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2024-12-31-accounts

Company Registration No: NI071472 Charity Commission NI Number: NI106414 Charity Number: XT 8361

SPRED (DOWN & CONNOR) (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Report and Financial Statements

31 December 2024

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees and Management Team 3
Principal Place of Business and Advisers 4
Trustees’ Annual Report 5 – 8
Independent Examiner’s report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the accounts		 9
10
11
12 – 15

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

TRUSTEES AND MANAGEMENT TEAM

Directors (Board of Trustees)

Deirdre Burns (Chair) Margaret Hollywood Mary Lunny Clare Marie Passmore (Company Secretary) Julie Quinn (Treasurer)

Management Committee

Deirdre Burns (Chair) Margaret Hollywood Mary Lunny Clare Marie Passmore (Company Secretary) Julie Quinn (Treasurer)

Finance and Funding Subcommittee

Julie Quinn (Chair)

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS AND ADVISERS

Independent Accountant and Registered Office address

Finegan Gibson Ltd Causeway Tower 9 James Street South Belfast Co Antrim BT2 8DN

Solicitors

Napier & Sons 1-9 Castle Arcade Belfast BT1 5DF

Bankers

Danske Bank Donegall Square West Belfast BT1 6JS

Advisors

Joe Connolly NICVA – Membership No. 15670 Community Change

Company Registration No: NI071472 Charity Commission NI Number: NI106414 Charity Number: XT 8361

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

The Directors/Trustees have the pleasure of presenting their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024, in accordance with the CC15b - Charity Reporting and Accounting: The essentials (April 2009) 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 1 January 2015).

References and Administrative Information

SPRED (Down & Connor) is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland on 13 January 2009, Company registration number NI071472 and HMRC Charity Reference Number XT 8361. Registered with NI Charity Commission on 25 April 2017, registration number: NIC106414.

Structure, Governance and Management

SPRED (Down & Connor) operates within Memorandum and Articles of Association which are registered with Companies House. In the event that the Company is wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.

During the period the Board of Trustees/ Directors administered the Charity through its Management Committee. Subcommittees, including a finance subcommittee, were appointed and met as required. The Board of Trustees/Directors is responsible for safeguarding the finances of SPRED (Down & Connor).

Methods, policies and procedures for the appointment of trustees

New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees and serve for four years after which they may be reappointed for successive terms. The Articles provides for a minimum of five trustees, to a maximum of fourteen trustees.

Risk Management

The Board reviews the major strategic, business and operational risks that the organisation faces and guarantees that systems are in place to manage and control those risks to its members, volunteers and in particular, children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Management

On 1 April 2019 the Executive responsible for the activities relating to Parish Groups transferred their line reporting to the Diocese via The Living Church Office. The role of SPRED (Down & Connor) Trustees has continued to pursue and progress the overall Vision, Mission and Values of the organisation.

Objectives and Activities for the public benefit

From 1 January 2018 SPRED (Down & Connor) adopted new Mission, Vision and Aims following some development work carried out in the previous calendar year.

Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision

Everyone with a learning disability has the opportunity to develop and share their faith, thrive and make a valued contribution to their community.

Our Mission

SPRED enables people with learning disabilities to explore and deepen their spirituality, enhancing their sense of self and belonging.

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

Our Values

Aims and Objectives

Aim 1 : To ensure that those with learning disabilities and volunteers have every opportunity to explore and deepened their own spirituality

Objectives

Aim 2 : To increase awareness and integration of SPRED and its members within the community

Objectives

Aim 3: To ensure an effective and sustainable organisation

Objectives

When setting our aims and objectives we have considered how the general public can benefit. We aim to enhance how both the general population and those with learning disabilities live out their faith as part of the parish and wider communities through worship, friendship and prayer.

Achievements and Performance General Progress

SPRED (Down & Connor) has now completed its sixteenth year as a Charitable Company.

During 2024 and into 2025 SPRED (Down & Connor) has declined to being an organisation solely comprised of legacy and dwindling parish groups. It is now estimated to comprise of 8 active groups with 50 members and 60 catechists. This is a fraction of its peak membership when it reached 42 groups, 250 members and 350 catechists in 2014.

The lack of committed and skilled central coordination is considered to be the main contributing factor to this very regretful situation.

