Trustees / Directors Report
For 01/01/23 – 31/12/23
NIC 103518 NI057565 (Company No) XR 90261 (HMRC Charity No)
I, Amy Hunter (Director to Company / Charity) have assembled this report on 31st October 2024. Aldergrove House of Prayer is a non-denominational christian fellowship in Northern Ireland. We aim to provide a place where anyone can come freely to Worship God, and fellowship together, without any religious segregations or divisions. Our primary aim is to promote christianity in a loving and faithful way, welcoming those in our local community to come together and furthermore, serve those communities that are local to us, and those who are further afield throughout Northern Ireland inviting them to partake of the work of the charity, but also worshipping together as a church, and inviting visitors to share the work of charities which whom we support. Our church / charity identifies with the Charities
Aldergrove House of Prayer is both a church and a charity, and as such our mission statement (above) and our aims and principals will always remain the same year on year.
Some of the activities that can give you an insight into how we have served, and continue to serve the people of Northern Ireland, are (although not limited to);
*Regular worship gatherings - allowing people to come together to Worship God, have community with each other, pray, study the bible etc.
*Regular (specific and non-specific) prayer meetings
*Monthly special meetings - where people are invited along to share their story of faith, or their work both locally and also missionary abroad. These meetings specifically see higher numbers of visitors from across different denominations and faiths join us, which we class as a privilege.
*Ladies meetings - for ladies within our congregation but also from other congregations throughout Northern Ireland. These aim to build up, encourage and support each other, both in our Faith but also in supporting good mental health etc.
*Men’s breakfasts - the men from the fellowship meet on an adhoc basis to go and have breakfast / brunch together as a way of fellowship and encouragement of one another.
The ladies work continues in the accommodation centre attached to and fully funded by the church, and very generous donations by individuals who value the work and service we provide. This is there to provide a safe, non-judgemental environment for women who need a supported place to live, for both short and longer terms. This is provided completely free of charge for all those who come and stay with us. Some of the reasons that women may need to stay are issues like addictions, abuse - both physically and mentally, domestic violence etc. But the most important thing isn’t the reason these women come, but that whilst staying with us they are treated with love and respect and given every opportunity to rebuild their lives again until they are able to live independently
again. Each and everyone of the provisions we provide at Aldergrove House of Prayer, are done with the upmost of integrity and treated fully confidential and in line with GDPR regulations. It has been an essential service to the women who have stayed with us, and even though we aim to prepare these women to live full independent lives, we do also provide on-going support too. This is essential, especially as a ‘first step’ back into living in their own environments and communities. And so we support them and help them to get established and firmly rooted back into ‘normal life’.
Up until 19th September 2024 we have had one employee, however they have retired on 19/09/24 and we have no further plans to employ anyone else at this time, but instead will continue to work with the help of volunteers. Our Pastor, Brian, does not receive any income from the Church / Charity, but instead gives freely off his own time. This being his own personal choice.
Our chosen bank is Danske Bank. Our accounts are independently audited each year. These are displayed with companies house and the charity commission for Northern Ireland. Our latest accounting period is 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023.
I, Amy Hunter, as the Trustee / Director, along with the Pastoral Team, strive to follow all the guidelines given by the Charities Commission with all aspects of the law. The members of Aldergrove House of Prayer vote and decide at our Annual General Meeting, who/whom they wish to appoint as Trustee / Director.
A full description of the Charities Constitutions and purpose is held by the Charities Commission, on view for the general public. With our purpose being to encourage the Christian Faith, whilst also in a very practical way, living out and displaying Christianity as it is described by in the Holy Bible.
Amy Hunter 31/10/24