Depaul Northern Ireland
IA company Ilmlted by guarantee, not havlng a Share eapltsll
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023
The Trustees (who are the directors of the company} are pleased to presenl their Annual Report and audited
Financial Statements ofDepaul Northern Ireland forthe year ended 31 December2023. Depaul Northem Ireland
has prepared its Financial Statements in line wilh the Companies Acts and Accounting and Reporting by
Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice ('Charities SORP.) applicable to charities preparing their
accounts in accordance with Ihe Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
("FRS 102°).
The Trustees have not prepared the strategic report required of medium and large companies under The
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directorfs Report) Regulations 2013 as the company qualifies as
small under section 383.
OUR HISTORY
Depaul Northern Ireland is part of a group of charities (the "Depaul Group") that works across the worfd with a
mission to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by It. The ultimate parent company is
Depaul Internalional. The Depaul Group of charities came about as a joint response by three organisalions to
the rise of youth hornelessness in the late 1980's in London. These were the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent
de Paul, the Soclety of St Vincent de Paul and the Passage Day Centre. All three owe their vision, mission and
values to the life and work of St Vincent de Paul, a great social and spiritual reformer in 17th century France.
They are part of a global nehvork of charitable and religious organisations known collectively as the Vincentian
Family. St Vincent de Paul believed in action rather than words, in taking risks to help the poor. and in flnding
new ways to deal with old problems. Although Depaul International is independent of these founding
organisation5, It continues to work closely with them and other members of the Vincentian Family globally. The
Depaul Group is re¢ognised as being part of the Vincentian Family in its own right. working inclusively wlth
homeless and disadvanlaged people of all faiths and none. which is reflected in the makeup of its employees,
volunteers and Trustees. Depaul International now operates in Ireland, United Kingdom. USA, Ukraine,
Slovakia, Croatia and France.
Depaul came to the Republic of Ireland in 2002 on the invitation of both the Irish Govemment and the Vincentian
Family in Ireland. There was an unmet need at the time. in particular for those with very complex needs who
found it difficull lo access and maintain accommodation service due to their lifestyle. Depaul Ireland developed
pragmati¢ responses lo work with these groups and opened many services that were the first of their kind In
Ireland. Depaul Northern Ireland wa5 established in 2005 as a subsidiary undertaking of Depaul Ireland. In 2016
Depaul Ireland eslablished a second subsidiary company, Depaul Housing Association ("Depaul Housing.)
which is an Approved Housing Body. Together Ihese three charities fomi the Depaul Irish Group
In 2015 the Depaul Group became known slmply as °Depaul°. At this tlme 'Homelessness has no place. was
adopted as the internalional expression of the Depaul mission. Depaul International works under a Board and
Assembly goverrsance structure, which provides oversight while re¢ognislng and respecting the individuality of
each subsidiary charfty Wlthln the Depaul Group.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Our Vislon, Mlsslon and Value5
Depaul works to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Qur Vision Is of a society In which everyone, across the world, has a place to call home and a stake in their
community.
Our Mission is to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.
Our Values are..
We celebrate the potential in people.
We put words into action.
We take a wider role in civil society.
We believe in rights and responsibilities.

Depaul Northern Ireland
IA Company Ilmlted by guarantè*, nol havlng a share eApltall
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023
Revlew of Activltles
During the yearlhe Depaul Irish Group provided support for 10,93612022- 7,4551 people including single people.
couples and families across all our seNi¢es throughout the Depaul Irish Group. The total number of people
supported in the Republic of Ireland was 10.153 (2022.. 6,454) and in Northern Ireland was 783 {2022: 1,0011.
In addition, Depaul Housing provided 40 (2022.. 32) tenancies during the year.
Key Achievements in the Year
Depaul Northern Ireland achievements in 2023 included:
Appointed a Sustainability Manager who began reviewing our service offerlng across Northem Ireland to
identify areas for greater efficiency and improved service delivery.
