Charfty Reglstratlon No. NIC104639 Company Reglstratlon No. N1034595 (Northem Ireland) ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST LEGALAND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Thlstees Ms N Collins Mr C Neill Mr M Mullan Mr S Pollard Mr G Roberts Ms K Murphy {Appolnted 19 May 2022) Secretary Mrs Clara Rea Charlty numbar NIC104639 Company numbor N1034595 Roglstsrad offlea Ashton Centre 5 Churchill Street Belfast BT15 2BP Audltor GMCG BELFAST Chartered Accountants & Statutory Audltor Alfred House 19 Alfred Street Belfast BT2 8EQ Bankorn AIB 11-15 Donegall Square North Belfast BT15G8 Sollcltor8 Worthlngton8 2438 Gordon Street Belfa8t BT12LG
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST CONTENTS Pago Trustees, report 1-20 Independent audStorfs report 19-24 Group statement of financlal actlvltles 27-28 Group balance sheet 29 Charity balance sheet 27 Group statement of cash flows 31 Notes to th8 financlal statements 32-49
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The trustees present their annual report and financlal statements for th8 group for year 8nd8d 31 March 2023. The flnanclal stslements hav8 b88n prepared in accordance with the accounting pollcles set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charit5 Memorandum and Articles of Association the Companles Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reportlng by Charities.. Statement of R8comm8nded 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)" ObJectlve8 and acttvltles Ashton Communlty Trusvs objects are, by associating with statutory authoritie8. voluntary and community organisatlons and the inhabitants of North Belfast, to: advance community development by provlding facilltles and amenStles for and support and asslstance to community and voluntary groups and organlsations., advance héalth and w8llb8lng; r8li8V6 POV8rty; advance educatlon. relleve those In need by reason of youth, age.111-h8alth, disabllity, financial hardshlp or other disadvantsge; advance the arts, culture and heritage., provlde facllitles In th8 Interests of social welfare for recreatlon and other lelsure Ilme ocLupation8 With the object of ImprovSng the conditions of life for the $[dentS,. and promote rellgious and racial hamiony, equality and dlverslty. The trustees have pald due regard to guldance Issued by the Charity Commisslon for Northem Ireland In d8ddlng what actlvitles the charlty should undertake.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Achlevements and parforniance The following highlights some of the achiev8m8nts of the 2022-2023 financial year. Trnlnlng and Employmgnt Servlces During the year Ashton Training and Employment Services departm6nt delivered the Lemis+ Project in conjunction with our 4 'Belfast Works. partner organisations (East Belfast Mission, GEMS Nl, Impact Tralnlng and Upper Springfield Development Trust) and the CORE Proj8Ct, both of which wer8 funded through the European Soclal Fund. Glven th18 source of fundlng was to c8a88 on 31 March 2023 and with no replacement fundlng in plac8, Training and Employment staff perfomied admirably throughout the year, successfulty engaglng wlth 4,350 partldpants, 2,048 of whom enter8d training and 1,300 gained employment. Thls was due to followlng a hollstlc approach that focus8d on the overall heatth, wellbeing and, Ind88d, Ilfestyie of each Individual cllent. Consequently, Training and Employm8nt Services was able to Identlfy and develop new opportunitl8s for those cllents that Improved not onty thelr employabilty and educatlonal outcomes but also their general quality of life. Through fundlng from the Department of Communlt18s an 'E8sential Skllls, (English, Maths and ICD programme was a180 able to be pmvlded to local Indlvlduals by dedlcated tutor8. Chlldcaro and Famlly Support Sorvlce• Klnderklds Daycarn The year 2022-2023 was a busy y88r for the childcare provlslon in many aspects. Klnderklds Daycare re-opened the Cliftonville Road branch of the chlldcare provlslon, whilst consolldatlng the chlldcare offerlng at the McSwe8ney Centre, Henry Place site. During the year one of the maln areas focused on by management W89 ensuring that all staff were trained In 'Adverse Chlldhood ExpeTlences', ensurfng that the childcare offering provlded was on8 of a trauma-focused approach. Additlonalty staff a180 embarked on trainlng wlthln the 'Solihull Approach Framawork, to enhance the chlldcare offering. As 80clety emerged from the effects of a global pandemic, Kinderkids, maln focus in the year was to provide a hlgh- qualty, child and family centred approach. In the past year 315 chlldren attended Kinderkids daycare, enabllng 243 parents to enter or remain in employment, whlle 60 children 'deemed at risk, were offered childcare places to support them and thelr families. Looklng ah8ad Kinderkld$ Cliftonvllle Road will open thelr Afterschool provision in September 2023. Klnderklds Daycare Is now proud to be Ulster Unbversllvs Childcare provkler of cholce.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Family Support Hub Th8 Lower North Belfast Famlly Support Hub Contlnued to provlde early intervenllon servlces for familias and young people requiring support. The Hub brings logether organisallons that deliver early inlenienlion services to children and young people from 0-18 years old and their parents or carers. The Hub includes community, statutory and voluntary family support services. During the year the Family Support Hub was able to operat8 nomialty In processing referrals and all service provlders are now Interacting with families face-to-face. The Hub membershlp stands at 69 individual members who ar8 abl8 to provid8 8arfy InterntIon 8ervice8 to any Tier 2 families that have been referred. The maln source of referral was community referrals, closely followed by self-referrals. During the year the Hub processed 294 referrals. over twice the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust contracted amount of 144. The most requested servlce during this time was one-towone family support at home, particularly for primary4chool chlldren dlsplaylng emotlonal, social or behavioural challenges. During this tlme there was also an increasing d8mand for financial support and the Belfast Hub network was able to secure £3,900 of supermarket vouchers which were then distributed to 52 families who were most In need. Th8 Famity Support Hub also strength8ned their links with Child and Adolescent Mental H8alth S8rvic8s (CAMHS) Including facilitallng 'Dealing with Big F881ing$' training which was offered to all Hub providers and attended by over 30 members. CommunltyFamlly Support Programm• Slmllar to Ihe Lemls+ and CORE projects wlthln Tralnlng and Employment Sepiices, the Communlty Famlly Support Programm8 was also funded by a European Social Fund grant, and hence It's funding ended on 31 March 2023. During the year the programme st511 met all of Its targets Includlng 49 enrolments, 10 cllents entering employment, 8 enterlng tralnlng and 7 cllents completing Ihelr OCN In Community Development. Durlng the year all of the tearn accompanled 40 adults and chlldren to the Amiagh Planetarium for a family day event. Thls programme v8 a great way to have a positive impact on the hardest to reach famllies $018 a Ios8 to the su5te of services offered by Ashton's Family Support team. Earfy Int•Nantlon Famlty Support ProJ•ct Ashton has now completed year 3 of th5s project where Belfast Charitable Society funded tsvo Family Support Workers to provlde one-tfrone home vlsltlng support to approximatety 60 familles referred through the North Belfast Famlly Support Hubs. Thare was also funding of £7,000 available for sup8rmark8t vouchers whlch allowed approximataly 100 famlllas In need across all of North Belfast to be supported. Durfng the last financlal year 54 famllles benefftted from receiving 8upamiarket vouchers, whlle 78 famllies, comprlslng 93 parents and 136 chlldren. were supported by home vislts. The two-fold approach was aimed at improvlng family relatlons, enhandng famlly functionality and increaslng famlly resilience. The team also continued to advocate on behalf of families as necessary, wtth schools and the Education Authority being two examples. This Family Support Servlce has enhanced the work of the Family Support Hubs In North Belfast who had prevlously Identlfied that home vlsttatlon famlly support was a gap in its offering of servlces to famllles.