OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

← Loup Women's Group

2025-12-31-accounts

Loup Women’s Group

Trustees’ Annual Report and Statement of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for the year ended 31st December 2025

Charities Number:

NIC104831

1

Loup Women’s Group Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st December 2025

Contents

==> picture [434 x 148] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Pages| |References|and|administrative|details|of the|Charity|3| |Trustees’|Report|3-6| |Independent|Examiners|Report|to|the|Trustees|7| |Receipts|and|Payments|Account|8| |Statement|of Assets|and|Liabilities|9|

----- End of picture text -----

2

Loup Women’s Group - Trustee’s Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2025

The Trustees present their Annual Report and Statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Loup Women’s Group Group for the year 31st December 2025.

References and Administrative Details

Charity Name: Loup Women’s Group

Charity Registration Number: NIC104831

Principal Address/Registered Office: Mrs Helen Andrews 6 Dunronan Road Magherafelt BT45 7SU

Trustees

The trustees who served during the year are as follows: Chairperson: Helen Andrews Vice Chair: Ann Cassidy Secretary: Patricia Toner Treasurer: Irene Johnston PRO: Mary Frances McGuckin Committee Members: Anne Conway Mary Hogg Rosaleen McMahon Bernadette O’Neill Dympna Wilson Doreen McLernon Jennifer Bell Maura Johnston

3

Objectives & Activities

The benefits flowing from the purposes of Loup Women’s Group is that the people of The Loup and surrounding areas have access to a range of educational, social and recreational activities promoted by the group. People benefit by learning new skills in a variety of crafts. They benefit from being introduced to IT which in turn helps them to work with their children with a better knowledge of modern technology. The community benefits because individuals who might otherwise be isolated in a very rural area are given an opportunity to meet and interact with each other. Individuals with disabilities benefit because the building used by the group is wheelchair accessible so that those with disabilities can participate. A major benefit for everyone participating in the activities is that they meet new friends, learn to trust each other and share individual problems with each other. Local volunteers benefit by becoming involved in the work of the group and deriving a sense of achievement and purpose and ownership of everything that happens. All participants benefit from the educational classes, talks and lectures, often from eminent speakers on a huge variety of topics. Those who participate in social outings benefit from visiting interesting places, learning by networking with other groups and as a result reducing their feelings of isolation and loneliness. While most activities are organised for women by women many of the talks and classes are open to the entire community so everyone can benefit. The benefits are measured by internal evaluations which are held at the end of each series of classes or courses. They are also measured by the number of people wanting to attend the activities and by the feedback from the general community to the management committee.

Our group has had another interesting and successful year.

We judge success by the increased number of new participants who have joined our what’s app group and taken part in our activities. This is very encouraging for our committee, and we thank everybody who has come along.

We ran the usual classes in scrapbooking, crochet and stone painting taken by Yvonne, Celine and Fern. The ladies produced some beautiful, varied craft items. Unfortunately, numbers were down for the stone painting class due to other commitments.

In the Spring we had exercise classes provided by a tutor from Mid Ulster Council. There were 18 ladies in this class, and they all benefited from the work outs. Then in September we had 8 weeks of exercises funded by The Public Health Agency and taken by a new tutor Thomasina Birt. 8 ladies took part and benefited a lot especially 2 who suffered from different health problems.

The gardening continued throughout the year with Jenny, Senior Project Officer with The Conservation Volunteers. Numbers have increased to 8 which is very encouraging. Having extra people means we can get more work done. We all benefit from Jenny’s guidance. In the summer months we enjoyed eating the lovely soft fruits. On 28"" August 4 of us attended The Conservation Volunteers Summer Show in The Millenium Court in Portadown. This is always a very good event with competitions,2 workshops and a delicious meal to finish the evening. Joan won 1* prize with her flower arrangement and Helen got 2" prize with a photograph ofa bird in the hand. We started a woodworking class in December which is funded by The Public Health Agency. This is ongoing and is proving to be very interesting and enjoyable. Jenny is teaching us how to use the tools safely. There are now9 ladies taking part. The workshops we run each year are also popular with the ladies.