Participated in a new partnership initiative, the Complex Lives Project, in Belfast encompassing a number
of service providers and ststutory agencies to mobilise a whole system approach to supporting people
caught in a vicious cycle of homelessness, addiction and mental issues in Belfast.
Following a competitive process, was awarded a Community Foundation grant to establish a pilot Homeless
Health Peer Advocate programme in the western part of Northem Ireland.
Charitable Actlvltles
The Depaul Irish Group strategic plan, 'A Path Home" builds upon the foundations of our traditional Low
Threshold approach to serwce provision by engaging in Speciallsed Services ¢entred on meeting unique
needs and building permanenl solutions in our Housing-ledapproach to services. The plan sets out a strategic
direction which builds on Depaul's significant success achieved to date.
Our strategy is centred around five main themes each ofwhiGh represents an area within Ihe organisation which
will drive change during the lifetime of thls strategic plan. This plan 15 accompanied by key performance
indicators that will outline actions we will take and how we will monitor our progress.
Theme 1: our servi￿8 and housing
Theme 2.. our people
Theme 3: our organisation
Theme 4.. our service users
Theme 5." our voice
Depaul's mission is to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it. We belleve that the
exp&rience of homelessne55 affects people in a myriad of ways and therefore requires different approaches.
People who are homeless are not a homogenous group and the manner by which Depaul organise ServI￿S
reflects this complexty. Our response to service provision is organised into five service pillars.. Prevention, High
Support Accommodation, Families and Young People, Health and Rehabilitation. and Housing. This approach
allows services to be tailored and modelled specifically for the needs of the households served.
Prevention
Depaul's prevention seNices work in communities across Northem Ireland, ensurfng families and individuals
are able lo maintain their tenancies and live independently within their own communities. These services are
designed to Intervene at a community level to help PT8vent people entering homelessness and assisting people
who have a history of homelessness gain roots in their communities.
Depaul's prevention service encompasses a Hami Reduction Floating Support service and Depaul's Foyle
Haven Day Centre in UDery. The Floating Support service in UDery supported 63 (2022: 52} individuals wlth
a history of drug and alcohol misuse to remain in their own homes. The Foyle Haven Day Centre has been in
ever increaslng demand over the last number of years and plays a vital role in the LIDerry area supportlng
people with a range of challenges. In 2023 the Day Centre supported 246 people (2022: 403 people). 2023
represents a return to normal levels of support while 2022 saw increased temporary service user needs when
the Day Centre re-opened for in-person support post Covid in earfy 2022.

Depaul Northern Ireland
{A Company Ilmrted by guarantee, not having a shar• capital)
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023
ort Accomm
dation
Depaul's origins lie in its ability to provide low threshold accommodation for men and women with significant
drug and alcohol difficulties. Our High Support Accommodation services are structured to offer supported
accommodation to those who have the greatest difficulties and complexities. They are designed to offer
emergency and case management supports to tackle such issues and support people to move to longer term
more independent living arrangements.
stella Maris, an alcohol managed service in the docks area of Belfast. supports men and women who are
homeless with alcohol difficulties. During the year Stella Maris worked with 48 people (2022: 38 people).
The Casllehill Sewice in Dungannon provides self-contained accommodation and during the year provided
supported accommodation for 61 people12022: 62 people).
Families and Youn
Peo
le
Depaul Northern Ireland provides vital accommodation and community supports for vulnerable families and
young people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
Our Belfast based Family Floating Support service provides support to families movlng on from temporary
accommodation into the community and supports families at risk of homelessness. The Family Floating Support
service worked with 93 adults and 87 children through the year (2022.. 93 adults and 157 children).
