BOLSTER COMMUNITY
Directors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Direclors present their report with Ihe audil¢d financial slalemenls for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance wlth the accounting policies set out in note I to the accounts
and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and
"Accounting and Reporting by Ch&ities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable ro charities
preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Slandard applicable in the UK and
Republic of Ireland published in October 2019."
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity Name:
Bolster Community
Charify Registration number:
NIC107382
Company Registration number.. N1655061
Registered Office: Whitegates Business Park. Unit l Killeavy Road. Newry. Northern Ireland, B T35 6UA,
Business Address.. Whitegates Business Park. Unit l Killeavy Road, Newry. Northern Ireland. BT35 6UA.
Directors
E Connolly (Chairperson)
C Sweeney (Treasurer) (resigned 31 st March 2024)
M Flynn (Vice Chair)
P Slevin
J While (resigned Isi January 2024)
J Mcconville
G Flynn
M Doyle
C Hughes
V Tohani
Chief Executive Officer
J Linden
Secretary
P Slevin
Auditors
Mccreery Turkingion Siockman LTD, l Lanyon Quay. Belfast, BTI 3LG
Bankers
AIB, 42144 Hill Street, Newry, BT34 IAU
Danske Bank, Donegall Square West, Belfast. BTI 6JS
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BOLSTER COMMUNITY
Directors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
The policy and general management of the affairs of the Initiative shall be directed by the Committee which
shall meet noi less than five times a year and shall consist of not less than four members of the Initiative
elected at the Annual General Meeting. Aside from the management cotnmittee the organisation has a range
of staff including a CEO, Head of organisation and development, an office and comms and rnarkeling
manager training officer . administration officers , support & Family Support Workers and a range of staff
and volunteers who support the project.
Recruitment and Appointmenl of Directors
The Directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. Under the requirenients
of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the Direciors hold office unlil the nexi Annual General
Meeting and are eligible for re-election.
Individuals are invited 10 Serve as Directors on the basis of their abili(ies and background so as lo achieve a
balance beiween (hose from the business. voluntary and charity sectors.
Directors Induction 8nd Trainlng
The Directors have conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Where appropriate.
systems or procedures have been established io miligate the risks the charity faces. Intemal control risks are
minimised by the implemeniation of procedures for 4uihorisalion of a]1 Iransactlons and projects. Procedures
are in. place to ensure compliance with health and safely of staff, volunteers, clienls and visilors lo Ihe
premises. These proceduies are periodically reviewed lo ensure (hat they Continue 10 meei the needs of (he
charity.
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BOLSTER COMMUNITY
Directors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Publlc Benefit Statement
The direct benefits which flow from our purposes include:
tmproved und¢rslanding, awareness and reduced social isolation leading to reduced levels of stress. anxiety
and loneliness. These benefits are demonstrated through ftcdback frotn participants, regular eva]uation and
external monitoring and evaluation of our services.
Improved partnership working to provide improved health and wellbeing for the constituents and
awareness with and between the beneficiaries and stakeholders responsible for planning. services to promo
health and wellbeing for an area.
These benefits are d¢mons(ralcd through feedback from participanls, evaluation and moniloring of services.
The benefits of this purpose are provided 10 ihose individuals who participate in (he pff￿eSs of partnerships as
communily representative or agency represencative and provide Improved knowledge, resources and access
lo facilities and education within their locality which may lead 10 a berter understanding of heajth and
wellbeing choice5.
These benefits are demons(rated through feedback from participants And partners conimunily engagemeni
opportunities and through usage of progiammes provided.
tmproved knowledge, improved collaborative working and info￿atIOn sharing as well as advice and
practical support. for individuals and organisalions which lead to a berter shared undersianding of health and
wellbeing choices.
Improved access lo help and suppon so that individuals may reach their trut poieniial regardless of ability,
age, youth, infirmity or social and economic circumstance. Addilional benefits may include enhanced
confidence and serve io help oihers in the community develop skills as a resuli of witnessing (he success of
others
Achievements and Performance
Bolster Community, previously known as Space Nl is a value's driven, practical, hands-on social enterprise
and eharity thal works 10 provide services. and support io improve wellbeing.
Our business model is a hybrid of entrepreneurial vision and values that has earned an enviable reputation as a
trusted partner to clients, funders, ¢ollaborator5 and requesters alike. We liken our Culiure al Bolsler to a
business head and a social heart. Since 2004. we've had the privilege of helping countless individuals reach
thetr full potenlial. From early years right through to later yeais, we suppon and strengihen people facing life's
tough challenges. Bolster Community has grown from a small campaigning organisation in Warrenpoinl, to a
key third sector agency providing services, support, training and leadership on conununity development,
resilience and well-being.
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BOLSTER COMMUNITY
Directors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Our services are centred around supporting ihree categories - Family) Ability 2nd Seniors.