4

In October we had 3 sessions of Ceramics taken by Laura O’Kane, Rose Gifts Crafts, Portglenone. 10 ladies made a variety of items using clay. The more adventurous ladies made beautiful pumpkins. Everything turned out very well and it was a very therapeutic exercise.

As usual in December we had 2 workshops making wreaths. Alan was unable to take the class but Collin Lyttle stepped in at short notice and we thank him for that. The wreaths turned out well. There were 10 ladies at each workshop.

As well as all these activities we like to have Talks. Stephanie Lavery, Time Steps, provided 2 of these. The first one was on 3‘! November entitled “Washday in The Big House” Stephanie gives a good insight into what life was like in Victorian times and makes her talks hilarious with audience participation.

Her 2" talk on 15" December was entitled Victorian Christmas. This one was also very enjoyable and ended with Stephanie’s own take on “The 12 days of Christmas”. “20 ladies attended each talk.

Our programme wouldn’t be complete without a Trip or two. On 13" September we visited Auntie Sandra’s Sweet Factory on The Holywood Road in Belfast.42 ladies boarded the bus and were well entertained by Chris in the shop. He demonstrated how the sweets were made including a lot of banter as he did so. Everybody was given a shamrock shaped lollypop.

After the visit we travelled a short distance to The Forestside Shopping centre for the essential retail therapy. 5 ladies went by public transport to Hillsborough Castle Gardens in August. Entrance fees were paid for by The Conservation Volunteers group. 3 ladies from the committee attended The NICHI health event in The Dunsilly Hotel on 9" September. There is always a hot meal at this event and interesting speakers on health matters. Then on 11" October 2 members attended” The Great Days Out “ event in Ranfurly House organised by Mid Ulster Council. This showcased lots of different venues in Mid Ulster which would be worth a visit,. We got speaking to the people from these places and also got a guided tour of The Hill of O’Neill. We were fortunate to come across a cookery demonstration where we got a lovely lunch of Potato and leek soup and freshly made soda bread.

In September we were invited by The Northern Ireland Regional Women’s Network {NIRWN} to join a project entitled Animate, Build, Connect. This involved a series of discussions and workshops to look at how our group is functioning and how it could be improved.

The project is divided into 3 elements and if we compete each one our group will receive £1000. The project leader is Nicola McGuinness who has been very encouraging. Paula McAliskey has also been involved. She organised several free talks on Digital landline switchover, Make the call [All about benefits}. Breast and Bowel cancer awareness and Digital inclusionx2. We appreciate all these events given free and they have all been very informative.

We are on the second element of the project which ends in March 2026. Our funders this year have been:

Awards for all 2" year of grant for running costs and events. £9898 :

Mid Ulster Council for Stone painting and kitchen equipment. £855

Public Health Agency,{ Clear} Woodwork, exercise and reminiscence classes.

]

£3400 {£2760} given at the start and £640 remaining. We are very grateful for these generous grants without which we could not continue to provide our enjoyable programme.

As ever I would like to thank the committee of Loup Women’s Group for all their work and dedication in managing all that we do. I also wish to thank all participants who come to the classes, workshops, gardening, talks and trips. This gives us great encouragement and we enjoy your company. It makes our efforts worthwhile. A big thank you also to Will who keeps us right when certain things need attention and also for keeping the heat on and cutting the grass.

I wish the new committee every success in running Loup Women’s Group.

Compliance with Public Benefit

The Charity has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the Charity’s objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit.

Financial Review

Total Payments (£11,838) for the year ended 31st December 2025 exceeded Total Receipts (£8,254) by £3,584 decreasing the total cash funds held to £12,610 from £16,194. (Pages 8&9).

Charitable Purposes

The purposes of the Loup Women’s Group is to promote activities for the benefit of people in The Loup and surrounding areas without distinction of age, race, political, religious or other opinion. The group will associate with statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and local inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and provide facilities for social interaction with the aim of improving the conditions of life for the said people.