Mater Del In North Belfast and Cloverhlll in Twinbrook are our temporary accommodation seNices designed to
provide families wlth the best possible support to deal with the experience ofbeing in temporary accommodation
and assist them lo move into permanent housing as soon as possible. Both Services offer 24-hour support and
were assisted by a Ghildcare support service funded by Children in Need until mid-2023. In the past these vital
services have benefiled from corporate donations to upgrade the furniture and fittings and improve the quality
of the services we offer. Mater Dei accommodated 28 adults and 34 children {2022.- 34 adults and 32 children)
while Cloverhlll accommodated 44 adults and 55 children (2022: 47 adults and 56 children)-
Housin
Depaul considers that housing is ultimately the solution to homelessness. Depaul Northem Ireland operates a
number of services within the community, providing housing solutions for very vulnerable people. Foremost
amongst these are the Housing First services in UDery and Belfast. Housing First is an approach based on the
philosophy that all individuals, despite their background, can live independently once the proper supports are
provided. Depaul have been pioneers of this approach in Northern Ireland. During the year this Service worked
with 60 people {2022.' 56) people across the two cities.
Health and Rehabilitation
Depaul continues to provide vitsl onsite healthcare support in all our services while working closely with other
agencies to ensure those experiencing homelessness have access to the healthcare they require. During the
year we reconfigured our Foyle Haven Day Centre space to facilltate a clinical room where extemal health
professionals run on-site clinics inGluding screening services, health and wallbeing checks, podiatry, vaccines
and counselling. This vital interventlon played a key part in supporting the health of some ofthe most vulnerable
individuals in UDery. Bringing the services to these individuals helps overcome the barriers that oftan prevenl
them from accessing health related supports when they need it. As a result, 297 mental health interventions and
307 tailored physlcal health interventions were provided in 2023.
Depaul Northern Ireland, supported by the Public Health Agency, introduced a Needle and Syrlnge exchange
service for those who attend Ihe Day Centre. Use of the service has grown month on month and is a key harm
reduction int8rvenlion for our service users.

Depaul Northern Ireland
IA company Ilmlt8d by guarantee. not havlng • share capital)
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023
Volunteers
Depaul ha5 a strong culture of supporting volunteerlng. We believe that people should have a way to tangibly
demonstrate their care and compassion, and that the experience should be as beneficial to the volunteers as it
is to those we serve. Volunteers are glven a comprehensive induction programme and supported through
ongoing review and training.
We remain grateful for the unstinting efforts of our volunteers who provide such valuable benefit through a wide
range of activities designed to engage, support and befriend our service users. Durtng 2023 16 volunteers
contributed 702 hours of volunteering (2022.. 35 volunteers and 366 hours) across our services in Northem
Ireland.
FUTURE PLANS
During 2024 Depaul Northem Ireland will revlew Its strategic plan in conjunction with Depaul Ireland and Depaul
Inlernalional.
Depaul is committed lo continuously improve and develop its S8rvices. Depaul Northern Ireland is actively
seeking support for a new initiative that would support women leaving prison while the appointment of a
Sustainability Manager will identify other opportunities and initiatives to be progressed over the next number of
years that will strengthen our service offering across Northern Ireland.
The Department for Communities along with the NIHE are undertaking a review of the Housing First approach
wilh the intention of upscaling and rolling out the Housing First model across Northern Ireland. Depaul Northern
Ireland pioneered Housing First 10 year5 ago and continues to deliver the Housing First service in Belfast and
UDerry. Depaul is a key participant in the advisory and steering group undertaking this review and remains
committed to Ihe importance ofthe Housing First mod81.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Depaul Northem Ireland is incorporated as a company limiled by guarantee and reglstered with the Charities
Commission for Northern Ireland. Depaul Northern Ireland files its annual accounts and annual monitoring
report with the Commission.
The Trustees
The strategic direction and govemance of the company is the responsibility of the Trustees. The Nominations
Committee seeks people with suitable ski115 to serve on the Board of Trustees and manages the process for the
recruitment, appointment and rotation ofTrustees. Depaul International. the ultimate parent company, approves
the appointment of any new Trustees. Newly appointed Trustees receive a letter of appointment and an
induction programme covering responsibilities and involvement outside of formal Trustee meetings.
