North West Ufelong Learnlng Llmlted
Trustees Annual Report
North West Lifelong Learning
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Att 2(X16,
present their report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31
March 2023.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Company No. N1603130
Charlty No. N1104592
Prlnclpal Offlce
Roe Valley Support & Advice Centre
32 Main Street
BALLYKELLY
County Londonderry
BT49 9HS
Reglstered Offlce
32 Main Street
BALLYKELLY
County Londonderry
BT49 9HS
Dlrectors and Trustees
The Director5 of the charltable company are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law.
The following Dirertors and Trustees served during the year:
Elizabeth Ferguson
Mary Mcmahon
Matthew Ferguson
Company Secretary
Elizabeth Ferguson
Accountant5
Vale Accountants
11 Thorndale Terrace
BALLYMONEY
County Antrim
BT53 7AZ
Bankers
Unity Trust plc
4 Brindley Place
Birmingharn
BI 2JB
OBJEcfivES AND ACTniiTIES
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North West Llfelong Learnlng Umlted
Trustees Annual Report
The purpose of North West Lifelong Learning Ltd is to advance the education of the inhabitants of the North
West of Northern Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom as frorn time to time determined by need,
with the object of improving the conditions of life for said inhabitants. Education and associated support is
freely offered to those to those who are unemployed or who need to acquire new skills for either work
purposes or for increased social interaction by associating with statutory authorities, local agencies and
community/voluntary organisations.
The charity still maintsins a rural based exam centre for individuals completing 'self-studV courses. For the
third year running, the biggest increase in this fiscal year has been those undertaking study courses with the
Association of Accounting Technicians {A4T). Three trained invigilators are provided by Ceres Europe (Nl) Ltd
which still shares admin accommodation within the building at 32 Main Street Ballykelly. Pearson Vue exams.
which have been a core for NWLL since 2003 are still an essential part of the facility at NWLL and take place
on two dedicated days per month, providing extra income for the charity in terms of rental income. It must
be stressed that NWLL Ltd is still an essential part of the exam structure private provision in Northern Ireland,
especially in the North and North West and is still the only truly open exam centre for those wishing to take
their professional and compliance exams for workplaces and industry. The exam rooms have been inspected
and approved for suitability for exams. The Ceres Europe invigilation staff have been commended on their
willingness to accommodate both AAT & Pearson clients at short notice and work closely with NWLL
Directors to ensure the building structure remains in good condition. The charity still provides back to work
placements and training for those wlthout current work experience. There has always been free person to
person assistance and educational advice provided where required and this still continues as NWLL directors
invest in volunteers who remain a strong part of the main charity shop. A new five-year lease was signed in
November 2022.
The charity rernains committed to providing educational advice and open exam access for anyone wishing to
carry out their 5elf-study courses. As Limavady was chosen in 2018/19 as a medium town for the roll-out of
Universal Credit (UC), and once again (2023) this is due to happen to claimants who are due to mlgrate to
Universal Credit from other benefits, we have renewed our licence with Advice Nl to assist where possible
with basic ICT assistance and signposting to rnain Advice Nl centres immediately for advanced help. The lack
of knowledge of pension requirements and the need to create a Government Gateway account for access to
HMRC services has Still not been addressed sufficiently in this rural area and NWLL, with its superb
knowledge of how to work with older learners still remalns to the fore and we, as Trustees, have remained
with our original purpose of improving the ICT capability of those who are not computer or Internet savvy.
NWLL, as the leaseholder, still accomrnodates both Ceres Europe (Nl) Ltd {Community Education) and Roe
Valley Ancestral Researcher5 {a history group) to share the location and they both provide staff and volunteer
support to complete Admin duties. This sharing of costs towards heat, light and power bills is still very
welcome, and indeed essential, in this year of rising fuel costs and has played a key role in maintsining the
viability of all 3 organisations.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
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North West Llfelong Learnln8 Umlted
Trustees Annual Report
Within the village of Ballykelly, NWLL still remains a cornerstone for community services with an Advice
Centre, a charity shop run by volunteers, a meeting place, a reading room, a library, family history for the
area, and a focal point for young and mature of all ages. Staff, volunteers, and Directors undertook
Safeguarding training March 2023 as this remains an essential requirement. Free additional training was
given to those requiring Level l and Level 2 Food Safety, Health and Safety training and 1st Aid qualifications
to be able to work both in the Centre and part-time to other employers in both Limavady and Ballykelly fast
food outlets. Two female volunteers were able to take on Supported Employment outside NWLL via Jobs and
Benefits and one female volunteer was able to return to full-time employment after a tirne in the shop which
helped her self-confidence dealing with customers. NWLL signed on with NACN (North Antrim Communty
Network) and through them was successful in obtaining a Dept of Agriculture grant to completely revamp the
shop interior- rnaking it almost 'boutique' like, instead of 'just' a charity shop. This raised the morale of
everyone in the building and sales are steady, depending on the economy itself. Registration with NACN is
still free and is rnaintained for the enormous benefit gained from visiting other associations across the North
Coast. A small grant has encouraged the set up of a craft club, now entering a 2nd year in 2023 and with
support from NWLL, is increasing in strength. Education can have many different pathways.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The trustees consider the financial performance by the charity during the year to have been satisfactory.
The trustees have examined the charivs requirements for reserves in the liqht of the main risk to the
organisation. The working capital and future funding are dependent on establishing further resep4es going
forward.
STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
North West Lifelong Learning Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee and registered with both HMRC and the
Northern Ireland Charity Commission. Presently it has 3 Volunteer Trustees (2 female, I malel.
The charity invests heavily in establishing reliable and trustworthy long-term volunteers. This would be the
base from which to recruit volunteers. Existing trustees would recommend, interview and select whom to
appoint.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at
any tlme the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial ststernents
comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the
charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The above report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to
the small companies regime as set out in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the
Charities SORP (FRS 102).
Signed on behalf of the board
Elizabeth Ferguson
Company Secretary
31 March 2023
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