Structure, Governance and Management

Loup Women’s Group is a Registered Charity and is governed by the terms of its constitution, which was adopted by the membership on 26" February 2015. Loup Women’s Group is registered with the Charity Commission and is placed on the Northern Ireland register of charities from 7" March 2016.

The objectives and activities of the Charity are administered by a Management Committee, which shall consist of not less than five and not more than twenty members and who are elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is held each year and not more than 15 months after the preceding AGM. There shall not be less than five members of the Management Committee present at all General Meetings, including the AGM. Voting is carried out at General Meetings by way of a show of hands or ballot with the Chairperson having the casting vote.

Approved by the trustees on 23 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Helen Andrews Patricia Toner Chair Secretary

6

Independent examiner's report to the charity trustees of Loup Women’s Group

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st December 2025, which are set out on pages 8 to 9.

Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act 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 preparation of the accounts from those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, 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:

  1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act 2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records

  2. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 4, That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters | to 4 listed above and, in connection with the following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Signed: Leynur oO Nett 4CA Date: 23 March 2026 Name: Seamus O’ Neill FCA Weir & Co. Chartered Accountants 23 High Street, Moneymore, BT45 7PA.

Statement of Receipts & Payments - Year ended 31 December 2025

Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2025 2024
c £ £ £
Receipts
Grants
Mid Ulster Council Grants - 1,378 1,378 1,273
Clear Small Grants - 2,720 2,720 540
Awards for all grant - - - 19,980
From Charitable Activities:
Courses/Classes 3,323 - 3,323 1,112
Other income 33 - ao 55
Trips income 800 - 800 235
4,156 4,098 8,254 23,195
Payments
Cost ofCharitable Activities
Tutors - 4,921 4,921 6,300
Trips 890 - 890 1,265
Food& class materials - 376 376 248
Rent - 520 520 520
Professional Fees - 282 282 270
Heat& Light - 721 rea
Insurance - 2,483 2,483 1,337
Caretaker Costs - 400 400 400
Festive lights - - - 948
Talk at Auntie Sandra’s Sweet Factory - 240 240 -
Repairs& Maintenance - 130 130 150
Water Rates - 119 119 98
Telephone& Internet - 581 581 573
Printing& Computer Expenses - 95 95 547
Bank Fess & Interest 80 - 80 78
Asset& Investment Purchase
Equipment& Building Work - - - -
Total Payments 970 10,868 11,838 12,958
Net receipts/(payments) 3,186 (6,770) (3,584) 10,237
Transfers to/from funds - - - =
Surplus/(deficit) for theyear 3,186 (6,770) (3,584) 10,237
Reconciliation 31.12.25
Cash at Bank& in hand 31.12.24 5,549 10,645 16,194 5,957
Surplus/(deficit) this yearend 3,186 (6,770) (3,584) 10,237
Cashatbank&inhand31.12.25 8,735 3,875 12,610 16,194

8

Statement of Assets & Liabilities - Year ended 31 December 2025

Unrestricted —Restricted Unrestricted —Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Funds Reconciliation
Cash at Bank& in hand 31.12.24 5,549 10,645 16,194 5,957
Surplus/(deficit) thisyearend 3,186 (6,770) (3,584) 10,237
Cash at bank& in hand 31.12.25 8,735 3,875 12,610 16,194
Bank & Cash Balances
Bank Current Account 12,056 15,640
Bank Acc—Community Foundation 554 554
12,610 16,194
Other Assets (Unrestricted Funds)
Equipment 2,877 2,877
Closing Stock ofbooks 88 88
2,965 2,965
Other Assets (Restricted Funds)
Building Work 35,653 35,653
35,653 35,653
Other liabilities (Restricted Funds)
Grantsduetobespent 3,875 10,645

Approved by the trustees on the 23 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

Helen Andrews

Patricia Toner

Chair

Secretary

9