liviniT aiid ivoi'kjii(r ji) disadvanta(Ted and rural ai'eas of Norilierii Ii'elll lid aiid tlie
iiiipait of Ilie Cosl_of_Liviii<Y Crisis ivas haviiiiT 011 tlieii- lives. How if w'as iinpactii)<Y tlieir l)ousel)old bil Is. Il)eii'
debts and saviiitts, theii. caring re5poI)sibililies. tlieir pliysicallinei)tal healtli, tl)eii' cli ildreii. rl)eii' abi lity to take
pait in social activities and tlie copiiigi meclianisims they have l)ad to I15e as I'esLIIt of tlie Cost-of-Living Crisis.
At tlie laLincli in Ulstei. Un ivei'sity oli ?oIII Jline a suininarv of tlie main poiiits iii tlie researcli were otitl iiied as
ell as tlie personal insigl)ts froin ivoimen ivlio look P<llt iii the reseai'ch relaying tlie iinpact of tlie Cost of Living
Ci'isis 01) tIILir lives aiid lioiv it afte¢ted Ilieni, Ili¢ii' ¢l)ildi'eii aiid fLlin ilies.
Fol lolving tlie fiiidingys of tlie reseai'cli five key pi'iority areas wei'e identified foi- actioii and Iliese wei'e..
Ke). Prioritv I Woinen's Ceiiti'e5 pi-ovide Iriisted, local spaces for woinen 10 access help and siippoit to
addi'ess fiiiancial viiliiei'L1bil ity aiid poveily in ivays tliat ivorl- best foi. tliein. We reLoiiiinei)d Iliat Govei'iiinent
slioiild pi'ovide a loi)(i_I¢i'iM siislaiiiiibl¢ fiiiid iiio modLI ivliicli recogiiises tlie sigiiificaiit retiirii oli iiivestiiieiit
tliat Woineii's Centres provide. Tliis would enablL tl)eiii lo conliiiue aiid develop tlie vital seivices tliey
provide.
Key Priority 2 - Tlie Holiday HLiiiger S¢lieine needs to be iii'geiiily reiiistat¢d to Imitigiltc agaiiist food
insecLlI'ity foi- Ivolneii aiid clii Idi'eii dui'iiig tl)e Lipcoiniiig suinii)ei' lioliday pei'iod. Tlie Healtl)y Start Scl)eiiie
neLds to be iiiLreused iii liiie witli iiiflatioii aiid tliose Nvlio al'e entitled slioiild be aiitoinatically ei)I'olled oiito
tlIL sclieiiie.
Key Priority 3 Tl)e Cost-of-Liviiio Crisis lia.s ¢oinpoLiiided tlie existiiiiv ci'isis iii meiital liealtli. as ii'oinen
IOSL 01)poi'tiin ille5 lor social ¥oiine¢rioii aiid peei. siippoi't diie lo a la¢li of Inon¢y. Tliei'e is ali urgieiit iieed to
iiivest in sei'vices to preveiit loiig7 term Inental illiie5s and105s of life.
Key Priority 4 - Tlii Scl)ool Uiiitoi'in Graiil IlL'¢'ds to be inci'el¢ sed lo reflect IliL avei'age cost of seliool
un itoi'm (iiicllidiiitt PE Ixlt) Ivliicli Nvoii Id Inove it Llosei. iii line H'iili oil)ei' COLllltI'ies iii the UK. Tlie gvrant
sIIoLild also iniliide <ili al loivance foi. .%cl)ool sl)oes.
Key Priority S - We Slipporl tlie recointnLiidatioiis fi'oin Ilie IndepLndent RLViLiV of Dis¢retiOll<ily SLIPPOI'I
and want to see iiicreLised iiivestinenl in tliis vital flind to address risin&T levels of fiiiancial l)ai'd51)ip and tlie
illl P?L Ct of IliL Cosl-of-LiviiigF Crisis.
Tliere iVÉiS exte115ive Ine£lia coverage 111 IIiL laLincli witli pieces oil Oli YoLlI' Belialf. BBC Good fvloi'iiiiig? Ulster,
U105 fraiilc Milcliell Sliow, BBC Newsl iiie, UTV News, NVTV, Byl iiie Tiines aiid feKi1111'es iii Belfast L.ive, (lie
Bel fast Tele¥yi'apli aiid 11)e Irisli News.