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Heafth and Wellbelng Servlces (Brldge Of Hope) During th8 y8ar the Health & Wellbelng department worked hard to both n5011date and develop the S8TViC8S delivered to those In need of support. In Juty 2022 the team relocated from Mcsweeney Centre back to Bridge of Hope's roots in the Ashton Centr6. This tumed out to be a Iruly posltlve experience and has had a great impact on both our Servi delivery and the team itself. Thls move has offer8d many new opportunities, including the development of a Child & Family Therapy Room. new enhanced training room, access to smallèr meeting rooms for one-to-one meetings with clients and a ground floor unit which is there to welcome people who can drop in as they walk past. The new locatlon also allowed the Health and Wellbeing team the opportunity to davelop closer working relationships with colleagues across the rest of Ashton. The team have been able to work collaboratively on cross- departmental inilialive8 to help support those most in need and provlde a holistic wrap around serwce to those individuals walklng through the door. As the b8glnning of the year the Health and Wellb81ng departmont contlnued to deliver th8 Communlty Navlgator 'Plnk T-shlrt, pilot in the Roy81 Victorla Hospital's Accldent & Emergency Dèpartment. In partnership with Start 360 and Belfast Health & Soc181 Care Trust themselves, thls pllot contlnued to provSde support to patlents in emotlonal and Situational crisls. Due to th8 pllot's obvious success, and at the request of the Trust's Mental Health Team, it then expanded into the delFvery of Observation support. This s8rvlc8 then saw Community Navlgators provlding one-tOne observation support for patlents, psychosoclally supportlng them through obsenlatlons while awalting admlsslon to a mental health In-patient bed. Often these observations could last for qulte some tlme, and so the Community Navlgator8 were innovative In their engagement with th8 patl8nts, including completing jlgsaws, drawlng and playlng cards and taking the tlme to engage with them. Both schemes have be8n 8Xtr8m8ty successful In supporting patients but also In building relationships wlth the medical and Mental Heafth Llaison Teams withln the Royal's A&E Department. SubJ8Ct to the funding pressure8 wlthln the Health Service generally, the department look forward to bulldlng on thls vmrk In the 2024-2024 financlal year. Durlng th8 year, the team contlnued to provlde the highest quality of health and well-being support to Individuals Impacted by suldde and 8elf-hami, by poor mental healih and emotional well-belng and those Impacted by the conflict. Throughout the year personal development funding allowed the department to support 766 vlcllms and suN5vors, giving them the opportunity to engage in a wide range of 74 programmes. These proved to be both popular, and on the basis of feedback r8c8iV8d, w8re hugely successful. Durlng the year the department fvrther supported 1,048 Individuals through Ihe dellvery of 4,860 complementary therapy sessions. In addltlon. 987 servtce users engaged In our BACP- accredited counselling servlce, dellvered both face-ttrface and via telephone, re[vIng 4,449 sessions of one-tone support. Thls blended approach to servlce delivery allowed hard-towreach Indlvlduals engag8 with the sepAces offered. Throughout the year th8 Pension Welfare Officers wltnessed an increase in referrals from victims and sutvlvors for support in completing and submitting thelr applications lo the Troubles Pemanent Disablement Payment Scheme. The team supported 159 victims and survivors this year in th8 submis8ion of thelr applications. Th8 H8alth and Wellbelng Caseworkers contlnued to work hard supportlng victims and survivor5, offering wellbeing support to 288 individuals and supporting them accessing Servlces to help improve their health and wellbeing. Thanks to fundlng from the Victims & Survivors Se1 the department were able to offer additional se1$ to those within the local communty who were socially isolated. Thes8 included lunches for local pensioners, day trips. family outlngs. visits to local attractions for young people as well as training in areas such as candle making, wreath making, and attendan at Health & Wellbeing residentlals. Over 450 individuals engaged in these events, allowing socialty isolated Indlvlduals to make friends and fomi relationships whlch have continued after the events.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Youth & Art5 Programme8 New Lodge Youth Centra The Youth Centre facilitates needs-based youth provlslon for young people aged 5-18 every Monday to Saturday night. On average over 75 young people attend the Youth C&ntr6 each night. In addition, a wlde-Tange of programmes were run throughout the year. some of whlch ar8 d8SCtibed below: SPARK - 10 young people who were identified as at risk of involvement in bonfire involvement wer8 engaged on a 5-month long project. This project focused on decision-making, personal & social development and Increased positive participation In thelr community. As part of the project the young people completed many social action projects such as community clean ups. Engag•- This project works with belween 80-100 young people on a weekly basis In th8 New Lodge and Ardoyne areas, challenging and supportlng young people who are engaging in risk-taking behavlours. Thls project has been vital in supportlng young people involved in the youth justice system, soclal services and thosé who are not attending formal education. Th8 past five moderation visits from Education Authority have resulted In an 'Outstanding' grade for this project. Key aspects of thls work are facilltated in New Lodge and Ardoyne Youth Clubs. schools and on an outreachldetached basis. Soclal Acllon Work- Durlng the year young people completed 12 social action projects In the New Lodge community. These Included communlty clean ups, online campalgns, Christmas events for both young people wrth dlsabllltles and pension8rs, a Christmas Appeal drlve as well as in-centre events. Quallflcatlon8 & Accrodltatlon8 - Durlng the year 5 courses were providad for young people. Young people participated in OCN Level 2 courses Includlng youth leadershlp, mentoring and peer mentorlng. Outroach l Detached Work - ThroughoLrt the year young peop18 were supported wlth slgnpostlng, by the dellvery