2023-03-31-annual-report

Breen Centre

100 Glenshesk Road, Armoy, Co. Antrim

ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDING MARCH 2023

Annual report for Breen Centre registered charity number: NIC107827

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents
Project Highlights	1
Community Impact	2
Community Impact Outputs	4
Independent Examiners Report	5
Company & Charity Information	7

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Project Highlights

STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS

Some of the main highlights achieved during the period 2022-2023 were the development of new community projects and activities which had been in the planning stages over the past two years but unfortunately unable to progress due to the COVID Pandemic.

The OCN accreditation for the centre, which was a key ambition from 2020, was also progressed over the year with the first students beginning a Level 3 Photography course in September 2022. We are now able to offer a range of outdoor learning and creative industries courses to the local communities we work with.

Other projects developed were:

• Phase Two of the Developing Women in the Community Programme

• The continued development and support for the Rathcoole CREW Women’s Group

• The continuation of the Lankelly Chase Research Programme

• In March 2023 Breen Centre received a substantial grant to support veterans in the Newtownabbey area

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Our fundraising capacity met our target set by the board in 2022 and we aim to extend our target to reflect our growing funding success in the period 2023-2024.

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

In 2022 carried out internal and external renovations to the Breen Centre which aligned with our volunteering strategy and our ethos of developing new community focused activities to support

LOOKING AHEAD

Our focus is now on the re-development of Breen Centre into a state-of-the-art outdoor learning facility with accommodation, recreational facilities and office space.

Andrew Kernaghan Chairperson 31[st] March 2023

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

Community Impact Outputs

AUDIO

Podcasts, recording facilities, affordable and accessible practice and rehearsal space.

VIDEO

Video essay production, production and post-production facilities

PHOTOGRAPHIC

Archive of resources which document the local communities we work with

WRITTEN

Reports and published research.

EVENTS

Online symposia, photographic exhibition

TRAINING

Delivery and provision of community training – ILM Level 5 Leadership & Management, Colours, Train the Trainer, OCN Level 3 Photography, Health & Wellbeing.

TAKEAWAYS

Continuing to support community development through creative industries activities and life-long learning.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

Independent examiner’s report to the charity trustees of the Breen Centre Charitable Company

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st] March 2023, which are set out on pages 1 to 2 of this report.

Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees (and the Directors of the company for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Companies Act 2006

It is my responsibility to:

• Examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act

• Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act

• State whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.

The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Companies Act 2006

2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records

3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Charities Statement of Recommended

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

Practice CCNI ARR07 – supporting document 7 August 2016 applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland

1. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Name: Roberta Neely

Relevant professional qualification if any: MACP- Credit Controller

Address: 37 Rathmore Drive, Newtownabbey, BT37 9BW

Date: 19[th] May 2023

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

Company & Charity Information

Breen Centre 100 Glenshesk Road Armoy County Antrim Northern Ireland BT53 8RZ

Tel: [phone] E: [e-mail] W: www.breencentre.co.uk

Company Incorporated 16[th] June 1995 Company Number – NI 029657

Charity Registered 23[rd] November 2020 Charity Number – NIC 107827

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