Newstart dueation Centre
ort of the Trustees
for tht Year Ended 31 March 2024
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies A¢t 2006, present their
Irport with the financial statements of the charity for tlie year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have
adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice
applicable to charities prepariiig their accounts in accordance witli th¢ Financial Reporting Standard
appli¢abl¢ in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019).
Chairpersonls Report
A massive congratulations to this year's programme participants. They continue to inspire and ¢n¢rgise the
work carried out by ¢v¢ryone in Newstart Education Centre, not least the Board of Directors, for whoin I
wi'ite this report on behalf of. Heartfelt congratulatloiis are sent by ev¢ryone on the Board to ¢ach young
person for what they have achieved. Best wislies for their onward journey. It has been a privilege lo play
part in tl)¢ir progression, development, and growth.
2023124 has been anotlier su¢¢essful and encouraging year. My fellow Dii'ectors continue to guide and direct
the work with det¢rmination, professionalism, aiid a deep sense of Caring. I want to thank tliem, on belialf of
tlie entire teain at Newstart, for their contribution, loyalty, and unyielding support.
Like every other year, 2023124 highlighted the success of the entire staff team, led by our Centre Director,
Mary Clai'ke. The team eoinbines an excellent Inix of ediication, youtli, community, and social work
specialisms, providing a strong platform for the bespoke, wraparound service each young person receives.
W¢ll done to Mary and the team and keep up the brilliant work folks!
Newstart work would not happen without consistent investment from funders. Thank you to all those
ageii¢i¢s who support our work and wlio. like us, are compelled to ensure young people, regardless of
backgroiind or experience, reach tlieir full potential. A massive tliank you to all our statutory and community
partners, To say the impact of the work would not be the same withoiit your collaboration would be an
understatement.
Director's Report
I want to start my r¢port by acknowl¢dging the liard work and dedicatioii of all the young people who we had
tlie privileg¢ of working alongside tliis year. Whatev¢r setbacks or challenges they faced, their ability to
forge forward and succeed has been an inspiratioii to not just Ine, biit tlie entire team at NEC. Thank you for
your belief in us and, iinportantly, your trust in us to help guide aiid challeiige you to aim higli and claim
your success. You are a credit to yourselves, your parents, and carcrs and to the coinmunity.
I have the privilege of working with an excellent Board of Directors wlio continue to support me and the
staff teain to build and develop oiir work. I want to thank tliem for beiiig selfless, dedicated and coinmitted to
wliat we do. I would like to give a special word of thanks to Jim Donnelly. our chaii'person, whose coiitinued
support. and guidance al'e valued immensely.
The work we do and tlie way we carry it out, would not be possible witliout our teain of staff. Their
coinmitment to young peopl¢ is clear in how they carry out their work and conduct themselves. Thanks to all
of you for the contribution you make in raising the bar for young peopl¢ and for our organisation.

Newstart Educatton Centre
ort of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVJTIKS
Objeclives and alms
Report of the Trustees
For the Year Ended 31st March 2024
As a cominunity organisatioii we would not ¢njoy our success without the support of a wide range of
statiitory and voluntary organisations, without wliich oiir holistic approach to the progression of young
people could not be achieved. As mentioned previously, a huge thank you to all oiir funders for keeping faith
with us aiid our work. We look forwai'd to your coiitinued support for our futur¢ work.
ObJecllves and Actiyilies
Tlie Chai'ity's objects ( Objects") are sp¢¢ifically restricted to the following..
To advance education for tlie public benefii by-
(a) The provision of informal and formal educatioii and training in a saf¢, supportive, and liolistic learning
eiivironment for youiig people wlio have disei)gaged, or beeii excluded from, mainstr¢am education.
(b) tlie provision of courses, support, and opportunities for adult learners, lone parents, economically
iiiactive and uiiemployed people.
To relieve tli¢ Theeds of yoiiiig people who have dis¢iigaged, or beeii excluded from, mainstream education
and their families by tlie provision of resources and suppoit services includiiig advocacy and strengthei)ing
family iiiiliativ¢s and by any charitable ineans as tlie trustees consid¢r appropriate.

