Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre IA company limited by guarantee, not having a share capitsll TRUSTEES, AND OTHER INFORMATION Trustees Mrs Mary Devlin Mr Gerard Lynch Ms Mary Josephine McGuckin Mr Michael Murphy Mr Joseph Wilson Ms Rachael Jane Jeffers Company Secretary Ms Mary Josephine McGuckin HMRC number XR43114 Company Number N1040301 Charity Number NIC106396 Registered Office and Principal Address 20 Queen Streel Magherafelt Co Londonderry BT45 6AB Norlhern Ireland Accountsnts R TJRoss&Co Chartered Accountants 44 Molesworth Street Cookstown Co Tyrone BT80 8PA Northern Ireland Bankers Bank of Ireland 11 Market Slreet Magherafell Co Londonderry BT45 6EE Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre IA company limited by guarantee, not having a share capitall TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 The trustees present their Trustees, Annual Report and Ihe unaudited financial statements 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 company's Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006, Part 8 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, other applicable law and the requirements of Ihe Statement of Recommended Praclice {SORP), FRS102 and with the financial reporting standards applicable to charilies preparing their accounts. GOVERNING DOCUMENT The organisation is a private charitable company limited by guarantee, having been incorporated on 28 February 2001. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Article of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to Contribute an amount not exceeding £1. Structure. Governance and Management The charity is committed to the principles of Corporate Governance,. and through the development of various manuals. will capture all inlernal and external processes and procedures. The detailing of the company's activities in this way will ensure we follow best practice guidelines and demonstrate appropriate openness. transparency and accountability in all of our business activities. Embracing Corporate Governance ensures that as an organisalion we adhere to the highest standards of integrity in carrying out our business and managing our finances. The company is fully aware of its responsibilities and the need for accounlability, particularly in relation to the management of public money. Management Committee as at the 31 March 2023 May Devlin Chairpetson Gerry Lynch Vice Chairperson Michael Murphy Treasurer Joseph Wilson Josephine McGuckin Rachael Jane Jeffers Principal Risks and Uncertatnties The directors have conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Appropriate systems and intemal controls are in place throughout the charity's processes and procedures to provide clear accountability and to mitigate those risks which the charity faces. The company seeks to maintain high standards in the management of risk and the processes in pla￿ reviewed annually lo ensure their ￿levanCe. Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre (A company limited by guarantee. not having a share capital TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 The truslees, who are also the directors of the charity, at the date of this report and those who seNed during the financial year together with Ihe dales of any changes are set out on page 3 and are listed below. Trustees The trustees who seNed during the year are as follows.. Mrs Mary Devlin Mr Gerard Lynch Mr Michael Murphy Mr Joseph Wilson Ms Mary Josephine McGuckin Ms Rachael Jane Jeffers In accordan￿ wilh Ihe Constitution, the trustees retire by rotation and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election. Objectives and Activities The objects of Mid Ulster Volunleer Centre as set oul in our Article5 are to advance community development by promoting and providing volunteering opportunities and activities for the benefit of individuals and ￿MmUnitieS throughoul Mid Ulster and by supporting and developing the work of community and voluntary groups and oiganisations in charitable activity which seeks to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of the Mid Ulster. Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre aims lo advance education and training for the public benefit by delivering Iraining and mentoring to volunteers. staff and directors I management committee members of volunteering-involving organi.= 3tions in the area of benefit. MILJ Ulster Volunleer Centre also aims lo promote personal development with a view to enabling Ihe community to enhan￿ their social and personal skills and develop and participate in valued roles in the community. Publi¢ Benefit Statement In setting our objectives and planning our aclivilies for the year the trustees have gtven careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland's guidan￿ on public benefit to ensure aclivities have helped lo achieve the charity's purpose and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries. Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre IA company limited by guarantee, not havlng a share capital) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 Summary of Main Activities Although Covid was still there during this period we slill continued to develop and evolve making sure we provided Ihe right seNice provision specifiG to the individual or the group during this time. For those who wish to volunteer we offer a one to one person centred approach which enables us to assess each individual's needs. We advise the individual in choosing the most suitable volunteer placemenl for both volunteer and organisalion. In close liaison with placement organisalions, volunteer roles are identified and developed in order to match suitable volunteers with suitable volunteer roles. In turn any support needs are recognised and addressed. We are attentive to all new serVi￿S and inilialives and when appropriate we inform them of who we are and how we can help. Mid Ulster Volunteer Cenlre is a registered Umbrella Body with Ac￿sS Nl. The Centre has dedicated and knowledgeable staff who are