iAssist Nl Trustees, Report (continued) At IASSISTNI, OUT mission is to create a compassionale and connected world through the po,er of friendship and support. We are a dedicated befriending chatity that believes in the PTofound impact of humaTJ connection, recognising that loneliness and isolation can be deeply detrimental to individuals, mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Our organisaiion strives to address this grou'ing societal issue by fostering meaning1 relationships that uplift and empoii'er Vlilnerable menibers of our community. Why We Exist". In today's fasl-paccd and digitally drivcn world, loncliness has becomc an alam]ing epidcmic, affccting people of all ages and backgrounds. From seniors experiencing the loss of loved ones to isolated youth facing bullying or lack of social integration, loneliness permeates our society, leading to severe consequences for mental health, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Our Solution.. IASSISTNI finnly believes that human connections have the power to heal, nurture, and transforn) lives. We envision a world where ei'eryone feels i'alued, heard, and supported. regardless of their circumstances. To achieve this, we have established a compassionaie nem'ork of dedicated 'olunteerS who acl as befrienders, reaching out to those in need and offering friendship, empathy, and understhnding. What We Do: l. Befriending Program.. Our flagship befriending program connects trained volunteers with individuals who are experiencing loneliness or social isolation. These caring relationships go beyond casual chats, as our befrienders inTrest their lime, energy, and hearts in cultii'ating genuine friendships. 2. Community Engagement- We aciively engage wilh local communities io raise awareness about loneliness and lis impact on mcntal hcaltb. Through workshops, 5Cmitws, alld awarcncss cainpaigns, wc promotc Ihc valuc of human connection and encourage people to reach out to those ivho may be feeling isolated. 3. Specialized Support: We offer specialized befriending sen'ices for various vulnerable groups, including seniors, individuals with disabililies, refugces, and younu pcople facing dilTicult life transitions. Our tailorcd approach ensures that each individual receives the support they need to thrive. 4. Empowerment and Training= Ive provide comprehensive training and ongoing support 10 OUT I'olunleers, equippin¥ tbcm with the necessary skills to build mCdtLillgful Icldtionships and handle sensitivc situations with empathy and professionalism. OUT Impact.. Through our befriending initiatives. we have witne&sed incredible transfoTmations in the lives of those we serve. Loneliness dissipates, self-esteem flourishes, and a sense of belonging takes root. We measure our success not only by the number of friendships lomied but by the PTofound posilive cllanges expeTienced by both befrienders and service users alike. Join Us in Making a Difference: By sUPPOrting IASSISTNI, you becoTne an agent of change. helping to combat loneliness and CTeate a kindeT, more compassionate society. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those who feel disconnected and bring hope and joy back into their world. Join us today, and let's build a tUre where no one feels alone. Conlacl.. 92 York Road, Belfast. BT15 3HF Website.. www.iassi5tni.com Email.. infoc, ia55istni.eom Phone.. 02895430670 IASSISTNI is a registered charity Icharity Number- 10811 0] committed to the public benefit and making a positive difference in the lives ofthose we serve. Page 4
iAssist Nl Trustees, Report (continued) The trustees confjrni that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Structureg governance and management Financial instruments Objeclives andpolieies The charity's activities expose it to a nurnber of financial risks including credit Tisk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the charity's policies approved by the board of trustees, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives io manage these risks. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Cashflow risk The charity's activities expose It primarily to ihe financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The charity uses foreign exchange fonvard contracts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposures. Interest bearing assets and liabilities are held at fixed rate to ensure certainty of cash flows. Credit risk The charity's principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, and investments. The charity's credit risk is primarily attributable to it5 trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance Sheet are nel of allowances for doubiful receii'ables. An allom'ance for impainnent is made where there is an identified loss event which, based on prei'ious experience, is ei'idence of a reduciion in the recoverability of Ihe cash flows. Thc credit risk on liquid funds and dcTivativc FanCIal instnm]ents is liniited bccausc the countcrpartics are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies. The charity has no significant concentration of credii risk, with exposure spread over a large number of counterparties and customers. Liquidity ri.fk In order to maintain liquidity to ensure thai sufficicnt funds ale available foi ongoing opeTations and future developments. the charity uses a mixture of long-tenn and short_terni debt finance. Further details regarding liquidity risk can be found in the Statement of accounting policies in the financial statements. The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 29 Odober 2024 and signed on it5 behalf by: Mr Augustine Egiomo 31 sl November 2024 Page 5