of detached projects In partnershlp wlth n8ighbouring youth organi8ation8. by running d8tach8d Inltlatives during contentious periods such as 12th July and 8th of August. Mèntorlng 40 young p8ople ware supported In a one-towone capaclty, which Induded developlng resilience, how to deal wlth Issues, signposting and upskilllng. Romanla Project - In September 2022 and March 2023 28 young people (In total) travalled to Baraolt In Romanla In partnershlp wh Ardoyne Youth Club. The young 0p1a explored various Issues such as leadership. volunteering, cullure and ralslng aspirations. Each project entailed young people volunt8ering prfor and during their trip worklng wtth young people with disabilities. elderly, Ilving In poverty as well as young 0p18 of similar ages. Schoo18 Work - During the year th8 Youth Centre team facilitated schools projects in partnership wlth St. Patrick's Primary School. Blessed Trinity College and Edmund Rlce Coll@g6. They supported 120 young people through the schools work In group work programmes Includlng lead8rship and soclal activity. T.BUC Project - Our T;BUC project wlth Mountcollyer Youth Centre included 20 young peopl8 from N Lodge and Tiger's Bay partldpatlng on a group work programme flnlshlng with a resldential in Newcasue. Th8 project was moderated by a T:BUC representative and received an 'Outstanding' moderation score.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 New Lodge Arts New Lodge Arts continued to make a positiv8 impact on young people, supporting thelr personal and social development, creativity and bulldlng aspirations. The Arts Academy Is at th8 cor8 of New Lodge Arts. work. During the year 14 weekty ¢lasses were delivered to 139 young people and four classes to over 25 adults. The programme content expanded to include guitar lessons for chlldren. young people and adults following requests from across th8 community. The array of weekly classes continued to stimulate creatlvity, build self-8Steem and develop th8 confidence of participants. The Stepplng Stones after-schools programme for children with emotlonal, social and behavioural challengeg contlnued wllh 25 children particlpatlng In the weekly classes from September 2022 to February 2023. New Lodge Arts, commltment to the promotion of Good Relations was evident through the Communlty Prlda Programmo which was d81ivered throughout the year. This programme allowed Cross-community working with schools and groups across North Belfast. Youth dovelopmont contlnued to provide progresslon opportuniti8s for partlclpants through laadershlp programmes. volunteerlng at events and social actlon InitiatlV8S. New Lodge Arts led on Several actlvllle8 during th8 summer 2022, whlch were Included in tha New Lodge Fe8tlval programme. Activities Snduded, to name a few.. The Dam Proud Cultural Event at Llgoneil Darn In partnershlp wlth th8 council to encourage better use of the park The Family Fun Day element of Gloves off at Glrdwood, a youth boxSng event that took place at Glrdwood Community Hub. Two North Belfast Blke Raves wlth over 50 people taklng part in a 5 mile cycle route across North Belfast. 'See M8 Not My Label,, a short film produced In partnershlp with the 174 Trust youth dlsabillty group. Tlny's Arts Academy presented 'Shr8k' with 20 children aged 6-8 years old. 60 people made up of friands and famlly attended the final performanc8 In GSrdwood Hub. 'Bugsy' was performed in North Queen Street Communlty Centre Involving 22 young people aged 8-11 years. The Senior Arts Academy presented 'Matllda' to audlences of over 1000 people In the MAC through three sold-out audiences. 24 young people partlclpated in the programme aged 11-17 years. Partnor•hlp Interventlons contlnued through work with varlous partners Including: New Lodge Youth Centre through the delivery of several InteNention Inltlatives over the summer aimed at 8UPPOrting young people at rlsk of engaglng in risk-taking behavlour. ArtEz Unlverslty of th8 Arts, Netherlands. were based wlih New Lodge Arts from April to June 2023. Th8 artists In residence were studylng at Masters degree level and exploring the role of socially engaged practic6 and artlstlc research that puts art to work In the name of equality and soclal Jusdce. The Sprlng Famlty Fun Day took place on Saturday 25th March In Alexandra Park and was attended by over 300 people. Our young leaders designed and programmed the event, created the interactive art work for th8 gymkhana game, facilitated the planting of hanglng baskets and pots, facllitated an Easter Egg treasure hunt and undertook varlous other volunteeting actlvltles. The Arts and Older Poople Programme, 'A Night on the Tlles,, engaged older New Lodge re8Sdents through weekly sessions delivered in New Lodge Arts. Studio, and weekly sessions with resldents in Clifton House Nursing Home, Carllsle Day Centre, Families Beyond Confllct and Newington Day Centre.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Community Development The Community Developm8nt d8partm8nt continued to build upon the existing areas of hlgh-quality work. Key themes this year w8r6'. Greater New Lodge Communlty Empowerment Partnership (GNLCEP) Communlty Infomatlon and Communications Systems Annual Gr8at8r N8w Lodge Community Festival Ulster University Neighbourhood Forum Garden Grid Strategy York Street Interchange GNLCEP and Communlcatlons Systems The GNLCEP met regularly, exchanged infomiation and collaborated on a wld8 range of issues includlng the New Lodge Festival, houslng, communlty safety, the Communltles In Transition programme, Youth Development, the Garden Grid Strategy, the GNL Community Magazine and general communlcatlons, local anll-poverty programrnes, the York Street Interchange, Ulster Universlty, unwanted bonfire management and the Sevan Hills Proj8Ct. These processes enabled local residents and groups to get to meat and share ideas, Information and resourc8S, access seNfces, Interacl wlth each other and partlcipate in d8cision-maklng, mediatlon and negotiation, community activlty and hold Community and statutory agencles to account. M88tings, soclal Interconnectlon both In-person and uslng soclal medla, 8mall and phone networks were malntalned on a daily basls ensurlng regular exchange of Informatlon and updates. The regular productlon of the communlty magazine was also malntalned wlth door-to-door d81iv8ry of each edition. Communlty Festlval Thls year's Festival programme Included over 45 events dellvered to total audi8nc8s of over 4,000 people. The Festlval took place over a 14 day perlod In August and there really was something for everyone to enjoy. Various meetlngs of the Festlval steering group took place and a F8Stlval Programme brochure was publlclsed and dlstrlbuied to the local community In both hard copy and electronlc fom. Ulster UnlversltyNelghbourhoodForum Throughout the period regular engagement has been maintained wlth and belween r6sldents. communSty groups, UU, building contractors, student accommodation providers, Belfast Clty Councll and other statutory agenci8S through the Nelghbourhood Forum m8chanlsm. Although the8e engagements have often been challenglng they have also been very useful In empowering resldents to address various issues resulting from the Ulster Unfversity relocation process. Ongolng demolitlon and construction processes contlnued to bring issues of ex¢esslv8 noise, pollution. nlght-time worklng, rodent