on hand to provide organisations with the necessary guidance. We are committed to helping volunteers access opportunities, helping to reduce barriers lo participalion and enabling voluntary groups to make safe recruilmenl decisions when involving volunteers. In addition, we provide training to volunteers and volunteer involving organisations within Mid Ulster. We work in partnership with various organisations to help facililate training relevant to local needs and requirements. The Volunteer Centre provides information. advice and support to.. people who would like to volunteer or find out more about volunteering organisations who engage or wanl to involve volunteers agencies who refer vo5unteers to our Centre for advice and support. Further to our database of volunteers, organisations and volunleer OPPOFlunities we rely heavily on our webstle, social media, and volunteer opportunity booklets to deliver the best service possible. All the work would not be possible without the suppotl of our funders-. Department for Communities Garfield Weston Foundation Halifax Foundalion Nl Mid Ulster District Council Nalional Lottery Community Fund Northern Heallh and Social Care Trust Public Health Agency The Cenlre would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the community and voluntary organisations and statutory organisations who liaise on a regular basis and especially for the support offered in various training workshops. We are etemally grateful to InVOLve (Nll committee for their continued support and dedication lo Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre. The Volunteer Centre has a very committed Management Committee. We sincerely value this input. Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre {A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre seeks to encourage social inclusion by working with the community lo help further personal development through volunteering andlor training. The Volunteer Centre is a registered Umbrella Body with A¢￿sS Nl. and has been providing a discreet, professional vetting service for volunteer involving organisations since Access Nl was introduced in April 2008. The Volunleer Centre adopis an elhos of empowemient, believing this is fundamental for improving health and wellbeing and increasing individuals, and communities, control over Iheir lives and Iheir health. In addition to recruiting, placing and supporting volunteers with a range of community-based organisations across Mid Ulster. The Volunteer Centre works in partnership with the Northem Health and Social Care Trust to provide an alternative to traditional day-caie. 'The Base,, which is a project for local people with learning disabilities which empowers them to access local community se¥vices and facilities and facilitates social inclusion and the development of friendships. The 'Carefully Yours. Project. uses a comprehensive programme of activities to promote positive health and wellbeing among older people, including Ihose in the eady stage of demenlia. It also aims lo creale awareness of the risks presented to older people as well as to provide support for caregivers. We were delighted to re￿1ve the Strategic Community Development Grant from Mid Ulster District Council. This grant has been invaluable to us in supporting us keep a presence in Cookstown. Achievements and Perfornian¢e The following is an updale on what Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre has achieved during 2022- 2023. 341 new additional volunteers weie registered Assisted and supported 24 volunteering placement organisations Organised 6 "turn up, take part" volunteering opportunities that provide immediate opportunities for people to volunteer Promote opportunities for volunteering Participated in events recognising the value of volunteering in the Mid Ulster area Actively aim to increase Ihe number of volunteers from under-represented groups including persons wtlh a disability- older people- and people from the most disadvanlaged areas Provide advice lo Volunteering Placement Organisations Offer training and health checks to all new volunteer pla￿rnent organisations Mid Ulsler Volunteer Centre continued to promote volunteer opportunilies during this time, as well as offering organisations help with policies, volunteer management. procedures and any concerns an organisation may have. We continue to support organisations with information and guidance and refer them to other organisations such as NICVA, RCN. CWSAN, CINI when required for example regarding COVID- risk assessments. return to prernises. funding and training. Volunteers. Week Our theme this year was 'Restart- Recruit- Reward,. Restart- As many organisations were starting to reopen after COVID we organised various training sessions to help them restart their groups etc. A tolal of 109 participants took part in safeguarding, designated officer training, Makalon and First Aid. Recruit - Throughout the week we also promoted volunteering and opportunitie5. We created 10 reasons why people volunteer, flyers. shared volunteer slories and videos. We also held information stands to reach new volunteers with our local community Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre IA company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital} TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 Reward- Throughout the week we presented EPIC Volunteers Awards for 50. 100 and 200 hours and also offered organisations the opportunity lo avail of FREE Volunteers, Week Certificates. During the week we launched our Mid Ulster Volunteer Cenlre Promolional video and a video with other members of Volunteer Centres Nl explaining who we are as a collective group and why we collaborate together for the greater good of volunteering in Northern Ireland. Northern Health and Social Care Trust The Volunteer Centre works in partnership wilh the Northem Health and Social Care Trust to provide an altemalive to traditional day-care. 