Ardstraw Area Women’s Group
Trustees report and financial statement for year ended 31[st] March 2024
Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Registration Number: 103786
Ardstraw Area Women’s Group
Contents for year ended 31 March 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and administrative information | 1 |
| Trustee Report | 2-4 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 5 -6 |
| Statement of receipts and payments | 7 - 8 |
| Notes to financial statements | 9 – 10 |
Ardstraw Area Women’s Group Legal and administrative information
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Legal Status
The group is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland since 4 January 2016 under registration number 103786.
| Trustees | Audrey Kinloch (Chairperson) | |
|---|---|---|
| Jacqueline Smith (Treasurer) | ||
| Mary Magee (Secretary) | ||
| May Hemphill | ||
| Mart Gailey | ||
| Sharon Johnston | ||
| Registered | Address | 18 Brocklis Road |
| Newtownstewart | ||
| Co. Tyrone | ||
| BT78 4LS | ||
| Bankers | Santander UK plc | |
| Customer Service Centre | ||
| Bootle | ||
| Merseyside | ||
| L30 4GB |
Page 1
Ardstraw Area Womens Group
Trustees’ Report
for year ended 31 March 2024
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees
The committee of the group, known as the trustees for the purposes of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1.
Charitable objects
The group aims to provide non-monetary benefits to women in the Ardstraw and surrounding areas. The group provides a range of social, recreational & educational activities for ladies across the district irrespective of class, creed, sexual orientation, disability, race or marital status. As a result, women living in the rural area will have increased knowledge, skills, selfconfidence and it will help to reduce isolation, poverty and to improve physical, mental and health and wellbeing. The ladies meet once a month with various speakers every month. Speakers provide information on a range of health programs including suicide awareness and breast screening, family issues and courses on traditional crafts, e.g., bag making & quilting. We also organize accredited first aid training for those who wish to take part. The group also enjoys networking with other women’s groups & craft fairs, thus providing recreational & leisure activities for participants. The public benefit will be demonstrated by evaluations completed at the end of the training courses & workshops. We will also obtain feedback from participants through word of mouth at focus group discussions.
The group is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland since 4 January 2016 under registration number 103786.
Organisational Structure
The day-to-day management of the charity is carried by the Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary and the trustees meet on a regular basis to inform and discuss all matters concerning the charity to enable the trustees to make all the policy decision.
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Review of activities and achievements
The Statement of Receipts and Payments on Page 7 sets out the results for the year. The purpose of the funds is outlined in the notes to the financial statements.
The Trustees are indebted to the funding bodies for their support and the opportunities the funding provides to the group. Over the year we have taken part in several workshops which have been thoroughly enjoyed by all. We also have provided trips out for members to Belfast, Templepatrick, Moygashel, and Cookstown. We continue to hold our monthly meetings where we come together to network, gain new skills and learning and provide support for one another.
We have secured £4891.80 funding from PHA Clear funding towards workshops, activities and running costs. £7290 from Awards for All for running costs, workshops, and trips and £3,000 for the completion of a feasibility study in collaboration with Ardstraw Community Playgroup in relation to the need for a community venue in Ardstraw.
As with all community groups in Northern Ireland the group continues to have trouble in obtaining long term funding. However, in view of the grants awarded, fundraising and with volunteer support, the trustees are confident that the group can continue its activities and therefore satisfied that is appropriate for the financial statement to be prepared on the going concern basis.
Reserves
The statement of Receipts and Payments on page 7 sets out the results for the year. The purpose of the funds is outlined in the notes to the financial statements.
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Charity law require Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).
The Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that year. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:-
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➢ Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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➢ Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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➢ State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to and departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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➢ Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Statement of disclosure of information to independent examiner
So far as each of the trustees in office at the date of approval of these financial statements are aware:
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➢ There is no relevant audit information of which the group’s independent examiner is unaware; and
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➢ The trustees have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the group’s independent examiner is aware of that information.
This report was approved by the trustees on __26[th] June 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
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Ardstraw Area Women’s Group
Independent examiner’s report to the charity trustees of Ardstraw Area Women’s Group
for the year ended 31 March 2024
I report on the financial statements of Ardstraw Area Women’s Group for the year ended 30 March 2024.
Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with Section 63 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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➢ Examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act (NI) 2008:
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➢ Follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act (NI) 2008:
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➢ State whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
I have examined your charity financial statement as required under section 65 of the Charities Act (NI) 2008 and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
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That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act (NI) 2008;
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That the financial statements do not accord with those accounting records;
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That the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 63 of the Charities Act (NI) 2008 and with the methods and principles of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland:
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- That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
Date: 10/06/2025
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Ardstraw Area Women’s Group
Statement of Receipts and Payments
for year ended 31 March 2024
Ardstraw Area Women’s Group
Statement of Assets and Liabilities for year ended 31 March 2024
Page 8
Ardstraw Area Women’s Group
Notes to the financial Statements
for year ended 31 March 2024
1. Accounting Policies
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and are prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) and follow the recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (issued March 2005).
The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS1 from the requirement to produce a cashflow statement because it is a small charity.
1.2 Incoming resources
Income from donations, membership and grants is included in incoming resources when these are received.
When donors specify that donations and grants are for a particular restricted purpose, which do not amount to pre conditions regarding entitlement, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when received.
1.3 Interest receivable
Interest is included on a receivables basis by the charity.
1.4 Resources expended
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Receipts and Payments on a payables basis.
1.5 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds relate to general funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by funders/donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charges against the specific fund.
1.6 Taxation
The group is not registered for taxation purposes and there has been no tax charges arisen for the group for the year ended 31 March 2024.
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2. Fundraising
The charity has raised funds through donations from ladies for workshops of £435, fundraising £95, kit payment £24 and membership fees of £240.
3. Grant Income
The charity was awarded £4891.80 funding from PHA Clear funding towards workshops, activities and running costs. £7290 from Awards for All for running costs, workshops, and trips and £3,000 for the completion of a feasibility study in collaboration with Ardstraw Community Playgroup in relation to the need for a community venue in Ardstraw.
4. Trustees emoluments
The trustees neither received nor waived any emolument during the year.
5. Financial commitments
The charity has no financial commitments at present.
6. Transaction with trustees
The trustees attend meetings and carry out the business of the charity on a voluntary basis. Travel expenses are paid to Trustees who carry out the business of the charity, at the standard rate provided by HM Revenue & Customs, on receipt of a properly approved travel claim.
7. Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
Ardstraw Area Women’s Group is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland since 4 January 2016 under registration number 103786.
8. Going concern
In common with all community groups in Northern Ireland, the group continues to experience difficulties in securing long term funding. However, in view of the grants awarded and with volunteer support, the trustees are confident that the group can continue its activities and are therefore satisfied that it is appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on the going concern basis.
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