In the period 2008-2019 the SPRED Management Committee consisted of seven members meeting at least monthly with a clear strategy and annual operating plans executed through objectives, smart targets and ongoing monitoring. The critical resource of the SPRED Director, reporting to the Management Committee, was introduced in a part-time capacity in 2008 and then upgraded to a near full time capacity in 2018. This was pivotal to providing leadership and support to existing groups and to the very successful new group programme.

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

In 2019 the Diocese declared that the SPRED (Down & Connor) Management Committee could no longer provide oversight and steering of the individual parish groups due to insurance concerns which although unsubstantiated at the time left the Management Committee with no alternative option but to step aside. The Diocesan team at that time expressed an intention to fully utilise the Management Committee in providing the same level of input but just under a structure they were more comfortable with. Regretfully this never transpired.

The provision of oversight, expertise and hands-on support from the Management Committee members has been consistently offered throughout the ever-changing iterations of Diocesan structures. Direct connections with the ongoing co-ordinator, Living Church senior personnel, Diocesan Chief Operating Officer and laterally Pathways to the Future personnel have been made on numerous occasions in an attempt to agree pragmatic working relationships and governance structures aimed at re-kindling energy and drive into the SPRED Diocesan groups.

Unfortunately, these attempts have now failed on so many occasions that the Management Committee members are left with no option but to accept that alignment on such matters is not possible.

Therefore, we will now abandon further attempts to influence the Diocesan Group structures but fondly wish the Groups every future success and will as individuals provide any appropriate practical and spiritual support that we can. SPRED will always remain a very proud legacy to us and hold the deepest place in all of our hearts.

In the year to 2025 we will now consider the options to operate the charity in a legal capacity.

Responsibilities for the accounts and financial statements

Company Law requires that the directors prepare financial statements for each year which gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity for that period. In preparing the statement, the directors are required to:

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

They are also responsible for the systems of internal control, safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The directors have taken all reasonable steps that ought to have been taken as a director to make them aware of any relevant accounting information and to establish that the company’s Independent Accountant was aware of that information.

Basis of accounting

The annual financial statements are attached to this report. These have been prepared in accordance with the policies summarised on pages 12 and 13.

Reserves policy

The reserves reflect amounts of incoming resources for the current and prior periods not yet spent. SPRED (Down & Connor) aims to retain sufficient funds to ensure operating commitments can be met.

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

Note 10 to the financial statements sets out the nature of the funds carried forward and the Management Committee would like to express their gratitude to all past contributors. A special note of thanks is also due to the relatives and friends of the SPRED community who have kindly made donations, in particular the friends and family of the late Peter McGrath.

Review of the year

£280 of donations were booked during the year with expenditure minimised to ensure a sufficient balance of reserves.

Funding and Resources

We continue to manage costs very effectively so that as much of our funding as possible is allocated to activities which have a direct impact on the local SPRED Groups

By order of the Board Deirdre Burns: Chair

Date: 6 June 2025

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SPRED (DOWN AND CONNOR)

Independent examiner's statement

I report on the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024, which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position and the related notes.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.

My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

  1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.

  2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records.

  3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the 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.

  4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Paul Dolan on behalf of Finegan Gibson Ltd Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Causeway Tower 9 James Street South Belfast, BT2 8D

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Including income and expenditure account For the Year Ended 31 December 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
Note 2024 2024 2024 2023
Restricted Unrestricted Total Total
Fund Fund £ £
£ £
Income:
Investment income - - - -
Donations 280 280 -
Total Income - 280 280 -
Expenditure
Costs of raising funds
Expenditure on charitable 3 - 450 450 450
activities
Total expenditure - 450 450 450
Net income/(expenditure) and
net movement in funds for the 5 - (170) (170) (450)
year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 9 36,673 36,682 37,132
Total funds carried forward 9 36,503 36,512 36,682
----- End of picture text -----

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024

----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank and in hand 36,932 37,522
36,932 37,522
LIABILITIES: Creditors falling
due within one year 9 (420) (840)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 36,512 36,682
TOTAL ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES 36,512 36,682
CREDITORS: falling due after
more than one year 0 0
NET ASSETS 36,512 36,682
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Restricted income funds 10 9 9
Unrestricted income funds 10 36,503 36,673
36,512 36,682
----- End of picture text -----

For the year ending 31 December 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Trustees’ responsibilities:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 6 June 2025, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

DEIRDRE BURNS, Trustee,

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the Companies Act 2006.

The particular accounting policies adopted are described below and have been applied consistently throughout the current and preceding year.