A secoiid piece of re5eai'cl) oli 'Woineii, Unpaid Cat'e & Einployiiieiit, Was Liiideitakeii iii Il)is year iii
¢oll<iboi'&ltioii witli Cai'ei's Nl. Tlie reseai'cli took evideiiLe fi'oiii Nvomeii IliroLibli fociis <)I'oiips aiid in¢ervieiv5
wlii¢li ivas coinbiiied witli tlie resLilts ot. survLy data fi'oin Lai'ers N I Il)roiib?li Ilieir State of Cai'iii&T siii'vey and
repoit.
Tlie key findiiigis ot tl)is reseai'cli were as follows..
Neai'ly 60 % of UliP<iid cai'ers are woinen
Woiiieii l)ave a 700/0 cl)ance ol. pi'ovidiii(y Care in theii. adiilt life coinpared to 60 % for men aiid are Inoi'e
l ikely 10 Lare eai'ly iii Ilieii- life. By Ilic tiille tl)Lv al'e 46.1i<llf of all Nvom¢i) l)IL ve beeii <? cai'ei. { I l yeai's
before men)
More tliai) one iii six woiiieii iii emi)loymeiit ai'c providii)(I 111)P(iid care (1¢ ppl'oxiiiinlely 71,000 ivomen)
Woineii are iiioi'e lil%Lly to leave Ilie Icil)oiii' It)dl-kLil diie lo cariiibj respoiisibi lilies
Oiic in tlii'eL WOlnLii liavL g)ivL'ii lip wDrl( to carc (3410)
Oiie iii foiii. Nvonien liave decreosed tlieii. Nvoi'kiii(F houi's due to a caring< I'ole (280/0)
Oiie in six woinen h¢ive tal(eii on a 1¢ss qualified job oi. ILlI'ned doivn a proinotloli lo fit ai'ound cai'ing
I'espoi)sibil ities (170/0)
Neai'ly tliree qiiarlLrs (730/0) Iiai'e lost out on between £500 and ovei. £1500 per montli in iva(yes because
of ¢l)al lenbyLS jLI4Y(>
liiigy worlc and ¢c1re
Woinen ' juggle" tlieir caring role aiid einployinent often at the detriment of their own cai'eer, finances
aiid liealtli aiid wellbeiiig
Tlie finaiicial iinpact of stoppiiiglrediiciiig woi'lc to pi'ovide care is felt by woinen not only wliile
providiiigF tlie care bul tliroLiglioLlt Ilieir lives
Cai'er's Alloivaii¢e in terms of its val lie and low earnings threshold is iiiad¢quale lo siipport women to
balance care and work

SLlPPOIt foi- carers in ivoi-l( is ofteii a lottery, depeiidenl on individiial einployers and l iiie Imaiiaiyers
Iiiadequacies in widei. support 5ei'vices, iii¢liidin(y social services, healtlicare. ediication aiid childcare
al-e stoppiiir! ivoineii fi'om ivoi'kinry altovetliei. or liinitiiirj tlie aiiiount of Kvork tlie! cali do
Foi. some woinen ivoi'li can be positive iii te1Th5 of meiilal healtli and wellbeingy aiid glives Iliem a break
froin tlieir oarii)iY role
Woineii feel reliable, accessible support services, a ranoe of fle.iible Nvorkiii(f Options, carei." s leave aiid
a clianue to tlie eligibility criteria for Carei. s AlloNvaiice would Iielp balance wol'l( aiid cal-e
A laLlc of SLipport for carers in tlie %vorkplace results in a1055 of vdlLiable uiid skilled ii)dividuals to tlie
laboiir marlcet
WSN lias tliroiiiylI tlie year coiitii)IiLd 10 be a l¥ey ii)Illi'ihiiik)ri iiieiiibei. of Ilie Woii)en's Pol i¢y Gi'oiip Noiil)ei'n
Irelaiid.
WSN contiiiiies to siipport tlie development aiid delivery of the Rape Crisis service foi. Noitliei'ii Ii'el¢21id I￿171Cl)
is fundLd by bolli Ihe ROSAUK JiisticL aiid Eqiiality FLiiid and tlie Josepli Roivnti'ee Cliarit(Ible Trtist (JRCT).