infestation. traffi¢ and parking issues, dèanslng and maintenance Issues as well as a host of other problems. The arrlval of thousands of students, 8tsff and vlsltors presents evolving challenges that wlll requlre contlnuous attention by the forum. Garden Grld The Garden Grld strategy has contlnu8d to d8v81op. Th8 main focus continued to ba on projects at Henry Plac8 and Upper Meadow Street. The space at Henry Place has undergone significant tran5formatlon with the ultimate Intentlon of establishing a c8ntral operational hub th8r8 to help roll out the overall Garden Grid strategy. A contsiner has been put in place to be used for meeting and storage purposes. l+ifjth the help of Groundwork Nl and a numb8r of local volunteers this site ha5 been cleared of dense bramble and dead vegetation In preparatlon for a planting area. Work is ongoing with volunteer strategy being developed alongside. Work to the Spa at Upper Meadow Street has been well advanced Local young people have been at the heart of this process with over 100 of them taking part in th8 planning and design process. The ideas of the young people are gradually being converted into reality. turnlng thls once derelict space into an activity and garden space.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 York Street Interchange Th8 team continue to respond and repr888nt th8 local community In relation to plans to construct the new Interchange. Thls has Induded respondlng to the Department for Infrastructure's Placemaking and Active Travel Revlew report. There has been engagement and fac8 to face meetings wlth DFI officials, AECOM and members of the Place Making and A¢tlv8 Travel Revlew Panel. These procasses ar8 in progress including continuing deliberations with DFI about an alternative plan and engineerlng reports, created in partnershlp with Alan Baxt8r Ltd (London). We contlnue to promot8 a community vision of placemaklng that Is based on aulhentlc Ilved 8xperience and perspe¢tiV8. Thls vislon indudes effectively reconnectlng North Belfast to the river and city centr8 in order to create a better living envlronment and a new and mor8 successful nelghbourhood for everyone. We are also suggesting that slgnificant public lands could be saved by a more efficient deslgn and the88 could be invested Into a 'Land Trust,. The values of such a Land Trust would include a low-carbon future, an inherent flood barrier, good urban design and place. vibrant Ilvlng streets, actlve people and connections, green space Ilnks, co- operatives and social value. Project8 Communltles In Transltlon- H•alth & Wellbelng The programme fostered collaboration and ¢onn8Ctlon across the iwo CIT areas of New Lodge and Ardoyne, where people co-planned. Covdeslgned and co-produced various acuvltles, events and training programmes to improve their heah and wellbelng. Thls year's programm8 was made posslble by our 46 Champions and BefrlendeTS, as well as the professlonalism and expertlse of Ashlon staff and our communlty partners, Tralnlng was provlded to various groups of people Sn the local communlty. SUGh as young people. resldents, volunteers and staff of dffterent organisatlons. The tralnlng helped them to develop their skills and knowledge in health and wellbelng. and to 8UPPOrt others In thelr area. The tralnlng covered toplcs such as., First Ald dellvered by St John Ambulanc6 (PHAAccredlted) Mental Health Flrst Ald Children's Flrst Ald Beekeeping OCN Level 1 and 2 in Personal Development, Mental Health Awaranas8 and Peer Mentoring Three health and wellbelng Interyentions were also delivered that were based on the needs and Interests of Ihe community. The first inlerventlon, 'Youth engagement,, was for young adults who were not involved In community activities and were at risk of antisocial, criminal and coercive behavlour. They partiCApated In an 8-week programme that focused on thelr emotional, physical. and heaMh & wellbeing. The programme was a partnership betsveen Iwo local Gaelic Athletic Association dubs, CLG Ard Eoln In Ardoyn8 and CLG Padraig Pearses In New Lodg8. The second int8rvention, 'Anti-Poverty-Cost of livlng Crlsls,, was deslgned to help the most vulnerabla residents by glvlng th8m practical items and ski115 to cope with the Cost-of-living-crisis. The programme was intended to alleviate the need for residents to resort to moneylenders or engage in petty crirninal activities as a means to sustain Ihamselves and their families durlng the lead-up to Christmas. Residents recelved Items such as energy saving light bulbs, blankets, slow cookers. alr tyers, hot water bottles and attended health and wellbeing events during the winter months.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) {CONTINUED) FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The third inteNenlion, 'Ashton Community Trust Volunteer Pathway Centre,, was established lo make Ashton Community Trust the main volunteer centre for North Belfast. It was a pilot programme that offered residents the opportunity to becom8 voluntoers in onè of lh8 five pathways that wer8 created. The pathway5 wer8: Social Volunteers Pathway to Tralnlng and Employment Pathway to Health and Wellbeing Pathway to Soclal Incluslon Pathway to Rehabilitatlon Five health and wellbeing activities were also organlsed In the local ar8a In partnership wlth various community partners. The a¢lSvitles included: Wlnter Health is your W6alth Music for the Mind Fun In Ihe Sun Tal Chl outdoor classes Antl-poverty School Unlform pop-up shop and Health and Wellbeing for asylum seekers Women's Group Th18 Department for CommunFtles funded programme had 81x key oblectlves: to Identlty and recrult women who would benefit most from the support and guld8nce provided to provlde tralnlng and support to women empowerSng them wlth skllls. knowledge and confldence to Increase the number of women Involved in declslon-maklng roles wlthln thelr communities to Increa8e communlty capaclty bulldlng to Improve mental health and emotional wellbeing to support familles and str8ngth8n tha famlty unit. Durlng th8 P8rlod of th8 programme th8 women took on the following projects.. Their second 'Women's Health Day,, whlch was held in Glrdwood Community Hub. There were over 15 information stalls from organlsatlons such as Women's Ald, Breast Cancer Screening, The Heart Project, Newington Housing Assoclatlon, Th8 Parent Rooms, Cancer Llfellne and Smile SurestarL There was also prtvate space to relax and unwind with art, yoga, Reiki, retlexology and acupuncture on offer. Took part In a photography courses as part of thelr personal developmenL The participants captured Images and stories from local women living In Belfast, shared experiences whlch gave way to empowerlng the women to venture Into places of the cty to which they have never been. Christmas Toy Appeal. thls prolect concentrated on families who may struggle during the Christmas period. Staff, contractors and suppliers of Ashton donated both pr&loved toys and new toys to this appeal. A Christmas grotto was created in Mc Sweeney for parents to attend and plck toys for their children. It supported 70 famili8s (127 children) across the Neighbourhood Renewal areas. The project also received funds from Department for Communities Freshstart Programme. During the year the following projects were managed by the Chlldcar8 and Family Support team.