'The Base,. which is a project for local people with learning disabilities which empowers them lo access local community services and facililies and facilitsÉes social inclusion and the development of friendships. Throughout the year Magherafelt and Cookstown Base members, Day Opportunities Setvice Users and Volunteer Centre Staff and volunteers took part in group volunteering with various organisalions. The Magherafelt Base enjoy volunleering weekly wilh our Carefully Yours Luncheon Club selling up for their weekly lunch for those over 60's, some Base members also enjoy serving and helping out during the lunch. In October six members of the Base Cookslown and Volunleer Centre Staff enjoyed a morning volunleering with Sunflower Support Nl at their allotmenls based at Springhill. Shauna from Sunllower Support Nl said, °Lovely having the Cookstown Base over to volunteer m.th us this moming. We had a great moming despite the rain, the wildlife are happy with all the bird reede￿ and bug hotel created and all the weeding and the lovely sign to biighten up the space~. "ljust loved today and thank you so much for organising and any other days planned volunteering let me know" - Base Member Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre IA company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital} TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 November saw 10 Magherafelt Base members, 5 NHSCT Day Opportunities staff and Volunteer Centre staff join Upperlands Communily Developmenl to help dean up their community garden. There are days tht7t are successful, ond there are days that are not. But then there are very rare days that are so posltive, it does your heart good. WE LOVED OUR MORNING WITH YOU GUYSII - Garry- Upperlands Community Development November was a busy month for the Base Magherafelt members and slaff as they took the challenge of wrapping 400 PJ'S and blankets lo help out Hope Magherafelt with their Christmas Appeal. They also were joined for a day by 6 employees from a local business CDE who donated their lime to help out Iheir community. In total 16 base members, 4 NHSCT staff and 1 volunteer took part. CDE Employees said "We all had a fantaslic time, thank you for welcoming us into your centre, and pass on our thanks to the base for our friendly welcome, and letting us help out with Ihe wrapping. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day." Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre {A company limlted by guarantee, not having a share capitsl) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 Throughout the year we continued to work fortnightly on our Kindness Rock Garden based at Maghera Walled Garden. We have two regular volunteers from Day Opportunilies and also ljoth Cookstown and Magherafelt Base members helped to creale Kindness Rocks. During the summer we planted and harvested tomatoes, broad beans. onions, lettu￿. kale. courgettes and broccoli. Next year we hope lo plant Potaloes and cabbage as requested by Ihe volunteers. The Iwo volunteers and staff also attended an outdoor community gardening event at Maghera Walled Garden in conjunction with The ConseNalion Volunleers and Y.Z. 'Feels lo be True,. The event promoted environmentally friendly gardening and encouraged gardeners to start growing fruil and veg in a wildlife friendly manner. Our thanks lo Mid Ulster District Council for organising. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers for their commitment and contribution in their support of The Base setvice users in Cookstown and Magherafelt. 10 Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre IA company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 Carefully Yours Project Over the course of five years, the Careftjlly Yours project has made consistent gains in reaching a wide cross section on Ihe community over the age of 55 in the Magherafell area and providing an attractive and engaging programme of activities and services to meet needs. Staff have been flexible in their approach to service delivery and open lo changing things that are not working or have limited benefit and appeal The project has engaged high numbers of participants on an annual basis. Evaluation feedback from participants is overwhelmingly positive, with people reporting- • Improved physical health Improved mental health and wellbeing Increased social interaction Increased connections and friendships Reductions in loneliness and isolalion Enjoying life and feeling positive about the future Reduced reliance on medications and primary heallh services Increased skills and knowledge tsreater awareness of issues affecting and serVi￿S for older people Feeling safe and valued All of these positÉve impacts contribute to improving quality of life and the main programme outcomes whereby people feel and are able to make changes that improve their lives and feel confidenl to develop and build on Iheir skills and strengths which in lurn enhances a sense of wellbeing and independence. The majority of participanls who engaged with the evaluation stated that they did not know whal they would do wilhoul the project. But to have both slatutory and other community and voluntary sector stakeholders say the same thing is hugely significant. One participant described Ihe project as a Godsend. IÉ is very dearly a lifeline. 