LIVING RIVERS TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees present their annual report and financial ststements forthe year ended 31 March 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the
financial statemenls and comply with the Trust's goveming documenl, the Charilies Act 2011 and "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 Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)"
(effective 1 January 2019).
Objectives and activities
The Trustees would like to continue to thank all volunteers, staff and all involved with the charity's activities for the
year ended 31 March 2024. There has been bolh d1￿ct and indirect public benefft to many from the activilies of the
charity.
The main focus of charity activty this year has been the Lighthouse Hostel supporting residents, working with
olhers, further developing staff. and looking at longer temi planning for the Hostel.
The objectives of Living Rivers Trust continue to be=
Advancement of Ihe Christian Faith in accordance wilh the letter and spirit of the Trust's slatement of failh.,
The relief of povety-
The provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and other leisure lime occupation of
people who are in need as a result of their youth. age. infimiity or social and economic circumstances.
These have been carried out through our activities in=
Living Rivers Lighthouse Hostel, Ballymena
Support of other churches and ministries and holding online activrties
Prayer- for others and online prayer meetings
Teaching of the Christian faith.
Public benefit
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the
Trusl should undertake.
Through these activities there has been Public Benefit lo individuals. their families. and communtlies.

LIVING RIVERS TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Achievements and perfonnance
Living Rivers Trust Outreach Activities
We have had in person visits and virtual meetings with other churches and Ministries. Online leaching of the
Christian Faith has continued and also prayer meetings with others both in the UK and abroad. There has also been
support of individuals who have contacted us for prayer and support.
In May 2023 a prayer tour was held visiting Glasgow. Oban, lona. Lindisfame, Hexham. Whitby Abbey, and
Edinburgh. Prayer was held and the significance of sites historically was prayed into.
Assets from Living Rivers Trust continued to be used by Celebration House, (which operates to advance the
Chrislian religion through education and the relief of poverty within Baltymena and the surrounding areal.
Subsequent to the year-end these have been formalty transferred to Celebration House. The Trust will continue to
provide ministry to those who need it.
Living Rivers Hostel
This year Ihe Hostel had a number of voids in Ihe first quarter but later was running al fvll capacty. The year has
seen 84 new clients 12023 - 791 with 67 departing over this period. Fourteen of these were a positive move on,
whereby the client either retumed to family or was able to acquire their own accommodalion. Sixty Iwo of the 84
new clients had addictions - 73.7¥0. A total of 69 clients had menlal Health concems {83.10/0}. There has appeared
to be an increasing number of residents with leaming difficulties. Particulaty in the latter half of the year we have
continued to have a waiting lisl and there is a steady demand for the service.
The staff have continued to support clients. their families, and to work wtth relatives. the community, and olher
stakeholders to deliver benefft to the public. There has been good feedback from clients, relatives, and stakeholders
during the year. During the year we continued to have fewer full-lime stsff than desired, requiring agency staff for
Support Worker posts, and this continues to be addressed. A replacement Acting Deputy Manager was appointed
(with Supporting People approval) in June 2023.
We have continued to use, and develop use of. the Person Centred Sofhvare. This is aiding in recording support. All
processes and policies are in the ongoing process of being reviewed and updated. This was commenced in January
2024.
The Hostel had regular visits from a nurse providing Health Care and advice to Residenls in the Hostel. This is a
valuable Servi￿ and has helped residents and identified a number of matters requiring further care. The nurse also
was able lo provide access to various activities such as walks, gym membership, photography, dietary advice,
cooking advice wilh a chef, meal preparation. and hold sexual health dinics. This has helped with physical health,
mental health, and supported in independent living.

