Charity Commission Report for Financial Year 1 April 2023- 31 March 2024
Name of Trust : Dunmurry Christian Trust
NIC Number : 103151
Principal Address : 192 Kingsway, Dunmurry, BT 17 9AD
Current Trustees :
Professor K D Brown (chair) Ms T Beal (secretary) Mr S Appukuttan
Mr S Chandrakumar Mr Andrew Mearns
Mr R Mortimer Mrs R Polley Mrs H Rodgers Mr A Rohman
Ms M Stewart
Others who served as trustees in the reporting year :
Mr L Nolan
Appointment of new trustees :
A Deed of Appointment and Retirement of Trustees, dated 8 September 2011, vests the power of appointing new trustees in a named Appointer, currently listed as Professor Kenneth Brown. In the course of the year Mr L Nolan resigned with effect from 17 March 2024. Mr A Rohman and Mrs R Polley were appointed as new trustees with effect from 1 January 2024.
Summary description of the charity's purposes:
The primary purpose of the Trust is the advancement of the Christian religion in Dunmurry and elsewhere, together with the provision of instruction in basic domestic skills. The public benefits arising from this include help in the formation of a moral framework to enhance public and private behaviour: the provision for individuals of a sense of identity, belonging and community support, an understanding of community reconciliation, a greater sense of self reliance and self confidence and,
in some cases, a reduced dependence on public support.
Charity's Constitution and Governing Document :
The purposes and rules governing the Trust's operation are set out in a Declaration of Trust Deeed dated 11 January 1982 and a further Deed of Appointment and Retirement of Trustees, dated 8 September 2011. The administration of the Trust, its properties and funds is the responsibility of the named trustees.
Summary of main activities:
Cross community weekly services for worship, including dedicated meetings for children, young people, and adults;
Weekly instruction classes in the Christian religion;
Weekly free coffee bar open to the public;
Monthly friendship club for members of the local Indian community;
Monthly worship services run by and for members of the Northern Ireland Asian community; Introduction of a GCSE class in mathematics
Main achievements:
The Trust maintained its long-standing financial support of a a missionary couple in Macedonia and of a church-based orphanage in Myanmar. The latter was this year supplemented with additional funding to cover the costs of a local medical emergency. The Trust also agreed to enhance its regular support of church projects in Malawi: these included capital works, pastors’ salaries, and a new allocation to facilitate the purchase of goats and supplies of maize. Following a visit to Malawi by a senior member of the Church it was agreed to introduce a more formal system of reporting to the Trust on the use of these funds.
A gift of £5000 was approved to support the launch of a new venture in a North African country. The initiator of the project, which is providing education and care for disabled children, is a former member of the Church congregation.
The Trust continued to provide accommodation for a part-time counselling service currently provided by two professional, accredited counsellors, both of whom are members of the church congregation;
Funding was also provided to support a residential activity weekend for the church’s youth group and other young people from the local community.
The refurbishment project outlined in last year’s report was completed on time and well within budget. The main hall was fitted with a new sound booth and new, larger windows, while its main
doors were relocated. The entrance foyer and main hall were repainted, and repairs completed on the roof, drainage, and electrics.
Finally, the Trust supplied free of charge premises, books and tuition for a GCSE mathematics class open to the public. Catering for mature learners rather than school-age children, the class attracted a healthy initial enrolment, and seven students sat the examination. Two of which passed the examination and 3 are retaking the course.
Finance:
The trust’s income in the current reporting year rose to £122,398, a small increase from the previous year’s total of £112,755. Expenditure was considerably higher than for the previous reporting period, owing to approved increases in salaries and mission support, along with higher expenditure on repairs and refurbishment. Consequently, the operating surplus of £7139 was down on the previous year’s figure of £16,813, although the Trust remains cash rich. Accordingly, in the course of the year £100,000 was transferred to a fixed term savings account.
Statement :
This report is compiled with full regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit statutory guidance
Signature of authorised trustee:
K D Brown (Chairman) 30 November 2024