Strategic Projects include:
l. Coordination of Newry and Mourne Family Support Hub
2. Practical and therapeuuc support for families, including lead organisation role to the Mournes Sure Start
project
3. Presenting th¢m¢s for refe￿al$ to (he family support Hub centre on. low moodlpoor mental healLh in
parents and children, Marriage breakdown, Auiism, Poverty. Emolional and Behavioural Support for
adolescents
4. Homeless prevention and tenancy sustainment projects- in parniership with the NIHE thrnugh practical
activities including, a social kitchen. navigation and support service for individuals in housing distress.
5. Abiliiy Services-provision of a wide range of communily-based enietprise and training opportunities for
young adulis with a range of disability, adults with auiisrn and families caring for chAldren with additional
needs
6. Home 2 hospital volunieer led service for adults in the Mournes and Slieve Gullion areas requiring
transport lo out of area Hospital appointments
7. Levelling Up funded project creating opportunity for employment and training for hard-to-reach women
8. In partnership with Schools, the SHSCT and other partners we provide targered and universal Family
Supporl through a lange of evidence-based iraining progratnmes and peer support nelworks
9. A social enierprise making and retailing natural soy wax candles, melis, diffusers whils¢ simultaneously
providing day opporninities for young adults of mixed ability and developing and delivering evidence-based
training programmes for children and parents in need.
10. Bolster Seniors- over (he last year we started to rebuild our seniors, services to include Discover and
connect sessions, lea - dances, clover social club, and we continued to provide signposting and practical
support for Seniors operating a refetTal dial in and traffic light system to moniior seniors impaclcd by ill
healih, rural isolation and bereavement.
I l. This year we also rolled oui a range of evidence-based programmes lo support children develop coping
skills.
Key Outcomes for 2024
During the past year Bolster Community SUPPOrted 9309 individuals. including parents, children, seniors and
people of mixed ability. 7360 families and children were support¢d children and there were 8664 engagement
opportunilies for neuro diverse young adulis.
In this financial year Bolsier Community provided unique support to 497 single dwelling older people ihrough
oui Home 2 hospltal service and we also 5UPPOrted many vulnerable adults at risk of homelessness, through
our Siar bites 57 social café and navigator work in partnership ivith the NtHE. Over ihis year we sourced
£80000 10 dIs￿ibute through our iNsled partner network io direcily impaci people requiring praclIC￿ financial
support for seniors. families and people living with a disability.
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BOLSTER COMMUNITY
Directors. Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
202312024 was a very challenging year with increasingly complex requests for help and unprecedented need
for praciical help lo support families srwggling to support their children and siblings with disabilily.
Increasingly service delivery is impacted with the cost of room hire, utilitie5 and governance considerations
and staff stress levels need managed carefully throughout all activities We know our staff are also impacted by
the unrelenting cost of living crisis and the uncertain funding climate causes heighiened anxiety for all. In the
early days of 2024, iogether with our board we independently assessed our strategic direction, governance and
oversighi board tenure and succession planning and began io sysiematically review a succession plan and
TOR for audit and risk and other policy documenis.
Independent governance review comple￿1 Feb 2024 by Roger Courtney
Independent review of slrategy planning N. Mckeagney
New TOR for FARC was rafified by the iruslees
Developed a new strategic plan for 2025-2030
A new succession plan for the board was ratified Feb 2024
Social Return on Investment
The chariiy completed an independent SROI study which calculated thai the charity returned £24.00 of social
value for every £1 invested.
Other Charitable activity and milestones
"Autism Connect" funded by The Naiional Lottery, GP Federation and SHSCT 10 s¢ale to Arn]agh and
Banbridge over the next 5 years and provide ground-breaking social space for adults with autism but without a
earning disability or ment21 health diagnosi5
2. 944 individuals were supported by ihe N family support hub with 31% of referra15 coming to Bolster
Conununily and 329 services provided to families
3. 2296 children were suppor(ed in group and l-l support
4. 4032 Short break sessions were provided to children with additional needs and their siblings
5. 497 older people benefilled from our Home2 hospital project accounting for 1400 individual joumeys
6. 142 women have to dale beneflted from our Building Futures programme funded by UKSPF
7. Mourne Surestart was expanded to the Annalong area and now services over 400 children under 4 in the
Greater Mournes area
8. Short breaks for adults wilh disability (Bolster Buddy service) grown at pace
During this year Bolster Community staff and CEO have provided input, representation and support
to the following partnerships, organisalions and committees and boards:
Co- Chaired the workstream 9, DOH NI review of children and young people's services
Chaired the Board of C03 NI
Appointed SHSCT AIPB shadow member C sector representative
Members of ihc South Amlagh Localily Group
Members of the CYPSP Southern area Outcomes group
Members of the Strategic Stakeholder Partnership Newry and Mourne Down District council ￿ea
Mernbers of the stralegic CYPSP regional Partnership
Susiained corporate partnership with Keoghs Cars Newry, Killeavy Castle, Best Estate Agents
Warrenpoint, Deanery Demesne Property Developers.
