2023-04-05-annual-report

TEAMJVC COMMUNITY TRUST

Trustees’ Report for the year ended 5th April 2023

The Board of Trustees submits its report together with the financial statements for the year ended 5th April 2023.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

The Organisation is an unincorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, number NIC102852. The names of the present Trustees, and any past Trustees who served during the year, are given on page 4, together with the names of the charity’s external advisors.

* In light of the Court of Appeal ruling of February 2020 in the case of McKee & Others v Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, and the fact that Teamjvc Community Trusts’ initial registration was before May 2019, the registration of Teamjvc Community Trust with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is deemed void. The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has advised all affected charities that there is no requirement to take any action at this time and it is implementing interim measures whilst a permanent solution is sought. The Department for Communities has given assurance to those charities that were unlawfully registered that they remain charities in law and need do nothing differently in the interim.

The NI Charities Commission has advised that “it is also important to be aware that the judgement does not prevent any organisation which is a charity in law from operating as a charity. Whether or not your organisation is a charity in law is determined by the wording of your governing document. Registration, which is required by the law, recognises that you are a charity, but does not make you a charity. This was done when the organisation was established with charitable purposes.”

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the Organisation. Trustees have the power at any time and from time to time to appoint any person to be a Trustee and the total number of Trustees may not be less than three and cannot be more than six. Any Trustee appointed may hold office for life (subject to meeting the requirements of Article 33 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008). The Board elects one of its number to act as Chairperson for the term at their first meeting following the Chairperson’s appointment.

The Board meets at least once each year. Trustees review strategy and operations. New Trustees meet with the other members of the Trustee Board who provide them with all the information they need on the work of the Organisation, which is further enhanced at the meetings of the Board thereafter. The Board delegates the exercise of certain tasks in connection with the management and administration of the Organisation. This is controlled by requiring regular reporting back to the Board so that all decisions can be ratified in due course.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities and Corporate Governance

The organisation is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

The Trustees are responsible for their annual report and for the preparation of financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the organisation and of the net movement in funds of the organisation for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.

• Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.

• Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

• State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the organisation will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the organisation keeps proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the organisation and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with current legislation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the organisation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities and to provide reasonable assurance that:

• The organisation is operating efficiently and effectively.

• All assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition and are properly applied.

• Proper records are maintained, and financial information used within the organisation, or for publication, is reliable; and

• The organisation complies with relevant laws and regulations.

Statement of disclosure to our independent examiners

In so far as the Trustees are aware at the time of approving our Trustees’ annual report:

• there is no relevant information, being information needed by the independent examiner in connection with preparing their report, of which the charity’s independent examiner is unaware; and

• the Trustees, having made enquiries of fellow trustees and the charity’s independent examiner that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that he/she is obliged to take as a Trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant accounting information and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information.

OBJECTS, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARITY

In accordance with the Constitution document, the objects for which the Charity is established are:

• THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH - The advancement of the Christian Faith in the world for the benefit of the public through, pastoral care, the holding of prayer meetings, lectures, public celebrations of religious festivals, producing and/or distributing literature and media.

• RELIEF OF POVERTY - The prevention or relief of poverty, or financial hardship, anywhere in the world by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, and/or healthcare projects, through the provision of foodbanks, goods and services, and any necessary support designed to enable individuals, where possible, to generate a sustainable income and become self-sufficient.

• SOCIAL INCLUSION - Promote peace and reconciliation and assist in the advancement of bridge building between all communities. Promoting knowledge and mutual understanding between differing groups and working towards the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of race, nationality, gender, political affiliation, disability, age, sexuality, religion or marital status at home and further afield.

• COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING - To develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially, economically, physically and mentally disadvantaged communities of Carrickfergus/Newtownabbey, and further afield, in such a way that they are better able to identify, meet their own needs, and participate more fully in their society.

• ADVICE AND COUNSELLING - The relief of the physical and mental sickness of persons in need by reason of addiction, hardship, or circumstance by the provision of counselling, support, advice and signposting.

• RECONCILIATION AND MEDIATION - To provide, for the public benefit, assistance through reconciliation for individuals whose relationships, including, but not limited to, marital, are breaking down, and where relationships have already broken down, to advise and help in the settlement of differences or potential differences.

• RECREATION - To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare through recreation or other leisure time occupations of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.

• YOUTH - To advance in life and help young people through: The provision of recreational and leisure time facilities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life. Providing support and activities at home and further afield which develop life skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE DUTY TO HAVE REGARD TO THE CHARITY COMMISSION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND’S GUIDANCE ON PUBLIC BENEFIT

In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the Charity’s purpose and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries. No harm and no private benefit flowed from the purposes of the charity.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Advancement of Religion

• Weekly meetings have been continuing throughout the year 2022/23 that included teaching, encouragement, fellowship, prayer support and emotional and practical support.

RELIEF OF POVERTY

Carrickfergus Foodbank Report

Overview

Throughout the year ending 5[th] April 2023 the foodbank continued to provide its service of supplying emergency food to both families and individuals referred to the foodbank. In conjunction with this the foodbank also gave food support to various organisations working with the most vulnerable in our communities. The economic effects of the war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis in the UK has had a significant impact on the foodbank service with an increase in demand for its service.