Basis of preparation

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:

Current assets

Current assets are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Incoming resource

Income from grants, parish funding and other similar income is recognised when it is receivable, and all conditions satisfied. Where income is received in advance of a performance or some other specified service it is deferred until the charity is entitled to that income.

Resources expended

Liabilities are recognised as resource expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.

Funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.

Cash flow statement

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in SORP 2015 from the requirement to produce a cashflow statement because it is a small charity.

Going Concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Public Benefit

SPRED (Down & Connor) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

Disclosure exemptions

The entity satisfies the criteria of being a qualifying entity as defined in FRS 102. As such, advantage has been taken of the following disclosure exemption available under paragraph 1.12 of FRS 102:

2 MEMBER AND ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

The Charity is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee having no share capital and, in accordance with the Memorandum of Association, every member is liable to contribute a sum not exceeding £10 in the event of the company being wound up. At 31 December 2024 there were 14 members.

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

3. COSTS IN FURTHERANCE OF THE CHARITY’S OBJECTS

Staff costs
Premises expenses
Office and other costs		 Restricted
Funds
£
Un-
Restricted
Funds
£
Total
2024
£
Total
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
450
450
450
-
450
450
450

4. ANALYSIS OF STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs		 Total
2024
£
Total
2023
£
-
-
-
-
-
-

The average number of employees during the year was 0 (2023:0) with all employee time involved in either providing support to the governance of the charity or support services to charitable activities.

No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2023: None).

The key management personnel of the charity comprise the Trustees and the Executive Director. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the company total £0.

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

5. NET INCOMING RESOURCES

Net incoming resources are stated after charging:

Independent Examiner remuneration Total
2024
£
Total
2023
£
420
420

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND TRUSTEES’ EMOLUMENTS

Trustees received no emoluments (2023: Nil). Expenses were not reimbursed to or paid on behalf of trustees (2023: Nil).

7. INVESTMENT INCOME

Income received from investments during the year was Nil (2023: Nil).

8. TAXATION

SPRED (Down and Connor) is a registered charity, and it is not liable to corporation tax on its charitable activities.

9. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Accruals and deferred income

RESTRICTED/UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
At 1
January
2024
£
Incoming
Resources
£
Outgoing
Resources
£
Restricted
Funds:
Daughters of
Charity
9
-
-
9
-
-
Unrestricted
Funds:
Bon Secour
Order Donation
Peter McGrath
36,673
-
-
280
450
-
36,673
280
450
Total
36,682
280
450		 Accruals and deferred income

RESTRICTED/UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
At 1
January
2024
£
Incoming
Resources
£
Outgoing
Resources
£
Restricted
Funds:
Daughters of
Charity
9
-
-
9
-
-
Unrestricted
Funds:
Bon Secour
Order Donation
Peter McGrath
36,673
-
-
280
450
-
36,673
280
450
Total
36,682
280
450		 2024
£
2023
£
420
840
At 31
December
2024
£
9
9
36,223
280
36,503
36,512
9
-
-
36,673
-
-
280
450
-
36,673
280
450
36,682
280
450

10. RESTRICTED/UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

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SPRED (Down & Connor): Annual Report 2024

Bon Secour Order Donation

During 2009 the Bon Secours Sisters presented to one of our members a donation. The monies were initially received as restricted to be used for the purposes of the “procurement, fitting out and on-going running of a Training and Observation Centre for SPRED in the Diocese of Down and Connor”. In January 2017 we approached the Sisters requesting that these funds be changed to unrestricted given our relocation to St Michael’s, this was confirmed and granted.

Daughters of Charity

During 2018 we agreed to assist with the revaluation of the Daughters of Charity, Dublin, provision of SPRED. The Daughters of Charity reimbursed SPRED (Down & Connor) for time and expenses.

Peter McGrath

We were very sad to hear of the passing of Peter McGrath. It was a great privilege to receive a donation from the friends and family of Peter in lieu of flowers which was administrated by Dempsey funeral directors. This donation will be used to continue with the mission of SRED (Down & Connor).

11. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Restricted funds:
Daughters of Charity
Unrestricted funds:
Bon Secour Order Donation
Peter McGrath		 Fixed
Assets
£
Current
Assets
£
Liabilities
£
Total
£
-
9
-
9
-
-
36,643
280
(420)
-
36,223
280
-
36,932
(420)
36,512

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