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 'The Panty. Soclal Supemiarket The Pantry soclal supermarket comm8nced In April 2022 and has been a great success and asset to the Family Support offering available at the Ashton Centre. A start up grant was secured from Belfast Charitable Society, enabling the shop fit-out and purchase of the initlal stock. Th8 Northem Ireland Housing Executive provided two year funding to cover the Cowordinators salary. Other funding has come from Belfast City Council, community partners, as well as prlvate comapnl8S. In Its first year 81 families engaged with The Pantry. This consisted of 316 individuals provlded with food weekly for a p8riod of 12 weeks. Of the 81 families, 53 received Income maxlmlsalion advice and 38 récéived debt advice. Additionally 28 families engaged within Training and Employment programmes with a further 13 individuals entering Into volunteering. Communlty Frfdg• Fundlng to stsrt-up th8 communlty frldge was recelved from Hubbub, with the frldge opening at the Ashton Centr8 in August 2022. The frldge opens Tuesday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm, however th8 peak tlme18 9am when many people arrive at the Ashton Centre lo access the free food and speak to oth8r Ashton staff on issu88 they require advlce or BUPPOrt wlth. The concept bahlnd the communlty frldge Is to prevent food Items going to landtlll when they can be re-U88d by people requiring food support. Ashton has worked dos8ly wlth Lldl. who donate food a few tlmes a week to the communSty fridge. Slnce its Inceptlon In August 2022 1,874 kg of food has been r&dlstributed and thera have been 779 vlsltors to the frldge belween August 2022 and March 2023. AntH1ortY PmJe¢ts A popup uniform 8hop took place In August 2022 when new, nearfy new and prfrloved items were dlstributed to over 330 familieg. In Odober 2022 a wami clothes pop-up shop developed and th1$ ran untll March 2023 with many people receiving free wam clothes. On th8 ftrst day alone In excess of 100 p80ple attended thls popup 8hop. A major plece of work whlch took place thls year was the co-ordinatlon and dellvery of the Fuel Hardshlp Scheme on behalf of Belfast Cty Councll. Vouchers to the value of £82,000 were distrlbuted to families experiencing fu81 hard8hlp. AdditionalEy partnershlp worklng with the McDonald Centre Saw £2,000 of fuel voucher8 distrlbuted to people over 50 years resldlng in the New Lodge area. In partnershlp wlth North Belfast Advice Partnershlp, a benefits dlnic ig also available weekly at the Ashton Centre. Here support and advlce Is offered on benefit Issues, housing and accurate complelion of fomis. 10-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Flnanclal review Overall net expenditure for the year was £145.076 (2022 - £125,187). Unrestrlcted funds Increased by £10,174 and restricted fvnds fell by £155,250. As will b8 8xplain8d b61ow, the end of European Social Fund programmes unfortunately led to a number of staff posts, mainly within the Training & Employment Services department but also Family Support, being made redundant at a cost of £114,274. Following a review of fixed assets, looklng at both usage and conditlon. the decSslon was taken to writeaoff all office equlpment and furnlture and fittlngs purchased prior to April 2017. This resulted in a loss on disposal in the 2022-2023 year of £37,854. If It were not for these trrto Item8, net Income for the year would have been £7,052. Income from charitable activitles was £5,506.626, 96% of the total income of £5,708,321. Of thls total £2,180,108 (400A) came from unrestdcted sources wlth £3.326,518 coming from restricted 80urces. Trainlng & Employment Servl¢e8 contributed G. 25'h of the incom8 from charitable actlvlties. The majority of thi8 fundlng related to the Lemls+ and CORE programmes. These received funding from the European Social Fund (admlnlstered In Northern Ireland by the Department for the Economy) with match funding from the Department of Ecy)nomy. Followlng Brexlt, 2022-2023 was the fin81 year of the ESF funding. The Lemi8+ programme was delivered In partnershlp wlth East Beffast Misslon, GEMS, Impact Training and th8 lead partner Upper Springfield D8V81opm8nt Trust. Both th8 L8mls+ and CORE programme8 provided guidance. support and trainlng throughout the year and continued to develop and adapt theSr servlce delivery model. Fundlng was also received from the Department for Communities for Essential Skllls tralnlng (Engllsh. Maths and ICT). Chlldcare & Famlly Support SeNlces contrlbuted c. 26% of the Income from charitable actlvitles. Of thls 78% relates to the Klnderklds Daycare. Kinderkids aims to provide affordable day care provislon which breaks- even from a flnanclal p8rspectlv8. Thls Is only posslble each year due to grants recelved by Kinderkids, one from the Department for Communlties (c. £114k) and one from the Pathway Fund (£30k). The Lower North Belfast Famlly Support Hub Is managed by Ashton (wlth fvndlng rec8lved from Belfast Heatth & Social Care Trust), who also delivered a Communty Famlly Support Programm8 (with ESF funding administered by Upper Springfield Development Trust). Similar to the two Trainlng & Employment Servrces sthemes the latter ha8 now 8nded due to the end of th8 fiindlng. During the year fundlng contlnued to be recelved from Belfast Charilable Sorjety allowlng the Early Intervention Family Support Programme to conllnue. This programme funds iwo part-lime staff to support families and also contributes towards the costs of school unlforms and allows vouchers to b8 distribut8d to families in need. Vlctlms and Mental Health Servlces contribute c. 30Yo of the income from charltable adivitles. Approxlmatety 52% of this funding is received from the Victims and Supiivors Service. This is a multi-year grant which Includes an element of Peace IV funding covering the staff costs of two caseworkers. During the year the pilot 'Pink T-shirt, projed continued and expanded, promding Navigation and Observatlon support servlces to Belfa8t Health & Social Cara Trust in the A&E Department of the Royal Victorla Hospital. Income In relatlon to Youth & Arts Programmes exceeded £700k during 2022-2023 This was mainly for the New Lodge Youth Club which received numerous grants from the Education Authorty, along with additional funding from Belfast City Council and Newington Housing Association. Funding of £100k was recelved from the Communlty Relations Councll In relatlon to the North Belfast Strategic Good Relations programme. Communlty Development reIVed £142k income during the year. Although a relativety-modest amount, this work is central to the elhos of Ashton Community Trust. Funding was received this year from the Natlonal Lottery Community Fund for the 'City Neighbourhood, project, the D8partm8nt for the Communltles for the Inner North Neighbourhood R8n8bval proj8Ct and Belfast City Council for the Capacity Building project. 11