LIVING RIVERS TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Icare project, started several years ago, however it has remained inactive during the current year. Icare
provide5 free eye care to people who are homeless along with a barbers servi￿. The project previously ran for one
evening per month and was staffed by volunteer opticians and barbers.
The direct benefits of this project are=
Improved ocular heallh and vision.
Reduction of vision loss due to detection of disease.
Reduction of financial burden due to visual impaimient on NHS.
Improved education and employment opportuntties.
Reduction in vulnerability-
Reduction in stress and anxiety-
Previous studies have found that homeless people have higher rates of cataract, glaucoma and binocular vision
problems and are more likely to have uncorrected refractive error.
Many homeless people cannot access optical seplices for various reasons e.g. not being able to provide a
permanent address. which can lead to visual impairment due to breakage of glasses and undetected ocular
disease.
As vision plays a significant role in the quality of lrfe. it is important to explore the visual needs of this already
vulnerable population.
Icare has been ulilised by residents from the Lighthouse Hostel. and the Women's Aid and Simon Community- It
aims lo offer a unique opportunity to access free eyecare which will assist in building irusl and relationships with
health care professionals and encourage clients to access other services if appropriate.
Waveney Eyecare provided the ophthalrnic expertise at the start on a voluntary basi5 along with five other fully
qualified optometrists in the Northern Board Area who have volunteered their time and skills to complete the testing
and assessments required. Unfortunately they were then not in a posttion to continue this service and as a result of
this and Covid 19 the Icare project did not continue.
Steps have been taken to get it restarted in conjunction with Ulster University, Belfast. We have been in discussions
with the Senior Lecturer of Optometry and the Associate Research Director in Biomedical Sciences at Ulster
University about their undergraduate optomelry students compleling placements Ihrough the Icare projecl, wilh the
possibility of them taking on the lead optician role thus allowing the Icare eye clinic to recommence and give
longevity to the project. Sessions have been held since the year end and of Ihe four men seen by ophthalmic
service5 all four have benefited from glasses. We will also be looking at what other seNices can be offered through
this project.
We are not recruiting for the post of kitchen assistant currentty due to possible developments with the Hostel.
Some of the single homeless men continue to have complex 5UPPOrt needs and Ihe Hostel continues to be a
necessary, strategically relevant service providing support and benefrt. We have seen an increasing number of
people with leaming difficulties in the last year.

LIVING RIVERS TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Hostel has welcomed tsvo final year Occupational Therapist studenls from Ulster University who have
completed their community pla￿Ments Wlth us. The students initialty completed 2 days within the hostel in
preparation and getting to know clients. Several dients took part in the six-week programme held in ICARE which
included art work and refurbishing fumiture. Several clients with addiction issues remained abslinent for the duration
of the course work but went back to old habits after the course was completed. This has shown a need for a full time
occupational therapisl and the Hostel has intentions along with Enhancing Care for Homeless, (ECHOI, lo look at
funding for a full time occupational therapist for the Hostel and other local providers.
We have continued to work wilh NIHE, Supporling People. other agencies and Hostels. We have appreciated the
support received from local groups. community, and churches. Men have benefited from gifts of toiletries, food, and
clothes and these are much appreciated. We appreciate the relationship with emergency se￿l¢e$ who have
5UPPOrted residents and staff at different time5 during the year.
The Hostel continues lo work alongside and in parlnership with Enhancing Care for Homeless (ECHOI in delivering
projects such as, medicine management, admissions and discharge policies for hospital stays and A&E, and a
homeless aware nurse, based atAntrim Area Hospitsl.
We continue lo have a good wot1(ing relationship with our main funders, Supporting People, which has seen our
recurring funding increase in December 2022 and we were successful in our application in December 2023 to have
HB bed rates increased. These increases mean that we are able to meet the increased costs of providing our
services and Ihe increased cosls associated with staffing. It has also meanl that the overspend on Ihe Supporting
People project which is met out ofthe charty's own unrestricted funds has been minimised.
The charity continues lo hold reslricled funds of £110,527 {2023 - £110,527) in line wilh Supporting People lelter of
offer, as the charity awaits the resolution of ongoing discussions wrth the funders regarding monies advanced to the
charity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Significant factors
There have been no safeguarding or GDPR issues during the year. There have been occasional cases of Covid 19
but it has not been the same issue and steps of prevention have been relaxed following PHA advice during the year.
Financial review
The attached accounls show there was an increase in both income and expenditure compared to the previous year.
The expenditure ex￿eded income by £24,872. Various factors contributed to this..
Increased cosl of living costs
Increased agency staff costs
Prayer lour expenditure where income was received in the previous year
Bed vacancies in Ihe year
Non-payment of service charge by some residents
The financial position was markedly helped by the one off £14.633 payment for support related ServI￿S in the
Hostel by Supporting People to help with a cost-of-living salary increase and to enable staff appointment and
relenlion.
The finances were continually monf(ored in year and adjustments made to areas of expenditure and the above
points were monitored and addressed where possible.
We have continued the recording of accounts on Excel this year. enabling management accounls lo be monitored
every month. This has been advantageous during the period of increased costs and decreased income to enable
real time spending reviews. Ongoing budgets for 23-24 have been reviewed. We have given support staff a 9.9 /0
pay increase for 2024-2025. We were able to give a bonus. in recognition of all the work done and support provided,
eady in 2024. We are thankful for all the commitment and work done by staff.
At 31 March 2024 the balance of unrestricted reserves was £49.505 (2023 - £50,330).
Restricted funds are restricted for the purpose specified in letters of offer provided by the funding bodies. At 31
March 2024 the balance of restricted funds was £116,962 (2023- £141,009) -

