TRUSTEES REPORT
January – December 2025
Charity No. 107599 www.irishyouthconvention.com
Aims and Purposes:
The aim of the IYC is to organise an annual youth conference, and other necessary events, in order to engage young people with God's word. Our desire is to see God’s Word communicated faithfully, clearly and creatively so that a generation of young people is raised up to live out their Christian faith in the home, in school, in churches and in the wider community. IYC believes this will have significant benefits for the community in which we live. IYC also aims to train and equip youth leaders to communicate God’s Word to young people in appropriate ways.
Public Benefit:
The direct benefits are primarily for those attending the Convention, and other events organised by IYC, as they absorb the Bible’s practical and relevant teaching about living life in our community. This impacts on all aspects of life, including the individual's relationship to God, through to the difference it makes to a person's moral framework to live a Christ-centred life. We believe this has a significant impact on the wider community, as young people are shaped by and equipped with values that benefit not only their own life, but also the lives of others.
IYC intends that the day of teaching at the Convention, and any other organised events, should have practical outcomes. To that end we encourage local youth leaders who bring their groups to our events to seek feedback and reflection on what the young people have learned, and to encourage them to live out what they have heard.
The best way we can practically demonstrate and measure the above, is in the number of attendees at the Convention each year. We seek feedback from the young people and their youth leaders, as to what they have learned and how it has impacted them.
There is no harm arising from any of our charitable purposes.
The beneficiaries are all Convention attendees, parents of the young people who attend, and those who they come into contact with.
There is no private benefit to anyone associated with IYC.
How we meet our aims and purposes:
The IYC Committee carries out its purpose by organising an all-day Convention, held annually in November. This involves a significant amount of planning and organisation, including:
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Arranging the practical details of the Convention, with a particular focus on the speaker and supporting teaching programme. This also includes volunteer training, liaising with suppliers, the provision of a Bookstall where supporting materials can be purchased, creation of a handbook for attendees, and child protection arrangements.
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Marketing the event appropriately to young people, to ensure an attendance as close to 500 as possible. This involves liaising with local church youth groups, designing and delivering social media adverts, and maintaining our website.
3. Delivery of the Convention itself.
Irish Youth Convention 2025:
The Irish Youth Convention (IYC) 2025 took place on Saturday 15 November 2025 in Crescent Church . This was our second year using this venue, and we were greatly encouraged by both the warm welcome and the practical support provided by the church community. Attendance was just under 500 young people and leaders, demonstrating continued growth and engagement across the region.
Our main stage speaker was Nate Morgan-Locke , representing Speak Life . Teaching centred on the New Testament book of John under the theme “Behold: God’s Story in a Distracted World.” Through the keynote sessions and interview segments, young people were encouraged to consider issues of identity, purpose, and discipleship in an increasingly digital culture.
Programme delivery was supported by our committee, with sessions hosted by Jonny and Erin. Sung worship was led by Stephen Woods and his band, and approximately 20 volunteers provided stewarding and operational support throughout the day. Their contribution was vital in ensuring the event ran smoothly and safely. Feedback from church leaders and participants has been highly positive, particularly regarding the teaching content, the welcoming environment, and the organisational quality of the event.
Planning is now underway for our next convention, scheduled for Saturday 21 November 2026. We are delighted that Jonty Allcock of The Globe Church has agreed to be our main speaker. We are also pleased that Crescent Church has kindly offered to host the convention again, providing continuity and strengthening our partnership with the local church community.
Financial Review:
1[st] January 2025 – 31[st] February 2025
The opening balance, in our bank account was £13,311.45. The closing balance was £16,361.74.
Income:
Income was mostly received through event tickets sales, which came to £6811.63 . This was approximately a £900 decrease on 2024 figures, due to a small reduction in ticket prices for the event.
We are really appreciative of the local churches, which send their youth groups to the Irish Youth Convention.
Expenditure:
This year we were able to keep our expenditure low, especially due to the generosity of our host church who gifted us the use of their facilities.
Our major costs were associated with gifts to guests invited to take part in the event, and catering. For example,
- Speaker £1008 (including travel) • Band: £600
Reserves policy
With our closing bank account of £16,361 the trustees are content that we have enough in reserve to run IYC throughout 2026. In fact, trustees will look for ways to reduce this reserve in line with our aims and objectives.
Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who worked so hard in helping with the smooth running of our event in 2025.
We are especially thankful to Pamela Smyth, for all her hard work as our Treasurer, and to Andrew Taylor, our Independent Examiner.
Structure , governance and management
The method of appointment for IYC Committee members is set out in the IYC Constitution. The IYC Committee will consist of 6-10 members, reflecting a healthy gender balance. All members of the group will be in agreement with all aspects of the basis of faith.
The committee members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the work of Irish Youth Convention and deciding on how the funds of the church are spent.
The Committee met 6 times this year with an average level of attendance of approximately 80%.
Administrative information:
Irish Youth Convention
c/o 12 Millreagh Heights Dundonald Co Down BT16 1TP
The IYC Committee Members who served throughout 2025 are:
Johnny Beare (Chairperson) Hannah Dowling Jason Nicholl (Secretary) Matthew Campbell Peter Wright Erin Wilson Jonny Thompson Andrew Moorcroft Laura Dillon
Treasurer: Pamela Smyth (ex-officio)
Approved by the IYC Committee and signed on their behalf by Jonathan Beare (Chairperson):
Signed:
Date: 18/03/2026