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Ashton Community Trust also manages a number proJects, some of which may be short-term in nature. During th8 year Ashton opened a social supermarket, 'The Panlry,, which attracted grant income from Nl Houslng Executive to fund the Project Cfrordinator, Belfast Charitab18 Society for set-up costs and additional amounts from Trusts & Foundations as well as Indlvldual donations from the publlc. for which we are particularly 8ppr8ciative. Over £130k was received from the Executlve Offic6 in relation to the Communit18s In Transitlon Health & Wellbeing programme. In addition £90k was rec8lv8d from Belfast City Council to manage Fuel Poverty Hardshlp Fund monies within North Bewast. Thè associat8d total expenditure on charilable activities was £5,714,313. Approxlmately 61 % of these costs relate to staff costs (in Ilne with many similar charitable organlsallons). Service delivery within Vlctlms and Mental Health S8rvices is reliant on a group of dedlcated self-employed counsèllors and theraplsts. A tender exercis8 for the provision of these services is Caled out each year to maintain quality, ensurlng that all those delivering services continue to meet required standards. Capltal expenditure thSs year was modest. amountlng to G £25k, £11k on IT and £14k on office equipment and furniture. The financlal results are set out In detail on pages 27 to 49. Re6tr1ctsd lund• Restrfcted fund8 ar8 subject to speclfic trusts, ordinarily stipulated by the donor. Grant fundlng tends to ba restrlcted In nature. The total of restrlcted funds carrfed forward at the balance sheet date18 £254,219. Doslgnat•d fund• Designated funds are those unrestrlcted reserves that have been allocated for a partlcular purpose by the trustees. The fixed asset reserve, amounting to £513.947, equates to the nel book value of the charity's tanglble fixed assets whlch are used on an on-golng basis to dellver the charity's alm8. Ashton Communlty Trust have over many years loaned funds to Ashton Centre Development Llm5ted. These are treated as a Programmprre18ted (or social) Investment. Thes8 Inv8Stments were made dlrectty in pursult of the organi8atSon'8 charltable purpo888. Al 31 March 2023 th8 level of deslgnated funds was £1,531,178. General fund8 General funds are those unrestrfcted fund8 which have not been deslgnated for speciflc purposes by the Board. At 31 March 2023 the level of general funds or Yree reserrfes, was £691,844. Golng concorn The trustees confirm that, in their opinion, the organlsatlon is a going concem. Although three projects ended on 31 March 2023 due to the finish of the Northem Ireland-wide European Sodal Fund Programme, additlonal funding was granted by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the Bellast Works 'Connect' project which18Sts until March 2025. staff have been recruited for th18 project on fixed-term contracts. The trust88s are also satisfied that, should it be necessary, the organisatlon can be duly right-sized to enable li to continue in operatlonal existence for the foreseeable future. 12-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Prlnclpal rl8k8 and uncertalntles The risks to which the charity is exposed are assessed by the Audit and Risk Committee throughout the year. The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee then presents the principal risks to the Board for discussion and agreement on what th8 r8spons8 to those risks should be. Dependlng on the clrcumstance the Board may declde to: avoid the adlvity altogether, If Ihey judge the risks to be too high,. transfer th8 risk by taking out insuranc8 COV8r', develop a response plan to mitigate the effects of an extemal rlsk. put controls In place to manage some rlsk but ultlmately accept a resldual risk. Rlsks are assessed on both the potential impact to th8 charity as well as the likelihood that the rlsk might happen. Given the nalur8 of many of Ashton's adivities, safeguardlng Is deèmed a slgnlflcant rlsk area. Failure to adequately protect children, young peopl8 and vulnerable adults would have a serlous impact on Ashton's reputatlon and S8Nice-delivery viability. To mitigate this risk training is provided al all levels, Board. staff and volunteers, In addition, there are nomlnated Safeguardlng Officers, Access Nl checks are carrled out and all gov8mm8nt advic8 and guldance Is followed. There remalns a rlsk around funding under the current business model lo ensure long- term sustainability givèn the Impact of factors outslde the organlsallon's control such as Increases In the National Llving Wage and the significant Increases In utility costs. ere posslble costs are mlnlmlsed, and Ashton continues to lialse wlth funder8 over re- profiling budgets to cover these unprecedented Increases. Th8 scale and fundlng of th8 busln88818 belng negatlvely Impacted by the continuing politlcal Instablllty, prlmarlly at reglonal level. Th18 has created a risk of reduced fundlng opportunitles and delays in the emergence of new funding opportunltles such ag Peace Plus. Ayhton contlnues to engage wlth a wlde range of stakeholders to enable existing 8ervices to contlnue running and to develop work-arounds where necessary. Ashton malntalns Insurance cover conslstent with other provlder8 In the sector In whlch it works and sufflclent to meet the 8tlpulation8 of fundlng bodle8. Ashton al80 purchases professional Indemnlty Insurance on behalf of Its dlrector8 and officers. The trustees have a58essed the major rf8ks to whlch the charlly18 exposed, and are 8atl8fied that 8y8tem8 are in place to mltlgate exposure to the major rlsk8. 13-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Plans for futura perlod8 Ashton continues to develop partnerships that will benefft th8 North Belfast community. Wth regard to $8rvic8 delivery our plans are as follows.. Tralnlng and Employment Servlces In the final days of March 2023 Ashton were informed that the Belfast Works consortium bid to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the 'Connect' project had been successful. This project, which will run until March 2025, allowed a number of staff who had previously been made redundant to be re-employed. Although there was no budget certalnty given the lack of a functionlng Executive, the Department for Communit188 funded 'lCT Employment & Skills, project was planned to run for another year. The department plan to offer a range of servlces to meet the needs of those economlcally Inactlve, such as,. A wellbelng, employment and mentoring servl¢e' Training based on gaps in the labour market., Trainlng designed to encourage 8elf-employment', One-towone employment 8UPPOrt; Deliverlng training in community venues: Providing links to local 9yms- and Providing links to local food bank8 and A8hton's own Soclal 8upemark8t. Chlldcarn and Famlly Support SeNlces During 2023-2024 the department plans to.. Open afterschool provlslon at Cllftonville Ktnd8rkids', Run a uniform pop-up shop. Support the provision of a mlnority l ethnic friendshlp group for families In North Belfast; Facllitate a disablllty support group for prlmary school children wlth the Ashton Centre; Secure funding allowing 'The Pantry, and other famlly services to continue: Actively engage In Ihe development of the emerging Chlldcare strategy,, and Further develop the Reglonal Communlty Daycar8 Network. Health and Wellbelng Servlces Durlng 2023-2024 the department's team of staff and sesslonal practitloners will contlnue to provlde high-quality servlces to support as many Indlviduals in need as posslble. Due to tho Impact of the Pink T-shlrt Communlty Navigator pllot during this year. the department will lobby for the extension and development of thi8 project which supports indlviduals in sltuatlonal and emotional crlse8. New areas of fvndlng will be sought to support the work of the department, for example PeacePlus funding whlch may be available from January 2024. Funding wlll also be sought to further develop the Reglonal Trauma Nelwork. 