Anot17ei' coliort of voliinleei. siippoi1 ivorkers coiniiieiiced tlieii. traiiiiia infoi'ined IrainiiigT willi tlie Ii'aiiiin(7 lakiii
place boili oiilii)e ic nd iii-PLrsoi). Oiigoinq reeriiitinent ai)d traiiiiiiiy Ot voliinleers is esseiiiiiL I lo Ineel tlie ever
ii)¢i'ef25ingi dei)iaiid foi. IIIL sei'vi¢¢ 1É 1)d to repla¢¢ support ivoi'Lei's wlio leav¢ or take a bi'ealc. Th¢ Freeplioii
Iiitori)iatioii and Siipporl Line reiiiaiiis opel) folir eveiiiii(Y a week witl) Ilie service contaciable glt aiiy tllllL via
eiiiail oi. voiceinai l. Relatioiisliips aiid I'efei'ral rolltes coi)linued to g7row tlii'ougl) slakelioldei. oi'LFai) isatioiis
woi-lciiio iyitli tliose iinpacled by rape aiid se.KLial assaiilt Slicli as ASSIST Nl, tSie PSN l. tlie ROW AN (SARC).
Ne.Kiis aiid V ictiin SLipporl. Awai'enesb I'aisiiig aiid pi'oiiiotioii of tlie service is 01)iYOill&I Iliroligyli SOLial Inedia
platfoi'iiis ai)d iii-pei'soii eveiits.
WSN is part of a caimpaigii. 'Giiai'<1ntee oui. Essen¢ials' fi'oin Il)e Jos¢pli Ro¥viiti'ee Foliiidulioii aiid tlie Ti'lissell
Ti'LlSt cal l iliLi for ali Esseiilials Giiarai)lee w iiliiii Uii ivei'sal Credit. I"lie Esseiilials Giiai'aiiiee would einbed iii
tlie soc ial se¢Lirity Systeiii a priiiciple Iliat al a Ininiinlllii Uiiivei'sal Ci'Ldil sliould pi'olecl people fi'om
WSN L()i)tiiiiies to be oli tlie ivoi'kiiig
y iyi'oiip foi. tlie Noi'iliei'ii I I'el(2iid Cliild Payineiit Co¢iliiioi). Tl)e iiilrodii¢lioi)
of a N I Cli i Id Payinei)t IV<iS a I'eLoiiiinei)dation by tliL Gei)dLI' EqLI:Ility ai)d Aiiii-Povei1J' Expeit Paiiels 421)d iii
tlie Fein iiiist Recovei'y Pl<ll).
WSN is a Ineinber of Ilie Coalitioii of Cai'ei's, Inade LIP of a nLinibei' of organisatlolls 1111 woi'kin&y to liigilil ibFlil tlie
key issiies tliat carers al'e faciiib7 aci'oss Noi'tliei'ii Ii'eland.
WSN I'einaiiis oli Ilie worlcing bYI'OLlP of Ilie Clift Edge Coalition worl<iiigy lo sti'ellb)tli¢n Ilie exisliiig In itibyalions
paLlcabye foi. Nortliei'ii Ii'eland. Cliff Edgie I'elaiiiiclied their key aslcs wliich are as fol lows:
Resolviiig Ilie five wee1( wait iii Universal Credit
M itigatiiig tlie two-cliild lim it
Pi'ov idiiig siipport to privatL reiitei's affected by tlie Local Holisiiig Al lowance
WSN coiitiiiiied its partiiLI'sliip witli tlie Woineii s Resoiii'ce aiid DevLlopineiit Aneiicy (WRDA) as IL.
pai'tiiei-, Noitliei'n Irelaiid Riir(I1 Woiiien's Netwoi'k (Nl R WN) aiid RLclaiin Ilie Ag7enda l RTA) for Ilie R<iise
Yoiir Voice Project aiid campainn (RYV). Tl)is projeci infonns aiid I'aise% awai'eiiess of all foi'ms 14 lid de41'¢es
of 5e.xual Iiarassineiil, woi-kiiig col lectively lo create triie cultLlI'al cliang?e iii order lo tackle Ilie root causes of
tliese beliavioLlI'S and empoiver people lo Inake real society cliange. In Iliis year new ivorksliops covei'in
'onliiie harassment.. 'al ly. ship, aiid 'by-btandei' interveiition ivere delivei'ed botli in person aiid online. Tlie
project ¢oiitiiiiies to Stren(rihLlI Its presence tliroligli social media plaiforins. poster campaitrn, e-zilies and
website content and Irsources.