The following were Truste@s of the company, and unless indlcated otherwise, served for the entire year:
John Murphy, Chairperson
David Lane
Jennifer Lee
Mary Leonard
Fr. Joseph Loftus
Tim McKeown (appointed 7 February 2024)
Yvonne Mcwhirther (reslgned 22 September 2023>
John Megahey
Sr. Margaret O'Donovan
Paul O'malley
Paul Stanley
Paul White

Depaul Northern Ireland
(A company Ilmlted by guarant¢¢, not havlng a sharè ¢apitall
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023
The Company Secretary was Laurence J Tuomey.
Throughout the year, the Trustees did not receive any loans or remuneration from Ihe company. The company
cloes not have a share capital.
In order to ensure that Depaul Northem Ireland is managed efficlentiy and effectively, the Trustees have delegated
a range of day-trFday decision making powers to executive management. The Trustees have established
appropriate controls and mechanisms to ensure that management operate within the powers delegated to them.
The Executive Leadership Team is responsible for the overall management of the Depaul Irish Group,
incorporating Depaul Ireland, Depaul Northern Ireland and Depaul Housing. This team is supported by a number
of senior manag8rs and each service has a local management team.
Trustee Commlttees
The Trustees have established five sub-committees to support the work of the Board of Trustees:
Services. Quality and Development committee
Flnance, People and Organisation, and Risk committee
Fundraising and Communication committee
Remuneration committee
Nominatlons commrttee
Each committee is governed by a Trustee approved terms of referenc8 and may have co-opted other members
when appropriate. Most of the Trustees are a member of at least one of the sub-committees of the Board. The
Nominations committee also supports the appointment of committee members. Other than the Remuneration
committee. which meets as needed, committees meet a minimum of four times per year.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Review of results
Tolal incorne for the year amounted to £3.5m (2022.. £4.4ml wlth the decrease reflecting the retum of prior year
unspent reslricted funding to the statutory agency. Depaul Northern Ireland depends on a high level of statutory
income, with over 800/0 of our income Goming through variou5 government departments for a rang8 of services.
We continue to invest in our fundraising activities in order to raise the profile of the organisation and to increase
our ability to maintain services with this much-needed additional Income.
The net outcome for th8 yearwas an unrestricted surplus of £0.2m and a restricted deficit of £0.7m. resulting in
an overall net deficit of £0.4m for 2023 (2022.. £0.6m surplus). The current year restricted deficit reverses the
restrtcted reserves brought forward from prior years.
Our fundraising income for the year amounted to £0.58m12022= £0.75m), reflecting the continued generous
response from individuals across the community during a period when donors were impacted by inflationary
pressures. Our supporters undersland that Christmas and the winler month5 are a particular vulnerable time
for homeless people and contributions from the public are concentrated in the last months of the year.
The impact of the additional non-statutory unrestricted income has meant Depaul Northem Ireland ended the
financial year with an unrestricted reserve of £1.5m (2022: £1.2m). These funds will ensure that Depaul
Northem Ireland remains able to withstand adverse events that might occur but also seek to enhance its service
offering in area5 where statutory agencies are not present.

Depaul Northern Ireland
IA company Ilmlted by guarantee. not havlng a share caprtall
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023
Reserves
Depaul Northem Ireland's reserves fall into types..
Restricted funds.. these are generated when the donor stipulates how thelr donation must be spent or
as a result of an appeal that has been run for a specific project or activity.
Unrestricted funds.. These are generated when the donor does not stipulate how their donation must be
spent. Unrestrlcted fLFnds include designated and otherfunds where the Trustees have set asSde money
for a specific purpose or to cover possible risks.
The Trustees adopt a reserve policy which they consider appropriate to ensure the continued abillty of the
company to meet its objectives. Consideration is given to assessing the risk, probability and likely impact on our
ability to meet financial obligations or reduce 8xpenditure in the short term due to a decline in income.
The Trustees reviewed their reseNes policy during 2022 and set an unrestricled general reseNe minimum target
of 6 weeks annual operating costs to cater for short tem working capital needs and an additional unrestricted
reserve target of between 6 weeks and 20 weeks annual operating costs to Gater for longer periods of disruption
that might arise due to unexpecled future adverse events.