Carrickfergus Foodbank Referral Organisations

The foodbank has 68 Referral agencies listed as holding the foodbank vouchers.

Volunteers

22 Regular volunteers

Extra volunteers also help at our twice-yearly Tesco 3 days Food Collection

Food Distribution Overview

Total Food Distributed – 32403.62 Kg

Distribution through the following areas:

Voucher/code Referral: 814 Total No fed: 2468 Adults: 1387 Children: 1081 Christmas Food Hamper: 183 Total No fed: 536 Adults: 277 Children: 259 Other organisations supported: 21

Foodbanks		Schools		Other organisations	Other organisations	Churches
Antrim Foodbank Armagh Foodbank Larne Foodbank Newtownabbey SW Belfast Whitehead Storehouse	559.6 536.9 273.1 208.3 113.1 101.2	Acorn Int. Primary Carrick Academy Carrick Grammar Carrick Central Primary Sunnylands Primary	95.6 44.9 30.8 37.6 273.6	Carrick Manor Community Care NHSCT CAP Flourish NI Prison Fellowship Sparrow Centre Carrick YMCA	18.8 47.9 545.6 1049.8 367.3 27.3 755.30	Carrickfergus Elim Victoria Gospel Hall Jordan Victory Church	12.0 93.4 50.8

Food Donations Overview

Total Food Donated – 38945.47 Kg

Supermarkets/shops	Supermarkets/shops	Education		Other/corporate/ Community Individual/charity	Other/corporate/ Community Individual/charity	Churches
Tesco Carrick Hendersons Sainsburys Carrick Eurospar Victoria Europspar Milestone Spar NI Fortfield Factory Shop	22193.85 5527.84 3883.10 574.80 234.00 179.38 8.30	Acorn Int Primary Eden Primary Victoria Primary Carrick Model Primary Oakfield Primary Woodburn Primary Greenisland Primary Carrick Central Primary Ulidia Integrated	368.6 357.6 328.3 277.5 207.9 192.3 116.3 66.7 30.2	USPCA Rapid relief Team Carrick Ranger FC Slimming World Bombardier WPS power station Yelo Earthly breeze Cadburys Unknown John Stewart MLA Private donation Miscellaneous	125.4 22.3 203.7 83.2 329.5 94.2 80.7 38.3 37.5 612.1 577.6 159.7 122.6	Joymount Presbyterian ChristChurch Carrickfergus St Colemans COI St Nicholas COI Woodburn Presbyterian Carrickfergus Elim Holy Trinity COI Mount St Nicholas Lougmourne Presbyterian Residents One Irish Carrick Congregational Church of Nazarene Carrick Community Church	1023.6 331.0 277.4 223.3 216.4 202.0 198.8 178.5 90.1 78.0 40.6 23.2 8.8

Monetary donations were received through the following areas:

1. Direct donations to the foodbank account from businesses & members of public, schools & churches.

2. Cash lodgements to the foodbank account.

3. Online giving platforms ‘Golden Giving/ Peoples Fundraising and Benevity.

4. Trussell Trust ref Tesco PCP and collections Top-up and Trussell Trust Grants.

5. Grants and large donations (£500 and over).

Listed below is a table of Large monetary donations received over the amount of £500.

Businesses/Online Giving Platforms	Businesses/Online Giving Platforms	Cash Donations	Grants/Trussell Trust Tesco Top UP	Grants/Trussell Trust Tesco Top UP	Churches/schools	Churches/schools
Don McQueen interior Golden Giving R Snodden	500.00 889.64 500.00	1600.00 1600.00 1600.00 1600.00 2000.00 2000.00 2400.00 1000.00 500.00 2200.00 2650.00 670.00 1000.00 2000.00	Trussell Tesco Top Up Groundwork Tesco Lotteries main grant Trussell Trust Top Up Trussell trust Winter EP Ballylumford Trussell Tesco Top Up EP UK Investments Trussell Tesco Top Up Lotteries main grant	1669.35 1000.00 9206.00 1333.91 5000.00 2000.00 595.36 3000.00 665.24 19576.00	Ulidia School St Nicholas COI St Nicholas COI	565.00 1146.75 646.00

Overview Expenditure

The main areas of expenditure were the Project Co-ordinators wages, purchasing items through the various grants received (a detailed list can be provided on request). Other purchases were Washing powders and fabric conditioners as well as Gift cards for both Tesco and Iceland Gift these were given to clients to purchase fresh items.

Future Plans

Due to the increase in demand the need to move into a more suitable space for storage along with a more practical and confidential client facing area has become necessary and this is being planned for the year April 2023 – April 2024.

Overview Expenditure

The main areas of expenditure were the Project Co-ordinators wages, mileage for volunteers who collect food from donation boxes, Tesco vouchers and washing powder etc to add to food parcels.

Team JVC Hub

15 people received job specific training.

18 people volunteered for community development activities.

17 community/voluntary groups supported.

3 community relation projects supported.

77 people used community facilities.