Newstart Education Centre
ort of the Trustees
for the Year Ei nded 31 March 2024
OBJEI CTIVEI S AND ACTIVITIES
Publlc benefit
The purposes of the organisation are to advance ¢du¢ation for young people and adults, to promote benefits
for young people in the Lower Falls area of West Belfast (herein called 'the area of benefiv) and to educat¢
and assist young peopl¢, so they grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and their
conditions of life may be iinproved. The direct benefit which flows from this purpose include:
l. The dev¢lopment, education, aiid ii)clusion of marginalised, at risk, young people.
2. Offering young peopl¢ who have disengaged or beeii excluded from mainstream education an alternative
setting in which to realise their learning potential with additional support mechanisms in plac¢. NEC works
collaboratively with community organisations, statiitory, social work, and edLtcational welfare agencies.
Our second purpose focuses on reducing any barriers young people experien¢¢ in reacliing their full
potential. NEC achieves this through providiiig wi'aparound, holistic supports to young people, tlieir parents,
carers, and families. We operat¢ a parent's group and provide training and volunt¢er opportunities for
parents, carers, and fainilies to support the positive development of their r¢lationship with the young person.
We proactively work with the young persoii to address any issues they Inay be contributing to in the home
andlor community includiiig substance inisuse and/or aggression. Benefits include:
l. Strengthening families and providing young people with a positive support structure in the hoine to
positively reinforcc the developmeiit work w¢ provide in collaboration with each young p¢rson witliin our
centre.
2. A more developed and coli¢sive network of service providers offering support, guidance and ¢iigagement
for young people and their families.
3, Advancing the education of adult l¢ariiers, lone parents, economically inactive and unemployed people
tlirough tlie provision of courses, support, and opportunities.
This is eviden¢¢d Ihrougli the accredited acliievements of young people and our partnership workiiig
arrangeineiits witli statutory referral ag¢noi¢s sucli as schools, Education Welfare, aiid the local Education
Authority Options Panel. It is further evidei)¢ed by NEC'S vast experieiice and success in re-engaging at risk
young people, as well as the ongoiiig pai'ticipatioii of pareiits in th¢ activities outl ined earlier, and as part of
oui- yearly project evaluation and consultation processes.
We work in collaboration with a wide range of community, voluntary, statutory agencies, and schools. These
agencies refer young people to us and in turn we signpost yoiing people to other supports and specialisms
offered by these agencies ivhen the need them. We engage in collaborative, joiiit project working with other
alt¢rnativ¢ education providers, youth-based organisations, and local schools to build resilience in young
people Ihrougli adventure l¢arning. As a result, w¢ bring innovative metliods from community level into
mainstreain s¢rvi¢e provision.
Adult learners benefit from a unique comprehensive range of programmes incorporating personal and
professional developm¢nt, vocational ¢nhancement, academic a¢¢reditation, developed over a period of 20
years by NEC as a response to tli¢ ongoing, specific education and training needs of local ¢ominunities. Our
programmes are designed to und¢rpin each participant's Capacity to gain and sustain meaningful employment
by equipping tlicm with transf¢rable skills. Our work helps break the cyole of systemic poverty,
disadvantage, unemployment, and economi¢ iijactivity, directly felt by most of our participants and their
fainilies.

Newstart Education C¢ntre
ort of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Year on year, our work enables an increase in volunteering across the local community. We support young
people, adults, parents, and carers to develop their skills and motivation to contribute to local community
development and regeneratioii efforts.
Iinportantly* all our work is underpiniied by tl)e principle of causiiig 'iio Iiarin,. flowing directly from our
Inain cliaritable core purpose, atins and objectives
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable actlvities
Overview of the accounting year
This year, th¢ orgaiiisation has worked on numerous projects..
l. Day Scliool -40 young people attaining qualifications from entry level up to and including GCSE, through
a 5-day per week timetabled progranime. 6 young people were supported in additioiial work to achieve
GCSES in twiligl)t and evening class provision.
2. Healthy Living - ovei. l 00 beneficiaries from across the city of Belfast receiving family and healthy living
supports to iinprove iheir lives.
3, NEC provided a range of placeineiit opportunities for stud¢iits undertaking Degree programmes in
Cominiinity Youtli work.
FINANCIAL REVIEI W
Review of Ihe year
The company had net outgoing resour¢¢s for tlie year of £1,951 (2023: net outgoing resources of £127.359),
whicli reflected the completioii of a iiuinber of projects during the y¢ar. Unrestricted funds decreas¢d by
£17,609, wliile restricted funds inci'eased by £15.658. The total fund balance at 31 Mar¢h 2024 was £93,963.
(2023 £95,914)
Reserves policy
Tlie orgaiiisation's policy is to retain a level of free reserves, which Inatches tlie needs of the organisation
both at the curreiit tiine and in the foreseeable fiiture. The organisation has d¢veloped a plan to establish and
maintain this agreed level for free reserves. The organisation will continue to monitor ¢oinpliaiice with this
policy on a regular basis and the Board will i'eview the appropriateness of the policy aniiually.
Iii refereiicc to our reserves policy) it is good practice to have 6 months running costs and salary contingency
plans along with i'edundancies.