At 31 December 2023 the company had sufficient reseNes for the general reserve target of 6 weeks annual
operating costs and held an additional 13.7 weeks (2022.. 11.3 weeks) for Ihe unrestricted reserve target which
is within the policy range of 6 to 20 weeks. The Trustees consider there are sufficient unrestricted reserves at
year end to avoid an unacceptable level of disruption to the organisation in the event of a downturn in future
income.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to whlch the company is exposed, in particularthose related to the
operations and finances of the company, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mltigate
our exposure to these major risks. The Trustees maintain a risk register. which they review regulady.
Cost Inllation risks.. the rate of cost inflation experienced In the last two years was signlflcant and
adversely impacted the Depaul Irish Group. Statutory funders responded to these events as did a
number of corporate donors. The medium term impact remains uncertaln and the Trustees continue to
monitor the risk of further inflationary pressures.
Reputational risks.. the Trustees are conscious of the importance of its reputstion as a well-run
organisalion delivering public benefit and have undertaken sleps to ensure Depaul Northern Ireland's
governance and management structures are robust and give confidence to all stakeholders and operate
in line with our values.
Financial risks.- the organisation exposes itself to a variety of financial risks Sncluding a reduction in
statutory income or in community support to fundraislng appeals. Measures to mitigate this risk include
strong budgetary management and cost control and proactive negotiations with key stakeholders on
appropriate service budgets designed to cover direct and indirecl costs. The Finance, People and
Organisation, and Risk commltte8 monitors financial risks on a quarterly basis.
Hgalth and Safety risks.. the Trustees recognise the importance of health and safety In all of our services.
Depaul Northern Ireland implements robust systems and structures to ensure all health and safety
regulations are complied with. There is quarterly reporting on compliance to Ihe Services. Quality and
Development Gommittee and annual reporting to the full Board.
Legal and Regulatory risks.. th8 company is required to comply with a wider range of legal and regulatory
obligations. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure compliance wilh these obligations, however,
there inevitably remains a residual risk of an operational failure resulting in a breach of these obligations.
Insurablg risks.. the or9anisation incurs exposure to employer. publlc and propety damage liability by
virtue of the nature of its operations. While a strong emphasis is plac8d on health and safety and risk
10

Depaul Northern Ireland
IA company Ilmlted by guaranteg, not havlng a share capltsl)
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
for the financial year ended 31 December 2023
management practices to avoid liability arising, insurance cover is maintained to mitigat8 the financial
impact from such events.
Perfom7ance risks.. Ihere is a risk that the high quality of our services may not be maintained and we
perform below our own expectations orthose ofour funders as set out in their service level agreements.
The Trustees monitor performance on an ongoing basis and have implemented annual service audit
programmes as well as employee and service user surveys to provide them with assurance in thls
regard.
GOING CONCERN
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trust8es have a reasonable expectation thatthe company has adequate
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt
the going concern basis in preparing financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of Ihe golng
concem basis can be found in the accounting policies to the financial statements.
EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE
There were no significant events affecting the company after the end of the year.
BOOKS OF ACCOUNT
The measures taken by the Trustees to ensure compliance with the requlrements regarding proper books of
account are the implementation of necessary policies and procedures for recording transactions, the
employment of competent accounting personnel with appropriate expertise and the provision of adequata
resources to Ihe financial funclion. The books of account of the company are maintained at 449 Antrim Road,
Belfast.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS
Each of the Trustees at the time when this Trustees. Annual Report was approved has confirmed that:
so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit Information of which the company's auditors
are unaware; and
the Trustee has taken all the steps thal ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware ofthat information.
This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of seclion 418 of the
Companies Act 2006.
AUDITORS
The Audilors, Crowe Ireland, have indicaled their willingness lo contlnue in office in accordance with the
provisions of section 485A17) of the Companies Act 2006.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 24 May 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
John Murphy, Chairperson
Paul Stanley• Treasurer