14-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Youth andArts Pmgrammes N8w Lodg8 Youth C8ntr8 plans to pmvide an indusive provision that will cater for all young people's needs. This will entail a summer programme, which will invotve a summer scheme for 5-18 year olds focusing on fun, relationship bulldlng and dlverslonary actlvitles. Key dates in the summer will include the run up to 12th of July and 8th of August In whlch our provlsion will provide positlV8 alternatives for young people to engage with rather than becoming involved in anti-social behaviour. The t8am will continue our dropln $81VIC8 for young people, which will engage 80-100 young people, agéd 5-18, per week. This service provides a comfortable and safe space for young people to be themselves, to grow and educate themselves under the guidance of the youth work practitloners. Group work programmes will continue with projects focusing on intemalional work, good relations, anti-social behaviour, social actions, leadershlp and health and wellbeing. As part of our group work proj8cts, we will run our Inteinatlonal project to Romanla where young people will take part in a voluntary trip worklng with multiple organisalions In a deprfved community in Baraolt. This work will invotve the young people worklng with young p8op18 With a disability, young peopla in car8 and in local 8chool8. Through the Engage project, the team will continue to work with young people who are deemed vulnerable in multiple areas including anti-social bèhaviour, crime, sectarianism and other Justice issues. Our project will contlnue to prowd8 1-1 mentoring, signposting, group work and outreach I detached support. Soclal actlon work wlll take place throughout the year with young people taklng the 18ad on Inltiatives such as Chrlstmas appeals. communlty clean ups, Campaigns and work with 8ld8rly p80pI8 Wlthin the community. Conllnulng to cel8brat8 young people's achievements will be a focus Wlthln tha Centre and It18 Intended to have a stakeholder event celebrating all our young people's achievements around the winter perlod. The Natlonal Lottery Communlty Fund project, 'Champlons for Change,, will commence In Aprfl 2023, engaglng young people In leadershlp projects, events and Inltlallves. Thls project will be facilitated In partnershlp wllh 174 Dlsablllty ProJect, Blessed Trlnrty College, St. Patrick's Primary School and Mountcollyer Youth Centra. The Youth C8ntr8 alm8 to provlde a holistlc approach to Its provi8ion and 88 such wlll contlnue to 8ngag8 wSth key stakeholders such as social servic88, the Youth Justice Agency, communlty and youth and m8ntal health organisations. NewLodg• Arts The Arts Academy wlll remaln central to New Lodge Art8, work, as wlll the Community Prlde Programme. It Is planned to develop the New Lodge Arts. Studlo in the 202&2024 year, to provkle a shared space for the local community to access high quality arts provision including music and digltal medla. It will also enable creatives to explore and bulld upon their practlce. expand thelr skills In digital sound r8cordlng, music production and digital medla, work closety with other'creatlves, and potentlally develop creatlve duster. New Lodg8 Arts are 8xdted to be part of a collaboration with Battersea Arts Centr8 and Contsct Theatre Manchester for The Agency project whlch will commence in September 2023. Thls project will support young people (aged 15-25) as social entrepreneurs, to make a difference and transfom thelr local area, in a way that they think is best. The Agency project will be a progression opportunity for young people with a passion affecting social change In their communltles. 15-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Communlty Development In addition to continuing the work of the Gr8ater New Lodge Communlty Empowennent Partnershlp and th8 Community Festlval. the d8partm8nt plans to.. Develop discussions between the Ulster Universily N8ighbourhood Forum and Belfast City Council about new physical designs planned for some sections of the local area. The department will work for co-design by local residents, gathering their thoughts and feelings, as well as considering their practical needs, issues and concerns. Develop the Garden Grld strategy further, develop exlstlng sltes and source fundlng for long-tenn sustainabillty. th regard to the York Street Interchang8, continue to promote a vision of place-maklng that Is based on lived experience and Inslghl. The department will engage with key stakeholders, while also providing support and informallon to local residents. Projects Communhles In Transltlon (CIT) Durlng 2023-2024 the programm8 plans to: Hold 4 programme infomiatlon workshops In Ardoyn8 and the New Lodge Re-8ngage and recruit 20 'Champlons' and 20 'Befrienders' Complete a Tralning Needs AnaSIS and provide training to the champlons and b8fri8nders Deliver 2 Outreach and Engag8m8nt Health & Wellbelng events Dellver 3 Health & Wellbeing inteNentions structuro, govomance and managemont Ashton Communlty Trust was incorporated by company limlted by guarantee on 5 August 1998. It Is govemed by Its Memorandum and Articles of Association (as updated 25 July 2012). It has no share capital and the guarantee of each member Is Ilmited. Ashton Communty Trust Is reglstered wlth the Charty Commlssion for Northem Ireland (GharSty reference NIC 104639) and Is recognlsed as a charity by HMRC under reference XR26284. Vl¥lon Our vlslon 18 'to create a safe, prosperous and caring community wher8 residents have pride and a Sense of ownership, 16-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Mission Our mission (or overall purpose) Is 'to promote posltlve change and improve the quality of life of th8 local communities. Core values Integrlty Inclusion Empowemient The trustees, who ar8 also the dlrectors for the purpose of company law. and who seNed durlng th8 year and up to the date of slgnature of the financial statements ware.. Ms N Collins Mr R Davlson Mr C Nelll MrT O'Reilly Mr M Mullan Mr S Pollard Mr G Roberts Ms K Murphy MrT Evan8 (Reslgned 19 May 2022) (Resigned 14 August 2023) (Appointed 19 May 2022) (Reslgned 17 November 2022) Oryanl•atlonal 8tructuro The charlty Is governed by trustees who are also directors for company law purposes. Unless Otherlse dèt8nnin8d by the company at a g8n6ral m88ting the numb8r of directors shall not be less than 4 or mora than 12. Th8 dlrectors are elected by its members on an annual basls. The Board ensures the good governance of the charlty by settlng its strategic objedlves and policy dlrectlon through the creatlon of a strategic plan and monitorlng progress against that plan on a regular basls. Ashton's current strateglc plan covers th8 perfod 2023 to 2026. Havlng assessed both the strateg1¢ context and th8 ststistical cont8xI, having carrled out an extensive stakeholder engagement process and havlng carri8d out SWOT and PESTLE analyses, Ashton's straleglc prfor5tles, both external and Intemal, were agreed and a dellvery framework has been designed. The Board meets (on average) 8 times per year. A number of Su)mMIttee8 SUPPOrt the work of the Board: The Audit and Risk Commlttee., The Finance and Personnel Commlttee: and The Nominations and Remunerallons Committee. New Board members r8celv8 indudion training to brief them on their roles and responsibilitles, their legal obligations under Charity and company law, the decision making processes of the Board and th8 sub-committees, th8 current strategy and operational plan, the organisational Structure and current matters being discussed. 