IONAD UÍBH EACHACH
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: NI631969 (Northern Ireland)
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: NIC 107062
Report of the Trustees
Ionad Uibh Eachach
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the
Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of
the
charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. The trustees have adopted the
provisions of Accounting 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 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Ráiteas Misin/Mission Statement:
Pobal Slán, Sábháilte, a thógáil thart ar ár bpáistí
ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge ar fáil do chách
To build a safe and healthy community around our children
in which the Irish language is accessible to all.
Spriocanna & Aidhmeanna / Aims & Objectives
(1) Ionad Uibh Eachach is an Irish Language Family and Community Centre for
parents, children and the local community in an area of need.
(2) Ionad Uibh Eachach provides high quality, child-centred inclusive early
year's childcare, playgroup, preschool and afterschool services through
Irish in
order to support high level outcomes for children.
(3) Ionad Uibh Eachach provides a comprehensive cultural & language
programme
for the local community including cultural, educational, training and
support
opportunities combined with long term training & employment opportunities
for
local people.
(4) Ionad Uibh Eachach encourages parental participation in their child's
development and provides an annual programme of parental engagement and
ongoing
family support for families and children facing challenges.
(5) Ionad Uíbh Eachach promotes partnership with parents, children and the
local
community in every aspect of their work.
(6) Ionad Uibh Eachach actively seeks to open Irish Language to all
sections of
the community.
Principle activities
Ionad Uíbh Eachach provides cultural, educational, training and support
opportunities for local people combined with education, daycare and
childcare
services through Irish for over 130 children daily.
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IONAD UÍBH EACHACH
Ionad Uibh Eachach
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Public benefit
Purpose 1 : Ionad Uíbh Eachach is established for the advancement of
cultural
and educational activities and services through Irish in an
interdenominational
context for children, youth and their families. This supports the building
of a
safe and healthy Irish language community around our children, youth and
their
families, which is open to all. Benefits flowing from this include
improving
social cohesion/ inclusion through community involvement in developing a
language community, developing and inspiring community pride around culture
language and heritage and promoting community regeneration. These benefits
are
demonstrated by enhanced community engagement in the design and development
of
Irish language services and facilities, by increased community activity
around
education, culture and language which is open and inclusive thus breaking
down
barriers between and within communities and improving the quality of life
of the
those participating or receiving services.
Purpose 2: Co-ordinate and provide Irish cultural & educational activities
in
the Belfast area. This supports the provision of community educational and
cultural activities alongside the development of training and support
opportunities for parents and the community. Benefits include enhancement
of
educational opportunities available to parents & local people, enriching
public
understanding and appreciation of the language and cultural landscape and
direct
benefits for those accessing training and support. These benefits are
demonstrated by enhanced knowledge and understanding of those accessing
educational opportunities, a sense of identity and wellbeing among those
involved in cultural activities and increased confidence and skill of those
accessing training and support. The public benefit from preserving the
culture
and language for future generations.
Purpose 3: To provide high quality Irish language early years care,
education
and support services to children, youth and their families. The benefits
that
flow from this purpose include the positive impact of high quality Irish
language early years care & education on children and their families
combined
with parental engagement programmes and additional and targeted support for
children and families in need. Additional educational benefits flow from
second
language and immersion provision for very young children, preschool and
afterschool children. The inclusion of children with additional needs and
ethnic
IONAD UÍBH EACHACH
minority children offers increased care and educational opportunities to
those
in need in the community. Evidence of these benefits includes enhancing the
learning and cognitive development of children through use of a second
language
- a head start in education and development. Holistic services for the
whole
family support parental engagement in children’s learning and development
which
enables parents to better support their children’s development and enhances
confidence and self esteem of children and parents. Help and support for
children and families in need improves the educational and life experience
of
those families. There is no identifiable harm relating to any of these
purposes
which will publicly benefit the community as a whole, the Irish language
community, children, youth and their families. The creation of employment
and
training in Ionad Uíbh Eachach will privately benefit those employed and
trained
but this is necessary to carry out the main purpose of the organisation.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial Review
The company had net outgoing resources for the year of £30,452 (2022: net
outgoing resources of £28,902), which reflected the completion of a number
of
projects during the year. Net Unrestricted Income/Expenditure decreased by
£30,100, while Net Restricted Income/Expenditure decreased by £352.
The charity continues to work tirelessly to secure income from various
sources
to finance its ongoing activities with key stakeholders. The main source of
funding are grants received from various bodies as disclosed in note 4 in
the
financial statements.
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IONAD UÍBH EACHACH
Ionad Uibh Eachach
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The charity's policy is to retain a level of free reserves, which match the
needs of the organisation both
at the current time and in the foreseeable future by:
1. identifying and planning for the maintenance of essential services for
beneficiaries on an ongoing basis.
2.. assessing the risks of unplanned closure due to changes in the
financial
and/or funding climate on an annual basis taking into account spending
commitments, potential liabilities and financial forecasts.
