2024-03-31-annual-report - Building Communities Resource Centre Ltd

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BUILDING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTRE LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share ¢apital} TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) STRUCTURE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The charity is controlled by its governing document, a Memorandum and Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The company was incorporated on 2 December 2008 and registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 11 May 2016. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Building Communities Resource Centre Ltd Registered Company number N1071172 Registered Charity number NIC104953 Registered office Acorn The Business Centre 2 Riada Avenue Ballymoney Antrim BT53 7LH CHAIRPERSON Mrs Mary Elizabeth Hedley TRUSTEES & DIRECTORS Mrs Margaret Anne Brown Mr Keith Beattie Mrs Mary Elizabeth Hedley Ms Lorraine Purcell Ms Sonya Anne Carruthers Mrjim Wilkins INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Tony Clarke 53 Andersonstown Road Belfast BTII 9AG

BUILDING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTRE LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Trustees, Annual Report {Incorporating the Director's Report) The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31st March 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note l of the financial statements and comply with the Chariws Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 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 1st 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 charitable purpose for the benefit of the North East {'the area of benefit,) without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or political, religiou5 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 effectivenes5 among the community 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 benefit 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. Objectives and Activities Our aims, objectives and activities are reviewed, monitored and assessed through monthly meetings of company directors. The directors ensure adherence to the Charity Commission for Northern Irelands general guidance on public health benefit in assessing compliance with stated aims and objectives and in programming future activities. The board is made up of individuals within the Statutory, business, voluntary and community Sectors. How our charity activities deliver public benefit Who use and benefit from our services? Our objects and funding focus the services we provide to the community and voluntary sector of the Causeway Coast and Glens District and the surrounding areas. The main area5 of charitable activity are in the promotion and support of local community development group5 and activities, community cohesion and peace building, ethnic communities support programme, connecting older people through the community Navigator and the disability development programme. The directors have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in decidinR what activities the charitv should undertake.

BUILDING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTRE LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Delivering Public Benefit Building Communities: Networking and Development The Department for Communities (DFC) supports BCRC with core funding enabling employment of two full time core staff positions: the Manager and the Finance / Admin Officer as well as core revenue costs through the Community Investment Fund ICIF). The themes of the Community Investment Fund are as follows: An Active Community, A Learning Community, An Inclusive Community, and An Influential Community. During this reporting period BCRC staff co-ordinated activities and funding relating to all core themes providing assistance to communities through networking, partnerships, training, lobbying, project development support, Access Nl, funding support and sourcinR fundin. administration for Rrour)s and Reneral advice sessions. Community Outreach Support BCRC Community Outreach worker used a community development approach to build relationships within and between communities and this enables peace and reconciliation between and within rural and urban interfaces. This project funded one staff person, was core funded by CRCNI, and DFA. The Lifting Horizons 2 developed an existing DFAT pilot project with North Antrim Five Villages Forum. This project Lifting Horizons 2 sUStained a community development approach to address some of these shared social needs and to provide a platform where these communities can build relationships, explore cultures, improve understanding and work together to move their communities forward. This project provided training and opportunitie5 for rural vi113ges to build on their volunteer capacities to enable them to feel empowered and have the skills to raise their voices and be heard in addressing issues in their communities and views on reconciliation and ultimately ease tensions in a community where paramilitaries are saying community development is not working. The project encouraged dialogue, reached marginalised groups and built understanding and a collective voice between different communities. Participants explored shared history and Single identity history learning from the past and lessons from history through Cultural Institution Workshops which deepened understanding and promoted respect and tolerance between different groups and traditions and explored issues around identity in ways that promoted understanding, tolerance and inclu51Vity. Due to staff resigning, Board Members changing, difficulties in recruitment, this project was halted and DFA/CRCNI were informed. Ethnic Communities Support In this reporting period BRC employed 3 members of staff (two Polish Bi-Linguall. There was core funding from the Executive Office (TEO) Minority Ethnic 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 and creating engagement with wider community), Diverse Women's Circle (well being gatherings for women), Equality Diversity & Inclusion awareness training, various engagement and well being events. Delivery of personal wellbeing surf therapy for children on the North Coast. The facilitation of Creative Cultures in partnership with Nl Libraries. DesiRn and Delivery of Cultural Ambassadors Trainin.

BUILDING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTRE LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capitall TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Ethnic Communities Support continued... On going signposting, one-one outreach advocacy and emotional support, Delivery of Globetrotters Diversity Summer Scheme, ESOL classes, and establishment of an Anti-Hate Crime Forum for the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. Causeway Locality Community Navigator for Older People With funding from the PHA and Northern Health and Social Services Trust, BCRC provided this vital service to older people in the community with one full time member of staff who triaged referrals and signposted to services for the benefit of older 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 wellbeing. This project ended in July 2023, due to the staff person resigning and ongoing recruitment issues. The Disability Development Programme The Disability programme ran with one staff person for 3 set period of time, the Rock School and Creative Space for activities was funded by Children in Need, this was a great success. This project ended in June 2023. Structure, Governance and Trustees Building Communities Resource Centre Ltd which is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee in Northern Ireland, registration number N1071172, with the objective of undertaking charitable activities for the benefit of the inhabitants of Northern Ireland. Going Concern After making appropraite enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details reqarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the Accounting Policies. Financial Review The results for the year ended 31 March 2024 are set out on pages 8 and 9 of the financial statements. The total income for the year ended 31 March 2024 amounted to £206,28 9{2023: £341,321). The total expenditure was £267,603 (2023: £316,687) The Trustees consider that the unrestricted funds of the charity is sufficient and adequate to fulfil their obligations. The charity held £256,769 in reserves at the year end (2023: £289,785). Reserves Policy The income of the Company is considered adequate and the risks associated with any significant reduction in income is regarded as unlikely. The Trustees are satisfied with the current level of reserves at the present time. The Trustees are reviewing the Reserves Policy in the current year.