17-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Related Parties Ashton Community Twst Is reglstered as a charity with the Charity Commlsslon for Northern Ir81and {charlty number 104639) and r8cognised as a charity by HMRC (under referen XR 26284>. It is registered as a company in North8m Ireland (company number N1034595). To help it fulfil ts charitable objects. Ashton Communlty Trust has Iwo fijlly-owned subsldlarles: Ashton Services (Nl) Ltd is a company registered In Northem Ireland (company number NI820447). Ashton SeTViC8S {Nl) Ltd had a contract with Belfast Health and Social Care Service8 for the supply of staff to support childcare provision within North Belfast up to 31 August 2022 when their staff transferred, under TUPE arrangement5, to Ashton Community Trust. It Is planned to dissotve th[$ company after all necessary filings have taken place. New Lodge Arts Is reglstered as a charlty with th8 Charity Commlsslon for Northern Ir81and (charity number 100353). It 1$ reglstered as a company in Northern Ireland {company number N1603904). N8w Lodge Arts provldes educational arts based activities for young people within North Belfast. Th8 financlal resutts of Ashton Servlces (Nl) Ltd and New Lodge Arts have been Included In these group financlal statements. Monagoment and 8tafflng During the 2022-2023 year leadership was provided by CEO Joanne Kinnear who worked dosely wlth the Board, developing short-term strategies to meat the ev8r-¢hanging circumstanc8s, whlle also managlng the day-to-day operatlons of the charlty. She was supported during 2022-2023 by Clara Rea, Deputy CEO, Christine McKeown. Head of Childcar8 and Famlly Support and Irene Sherry, Head of Victlms and Mental Health Services. Salary costs for the Senior Leadership Team for 2022-2023 were £243,597. ReSeN pollcy The reserves policy has been deslgned In order to.. Provlde a sustalnable and appropriale level of worklng capltal; Allow for perlods of unexpected drops In planned income; Cope with sudden short-temi increases In planned expenditure; Provide an approprlate level of cover for other rlsks or unforeseen events that may arfse. An assessment of the likelihood of each income stream conllnulng has been carried out as well as assessment of the Impact on the charity of each income stream ending or being signlficanty reduced. An assessment has also been carrled out on the level of committed expendlture, as well as gauging the lrnpact on beneficiarias, volunteers and staff of reduclng expenditure in particular areas. An assessment was also made of the amount of working capital requlred. Thls recognlsed th6 amount of payroll costs and an assessment of the variability of payment recelpts from funders. After taking all these factors into account the Board have d8clded that a target range of free reserves of £1,200,000 to £1,500,000 would be approprlate. It should be recognlsed that free reserv88 (or general unrestricted) reserves do not indude restricted funds or designated funds. Deslgnated funds currenty include: Fixed asset reserve equivalent to the net book value of th8 charity's fixed assets. These are used In th8 furtherance of the charity's activltles and include buildings and equipment: Programme related investment in Ashton C8ntr8 Development Limited. Although thls investrnent generates some financial retum. Its prlmary motivation is not financial but the actual furtheranc8 of th8 charity's objects, glven the commonality of many of the objectNes of both charities: At 31 March 2023 the level of free reserves was £691,644. 18-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Investment policy The need to hold reserves has been explained in the Reserves Policy above. Th8 Board hav8 considered wh8th8r som8 or all of th8 r8S8IV8s should b8 invested to obtain a financial return for the charity. In making the investment decision the Board considered when the reserves might bé n88d8d and the acceptable level of investment risk. To meet the charitS working capltal requlrements there was a realisation that a signlficant amount of reserves may need to be accessed at short notice. It was also recognised that investing reservès in ass8ts other than cash would involve a greater degree of investment risk. The Board decided that a mixture of bank deposit accounts and. when funds allowed, holding an investment portfollo with the Northern Ireland Cenlral Investment Fund for Charities were the best options to meet its requirements to g8n8rate Incom8 and provid8 capital growth In the cont8Xt of th8 current economic dimate. Durfng 2023-2024 Should the levels of cash held Increase an alternatlve place to deposit som8 funds will be sought, meeting the requirement to generata additional Incom8 while al80 b8ing sufficlently accessible should funds be needed in unforeseen circumstanc85. Statsment of tru8tse8' respon8lblllt108 The trustee8, who are al80 the dlrectors of Ashton Communlty Trust for the purpose of company law, are responslble for preparlng the Trustees, Report and the group financial statements in accordance with applicable law and Unlted Klngdom Accountlng Standards (Unlted Klngdom Generally ApIed Accountlng Practice). Company Law requlr88 the truste88 to prapar8 financlal statements for each financial year whlch glve a true and falr view of the state of affairs of the group and parent charitable company and of the Incomlng resources and application of resources, Including the income and expenditure, of the group for that year. In preparlng these ftnanclal statements, the trustees are requlred to: 8elect 8uStable accountlng polldes and then apply them conslstenlly,. - ob88rve the methods and principles in th8 Charitles SORP,. make Judgements and estlmates that are reasonable and prudent., 8tat8 whether appllcable UK Accountlng Standards have been followed, subject to any materlal departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements., and prepare the financi81 statements on the going concem bas18 unless It Is Inappropriate to presum8 that the group and parent charitable company will continue in operatlon. The trustees are responslble for keeplng adequate accountlng records that dlsdose wlth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of th8 group and parent charitable company and enable them to ensure that the rinancial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and parent charitable company and hence for taking reasonable Steps for the preventlon and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Aud5tor In accordance wtth the companvs articles, a resolullon proposlng that GMCG BELFAST be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting. 19-
ASHTON COMMUNITY TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Disclosure of inforniation to auditor Each of the trustee5 has confirmed that there Is no infomiation of which they ar8 aware which is relevant to the audlt, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confimied Ihal they have taken appropriate steps to idenlify such relevant information and to establlsh that the audltor Is aware of such infomiation. The trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Mr M Mullan Dlrector Date: .11 January 2024 -20-