“In This Together”
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
In the year under review ITT evidenced continued strong performance in providing support to the areas of East and South Belfast and to the collective of social support services while being mindful of the need to review the governance structures and operating base to maintain its fitness for purpose.
Main Activities:
ITT maintained its focus on supporting clients across East and South Belfast who face challenges related to low income, disadvantaged communities, and marginalisation due to poor health, housing, and employment. Our support included the provision of food and hygiene supplies alongside wraparound support services.
During the year, In This Together gained an additional 231 households, amounting to 638 individuals of all ages. This was an increase from the previous year, bringing our total number of supported households to 903, with over 2,284 individuals benefiting from our services between June 2023 and June 2024.
During this time, we had 127 tier two, 155 tier three, clients who access our social supermarket on a weekly basis.
Other key activities included:
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Signposting clients to local organisations offering counselling, benefits and debt advice, alcohol and drug support, and housing assistance.
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• Strengthening collaboration with the East Belfast Poverty Alliance, allowing us to work alongside other organisations to provide coordinated support.
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Training a dedicated staff member in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and SafeTALK, ensuring that clients struggling with mental health challenges receive appropriate guidance toward specialist support.
As we anticipated, mental health issues and poverty continue to be deeply interconnected within our client base. We remain committed to our holistic approach—nourishing not just the body, but also the mind and environment.
Key Partnerships
ITT continues to collaborate with third-sector initiatives, particularly through our working partnerships. Our key partners include:
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EBCDA (East Belfast Community Development Agency)
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The Larder and East Belfast Mission
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Belfast City Council
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Department for Communities (DfC)
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East Belfast Anti-Poverty Network
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EBIAC
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UHub
These partnerships remain vital in addressing food insecurity and providing wider social support.
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“In This Together”
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 (cont.)
Financials:
End of year balance stands at £55,299.67. In This Together total revenue for the year to 30 June 24 was £181,879.34. Total expenditure for the year was £188,708.88
Grant applications in the year were successful totalling £150,137.48.
At year end, unrestricted reserves total for future benefit are £44,101.56 . Unrestricted reserves this year will help us fund our £21,000 rent and utilities bill in the coming year, reducing our reliance on grants for this, and also offer a buffer for ongoing financial liabilities such as wages and insurances.
Restricted funds balance currently stands at £11.198.11. This year, In This Together, received donations of £10,890.66.
Total revenue from fundraising efforts, events and takings from our Social Supermarket along with HMRC rebates and transfer of assets from Together NI stands at £20,851.20.
The charity has increasing running costs so individual grants are made on an ongoing basis.
A look to the future:
As we continue to grow, so does our community’s reliance on our services.
Our key objectives for the year ahead include:
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Expanding our social supermarket model – increasing accessibility and affordability for vulnerable households.
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Strengthening mental health and crisis intervention support, ensuring that clients facing distress receive tailored assistance including the ongoing provision of specialist safeguarding and inclusion officers.
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Developing sustainable funding strategies, including securing additional long-term grants and diversifying income streams.
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Enhancing volunteer training and engagement to build a skilled and committed support network.
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Exploring new outreach initiatives, particularly targeting isolated individuals and families who are not yet accessing available support.
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Enhancing our wraparound support services to ensure that all aspects of our holistic approach are visible and accessible at the first point of contact.
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Operating as efficiently, effectively and environmentally responsibly as possible while educating on matters relating to food wastage.
Our funding from The National Lottery Community Fund continues to play a critical role in sustaining and developing these efforts.
The dedication of our staff, volunteers, and trustees has been invaluable throughout the past year. We continue to see growing interest from volunteers who wish to contribute to a supportive, community-driven initiative that tackles food insecurity and social exclusion.
Together, with our developing relationships and partnerships, we are committed to supporting the communities of East and South Belfast. This work is essential in the wider fight against poverty and in laying a strong foundation for Belfast’s future.
Chairperson/Executive Director
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