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 aC￿rdance 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 eXperien￿d continued awareness first hand
regarding a number of these young p￿pIe whose lives have, as a result, literally been tumed
around.
Fundingl Income: Very sadly. our normal Ir￿Me ceased during the year as a Consequen￿ of the
misfortune of The Hermitage Trust banking account having been unilaterally clO￿d down, thus
leaving the work of the Trust most uncertain. The only revenue re￿iVed 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-tim￿l 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 b￿n 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 Con￿Med 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 fInar￿la1
benefits or remunerations of any kind, whether direct or Indir￿t.
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