The Hermitage Trust Charity Registration Number NIC 106130 Trustees Annual Report Year Ended 5th April 2024 Governing Document: The Hermitage Trust is a charitable organisation which was set up with HMRC Tax Exemption on 15th January 1987, under a Declaration of Trust as its governing document. Full U K charitable status was granted on 4th March 2015 by the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland, ref NIC 106130. Public Benefit: In the year under report the principal activities of the public benefit objectives continued as previously, and were (1) relief of distress and poverty leading to, in a number of instances, improved living conditions with additional education, promotion of health initiatives & employment OPFM)rtunities and (2) the advancement of the Christian faith, through which many poor people and others are freed from bad habits such as drug taking, alcohol misuse and immoral & criminal lives. Objectives and Activities: Objectives were achieved by awarding small grantsldonationslloans, channeled mainly through G B and N I registered charities. During the year some £42,207 in donations and grants were distributed to 16 organisations in pursuit of the above Activities. Achievements and Performance: The trustees are satisfied that such awards during this financial period were in aCrdance wrth the principal objectives of the Trust. TFN)se who benefited have. in consequence, been able to demonstrate positive outcomes emanatiry from tangible helpfulness. Delivery: In relation to the main purposes of The Hermitage Trust, viz the relief of distress and poverty generally, coupled with helping to raise awareness and an understanding of the Christian faith, rne vital grant assistance has been delivered. In line with objectives donations were made to charitable. relief & caring organisations which already were predominantly established UK and Nl registered charities and Churches that are involved in active Christian aid I relief ministries. All of these operations are proactively engaging with the general public and leading, in many instances, to good outcomes through programmes that really have made a difference, such as haviru a positive impact on the lives of young people, regardless of ethnic, social or religious background. As Trustees, we personally have eXperiend continued awareness first hand regarding a number of these young ppIe whose lives have, as a result, literally been tumed around. Fundingl Income: Very sadly. our normal IrMe ceased during the year as a Consequen of the misfortune of The Hermitage Trust banking account having been unilaterally clOd down, thus leaving the work of the Trust most uncertain. The only revenue reiVed during the year represented the repayment of a Loan granted during the previous financial year to assist a new poverty related charty that failed to materialise. Nevertheless, there are still fairly good cash reserves available, albelt dwindling faster than previously envisaged. Cont.........
Financial Re8ponsibilities: The Trustees are accountable for keeping proper financial records and are dependable for the continued safeguarding of the assets through the prevention of fra or in the unlikely event of any other ch irregularity. However,'our Banker's unilateral w)licy decision to withdraw banking facilities without explanation, in this case a banking relationship of impeccable loyalty that had extended as far back as almost four decades, is undoubtedly having far reaching consequences for our concerned Trustees. Very sadly, un-necessary financial and administrative hardship has been inflicted upon our aged and weary voluntary charity off icials who are on the verge of just giving up. In this regard we were very supportive of your CCNI well-timl arKI succinct joint appeal dated 15th November 2023 to all U K Bank Chief Executives in regard to Qu*LLkn. Not being aware of any effective follow-up we would be interested to know what has bn the outcome, if any? Whilst we appreciate the effort and intent in your letter to the CEO'S of U K Banks, it is felt that we continue to be left in a state of limbo and we are very ConMed that many effective and professionally run small and local Charities are still struggling to exist with predominantly zero SUp)rt from most banks. Consequently, we would like to see the Charity Commission and others doiry more to highlight and help relieve this unwanted anomaly and are rather discourag that, apparently, there has not been any real outcome to date ! Financial Review: During the year Trustee claimed any personal expenses or any fInarla1 benefits or remunerations of any kind, whether direct or Indirt. Risk Management: The Trustees continue to examine future strategy including any operational risks that the charity might fa. Statements of Compliance: There is not any harm flowing from the purFx)ses of the Trust and, in order to ensure that activities are helping to achieve objectives and provide assistance to beneficiaries, the Trustees continue to give regard to the CCNI Guidance on Public Benefit. Signed Daphne Wright (Mrs) - Trustee 15th January 2025