180+ registered users attended various activities each week, such as= Chair Exercise Crochet Luncheon Club Yoga Afternoon Tea Information Sessions 11 Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre IA company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 "l am 90 yeors of oge ond live on my own. I volue my independerjce but now I'm confined to using 0 mobility scooter. Without it I wouldn't be out of the house utall. I've been coming herefor over5 yeors. When the grond children were young, they'd come into the house during term-time ond my wife wouldfeed them. She wos o good cook. They would show me how to use the loptop and ipad but when they went off to University, I reolised I'd been relying on them. Thought I'd better do something about itso I came to oll the iPad classes. The objectives weren't exterjsive! Send/receive emoils, order online ond look up bit ond pieces of informationfor gardening ond woodwork. When my wife died it was the closses thLIt got me out of the house twice o week, the volue wos the outing. I've olso been coming to the Luncheon Club on o Tuesdoy ond the monthlyAfternoon Teos meet a lot of people thot way. f I wasn't here, I would be sittino in the house like a hermit. I wt75 olwuys on active person with o great interest in gordening ondfruit growing. I con't do so much gardening now butstill growfruit. My heoring's not so good ond I weor o heoring t7id. Age Nl come out and help with any phone problems und the Good Morning colls 5 days o week are o great outlet if I'mfeeling grumpyl Without these agencies I would hrive been lost. I've105t o lot offriends in recent yeors Jnd don't have many left. But i hove made some excellent new friends by corning here. One gentleman I met here visits me every Soturdoy night. The stuff here look after me like I'm their Grondpo. Coming here keeps me octive ond has given nje the oomph to get up and go ond never short of energy to do the things I want to. I s(ry-Stoypositive. Never5Gy die." Participant "AS an Èlderv pefsonvdio kves atone, the project h?s been a lrfe saver In pYr&ty ways. It has grien sometFing to look forward lo e¥ery week, inNove try mood, sense ofwellLwsiro and irtrtyJu¢ed I1* to cherithed friends.- Paril¢lpii Ilt 11 has rr£ to debelop a routirE in Ihe w*k to keep m?re &lert andpty&ic*ty nErtalJkmJre xtiie. Glrfe ¢onp&nThshi> as l &melone, 60 k 6 & ht d narm9JkyJn ny Ke. Xeo% imoinpd ollh* which ￿ wai19t& in t￿ area 9ejpralkxKlrE￿ ol the *oA¥e.' PilltlCll&¢lllt 12 Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre IA company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 Financial Review In 2022123, total incoming resour￿$ were £243,027 (2021122 £205,117) During the year the charity was fortunate enough to receive support from a number of SoUr￿S induding Northem Health and Social Care Trust, Mid Ulster Council, Department for Communities. The National lollery Community Fund and Tesco bags for help. Total expenditure for 2022123 was £230,651 (202112022 £215,379) The Charity was in a heallhy financial posilion at the year-end, wfrth current assets of £114.638. The Iwstees confinn that Sin￿ the year-end, it is not aware of any events that would have a maleri81 detrimental impact on its position_ Reserves Policy The trustees of Mid Ulsler Volunteer Centre have set a reserves policy which requires.. The charity to maintain a level of reserves which Tneets the needs of the project both at the current time and in the loreseeable fulure. The level of resetves held are based on the need to fund unexpected expenditure and to ensure that it can fund any shorttalls in income. should income not reach expected levels. The Board of Direclors will be responsible for monitoring ihe level of reserves on a monthly basis. Principal Funding Sources The prtncipal funding sources for Mid Ll ster Volunteer Cenlre is currently by way of granl and contract income. Related Party Transactions None of our tfustees r￿1ve remuneration or other benefit from their work with the charity. They are only reimbursed for charstable expenses. During the year none of the trustees were reimbursed. 13 Mid Ulster Volunteer Centre {A company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital) TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2023 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DECLARATION ON UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS General responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the trustees as the directors to prepare financial 5talemenls for each financial year. Under that law the trustees have elected to prepare the financial slatements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice {United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under charitable company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied thal they give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of Ihe charity and of the net income or expenditure of Ihe charity for that period. In prepartng these financial statements, the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consislenlly., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., Observe the methods and principles in the Charites SORP. state whether the Charilies SORP (effective January 2015) in accordance with FRS 102 has been followed.. prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate lo presume Ihat the charily will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with, and all Regulalions to be construed as one with that Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding Ihe assets of the charity and he￿￿ for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. TTUStees' declaration on unaudited financial ststements In relalion to the financtal statements comprising the Slatement of Financial Activities {incorporaling an Income and Expenditure Account), the Balance Sheet. Ihe Accounting Policies and the related notes.. The trustees approve these financial stalements and confirm that they are rrlsponsible for them. including selecting Ihe appropriate accounting policies, applying them consistently and making, on a reasonable and prudent basis, the judgements underlying them. They have been prepared on the going concern basis on the grounds thal the charity will continue in operation. The trustees confimi that they have made available to R T J Ross & Co. Chartered Accounlants, all the charity's accounling records and provided all the information, books and documents ne￿sSary for the compilation of the financial slatements. The trustees confirm that to the best of their knowledge and belief, the accounting records reflect all the Iransadions of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. Special provisions relating to small ¢ompanTes The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. On behalf of the Board Mrs Mary Date.. 5th December 2023