The Women's Su
ort NetTrvork
.4 com
anv limited bv uuarantee
ort of the Trusteeg
inLlu(lino Directors, Re
foi. the Ye#r Ended 31 M.IrLh 2024
ort
Continued
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE continued
WSN contillLie to be a sti'ateg?iC P¢11'1nei' in the 'Woinen's Spaces Pi'oject". fiiiided tlii'oiigli Ii'el<qnd"s Departmeiit
of Foi'eii?n Atfaii-s (DFA) Recoiicil iatioii Fliiid, led by Woinen s Platfoi'iii (foi'incilly NIWEP) and ii) partiiei'sliip
witlI NIR WN and WRDA wl)o have I'esponsibililv foi. kty delivLry ai'eas. Tlie pi'oject 15 desiiFned to (yive
woineii tli¢ sl(ills aiid ¢apa¢ity' lo eiiijabye iii public life Iiiid sli'eiis)Ilieii ivoinen s voices iii peace-buildii)0 81)d
decision iiiakiiily
Tlie project will del ivei. a sei'ioLlS of woi'k51iops as well as develup a 'toolLil"' oli woineii,
peace and secui'ity tli<21 will iiiforin and eii111< lice fllltlier ti'aiiiing and worl(sliops tliroLlg71i a collective of
progi-ainines, tools and intorinaiion.
Iii Iliis year. WSN iii partiiersli ip witli WRDA as lead. NIR WN ancl ReLlaiin Ilie Aftenda beg<211 delivery of Ilie
'Woineii Bl'eak. inby Bai'riers Pi'oJect' flinded Ilii'oLI&TlI tlie UK Sl)ared Prosperity fiii)d as pait ofilie UK Levell ing
Up initiative iiiidei. tlie Depc111ineiit foi. Levellin(y Up. Coinimiinities aii(l Holisiiig ivliicli is a fol IOW-LIP lo Ilie
UKCRf Woimeii Bi'¢akiii(y
Bcirriei's pi'ojecl. Tlie ovei'ai'cli iiig UI<SPF iiitei'vention for Norlhei'ii Ii'eldnd is;
'Siippoi'tlllLF ecoiioiii icull J. iiiactive people to ovei'coine bai'i'iei's lo woi'k by pi'owidiiigy coliesive. local ly lili lored
siippoil incllid iiig? acces5 to basic skills . Tliis two year projLCt aiii)s to delivei. speci fic lailoi'ed siippoi't to 600
econoiii ical ly inactive ivoineii aci'oss Lirbaii ai)d riii'al settiiibys. WSN are I'espoiisibll for tlie iii'b¢ili del ivery
woi'kiiiiy ill P1( I'liiersl)ip witli seveii ¥voiiien's ceiiti'es aiid oil)ei' Lll'baii gJi'OLlPS wlii le NIR WN lias respoiisibi li
for I'LlI'al delivery.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
FinJn¢illl Position
Tlie c1ccoiintS 011 Pcines 17-96 de<il witli all tlie incoime <qiid expeiiditLlI-e of Ilie cliai'itable conipaiiy. as wel l 61S
ils fiiiaiicial positioii at tlie ye¢ll' eiid,
PI'iiiLipal tiindingj SOLirces suppoiling Icey objectives of ¢lie cliai'itable company and fiinding? botli cliai'itable
activity aiid SLlPPOrt costs al-e slioivii at iiotes 1 6 (pages- 20-21).
Tl)e resiilts for Ilie year sliow ali uni'esiricled siii'plLlS of £25,024 (90•3.. 10,0?1) <l1)d a restricted deficit of
£13.325 (1023.. Siii'plus £ l 0,?3 5) pi'oduciiig ali overall siii-pliis ofr £11.699 (2023.. £20,?56).
Al tlie yeai'_eiid iini'esti'icted reserves il'ei'e £77,159 (20?3: £52,13 5) aiid re5ti'icled resei-ves £16.832
?0?3: £30,157).