Newstart Educatlon Cenlre
ort of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
FUTURE PLANS
A for¢east for the year ahead:
EOTAS provision - this coming year we will continiie to provide places to the Education Authority Northern
li'eland for young p¢ople outside of mainstream education provision.
We will coiitinuc to deliver Healthy Living and Family Support to beneficiaries across Belfast through our
D¢partment for Corninuniltes Programme.
Secure Peace Plus funding to work collaboratively with a range of youth work partners to deliver an
intensive cross community, cross border programme.
Secure fiinding to extend our programmes to include the provision of early interv¢ntion I prevention
fo¢Lissed activities for younger age groups.
Continue to review and develop our policy and procedural frameivork ensuring board and staff undertake
relevant training.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Tlie cliarity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a liinited company,
liniited by guarai)tee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
Governance of the Organisatlon
Dui'ing the period under review the directors m¢t monthly. TrUste¢￿direCtOrs are appointed by nominations
Inade in writing by any existing director. At the General Me¢ting nominated directors are appointed by
election.
Risk managemen(
The principles of good governance are ¢mbedded within all aspects of Newstart Education C¢nlre
operations with manageineiit and staff being keenly aware of the Boards responsibility of ensuring that the
organisation protects itself from finaiicial ¢xposur¢ and reputational damage, A clos¢ working relationsliip
is maiiitained betwecn the Board and manag¢ment to ensure tliat operatioi)ally staff are aware of the
standards required of them by the Boai'd and the Boai'd are always in a positioii to provide guidance and
support to manageinent in tlie discharge of tli¢ir duties, This two way relationship is the key feature of
Low¢i' FalSs Newstart Project LimAted governance arrangeinents and is a key strciigth iii the coinpany.
A conscieiitious approacli to ¢nsui'ing tliat contractual project r¢quirem¢nts are achieved has been maintain¢d
at all times both in the a¢counting period being report¢d on and since Newstart Education Centre
establishment. Very tight finaiicial controls on expenditure aiid all financial cominitinents are maintained at
all times and project staff have been trained and have becoine experienced in budgetary controls.ln both
th¢se ar¢as ie Project del&very and financial controls inanagemeiit all staff have established clos¢ working
r¢lationships wilh fundlng organisations to ensure all mandatory standards are consistently achi¢ved. Board
r¢pres¢ntativ¢s also actively engage wilh funding bodies.
Th¢ Board, management and staff are fully aware that the natur¢ of the work in which Newstart Education
Centre is involved can brlng with it a high level of scrutiny to ensiire that all activities are fully compliant
with funding requirements and,therefore, b¢yond r¢proach.The Board of N¢wstart Education Centre is,
tlierefore, greatly reassured of the company's compliance with tli¢ highest of standards of governance on the
basis that all monitoring and evaluation of project delivery demonstrates achievement of all funders
objectives and that fund¢rs' audits and vouching of financial expenditure and th¢ independent examiners
report confirm compliance with both probity and regularity in the use of monies received.

Newstart Education Centre
ort of the Trustees
for th¢ Year 1¢ nded 31 Mrdrch 2024
TAX STATUS
The company is re¢ognised by HMRC as a registered charity. The company is entitled to charity tax
exemption.
STATEMfi NT OF TRUSTEESI RESPONSIBILITIES
The Irustees (who are also the directors of Newstart Ediication Centre for the purposes of company law) are
responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in a¢¢ordance with
applicable law and United Kingdoin Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Fiiiancial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland"
Company law requiiys the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true
and fair view of tlie state of affairs of the charitable coinpany and of the incoming resources and application
of resources, including th¢ in¢oine and expeiiditure, of the Charitable company for that period. In preparing
tliose fiiiancial statem¢nts, the truste¢s are required to
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
observe th¢ methods and pi'inciples in th¢ Cliarity SORP.
make judg¢inents and estimates that ar¢ reasonable aiid prudent.
prepare the financial statements on the going coiicei'n basis unless il is inappropriate to presuine tliat th¢
cliaritable coinpany will continue in business.
The trustees ar¢ responsible for keeping propel. accountiiig records which disclos¢ with reasonable accuracy
at any tim¢ tlie financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ¢nsure that th¢ financial
statements comply witli the Coinpanies Act 2006, They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of
the cl)aritable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the pr¢v¢ntion aiid d¢tection of fraud and
other irregularities.
Tliis i'¢port has been prepared tn accordance with the spccial provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act
2006 relating to small coinpani¢s.
Approved by order of tlie board of trustees on 27 November 2024 and signed on its b¢half by:
Miss M Nolan - Secretaiy