LIVING RIVERS TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
ReseNes policy
It is the policy of the Trust that unrestricted funds. which have not been designated for a specific use, should be
raised to a level equivalent lo to three months expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves of Ihis level will
ensure thal, in the event of a signtficant drop in funding, Trust activities can continue while consideration is given to
either altemative funding streams or taking necessary steps regarding the chanty's ongoing activities. At present
unreslricled resetves are not held at this level bul are gradually being increased. Supporting People restricted
reserves are still held that we can apply to use in the evenl of a funding stream issue.
Plans for future periods
The Lighthouse Hostel has been r&accredited by Supporting People in the year 24-25.
A separate new company has been set up and registered as a charity in the year 23-24 with a view to it taking over
the Lighthouse Hostel. This will have largety new Directors and will be good for the longevity and developmenl of
the Hostel. Supporting People and others are supportive of this. Steps in this process are taking place in 2024-
2025.
The priority for the next period continues to be development of the Lighthouse Hostel. All usual activities will
continue. We aim lo appoint, and train, a ftjll staff complement. Lasl year there was a significant non-payment of
service charge, which has been addressed and continues to be monitored. We have also worked hard at ensuring
fuller occupancy.
We will continue to encourage the use of the client's computer suite. Use of the intemet will also be developed and
monilored with the use of the Person Centred sofvare, used very successfully, by slaff in client support.
At an appropriate time, we will also be looking at advi￿ groups for dients, a dual diagnosis project, revisiting
medicine management, and further developmenls to the Icare service.
Truslees and Ihe management commitlee will conlinue to meet and have inpul and oversighl.
There are plans to hold another prayer tour in March 2025. through the ministry continuing to be provided by the
Trusl.
Structure. governance and management
Living Rivers Trust is a charitable trust constituted under a Trust Deed dated 2 April 2001, and is a registered charity
with The Charity Commission for Northem Ireland.
The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were..
Pastor P Brady
Dr H Grahame-smith
Pastor J McGowan
Pastor C Watson

LIVING RIVERS TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Recwitment and appointment of twstees
The Charity Trustees identify the need for a new Trustee and any particular skillset required. Selection is then made
of a Trustee for the Charity. They are interviewed to ensure they are in agreement with the Charity aims and
objeclive, slatement of failh, and Trust Deed. Infomation is also sought to ensure they are a ￿t and proper person"
to hold position from a financial. Access Nl, and Charity perspective. They are supplied with previous accounts,
minutes, and given infomiation on poliues and procedures and conlrols. Training is given during induction in such
areas as Charity Govemance and CCNI requirements of Charity Trustees, Safeguarding, and Data Protection.
Charity Trustees hold a minimum oflwo fomal meetings peryear and other more infomial meetings as needed.
Financial reports and projections are produced for the Hostel quarterfy and circulaled. The Trustees delegale Dr H
Grahame-smith and Pastor P Brady to communicate more regularly as needed. Dr H Grahame-smith has
responsibility for oversight on an ongoing basis on reporting serious incidents, investigalions, complaints, financial
matters, data proteclion, and safeguarding issues.
Dr H Grahame-smilh and Mr M Forsy1he are responsible for the day lo day running ofthe Hoslel.
Statement of Trustees. responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Report and the financial ststements in accordance with
applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practi￿1.
The law applicable to charities in Northem Ireland requires the Truslees to prepare financial slatemenls for each
financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Trust and of the incoming resources and
application of reSoUr￿S of the Trust for that year.
In preparing these financial statements. the Trustees are required to=
select suitable accounting policies and then app￿ them consistentty..
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 {FRS 102).,
make judgements and eslimates that are reasonable and prudent.,
state whether applicable accounting stsndards have been ft)Ilowed, subject to any material departures disclosed
and explained in the financial statements., and
prepare the finanual statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume thal the charily
will continue in operation.
The Truslees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records Ihal disclose with reasonable accuracy al
any time the financial position of the Trust and enable them to ensure that the financial statements compty with the
Charilies Acl {Northem Ireland) 2008, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northem Ireland) 2015 and
the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for
taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Truslees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Pastor P Brady
Trustee
17 October 2024