Page 8

The Women's Su
ort Nehvoi'k
Aeom
nv limited bv
U<ql'antee
oi't of the Trustees
inclii(lin47 Directors, Re
foi. tlie Ye'ir Endecl 31 ￿1￿1rLh 2024
ort
continued
Reserves policy
Iii liiie ivitli good practice Tlie Wonieii's SLipporl Network aiins to bLiild towards and retain a level of
Lini'esti'icted reserves tliat iiiatcli Ilie needs of tlie oi'gaiiisatioii tlial eqiiate to six Inontlis opei-alioiial costs.
botli at tlie CLIITent tiime aiid iii Ilie fiitui'e to Ineet slatlltoi'y obligatioiis for botli stat'f &i)d siippliers in tliese
tiines of fuiidi1147 iincertainty.
Tliese iii¢lude'.
Statiitory Rediiiidaiicy
Salaries ai)d Peiisiuiis
Oi'giaiiisatioiial Riiiiiiing Costs
Reseiwes wi I I be IMoi)itoi'ed 011 ali oii&i()iiiby basis by tlie Finance and Pei'soiinel Triistee sub-gyroup and an
ovei'view pi-esented by tlie Opei'ational Dii'eLtoi' at Ti'iistee Boai'd IneeliiigTS to eiisiii'e tlie prob71.ess towards
targFet level.
Risk management
Tlie Boai'd liave assessed tlie Inajoi. I'islKS to wli icli Ilie cl)ai'it<qble coimpany is exposed, iii plli'licular tl)ose rel<iied
to its oper41tioi)s aiid fiiiaiices, aiid al'e satisti¢d tliat svsleins al'e iii pl¢?ce to Inilibyllte an! exposui-e to tliose
iiiajor I'islcs.
Going concei'n
AfiLI' Inalciiigy appropi'iate eiiqLiiries, Ilie triistees liave a reasoiiablL eipLctatioii tlii2t tlie cliui'it<ible coinpaiiy lias
adc(Ill<lte rLsoiirces ti) cLii)lii)IlL 11) OPLI'cilioi)cil exi51LncL for Il)L. foi'c5eL',IblL fiiliirL. fLlI' Iliis I'Layoii. tl)ey
coiiliiiiie to adopt IliL bYOII)gY COII¢LI'li basis iii pi'epÉiriiigi IIiL fin4711Lial slaleineiits. FLirtlier details I'egFqK I'diiig tl)e
adoi)lion of Ilie goiiigy coiicL'rn bi)sis cali be Ioliiid in tlie AccoLiiiling Policies.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCI AND MANAGEINIENT
Governing document
Tl)e oi'iyaiiisatiol) is ¢1 cliari11c ble COliiP¢qny liinited by gyiiai'aiilee, iiicoi'poi'ale(l on 14 Deceinbei. 2005. Tlie
coinpaiiv ¥vas establislied uiidei. a Meinoi'aiidLlln of Absocialioii ivliicli establislied 11)e objects aiid powei'5 of
tlie cliarituble coiiipaiiy aiid is govei-iied Liiidei. its Aiticles of Associatioi).
Orgnnisation:Il structure
TIIL Woiiieii s Siippoit Nelivork is ovei'seen by a Boai'd ol. Dii'ectors whicli Ineets at least six liines a year. Tlie
Board is respoiisible foi. tlie sli'aiegic direction of tlie oi'gyanis¢2tioii aiid oversees tl)e Inaiiagemei)l ot tlie
orgy<iiiisation. Tlie day-to-day mai)aiJeiiieiit ai)d opei'atioii of autivities al'e carried oiit by a statt"leain led by tlie
Dii'ectoi. wlio repoits regyLilarly to tlie Bocird.
Recruitment and Appointment of Bourd of Directors
The dii-eotol's of the coinpaiiy are also Ll)arity tl'LISlees for tl)e piirp05es of cliLlrity law 21)d Lll)der tlie Lompany's
ArtiLILS al'e knowii as tIiL Board. UiidLI' Ili¢ reqiiii'eiiients of IliL MLinorandiiin ciiid Articl(% of AssoLiation Ilie
nienibers of tlie Boai'd al'e elected fi'oiii tlie Inei)Ibersliip to serve foi. a pei'iod of Iliree yeai's after wl) i¢li Il)¢y
n)Iist be re-elected at tlie next Anniial Genei'al MLelinb.
