Aspire {N.l.) (A company limlted by guarnnteè. not having a share ¢apitall DIRECTORS. ANNUAL REPORT for the financial year ended 31 August 2024 The directors present their Directors, Annual Report. combining the Directors, Report and Trustees. Report, and the unaudrted financial statements for the financial year ended 31 August 2024. The financial statements are prepared in a¢eordance with the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and Aeeounling and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their financial slalements in accordance with the Financi81 Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021. The Directors, Report ¢onlains the infornalion required lo be provided in the Directors, Annual Report under the Statement of Recommended Pra¢li* ISORPI guidelines. The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law and under the company's constitution are known as members of the board of trustees. In this report the directors of Aspire {N.l.) present a summary of its purpose, governan, activities, achievements and finances for the financial financial year 31 August 2024. The company is a registered charity and hence the report and results are presented in a fom which complies with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and. although not obliged to comply with the Slalemenl of Recommended Pracliee applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland FRS 102. the organisalion has implemented ils recommendations where relevant in these financial statements. Mission, Objo¢tiv•$ and Stratsgy Mission Statement Aspire INI} exists lo deliver on its principal activity lo work with children in Northern Ireland in povety to help close the educational gap between the rieh and poor. We are a faith driven charity based in Craigavon. Northern Ireland that work with local youth workers and churches to provide free services for children from lower income families to support and equip them in education. Our work with schools and relevant agencies ensure that we aim to.. 1. Provide relationships that enable young people to recognise their skills and full potential. 2. Provtde facilitators to encourage young people in education and help them lo take ownership of their ¢)wn education. 3. Help those from lower income families by providing free tuition services 4. Help young people lo learn outside of the classroom by providing fun based edUtional a¢tivilie$ outside of school hours 5. Give young people the opportunity lo explore faith. Aspire Sessions These offer a place for young people to work in a supervised and supportive environment after school. We provide facilitators who encourage the young people and provide them with support. The facilitstors are youth workers from local churches or organisations. Our young people are provided with laptops. resource5, and refreshment$. Aspire Tuition For young people who lake part in our after-school sessions who are struggling with any subjects, Aspire will endeavour to link this young person to a suitable tutor from our bank of volunteers who are qualified in this $ubje¢t and provide a period of free tuition. Aspire Activities Eduction is not just what happens in the classroom but can be fun too. Aspire activities are monthly aetivilies for young people run by local churches and youth groups where leaming is combined with leisure such as sport or music lessons. Structure, Governan¢e and Managoment Structure Aspire INI) is a Company limil8d by guarantee and registered with Companies House under the refeTence Nl 639811. The organisation is also a Registered Charity under the reference NIC107570 with The Charity Cornmis$ion of Northern Ireland. Aspire INI) is governed by ils Memorandum and Articlgs of Association and controlled by its Trustees. The day to day management of the charity on behalf of the Trustees is undertaken by MaTk Krtox. Trustees are appointed and retire in accordan wrth the ¢harity5 governing document with all new Trustees undergo an induction and initial training on their role and responsibilities.
Aspire (N.1.) IA company Ilmitsd by guarantee. not having a share capltall DIRECTORS. ANNUAL REPORT for the financial year ended 31 August 2024 Review of Activities, Achievements and Performance 202312024 has been another exciting year for Aspire. We continue to grow and expand our reach. building on the su¢¢ess of previous yeaTS. Aspire now works in 27 schools, providing vital support lo young people across Craigavon, Belfast. and beyond. This year. we ran 10 aeademies, covering areas such as art, business. youth work, music production. and more. These aeademies provided essential training and inspiration for secondary-age children while also engaging primary-age children in foundational programs. Y• Lll We held our largesl*ver croswommunity camp, bringing together almost 50 young people at the Crawfordsburn Scout Centre. The camp featured a rich program of aclivtlies. including sports, workshops. and leadership development, all focused on fostering understanding and connection across different backgrounds. ASPI,$ uniforni exchange program and back-t(kschool events remain key parts of our outreach, providing practical support to families in need across Craigavon and Belfast. We have also continued lo develop meaningful partnerships with businesses, working alongside organizalions such as Galey Legal and Allen & Overy Sherman. These partnerships allow us lo further our mission and provide greater ¢pportunilies for the young people we support. We are grateful for the ongoing financial support from KFC, LFT Trust. and others, including dormant account funding that remain$ cornerstone of oui work. We are proud of the sUe$S of our young people, with 87% of GCSE-age participants achieving 5 or more GCSES at grades A".C-an improvement that reflects the hard work and dedicalion of both our team and the young people themselves. Aspire has once again proven that with the right SLtpport. young people ¢an thrive in school, in their communities. and beyond. Financial R9view The financial results for the current year a detailed in the Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet. The organisalion has been able to secure additional funding in the 2024 financial year from various sources, which has helped il expand ils operations and lake on more stsff. Total income for the year was in excess of £200,000, an incTease of almost 25%. Total expenditure also increas8d accordingly in the year to approximately £197.00012023 approx £145,000). An overall surplus of £762 is shown for the year. Financial Results Al the end of the financial year the company has assets of £49,91512023 - £48.0861 and liabilities of £1,833 {2023 - £766}. The net assets of the company have increased by £762.
Aspire {N.l.) IA company limited by guarantee, not havlng a share capltall DIRECTORS, ANNUAL REPORT for the financial year ended 31 August 2024 Reserves Position and Policy From incorporation Aspi has been Sucsful at raising sufficient funds to support its running costs. The purpose of Aspire is not to be a profit making company, however it must remain sustainable in order to function and continue to aid the Children in need. The aim is to achieve a level of unrestricted free reserves equivalent to six months running costs, which the trustees believe is essential to maintain the stability of the organisation and continue to meet its aims and objectives. Reference and Administratlve detslls Public Benefit The Charity has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland's guidan on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the organisation's objectives and activities, as well as prowding public benefit. The direct benefits which flow from our purposes include improvement in the wellbeing, self*steem and opportunities for children from a lower income background. These benefits a demonstrated through our feedback from the children and their educational results. These purposes does not lead to harm. The charity's benefi¢iaries are the chIldn from lower income families. Directors The current d1ClorS are as set out on page 3 Carol Little David McBride David Wylie lan Bingham Leonard Adarn50n Megan Collins Jamie Curran {Resigned 31 October 20231 In accordan with the Articles of Association. the directors retire by rotation and. being eligible. offer themselves for re•election. Compliance with Se¢tor-Wide Legislation and Standards The company engages pro-acbvely with legislation. standards and codes which are developed for the sector. Aspire {N.l.I subscribes to and is compliant with the following.. The Companies Act 2006 The Charities SORP IFRS 102) Approved by tho Board of Directors on 2 and signed on its behalf by: Leonard Adamson Dire¢tor
Aspire {N.l.) {A company limited by guarantee, not havlng a shar8 capllall STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS. RESPONSIBILITIES for the financial year ended 31 August 2024 The directors are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Acceptèd Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable lawl including FRS102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the net income or expenditure of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements. the directors are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.. state whether the financial statements have been prepared in accordan with the relevant financial reporting framework, identify those standards. and note the effect and the reasons lor any material departure from those standards., and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to prèsume that Ihe company will continue in operation. The directors confimi that they have complied with the above requirements in preparing the financial statements. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial posltion of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the Board of Directors on 28 2S and signed on its behalf by: Leonard Adams Director