Pregnancy Choices Centre Company No. N1678699 Trustees, Report For The Year Ended 30 April 2023 The tru5tee5 present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2023. Objectives and Activities Aims and Objectives The objectives of the Charity, as laid out in the governing document. are: l. The advancement of education in the subject of pregnancy and the termination of pregnancy and Into the effects thereof upon women whether physical. medical or psychological. 2. The preservation and protection of women's health. 3. The provision of advice. counselling and assistance to women and their partners and families who are Suffering from physical or mental illness, distress or poverty during or as a 5VIt of pregnancy or following an abortion. miscarr5age, cot death, still birth or loss of a child or sexual abuse. Th15 SUPPOrt and all services offered are in accordance with the Christian Scriptures as set forth in the Holy Bible. For the av01dance of doubt, the system of law governing the articles of association of the charity is the law of Northern Ireland. Public Benefit The direct benefit5 which flow from purpose l is that women will be offered free and accurate Information with regards to all a5pect5 of their pregnancy and effects of term£nations. This will be delivered by trained Practitioners In a coring and supportive environment enabling women to make an Informed choice based on their individual circumstances. The direct benefits wh1ch flow from purpose 2 include improved health outcomes and reduced levels of stress and anxiety. The ultimate benefit will be a reduction In teenage pregnancies and a reduction in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. By offering accurate informatson in a non- judgmental environment that respects a woman's autonomy, allows and empowers them to make informed decEsions. The dirett benefits which flow from purpose 3 is 1mproving the standard of living of individuals, reduction of confusion and distress. Clients will benefit from attending the centres as they will receive 9enuine support and care. This is turn will lead to a benefit to society as a whole. Support offered can be emotional and practical and can support the woman, their partner and lor families. We intend to demonstrate the obove benefits from acquiring and collating research and experiences from clients and through feed back forms. In titne we will be able to highlight the benefits through statistics provided by the Public Health Agency and the Northern Ireland Statlstics ènd Research Agency. Through careful record keeping and quotes from clients, we will in time be able to dernonstrate the benefits of the counselling service and support provided. There Is no harm arising from any of our purposes. The charity's beneficiaries are primarily women, regardless of faith or no faith. age. skin colour. gender, sexual or orientation. We will In no way discriminate and our service is impartial and available for all women and their partners who are facing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy or following all types of baby loss. There is no private benefit of any form flowing from any of the above purposes. All counselling and sUPPOrt is provided free of charge to all clients. The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Achievements and Performance Main Achievements The charity was established through the efforts of Mr. Tim Martin and Mrs. Hannah Arnold and in collaboration with Pregnancy Centres Network which operates throughout the United Kingdom. We are deeply Indebted to Tim and Hannah for their compassion and prolonged efforts to make this charity a reolity. The Private L5mited Company was registered with Companies House on 22nd April 2021 and then registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 2 1st September 2021. Before the charity could become active there was a requirement for the potential practitioners to undergo quite demanding instruction in order to deliver the services offered in a professional manner. Although the Initial contacts with rhe leaders of the Pregnancy Centres Network had been in person, the completion of the training was carried out Using an online platform. The charity offscially launched in September 2022 with a well attended gathering held in Hope Church, Hi115borDugh. The charity has two centres, one in Belfast and one in Enniskillen. Each centre has a 'Centre Leader, and a nutnber of practitioners, each contactable by phone or email. Other practitioners are located in different areas of the province and these would be available to work with clients locally although their activities would be overseen by either of the centre leaders. .CONTINUED
Pregnancy Choices Centre Trustees, Report (continued) For The Year Ended 30 April 2023 Main Achievenients - continued PCC made the decision to invest in a professionally developed website and commi55ioned MCC Computers Ltd to produce the site. The Trustees of PCC contributed Ideas to the project and are more than happy with the re5uIt, especially the logo that wa5 created. Obtaining insurance posed a challenge initially but we are grateful to TL Dallas for providing the necessary cover. As of present PCC does not have any premises of Its own so is dependent upon the goodwill of churches or other entities in ¢Yifferent areas to allow the use of their premises as required. We have secured agreements with churches in Belfast and Enniskillen for this purpose. In February 2023 Tim Martin officially resigned as a Director of the charity as he had taken on the role of assisting the establishment of a new church congregation. We very much appreciate the time and effort Tim had dedicated to Pregnancy Choices Centre and he continues to be a valuable support to the work. In March we received two generous donations toward the work. A Pregnancy Centre in Nottingham was closing and gifted almost £500 to PCC on 14th. 10 days later we received the very kind donation of almost £3,300 from Evangelical Alliance and Both Lives Matter. Also In March we had our first contact from a potential client. This was responded to by a practitioner In Belfast who carried out the session over the phone. The client later responded with text message stating her appreciation and Informing the practitioner that she had had a good discussion with her husband and was settled a5 to her plans. It is not our policy or procedure to ask clients to state the plans that they have decided upon. Our practitioner is a qualified and experienced counsellor who had undergone training in relation to dealing vvith adults at risk of harm. Financial Review Financial Position The Statement of Financial Activities set out on page 5 shovls income for the year of E 13, 155. Expenditure for the year totalled 16,280 showing a surplus of £6.875. This brings the unrestricted funds to £6,875 at 30 April 2023. Reserves Policy The Directors, aim to maintain sufficient free reserves to enable the Charity to maintain its charitiable activities as its current level. Structure, Governance and Management Governing Document The Organisation 15 a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 22 April 2021. The charitable company was established under a Memorandum of Association which establised the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed by these articles. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. The charitable company was granted charitable status by the Nl Charity Commission on 21 September 202 1 and it's charity reference 15 108305. Trustee Selection Methods The board of trustees make-up is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure skills, knowledge and experience meets the needs of the charitable company. Any person who is willing to act as a trustee may be appointed by an ordinary resolution or by the decision of the directors.
Pregnancy Choices Centre Trustees, Report (continued) For The Year Ended 30 April 2023 Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities The trustees (who are also the directors of Pregnancy Choice5 Centre for the purposes of company law l are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable la¥v and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statement unless they are satisfied that they give è true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the incorne and expenditure, of the char1table company for that period. In preparing the financial statements the trustees are required to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply thern consistently,. observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP,. ake Judgments and accou nting estimates that are reasonable and prudent,. and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adeqijate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at anytime the fiiiancial p051tion of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the accolints com ply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also respon51ble for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detect10n of frèud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial Information Included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and d1ssemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Small Company Rules This report has been prepared In accordance with the special provisions relat1ng to companies subject to the small companie5 regsme within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. The trustees. report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by.. Mr lan Stewart Trustee 1310412026