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEfvIENT
The Directors Ii<Trl'e compliid witli tlie diity to have diie regard to the Charity Commission for Nortliern
Ii'elaiid s statiitoiy guidance on Ilie piibl ic benefit requirement issued Lindei. tlie Cliarities Act (Nl) 2008.
Page 9

The Women's Su
oyt NetM¥ork
Acom
2nv limited bv ouarantee
oi't of the Trustees
ineludino Direetoi's, Re
for the Year Ended 31 Mni'ch 2024
ort
eontinued
STATEt¥lENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES
Tlie tl'LlStees (w'lio are also tlie dii'ectoi's of Tlie Woineii's SLIPPOI'I Nettvoi'k for tlie piii'poses of
coinpany law) are I'espoiisible for pi'epai'jiio tlie Repoii of tlie TrLlStees and tlie fiiiancial
stateinents in accoi-daiice witli applicable laiv ai)d United l(jlilFdoiii Ac¢oiiiiting Standai'ds
(United Kiiiodom Generally Accepted AccouiitililT Practice).
Coinpany law requires tlie trLlStees to pi'epare financial stateineiits for eacli financial yeai. Nvliicli
give a ti'iie aiid fail. view of tlie state of affaii's of ihe cliai'itable conipaiiy aiid of tlie iiieoiiiing
resoui-ces and applicatioii of resources, includiiig tlie incoiiie aiid eipenditiii'e. of Ilie cliai'itable
coinpaiiy for tliat period. In prepariiio tliose finaiicial slateineiits, Ilie Ii'LlStees are reqiiii'ed to.
select SLlltable accoLinting policie5 aiid tlien apply tliein coiisistently.
observe tl)e metliods and pi'iiiciples iii tlie Cliai'ities SORP 2015 (FRS I O!
Inal(e judgeinei)ts aiid esliiiiates tlial al'e I'easoiiable aiid pi'Lideiit;
st<2te wlietliei. appl icable Uii ited Iciiigdoin Accoiiiiiino Stai)dards liave been followed, siibject
to aiiy Inaterial depai'tLlI'e5 disclosed aiid e,Kplaiiied iii tlie fiiii¢ iicial stateiments:
pi'epare tlie fiiiaiicial stateiiieiits oli tlie 40iiig coiiceim basis iiiiless it is inappropi'iate to presuine
tliat the cliaritable compaiiy will coiiliiiue iii business.
Tlie trustees are respoiisible for keepinu adeqliale llccouiiting records iiiliicli disL105e witli
reasonable accuracy (It aiiy liine rlie fiiiancial positioii of tlie ¢l)arilablL coimpany and eiiable tliein
to eiisLlI'e tliat tlie fiiiaiicial stateinents coiiiply witli Ilie Coinpaiiies Act ?006. Tliey al'e also
respoiisible foi. S¢ife(YLIIL I'diiig Ilie assets of Ilie cliarilable coimpaiiy aiid Iieiice foi. takiiin reasoiiable
step5 foi. tlie pi'eveiilioii aiid detection of fi'aud and oiliei. ii'i'egLilarities.
Sli so fai. as tlie triistees al'e aliiai'e:
thei'e is iio relevaiit alidit iiiforination of kvliicli tlie cliaritable coinpany's aiidilOI' IS iiiiaiiiai'e.
and
tl)e tl'LlStees liave takeii all steps tlial tliey oiiolil to liaiie tal(eii to Imal(e theinselves aiillai'e of aiiv
relev£l1)l aiidit iiifonnatioii aiid 10 establ isl) tlial Ilie auditor is aivare of Il)at iiifoi'iiiÉ2tioii.
AUDITORS
As pei. pi-ocuremeiit pi'ocedLlI'es this wil I be Pllt oiit to tender aiid a(7reed at tlie next AGM.
Tliis I'eport lias beeii pi'epai'ed in accoi'daiice willi tlie special pi'ovisioiis of Pait li of Ilie
Coinpanies Act 2006 relatin(7 to sinall coiiipaiiies.
Approiied by order of tlie board of ti'ustees on 19 Deceiiibei. ?0?4 aiid siTriied on lis belialf by..
Gay Slierry-Binghain - Trustee
Page 10