2023-08-31-annual-report - We are Made for More

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WE ARE MADE FOR MORE T/A MADE FOR MORE NI TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019)

Objectives and activities

Our mission statement is to equip young people with the knowledge and understanding that there is value in their identity and the choices that they make.

The charity’s objects are: To advance the education of children and young people in Northern Ireland under the age of 25, with specific focus on their mental health, their self-esteem, the misuse of drugs and the misuse of alcohol. To facilitate their growth to full maturity as individuals and members of society by educational, training, promotional and supportive means.

Made for More aims to inspire and engage a generation of young people in their communities, churches and schools; to educate and equip them with the knowledge needed to value who they are and make positive decisions, for a more purposeful future.

We aim to do this in a number of varying ways:

Delivering workshops in both primary and secondary schools, in line with the learning for life and work curriculum.
Speaking at school assemblies.
Speaking to young people in churches and in other youth organisations to encourage them to understand their worth and value and to encourage them in seeing and growing in their identity in Christ.
Promoting awareness of mental health and other issues through an active and positive presence on social media.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Achievements and performance

As we entered into our fifth year at Made For More, we were excited to continue our growth as an organisation. Through our work across Northern Ireland, it has become very clear that the need of the young people we encounter has increased and the demand for Made For More is higher than ever before.

The table below shows some of our key targets for Year five. We did not hit all our targets, mainly because we aimed very high, but in many areas we overachieved and the Made For More team worked hard to reach young people across Northern Ireland in new and innovative ways.

WE ARE MADE FOR MORE T/A MADE FOR MORE NI TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Measure	Year 5 target	Year 5 actual
Talks/Workshops	750	707
People reached in the talks	25,000	27,625
Instagram followers	10,000	8,320
Video views	170,000	178,294

Year five began with a team of seven full time employees, having added three new team members and lost the services of another.

The staff team was as ever skillfully assisted by two part-time media consultants, to help us reach more young people. We also used the services of a part-time admin consultant for the year.

We continued our work into many new schools in Northern Ireland, across all school sectors. As well as delivering workshops into schools, we provided many on-line resources to assist teachers. We helped schools by developing new workshops to supplement our offering, all of which were well received. These included workshops on vaping and on digital footprint.

Our workshops and on-line resources also continue to be used by voluntary youth organisations and sports clubs. We have run mental health workshops in GAA clubs and local football clubs, as well as into churches and other youth organisations.

Our mental health packs have continued to be welcomed by schools, youth groups and hospitals.

Our merchandise continues to be sought after and, while it raises funds for us, we are more excited that it helps spread the message of Made For More, increasing our brand awareness, rather than making big profits.

Office Space

We had to move from our offices at the start of the year as we took on more staff. We entered an agreement with a Belfast church to take over some spare capacity in their building. This has been a big success and the increased space has allowed us to run training courses for youth leaders as well as meeting our own staffing needs.

Fundraising

Our annual ‘Break The Cycle’ fundraiser was another success. Schools were excited to take part and the financial support raised was achieved through a week of fun, exercise and teamwork. We are very thankful to everyone who took part and to all those who gave financially .

WE ARE MADE FOR MORE T/A MADE FOR MORE NI TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Collaborations

Collaborating with other organisations continues to be a key part of our strategy to reach more young people and help build on the amazing work that is already being carried out across Northern Ireland.

Year 5 saw key partnerships continue with Education Authority, and with other youth organisations such as:

Dreamscheme NI
Youth Initiatives
Boys Brigade N.I
Girls Brigade N.I

Our Volunteers

The growth of Made For More has continued thanks to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. This year we had more than 10 volunteers commit their time and energy to help us reach more young people than ever before. Their willingness to help us deliver workshops has been a massive help to the organisation and has allowed us to make each workshop fun and interactive.

It has also been amazing to see these volunteers grow in their ability to communicate and plan workshops over the last 12 months. We believe that these new skills will help them in their next stage of life as they continue to grow and develop as young adults and move into full-time work or further education.

Financial review

The Trustees consider the financial results for the year and the financial position of the charity at the year end to be pleasing and encouraging.

The total income for the year was £263,658 (2022 - £302,793) with resources expended of £274,442 (2022 - £238,158), generating a deficit for the year of £10,784 (2022 - Surplus of £64,635). At 31 August 2023 there are unrestricted reserves of £193,581 (2022 - £160,965).

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s 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 to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises an annual review of its risk register, the risks the charity faces, the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity.

Plans for the future

Next year will be a year of consolidation as we ensure our foundations remain firm for the future. We have grown fast over our first five years and as we take stock, we look to the next five years with excitement and anticipation.

We hope to introduce more primary school workshops and develop a set of workshops specifically for SEN pupils. We have the opportunity to partner with Sports Chaplaincy Ireland, which will give us access to more local sports clubs across the community, as well as some elite sports people.

Finally we are delighted to see our internship and volunteer programme continue to grow next year. This programme is a key aspect of who we are as an organisation and we love to see these future leaders grow and develop as they work alongside us.

WE ARE MADE FOR MORE T/A MADE FOR MORE NI TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

We are so thankful for all the support we have received financially, prayerfully and practically as a charity in our fifth year of operation. All those who have supported the work have been key to all that has been achieved this year.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee and registered in Northern Ireland (Company Number NI655226). It is governed by its Articles of Association, dated 3rd October 2018, and is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission Northern Ireland (Charity Number NIC 107419).

The Articles of Association govern all relevant matters relating to Membership; becoming and ceasing to be a Member; the Organisation of General Meetings; the Role and Powers of Directors (including appointment and retirement); Administrative Arrangements; and Directors Indemnity and Insurance.

The directors state that they have fully adhered to all such requirements and provisions during the year in question.

The Board of Directors held regular meetings during the year to review and discuss the operations of the charity and the spending of funds.

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:

Mrs S A Browne Mr A G Gibson Mr S J Haighton Mr S J Harris Mrs E J Lindsay Mrs C J Robinson

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The Directors have a risk management strategy which comprises an annual review of its risk register, the risks the charity faces, the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified and the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies' exemptions.

The trustees' report was authorised and approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mr S J Harris Trustee

Dated: 25 April 2024