We have provided meniorship to 3 organisalions this year
Page 5

BOLSTER COMMUNITY
Directors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Funding- the following funding applications and income streams were sueeessful in 2023124
The National Lottery -Autism Connect 5-year project supported by the GP Federation MDT team and
SHSCT
Sure Start - Department of Education Sure Start extension Annalong
Southern Health and Social Care Trnst - Ptomoting Wellbeing Activities
SHSCT-Family Support HUBI disabilityl autism connect
Public Heal(h Agency - EISSI Parents Plus
NM Council - Home 2 Hospital,
Generated Income from Social Enterprise. Friends Resilience sales, donations and Room Hire
Plans for the Future
This is a small synopsis of the Charitable activity we have provided from April 23- March 2024 we look
forward io progressing and developing relationships with Partner agencies, Siakeholders and most importantly
the seniors. individuals, children and families in the area io ensure more people can reach their polenual and
thrive. In October 2024 we will launch our 20-year celebrations along with our ambitlQUS 51rate8ic plan and
we hope thai 2024125 will bring more opportunity and much more resources so we can coniinue lo do what
w¢ do best - help ordinary people overcome extraordinary challenges.
Related parties
None of the Trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the ch￿ilY. Any connection
between a iruslee or Senior manager of the charity to related parties musl be disclosed to the full Board of
Ttvslees in the same way as any oiher conrractual relalionship with a third party. There were no such
disclosures in the curren¢ year.
Risk Management
The Trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:
A finance. audit and risk sub-committee (FARC) which reviews all risk and completes the risk register
prior lo each board meeting and undertakes an annual review of th¢ risks the charity may face
The establishment of systems including a risk register, and procedures to mitigate those risk identified; and
the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any poienlial impact on the charity should those risks
maierialise
This work has idenlified that financial sustainability is a major financial risk for the charity. A key element in
the management of flnancial risk is via the reserves policy. Atlention has also been focused on non-financial
risks arising from fire. cyber safety, health and safely of employees, volunieers and scheme users. In
providing access and opporl'unities to people and children, Ihe Chariiy recognises that there are polenlial risks
to children and vulnerable adults. A key element in the managernent of non-financial risk is the establishment
and implementation of a robust chart of policies and procedures including Access Nl Disclosure Check. Child
Protection Policy and the renewal and training of staff in this area.
The Trustees art satisfied that the ntcessary policies and procedures are in place to safeguard participants, and
ensure that the benefits provided outweigh any potential hami.
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BOLSTER COMMUNITY
Directors, Report
for the year ended 31 Marth 2024
Financial Review
The charity reported a net defjcit of £41,905,( £9.885) (unrestricted) and (£32.020) (restiicied) derived from a
toial income of £1,022,655.
The principal funding sources were grants, tenders, social enterprise generated income and income from
donations and fundraising. The support of our funders and community advocales conlinues to be essential to
maintaining our programme of aciiviiies.
Reserves Policy
The tota] reserves as at 31 March 2024 were £ l5.625 (restricted) and £398,324 (unresiricted). li is the policy
of the Charity that unrestricted reserves which have not beeTh designaied for a particular purpose should be
maintained ai a level to ensure that in the event of a significant drop in funding. we wtll be able to sustain the
charily's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. It is a
strategic objeclive of the charily lo hold a minimum reserves lund of 3 months. which would allow Ihe
organisalion to be suslainable in times of challenge and io continue lo operate withoui other sources of
income. The Board of Directors 8se keen thai a minimum fund of resetves is held for 3 months alongside a
strategic aspiracion of extending this to achieve a reserves fund of 6 months over the next 5 years. The
directors consider that this level should be sufficient to cover ihree months expenses, and poienlial wind-up
costs, currently totalling £266.140.
The Trustees regularly review the level of reserves held and consider opportuniiies to apply ihem in line with,
and in furtherance of, its Ch￿ilable objectives. The amount of unreslricted funds held al 3 1st March 2024 was
£398.324. (For 2023 £408.209).
Page 7

BOLSTER COMMUNITY
Directors, Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Statement of Directors. Responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors Report and the financial statements in accordance
with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting SLandards (Uniied Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accouniing Praccice).
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statcmenls for each financial year, which give a irue
and fair view of the slate of affairs of the company and of the incoming resouTces and applicauon of
resources, including the income and expendirure, of the chariiable company for the year. In preparing those
financial staiemenls ihe directors are required lo..
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consisiently.
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP.
make jud8menls and estimales that are reasonable and prudent;
siaie whether applicable UK Accounting Siandards have been followed, subjecl to any malerial departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
prepare the financial siaiemenis on (he going concern basis unless it is inappropriale lo presume tha( the
ompany will continue in operation.
The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy
at any time the financial posttion of the company and to enable them lo ensure that the financial statements
comply with the Companies Aci 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company
and hence lor taking reasonable steps for (he prevention and deieciion of fraud and other irregulariiies.
Audi(ors
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Mccreery Turkington Stockman Ltd be
reappoinied as auditor ol the company will be put at a General Meeting.
Each of the trustees has confim]ed thal there is no informalion of which ihey are aware which is relevant to
the audil. but of which the auditor is is unaware. They have further confirnied that they have taken appropriate
steps to identify such relevant infomiation and to establish that the auditoi is aware of such infoimation.
This report was approved by ihe Board on I Ith December 2024.
Eamonn Connolly
Director
Paee 8