1 safety initiative implemented.

77 vulnerable people were contacted and encouraged within the community.

Outings

Antrim Castle Gardens.

Portrush bus trip which was attended by 30 people including 14 children. Trip to Cinema attended by 25 Women.

Crafts

Knitting and Crocheting classes held weekly to make Vests for new-born babies who have no clothes and Worry worms which are designed to help anxious children. Baby blankets were made for a Charity called Blossoms who support Mums in need. Bags were sewn and given out to local School kids and filled with stationary.

Friendship Group

Breakfast club Games played inside and outside.

Courses Attended

Safe Community training which highlighted domestic abuse. Men’s shed which trained the women to use power tools. Essential skills where 9 people attended.

Glow course “The real me I didn’t see” which ran for 18 weeks and obtains 2 OCN Accreditation.

Winter Wonderland Craft Fair 2022

Our Craft Fair had around 800 people attend with 40 craft tables filled. This is always a great community event where we offer prayer and help for those in need. Santa gave out sweets to the children and a play area for the children was a great success. A toy sale was had to raise funds for the children in India to provide them with toys and a total amount of £1375 was raised. All proceeds from the day were collected and donated to India which included £390 from a sale of knitted items and £1320 from sale of tables and coffee shop sales.

Russian Outreach

We have encountered difficulty sending money to support the work in Russia due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, but after much research we have discovered a safe route to send salaries and provide financial support for staff at the “Light of Hope”. The Light of Hope team have run the back to school and Celebrating families’ programme. The main work for the Immigrants arriving at Cherepovets Russia is assisting them by providing the “involved citizens” programme in their communities. This, as always, is achieved through the staff and local volunteers by way of practical hands-on training at the Light of Hope along with Government guidelines.

Community Citizenship Development

Outreach development classes are ongoing which includes learning to read and write in the Russian language. The Youth Camp programme is a yearly event supported by iCare Ministries and Teamjvc Community Trust, we have also seen an uptake by local businesses and the local community become more supportive financially and on a voluntary basis.

India Outreach

JVC partners with EARE India provided money for food, clothes and medical aid for the poor. The programme also releases trafficked women from bondage, and we are planning for a more permanent base which is being built by EARE. EARE have now obtained a building which will house its many projects including trafficked women. JVC plan a visit to view and consider supporting this venture.

OUR SUPPORTERS

Teamjvc Community Trust acknowledges that without the strong ongoing commitment and support of many organisations without which it would not be possible to work effectively towards our vision. We want to thank all who fund the charity.

We particularly want to thank the many volunteers who freely give their time to help the organisation.

RESERVES POLICY

The Trustees believe that the Organisation should hold financial reserves because:

• It has no endowment funding and is currently dependent for income upon donations and income from investments from year to year which are subject to review.

• It requires protection against and the ability to continue operating despite unforeseen setbacks; and

• It requires the ability to be able to take advantage of change and opportunities to further its objectives.

The Trustees believe that the level of unrestricted reserves should be the equivalent of between 6 and preferably 12 months’ operating costs calculated and reviewed annually. Reserves should be built up to the desired level in stages consistent with the charity’s overall financial position and its need to maintain and develop its charitable activities.

The level of total unrestricted reserves (excluding designated reserves) stands at £683,807. With operating costs (all funds) currently amounting to approximately £347,000 per year, this would mean a target reserve balance of between £173,500 and £347,000. The Board of Trustees acknowledge that the level of reserves held exceeds the requirements of the reserve policy but will be designating surplus funds in the future to a specific building project (see under “future developments” below).

Details of the Organisation’s funds are shown in Note 11. An analysis of the Organisation’s net assets between the funds is given in Note 13. The Trustees consider that sufficient resources are held in an appropriate form to enable each fund to be applied in accordance with any restriction imposed.

EMPLOYEES

The Organisation aims to be an employer for which employees enjoy working and where they feel supported and developed. Employees are kept fully informed about its strategy and objectives, as well as day to day news and events. Regular information about the organisation is available through meetings and e-mails. All employees are encouraged to give their views and suggestions on performance and strategy. The Organisation supports equal opportunity.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

The Trustees are embarking on plans to redevelop part of the Charity’s site at Woodburn Road in Carrickfergus. These plans are in the development stage at present and no financial quantification can yet be made. Any spend will be met out of unrestricted reserves.

We are in the process with solicitors for receiving property in Carrickfergus to build suitable accommodation for those in crisis, such as trafficking, abuse. We hope to break ground in 2024 if not sooner.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES

The following held office during the year:

Mr Lewis Smyth, Mrs Gwen Smyth, Mr Henry McCrory, Mr John Moore, and Alan Stewart.

Principal Bankers:

Santander Ulster Bank Bootle 2 Farmley Road Merseyside Glengormley L30 4GB BT36 7QU

Independent Examiners:

Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE

Diamond & Skillen were appointed as the charity’s independent examiners during the year.

These financial statements and this report have been prepared in accordance with the 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 Ireland (FRS102) (effective from 1st January 2015) and in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 10[th] June 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

_________ Lewis Smyth - Trustee 10[th] June 2023