3. assessing the risks of unplanned closure on beneficiaries (in
particular,
vulnerable beneficiaries), staff/ volunteer's.
The charity has developed a plan to establish and maintain this agreed
level of
free reserves. The charity will continue to monitor compliance with this
policy
on a regular basis and the Committee will review the appropriateness of the
policy annually.
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
From April 2021-March 2022, in common with many other community
organisations,
the pandemic had a major impact on Ionad Uíbh Eachach. Despite challenging
operational conditions childcare has remained open adhering to social
services
and government requirements.
Ionad was able to adapt and develop services within the constraints of
Covid
regulations/requirements. Key services continued and additional support
services
organised for families isolated in the home and/or subject to loss of
income or
jobs in partnership with a network of local community and statutory
organisations.
The pandemic continued to have a major impact on Ionad income generation
due to
lockdowns and closures, but the organisation was able to apply for a range
of
funding to both mitigate the loss of income and access funding to support
improvements and adaptations to services.
Services provided in 21-22 included-
- High quality childcare through Irish for children aged 0-12.
- Irish language immersion playgroup, wrap around preschool and afterschool
provision when permitted - remote support and learning packages during
lockdown.
- Cultural and language programme for adult learners weekly including Irish
language classes from beginner to GCSE & A Level delivered online in 21-22.
Cultural/language spring and summer festivals including discussion panels,
Irish
classes, music/dance and health & well being workshops also delivered
remotely
through facebook, you tube and Zoom.
IONAD UÍBH EACHACH
- In 21-22 Covid restrictions impacted on parental engagement programmes
with
some opportunities to organise socially distanced outdoor activities -
family
activities delivered online or in small groups.
- One to one play support for children was delivered in house weekly.
- Continued development of training and employment opportunities for local
people.
- Ongoing partnership with the local community including participation in
the
Greater Falls Neighbourhood Partnership, Greater Falls Family Support Hub,
An
Ceathrú Gaeltachta and the Belfast Childcare Partnership.
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IONAD UÍBH EACHACH
Ionad Uibh Eachach
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
FUTURE PLANS
Ionad Uíbh Eachach has developed a strategic plan which identifies the key
themes and strategic objectives of the organisation for the future.
" Cultúr & Teanga/Language & Culture -
Supporting community regeneration and renewal through the language and
culture
Support Lifelong Learning & raise the profile of the Irish Language in the
local
community
" Cúram & Oideachas/Care & Education-
Building tomorrow's Irish Language Community through provision of early
year's
services through Irish
Providing high quality, inclusive, child centred, services & involving
parent's
in their child's early education
" Pobal & Tuismitheoirí/Parents & Community-
Building an inclusive & responsive Irish Language community around children
and
their families
Provision of parental engagement & family support services to strengthen
resilience.
Ensuring that the Language/Culture and Ionad services are relevant &
accessible.
" Geilleagar Sóisialta/Social Economy
Building the Irish community by developing community-based daycare through
Irish
as a model for the sector. Provision of training and long-term employment
for
the local & Irish language community
" Ionad Uíbh Eachach a Fhorbairt & a Bhuanú mar Ionad Barr Fheabhais/
Develop & Sustain Ionad Uíbh Eachach as a Centre of Excellence
Strengthen governance & financial systems - Expand IUE human resources
Codify quality assurance systems & Enhance sustainability
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and
constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the
Companies
Act 2006.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustees
The Charity follows an appraisal process to identify the skills required
for the
Trustee Board and to identify any skills gap on the Board. Members of the
Trustee Board receive a full induction programme on joining the Trustee
Board
and thereafter receive ongoing training and briefing sessions.The board
completes an annual evaluation of its effectiveness. Actions arising from
this
process are integrated into the corporate workplan. The Trustee Board uses
open
IONAD UÍBH EACHACH
recruitment and strives to ensure that there is adequate local
representation on
the Trustee Board.
The trustees delegate the day to day running of Ionad Uibh Eachach to that
ofnthe chief executive officer.
Related parties
During the year Ionad Uibh Eachach provided key management personnel
services to
a registered charity, Gaelchuram Uachtar Chluanai.
EVENTS SINCE THE END OF THE YEAR
Information relating to events since the end of the year is given in the
notes
to the financial statements.
TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
The trustees (who are also the directors of Ionad Uibh Eachach for the
purposes
of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees
and the
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom
Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice)
including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting
Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
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IONAD UÍBH EACHACH
Ionad Uibh Eachach
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 March 2023
TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT – continued
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each
financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of
the
charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of
resources,
including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that
period.
In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in
business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the
charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial
statements
comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for
safeguarding
the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps
for
the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
- there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's
auditors are unaware; and
- the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make
themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that
the
auditors are aware of that information.
AUDITORS
The auditors, Lynn Drake & Co Ltd, will be proposed for re-appointment at
the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of
Part
15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on
............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
Siobhan McKenna - Trustee