COLERAINE STREET PASTORS ids. chartered accountants TRUSTEES REPORT {INICLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2024. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's memorandum, the Companies Act 2006 and 'Accounling 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)" objectives and activities Coleraine Street Pastors comprises 41 volunteers from local interdenominational Churches, including Coleraine, Ballymoney, Portstewart and Casllerock. These volunteers are committed to going out at least once a month at various times, usually evening or night, to Listen, Care and Help within the local communlly. The Charity has a smaller number of Prayer Pastors who support the teams out on the streets by praying from the base or home. Our volunteers are trained in various aspects of our work, from Drugs & Alcohol, First Aid to Suicide Awareness. We work in partnership with NIHE, PSNI and the local PCSP. These agencies have said that our presence on the streets at weekends makes Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart safer for those out and about at night. We listen to, talk to and get lo know people In our local community to detemiine their needs and offer support or guidance. This makes the difference to those who are often dealing with mental health problemslemotional distressl suicidal ideation, tackling alcoholldrug addiction, living with debt worneslin povertylcoping with homelessnessl domestic abuse, struggling with apalhylsocial isolationlfear of crime., or young people who have a general la¢k of ambition, who may be at increased risk of committing crime. On Friday nights, teams patrol Coleraine lawn centre, parks, railway station, and retail park, deterring crime and antisocial behaviour and engaging with people. In housing estates, their presence reassures older. lonely, or socially isolated people who may feel vulnerable to antisocial behaviour. They engage with teenagers and explain who Street Pastors are and what they do on the estates. They also visit youth clubs and mental health outreach facilities to encourage people to seek assistance if required. On Saturday nights, teams of 3-4 volunteers patrol Portrush and Portstewart, focusing on nightlife at pubs and nightclubs. Their aim is to look out for anyone who may be vulnerable to assault, support people of all ages who need help for various reasons, and ensure they get home safely. They remove bottles and potential weapons to discourage violence and vandalism. Volunteers are also a visual presencelmediator, which helps to reduce tension and anti-social behaviour and 'free up, Police officers to deal with more urgent calls from members of the community who need their help. There are other events throughout the year, e.g., Easter Monday, when our presence in 'listening, caring and helping keep people safe, is valued. We are represented on an ongoing basis, where issues such as anti-social behaviour are raised, to be proactive instead of reactive to ensure the safety of all. The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what aclivlties the charity should undertake. Financlal revlew Over the period 6 April 2023 - 5 April 2024, the charity has helped approximately 1500 people on the streets. Volunteers have lifted and disposed of 478 bottles and glasses to prevent them from being used as lethal weapons or causing injury to people going barefoot. We have attended antisocial incidents and issued 137 street supplies to the public. We have administered first aid, as required, and assisted 84 people in transport, ensuring they got home safely. During this period, 22 of our more eXperIend Street Pastors attended a refresher training session, and we delivered First Aid training. We also gave in-person presentations to community and Church groups to inform and educate them about our work.
COLERAINE STREET PASTORS ids. chartered accountants TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024 It is the policy of the charity Ihal unrestricted fund5, which have not been designated for a specific use, should be maintained at a level equival8nt to between 3 and 6 months, expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year. The trustees have assessed the major risks lo which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. Our current balance sheet value is £14,271.00, which is £7,019.00 lower than last year. While our charity's expenses this year are similar lo those of the previous year, our income has fallen. This decline is primarily due to the charity receiving a significant one-time donation of £10,000 for the year ending in April 2023. Our primary funding sourGes include support from local Churches and cash donations to our charity collection boxes. Moving forward, we plan lo increase our funding by identifying more supporting Churches and applying for grants from charitable trusts and foundations. Structure, governance and management The Charity has held regular management meetings for the running of the project, and followed the guidelines for street pastors initiatives laid down by Ascension Trust (London), our umbrella body, supplying quarterly reports to our funders. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during theyear and up to the dale of signature of the financial statements were= Alice McAlary Robert Ritchie Ann Vance Cathy Martin Elaine Breakey Richard Pollock Stephaine Quigley Chris Crowder Rev A WT Brown Rev D Brown {Resigned 26 March 2024) The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees. stephaine Quigley Trustee 5 December 2024