BUILDING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTRE TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The trustees present their annual report and financial st8temenls for the year ended 31 March 2023, The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Artides of Association, the Companies Acl 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended 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). Objectives and activities Our charity's purposes are as set out in the objects clause contained in the company's Memorandum of Association.. to promote any charilable purpose for the benefft of the North East {"the area of benefif,) without distinclion of sex, sexual orientstion, race or of political, religious or other opinions, by the advancement of education, the advancement of health, the relief of the disabled and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants and in particular: to promote efficiency and effectiveness among the communty and voluntary organisations or projects in the area of the benefit by providing advice, education and training, and practical support to such organisations or projects for the benefft of the public- to maintain and manage or co-operate with any local authority in the maintenance of a Community Centre for activities promoted by the company. Deliverin our aims Our aims, objeclsves and activities are reviewed, monitored and assessed through monthly meetings of company directors. The direotors ensure adherence to the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland's general guidance on public benefit in assessing compliance with stated aims and objectives and in programming future aclivities. The board is made up of individuals within the statutory, business, voluntary and community sectors. How our charity activities deliver publlc beneflt V0 use and benefit from our seNices? Our objects and fijnding focu5 the services we provide to the community and volunlary sector of the Causeway Coast and Glens District and the surrounding area. The main areas of charitable activity are in the promotion and support of local community development groups and activities. community cohesion and peace building, ethnic minorities and migrant workers support project, connecting older people through the Community Navigator for Older People and the disability development programme. Delivering Public Benefit Our objects and funding focus the services we provide to the community and voluntary sector of the Causeway Coasl and Glens District and the surrounding area. The main areas of charitable activity are in the promotion and support of local community development groups and activities, community cohesion and peace building and our ethnic rninorities support projecl. The directors have paid due regard to guidan issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activrties the charity should undertake.
BUILDING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTRE TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Achievements and perfomiance Buildin CommLJnilies'. Networkin and Oevelo ment The Department for Communities (Dfc) supports BCRC with core fijnding enabling employment of full time core staff positions.. the Manager and the Admin Officer as well as core revenue costs through the Community Investment Fund ICIF). The themes of the Community Investmenl Fund are An Adive Community, A Leaming Community, An Inclusive Community and an Influential Community. During this reporting period BCRC staff co- ordinated activities and funding relating to all four core themes providing assistance to communities through online neorking, partnerships, training, lobbying. project development support, Access N I, funding support and sourcing funding, community group accounts examinations, administration for groups and general advice sessions. Communit Outreach Su ort BCRC Community Outreach Workers Use a community development approach to build relations inter and intra community and this enables peace and reconciliation between rural and urban interfaces. The Community Outreach Project employs part-time staff delivers a range of projects and are core-funded by CRC Nl. The Community Outreach workers delivered a full programme including Cross Community Dialogues., Shared Education,. Cultural Expression., Shared Space and Shared Heritage complementing the Decade of Centenaries. The Community Outreach Team helped numerous groups wilh funding applications, charity hub support, and project development work to increase interdependence and to reconcile communities. Ethnic Communities Su ort In this reporting period BCRC employed 3 Staff members (Iwo Polish bi-linguall. There was core funding from The Executive offi (TEOI Minority Ethnic Developmenl Fund with additional investment from smaller trusts and grants to deliver in project outcomes. The Connection Café (connecting people and maintaining contact with ethnic communities},- Diverse Women's Circle (well-being gatherings for women)., EDI awareness,. and walking group were useful to help people rèengage post covid. The team were also engaged in GIDbetrotters Diversity Summer Scheme. Polish and 8AME signposting senfice, ESOL classes. and the Hate Crime Awareness conference. Causewa Locali Communi Navi ator for Older Peo With funding from the PHA & Northern Health Social Services Trust, BCRC provided this vital Servi to older people in the comrnunity with one full timc member of staff who triaged referrals and signposted to ServIS for the benefit of people over 50 years. This project provided one point of contact and helped link people into vital services and social activities to aid their physical and mental health and improve their well-being. We updated the directory of services for the NHSCT too. The Disabili Develo ment Pro ramme Rocking the Causeway ran with one part-lime staff member and programme costs from 8BC Children in Need. The Rock School and Creative Space activities were a great success. The moving images project, drama acaderny, fitness programme, creative space art tulorials. dancelmakaton, games days and summer scheme were also well received and exeded funding targets. Flnancial review Fortunatety the charity has managed to secure funding from the Department of Communities IDFC). The Executive Office E0) Minority Ethnic Development Fund & Central Good Relations Fund, BBC Children in Need, The Community Relations Council, NHSCT, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.. Reconciliation Fund, Halifax, The National Lottery Community Fund, British Red Cross, The Community Foundation, NIHE and Radius Housing. The Charity has recorded an overall surplus of £24.634 for the finanaal year. Unrestricted reserves have increased by £12,959. Income overall and income from core funders has remained at a similar level to the previous year. Expenditure on activities and programmes varies from year to year depending on funding received and the activities undertaken. However, the related running costs have remained relatively consistent with the previous year.
BUILDING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTRE TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 Reserves policy The directors have examined the Charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible assets held by the Charity should be approximately 3 months, expenditure. Expenditure foi 2022-23 was £317k and therefore the target is £79.2k in general funds. The reseples are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the Charity and the directors are confident that at this level they would be able to continue Ihe current activities of the Charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. The piesent level of unrestricted reserves available to the Charity of £289,785 are in excess of this target level. There are restricted reserves of £38,058. The long-terrn strategy is to continue to build reserves through planned operating surpluses. Structure. governance and management The charity is a charitable company lirnited by guarantee incorporated on 2 December 2008. The organisation was Iled forward from the Deemed List by the The Charity Commission for Northem Ireland in January 2015 and was subsequently awarded the Nl Charity number 104953. The company was estsblished under a Memorandum of Association and is governed by its Articles of Association. Membe¢s liability in the event of the company being wound up is limited to £1. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Mr Francis Leo Cunningham (Resigned 1 Dember 2023) Ms Mary Mccusker (Resigned 1 December 2023) Mrs Miriam Thompson (Resigned 16 December 2022) Mr Naresh Jairath (Resigned 10ecember 2023) Mrs Marilyn Gale (Resigned 16 December 2022) Mrs Mary Anderson Ms Marbeth Hedley Mr Keith Beattie Ms Lorraine Purcell Mr Jim Wilkinson Ms Margaret Graham Ms Anne Brown (Appointed 19 January 2023) (Appointed 16 February 2023) (Appointed 16 February 2023) (Appointed 1 October 2023) (Appointed 16 February 2023) (Appointed 16 February 2023) The directors of the company are also charity tTUStees for the purposes of Charity Law. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association directors are elected at an Annual General Meeting from amongst those persons nominated by the Ordinary Members. The directors have the power at any time to appoint any person to be a diredor, either to fill a casual vacancy 01 as an addition to the existing directors. Any director so appointed serves only until the next Annual General Meeting at which directors are to be elected and are then eligible for re-election. A retiring director is eligible for re-election. None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustee5 are metnbers of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up. The Charity has a Board of Trustees of up to 12 members who meet monthly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the Charriy. At present the Board has 8 members from a variety of professional backgrounds relevant to the work of the Charity. The daily responsibilty for the provision of the ServIS rests with the Manager. The Manager is responsible for ensuring that the Charity delivers on the project51services specified and that the strategic plan is being met.
BUILDING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTRE TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 The trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Ms Marbeth Hedley Trustee Mr Keith Beattie Trustee 18 December 2023