TRUSTEE REPORT YEAR END 13/9/22
CHARITY NAME: ODAT LIMITED ADDRESS: PEACE HOUSE
224 LISBURN ROAD
BELFAST BT96GE
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NI102967
FINANCIAL YEAR: 14/9/21 – 13/9/22
ODAT Ltd is constituted by our Memorandum of Association dated 14/9/93
TRUSTEE INFORMATION
ODAT Ltd was established in Northern Ireland on 14/9/93 to serve Al-Anon Family Groups, to carry out Public Information about the help which is available to Families and Friends of Alcoholics and to distribute Literature to Groups and members of the public in Northern Ireland. Our Aim is to relieve poverty and distress among families and dependants suffering by reason of someone else’s alcoholism, to help those affected, to understand the nature of the illness of alcoholism, its causes and effects and by instruction, guidance and example in proper and helpful attitudes and behaviour towards the sufferer.
Our Trustees are nominated for a 3 year period with an option to succeed themselves for a further 3 years, at our Annual General Meetings which takes place in February every year. The AGM of ODAT Ltd took place on 29[th] May 2022. Our Office Bearers are elected from the New Board at its first meeting after
the AGM. All Trustees receive written documentation of roles, duties and responsibilities. There are terms of reference
Board meetings take place 4 times per year and Trustees attend the AGM.
The Trustees were successful in Registering as a recognised Charity in Northern Ireland on 7/9/15 and are committed to carrying out their duties in accordance with its Charitable purposes.
ODAT LTD is also registered as a Charity with HMRC.
ODAT LTD employs an Office Manager on a part-time basis. Office Managers contract is permanent
The Administration Office is situated in Belfast and rent is paid in accordance with a contractual arrangement on a quarterly basis.
THIS REPORT COVERS THE PERIOD OF 14/9/21 – 13/9/22 – The Office Manager continued to work from home due to the Covid restrictions and returned to the office on 9th May 2022
ACTIVITIES
We offer support and guidance throughout Northern Ireland to the ever growing number of people reaching out for help with someone else’s problem drinking.
We provided a 24 hr telephone helpline where members of the public living with someone else’s alcoholism can access information about Al-Anon Family Groups and speak to Al -Anon volunteers.
Office Manager, as previously stated, was working from home until 9[th] May 2022. Our Al-Anon meetings started to reopen once restrictions were lifted and while our numbers attending are smaller than pre pandemic, members and newcomers are delighted to have the in person meetings opened again.
Zoom continues to play a part in Al-Anon meetings and some of our groups have continued to have their meetings using this platform.
We continued to offer telephone support and there were approximately 1,095 distress calls throughout the year from friends and families of people with an alcohol problem. Many of these calls were from members of the public who have a relationship with someone who has an alcohol problem. Al-Anon members continued to use the helpline during restrictions to connect and get the support which they would have received if the meetings had been opened. An important part of these calls is that members of the Public are now aware of the help which is available to them at any time. We continued to give hope to distressed callers and encourage them to reach out via the helpline and to attend the Al-Anon meetings which have reopened. Al-Anon Zoom meetings continue and newcomers and members were able to get support and help from members who also share the anguish of living around problem drinking. There has been an increase in online enquiries which opens a new way for members of the public to get in touch, we can email meeting details and always offer our helpline number so that the newcomer can chat, if they would like to. We recommend to all who contact us to attend Al-Anon meetings where the support is. We now offer to send meeting lists via What’s App which means
179 Newcomer Packs were sent out throughout the year with literature enclosed and reopened meeting details when the meetings were allowed to reopen and also details of Zoom meetings. We sent 60 Newcomer Booklets to Cuan Mhuire Rehab Centre for families of in patients and will continue to so this throughout the year. We also have a contact for Northlands Rehab centre too and are sending Newcomer Booklets to them also.
Open AA meetings with an Al-Anon speaker have been happening again and this is another avenue for members of the public to hear
about Al-Anon and know that there is help there for them with living with the problems of someone else’s drinking which can prove too much to live with without support.
We also received 66 calls from professionals looking for help for clients and sent Public Information Packs which we offer to replenish as required.
During Alcohol Awareness Week – 15 - 22 November 2021, we contacted helping agencies and churches across Northern Ireland and sent a media release to 39 of these to use in any of their publications or bulletins. This raises the profile of Al-Anon and we hope will lead more members of the public to look for help and know that they are no longer alone. We had a positive response from the Derry and Down and Connor Dioceses, they printed information about Al-Anon in all of their bulletins in the weekend of 20/21 November 2021.
FINANCIAL
The accounts for the year ending 13/9/22 are presented as attached, in the form of Statement of Financial Activities in order to comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) Accounting and Reporting by Charities in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable.
ODAT Ltd were successful in making 1 Gift Aid claim during the financial period 14/9/21 – 13/9/22.
ACCOUNTANT DALY PARK & COMPANY TITANIC SUITES 55 – 59 ADELAIDE STREET BELFAST BT2 8FE TEL NO 02890 726000
Accounts closed on 13/9/22 were passed and signed off at a Board meeting on 12/12/22.
The finances for the administration of the Charity and to fulfil its purposes are from donations from Al-Anon Family Groups in Northern Ireland and fundraising activities by Al-Anon Members. ODAT is self supporting through these voluntary contributions.
A Reserve Account with one years running costs is held as a sustainability measure. See Page 8 of audited accounts.
Dated 11/6/23 Signed . Seaneen Weir...... . .. Treasurer