ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
The Iruslees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in presenting their report
and the financial statements of Ulster University Students, Union (the Union) for the period ended 31 July 2022.
The financial slalements have been prepared in accordan￿ with Accounting and Reporting by Charities..
Stslemenl of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance wth the
Financial Reporting Stsndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective 1 January 20191
Icharilies SORP IFRS 10211, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
IFRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2006.
Objectives and activities
The Union's objective is the advancement of the education of students al Ulster University for the public benefit
by..
promoting the interests and welfare of students al Ulster University during their course of study and
representing, supporting and advising students.,
being the recognised rep￿sentatIVe channel between students and Ulster University and any other
external bodies.. and
providing social. cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussions and debate for
the personal development of its students.

ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Achievements and performance
The 2021122 academic year saw a transition back lo campus following the previous year of home working and
studying. This dual approach brought its own Challenges. bul the Students, Union continued lo represent the
sludenl voice both internally and externally lo ensure that members have had effe¢tive. ac¢ounlable
representation on issues that affect them.
The officer team led campaigns on the importance of mental health, sustainability and equality, diversity, and
inclusion. Mental health look a primary role across the scope of campaigns where projects included providing a
phoneline checking in wth students and highlighting issues through the UOK? Campaign. This was delivered in
conjunction with Advice Nl, with 5,000 outbound calls made lo members wlh a scripted convèrsation held to
understand any wellbeing or mental health issues that may be prevalent across the sludenl wmmunity. This
understanding has been invaluable and pointed towards key 'triggers' where early intervention would be useful to
support the student community. 11 is these early 'lriggers' around elements su¢h as finan￿ or a life event where
most impact can be made to support the stLJdent community across mental wellbeing needs.
In addition, we created a series of'UUSU Meets...
videos which have taken four sludenl relatable individuals in
the public eye who have had lo look after their own mentsl wellbeing. These are frank and honest assessment
pieces of how mental health can Impact anyone and how it has been managed or overcome. These are critical
assets as they will outlive the current campaign work and can be used well into the future with new groups of
students. To compliment further, a peer buddy scheme has been developed and was launched in February wfch
good engagement and students signing up as Peer Buddy Volunteers and Peer Buddies. 11 is hoped that that the
scheme will continue lo grow and act as another long-lerm intervention for positive mental health and wellbeing.
The sustainability campaign saw a partnership wth the University rolling out the Net Zero challenge and Green
week was an opportunity lo engage with external stakeholders whilst len societies held climate themed events.
The Wellbeing Garden in Magee was created as a community allolmenl and allowed students the opportunity to
grow organic produce. Offerings in both Coleraine and Belfast arè planned, and funding has been secured for
thèse.
The 2021122 sludenl officer elections saw the first full-lime role dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, and
in¢lusion, in the shape of a VP for Equality and Belonging. and this position was taken up on 1 July 2022. This
officer supports a variety of student communities and ne￿orkS and is supported by specific student counsellors
following a restructure of student council.
All this work was recognised by UUSU receiving the award for Large Officer Team of the Year from the Union of
Students In Ireland.
The sports dubs saw a significant increase in partiapalion with 1,600 members playing a variety of sports
despite leaching being a combination of online and face-to-face. The academic representslive structure had a
successful year with 678 students being elected lo represent their course and ensure that any issues were
reported and dealt wth as soon as practical. The advice bureau saw an increase in queries dealing with
individual student problems with academic appeals and housing being the recurring concerns. 16 new societies
were set up during the year and the long-eslablished societies continued lo attract new members and hold
events across the campuses. To support and underpin the representative structures, UUSU also held ils first ever
Student Summit for active members, which brought them together lo explore and plan p0511ive inlervenlion5 for
members in the future.
Finally, 2022 saw the return of UUSU'S sludenl awards season, celebrating academic. sporting. and
representslive ex￿llenCe across the membership. Around 600 attendees took part across the events wf(h
winners from across the membership representing the success and dedication to our mission.
Further information on the impact UUSU has made over the last 12 months can be found online as part of our
Impact Report for 2022123.

ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Raising of funds
The Union's main source of income is by way of block grant awarded by Ulster University. Other income is
generated through sponsorship, advertising and ad hoc grants.
Governance
Governance of the organisalion is of vitsl importance and is assessed on a regular basis through the review of
the Strategic Plan. Risk Register and Financial Memorandum. The Students, Union Sludenl Executive. consisting
of seven full time elected Officers and relevant staff. meets every three weeks to discuss Students. Union poli
and membership issues. The Senior Management Team meets every 2-3 weeks to review operational matters.
The quarterly meetings of the Trustee Board include the review of management accounts, progress of the
strategic Operating Plan, and monitoring of the Risk Register.
Financial review
The Student5, Union income for the current year was £2,426,350 12021 £2,359,815) and nel income before
exceptional pension movements was £388,965 12021 £692,439). After accounting for movements in the
pension provision the net income for the period was £264,35212021- £566,974).
The net deficit of the charity al 31 July 2022 was £3,036,92912021 £3,301,281). The main reason for the deficit
is the deficit funding commitment in relation to the Students, Union Superannuation Scheme, which amounted to
£3,956,156 at 31 July 2022 12021 £4.085,0401. At 31 July 2022, restricted funds were £338,222 12021
£537,175) and general unrestricted funds tolalled £562,711 12021 £232,870).
Designated funds at 31 July 2022 of £20,29412021 £13,714) relate lo the balance of funds held in relation to
thè Unique shop and National Lottery Community Fund Wèllbeing giant after income and expenditure during the
year.
Rese￿eS Policy
Reserves will be established lo safeguard activity should funding not be available from the principal funding
source. Al 31 July 2022 the Union had free reserves of £551,20612021- £206,899).
P17ncipal Fun(ling Sour
The principal funder is Ulster University through the allocation of block grant funding to the Union.
Rl$k Management
The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the Union has in place an appropriate system of
controls, financial and otherwise, to provide reasonable assurance that..
the Union is operating efficiently and effectively",
its assets are safeguarded against unaulhorised use or disposition",
proper records are maintsined, and financial information used wthin the organisalion or for publication is
reliable.,
it complies with relevant laws and regulations,. and
that the systems of financial control are designed lo provide reasonable, bul not absolute assurance
against material misslalemttnl or loss.
The major risks, lo which the Union is exposed, are set out in the Risk register and systems have been
established to mitigate those risks.

ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
Future Plans
The Union will continue lo represent students both through academic issues and the provision of social
opportunities lo meèt other students through engagement in sport and societies.
The academic year 2022123 sees the move lo the Belfast campus and the Union will Continue to work with the
University to ensure a smooth transition for stsff and students. There ￿ll11 be an investment in resources in
marketing and ¢ommunications to ensure that students are aware of the work that the Students. Union does on
their behalf and the OPPDrtunities available to them.
Funding was acquired in the 2021122 year to roll out the Wellbeing Garden inilialives to the other campuses so
space will be Identified for the Coleraine and Belfast campuses lo facilitate this project. Further funding is on the
radar to offer additional Investment into sludenl focused services and opportunities.
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, this will be a core campaign strand for UUSU and working wth the University
and other partners it is hoped that tangible inleNentions will be made to support students. We are Currently
working on such intetvenlions bul hope that these will in¢lude positive announcements such as rent freezes,
reduction on travel costs, support with living costs, discounted food and free breakfast on campuses, a removal
of hidden course costs, as well as much more.
We are also developing a Mental Health Action Plan, which has been drafted in conjunction with our members. 11
is anli¢ipaled that this will put in place a series of actions that UUSU can support or further, which will benefit
students into the longer term.
UUSU will be creating a new strategy document to be launched al some point in the 2023124 academic year.
Consultation wll be carried out ￿rith various stskeholders lo ensure that strategic objectives are relevant to the
current dimate and are representative of the membership needs. There has been substantial change since the
last strategic process was carried out in relation to how membership engage wth further education through the
use of digital technology and the emphasis placed on sustainability and how this is manifested through social
change. Whilst the organisation would like to plan for the longer tem, change is so fast moving any strategy that
is developed will need lo be adaptable to societal events.

ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, UNION
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT) {CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
structure. governance and management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital.11 was incorporated on 15 June
2017 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 15 June 2017. The members of the
charity for the purposes of company law are the trustees and the liability of each member is limited lo an amount
not exceeding £1.
Prior lo 1 September 2017 the activities of the Students, Union were carried out through an unincorporated entity
and were govemed by the Conslilulion of the unincorporated enlily. On 1 September 2017 the assets and
liabilities of the unincorporated entity were transferred lo the charity and il commenced ils activities on that dale.
The total amount transferred was net liabilities of £2,566,431.
The Board of Ttuslees is responsible for the management and administration of the Union and may exercise all
the powers of the Union. The application lo become a registered Charity was approved by the Charity
Commission for Northern Ireland on 12 April 2019. The charity number is NIC 107053.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up
to the date of signature of the financial statements were..
Ms K Hewitt
Ms A Neill
MrA Ward
Mr D FO￿er
Ms A Probets
Ms G Boyle
Mr R Harling
Mr O Mccloskey
M5 R Allen
Mr E Davies
Ms S Hilditch
Mr R Millar
(Resigned 8 September 2022}
(Resigned 30 June 20221
(Resigned 30 June 20221
(Appointed 19 July 20221
(Appointed 27 October 20211
(Appointed 19 July 20221
The trustees are made up of the following persons".
Four student officer trustees agreed by the Student Executive
Two sludenl Iruslees appointed by application and selection pro￿$$
Five external trustees appointed by application and selection process.
student Officer trustees can serve a maximum of three years in single year terms, student Iruslees can serve a
maximum of iwo terms, each term lasting two years and extemal trustees may serve a maximum of two terms.,
each term being a maximum of four years in duration.
The Chief Executive. Mr D Longstsff, carries out the day to day management of the Union. The Iruslees meet on
a quarterly basis. There are other committees in place lo manage specific areas of the organisation. PrO￿dureS
have been pul in Pla￿ for the induction and training of Iruslees and the Union ensures trustees are aware of
their responsibilities on Corporate Governan￿.
Relationship with Related Parties
The relationship between Ulster University and the Union is established in an Ordinance of the University's
Governing Documents and the Union receives a block grant from the University, by agreement with the
University on an annual basis. There is also non-monelary support which Is intrinsic lo the relationship between
the University and the Union in relation lo the provision of office space.
Although the Union ¢onlinues lo generate supplementary funding from various mutual trading aclivilies. it is
dependent on the University's financial support. There is no reason to believe that this or equivalent support from
the University will not continue for the foreseeable future.

ULSTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. UNION
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORTI IcoKfiNUEDI
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022
SIAt•mènt of trust••8' respon8lbllltl•s
The twslees. who are also the directors of Ulster Univer3ity Slud&nls' UnK)n foi the purpo$¢ of company law. are
responsible for pr&paring the Truslees, Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law
and United ￿ngdorn Accounting Slandards {Uniled Kingdom Generally Accepled Accounting Practscel.
CompAny Law requires the truste8s to pfepare f nancial statements for each financjal year which give a true and
fair view ol the slate of affairs of Ihe chaiity and ol tho incoming r¢sour¢¢s and appli¢alion of resourc¥$, induding
the income and expenditure, of Ihe Charitab￿ Company for that yeaf.
In preparing thes& finanaal slalements, the Iruslees are required lo:
- Se￿¢t suilabla a¢t¢Junling pOI￿è$ and Ihèn appty tham consisl8ntty;
- obs8rv8 thé melhods and prinuples in the Charit￿$ SORP,.
make judg8m8nts and estimates that are reasonable and prudenl..
slate whether appliCa￿e UK Accounting Standards have been lomowèd, subjed io any material departures
disdosèd and explained in th8 financial statements., and
prepare the financial slalemenls on Ihe gokng concem basi5 unle53 11 is inappropriato to pre5uffle th81 the
tharity will continue In Operat￿n.
The Iruslees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy al
any tim¢ lh¢ ffin¥nci81 position of the eharity and ènable them to ensure that the finandal statements eomply wth
the Compan￿5 Act 20(￿. They are also responsib￿ for safegLJarding the assets of the charty and hènce for
taking reasonab￿ steps lor the prevention and dèlèdion ol fraud and othèr itrègulaiities.
Sm•ll ¢ompanSè0 8x•mptlon
In pr¢paring Ihis report. the directors have laken advanlage of th8 small companies exemptions Provided by
section 415A of the Companies Act 20c￿.
DL*clo8ure of Inforniation to auditor
Each ol the tru51ees has confirmed that Ihere is no inlormalion of wh￿h they ale aware which is relevarbl lo the
audrt. bul of which the audrtor is unaware. They have further confimed Ihal they have tsken appropriate steps lo
idenllfy such relevanl inlomialion and to estabksh that Ihe auditor 15 aware of such information.
The Irustetrs, r•port was approved by thè Board of Trustees.
M5 G Boyle
Chalrpgrson ol th• Tru$ts• Board
Dated.. 24 Novembef 2022