The Hermitage Trust Charity Registration Number NIC 106130 Trustees Annual Report Year Ended 5th April 2023 Governing Document= The Herniitsge Trust is a charitable organisation which was set up with HMRC Tax Exemption on 15 January 1987, under a Declaration of Trust as tts goveming document. Full U K charitable slatus was granted on 41h March 2015 by the Charity CommissDn for Northem Ireland, ref NIC 106130. Public Benefit: The principal activities of the public benefft ObjeiveS continued during the year and weTe {1) relief of distress and poverty leading, in many instances, to improved living conditions with additional education, promotion of health initiatives & employment opwrtunities and (2) the advancement of the Christian faith, through which many beneficiaries are freed from bad habits such as drug taking, alcoholism and immoral & criminal lives. Objectives and Activities: Objectives were achieved mainly by awarding small grantsldonations, channeled through G B and N Ireland registered charilies. Achievements: The trustees are satisfied that the awarding of grants during this financial period, albeit drastically reduced in number by 50¥0, was in ac(x)rdance with the principal objectives of the Trust. Those who have benefited have. in fact, in Consequen been able to demonstrate posttive outcomes and tangible helpfulness. In relation to the main purposes of The Hermitage Trusl, viz the relief of distress and poverty generally. coupled with helping to raise awareness and an understanding of the Christian faith, vital grant assistan has been delivered in line with objectives by donating to various UK charitable relief & caring organisations as well as to UK and Nl registered chartties and Churches that are involved in active Christian ad and ministry within their communities. All of these operations are pctiVelY engaging with the general public and many indude programmes that really have made a difference, such as having a positive impact on the lives of young people, regardless of ethnic, socaal or religious background. As Trustees, we personally have continued awareness first hand regarding a number of these young people whose lives have, as a result, lilerally been turned around. Fundin Income: The main income source during the year resutted from assisting a relaied Charity in the winding up of its affairs (for disbursement of funding) upon retirement of its senior trustees. There was not any gift aid able in(x)me to record on this oc(xsion, other than HMRC refund relating specifically to preVuS yearfs inme. Nevertheless, there are presently good cash reserrfes directly as a result of the aforementioned disbursal donation but, sadly, the ongoing impasse with our local Banks towards small charities is likely to affect luture income even further. Risk Management: The Trustees examine future strategy induding any operational risks that the charity might face.
Financial Responsibilities: The Trustees are aco)untable for keeping proper financial re(x)rds and are responsible for the continued safeguarding of the assets through the prevention of fraud or in the unlikely event of any other suth irregularity. However. the Ulster Bank's unilateral policy decision, to withdraw banking facilities from this Trust wilhout explanation, in our case a banking Servi that had extended as far back as almost four decades of impeccable loyalty, will undoubtedly have far reaching cOnsequenS for our con(rned and benevolent Trustees. Very sadly, Un-neSSary financial and administration hardship have been inflicted upon our aged and weary voluntary charity officials, much of which we have felt obliged to assiduously document and record. as our elderly trustees were needlessly put to the trouble of having to source altemative banking facilities and, at the &gme time, having to significantly reduce our normal gocKlwill funding activtties. Penalised, for what? we respectfully continue to ask. Financial Review= During the year. other than a very nominal figure as an 'exptiOna1. expense. no Trustee claimed any personal expenses or any financial benefits or remunerations of any kind, whether direct or indirect. The rather small 'exptiona1, administration st charged does not give any indication whatSVer of the true (st of all the rather pointless and hurtful dealings that our trustees have encountered both financially and physicalty in relation lo the outcome of our recent banking relationship. In this regard we commend your very timely joint appeal lasl month to all U K Bank CEO'S in regard to Chaiity Banking Access and Customer Servi. Statements of Compliance: In order to ensure that activities are helping to achieve objectives and provide b8nefit to beneficiaries the Trustees corrtinue to give regard to the CCNI Guidan on Public Benefft. There is not any ham flowing from the pUoseS of the Foundation. Signed Daphne Wright {Mrs) - Trustee 24th December 2023