CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NIC108524 Connect Fermanagh Trustees, Annual Report Year ended 31st March 2025
Connect Fermanagh Contents pg.2 Administrative details of the Charity including Trustees P8.3 Annual Report of the Trustees pgs. 4-6 Trustees, responsibilities statement pg.7 Summary of Financial Activities pgs. 8 Balance Sheet pg.9 Independent Examiners Report pg. 10 Notes to Financial Statements pg. 11
Connect Fermanagh Trustee's Annual Report Ilncorporating the Chairfs Report) Structure, governance and management. th The Charity was established April 2020 and is governed by Its Constitution. adopted on 29 June 2021, managed by the Trustees. Day to day operations are carried out by I part-time staff member with the support of Volunteers and the Trustees themselves. Reference and admln15trative deta515 Re8lstered charlty name Connect Fermanagh Charlty reglstratlon number NIC108524 Offlce and reglstered address Fermana8h House, Broadmeadow Place, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, BT74 SPX Trustees Hazel Gardiner Helen Gilmour Sonya Johnston Secretary) Lauri Mccusker (Chalr) Ali50n Wylle Mary Slevln Pauline Mcmanus Caroline Storey ITreasurÈrl Oblectlves and actlvltle$ Connect Fermanagh believes in, advocates for and supports the health and wellbeing of people across Fermana8h, enablin8 Indlvlduals to feel connected, confident and valued. Alm To enhance people's lives, supporting those most vulnerable and mar8lnalised In our community to achieve posltlve emotional wellbeing and feel connected to and secure in their communities. Purposes Reduce service-users, feelings of loneliness and Isolatlon Help service users feel connected Provlde Information on local and regional servlces and supports Signpost and support indlviduals to access servlces and supports Provide a platform to have the volces of service users heard by decislon-makers locally and regionally. Statement on Risk Assessment There have been no risks identified. the trustees are content that the charity has adequate resources to contlnue In operational existence for the foreseeable future.
Trustees, Annual Report {incorporatin8 the Chairs Report) Achievements and performance The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the period I. April 2024 to 31° March 2025. In presenting this report, the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commissions guidance on public benefit, the report details how our activities have enabled us to fulfil our public benefit purposes as required under section 70 of the Charities Act INI) 2008. What we do: In order to improve the health and well-being of people in the Ferrnanagh area, Connect Fermana8h continue5 to recruit Volunteers to provide re8ular. friendly phone-calls to anyone aged 18+ from 9am 2pm 7 days per week. We accept referrals from any individual or organisation. We call people on a weekly basis to prevent loneliness and isolation, bulld confldence, and help individua15 feel connected and valued. We provide friendly conversation, we provide informatlon over the telephone and information to Volunteers and service users via a monthly newsletter on local activities, services and supports. We provlde slgnposting to organi53tions offering support on speclfic issues and we provide advocacy and emotlonal support to those who require it. Where individuals have speclfic needs, information and signposting to speclallst servlces and sUPPOrt organisations is provided. Volunteers, under the direction and 8uidance of the Project Coordinator ensure individuals have an awareness of support services avallable to asslst them with a wide range of needs. We or8anlse and facilitate up to 4 events each year, bringing volunteers and service users tO8ether to enjoy range of activitie5 to build friendships and connections in a safe, warm and welcornlng envlronment. Service users w511 feel valued and have their voice5 heard, records of needs and gaps in services will be maintained and used to raise issues with local and regional declslon-makers to advocate for improved or new services. Why we do It: We want our service users to feel connected, we want to alleviate feelings of loneliness, Isolation and anxlety. We want indivlduals to know about activities and services they can access, and we want their voices heard in decisions that may affect them. We want our Servlce Users to be better informed of opportunities In the local area, about changes to servlces and supports they may be entitled to do. We want them to live in safe and stable homes and to have a trusted person that will listen to them and refer them on, for specialist SUPPOrt when needed. We want our servlce users to enjoy Ilfe, to build connections, to make frlendshlps and have fun, we want them to feel valued and listened to. The direct beneflts flowing from our purposes include.. Improved health and well-being, reduction in social exclusion and levels of stress and anxlety, feelings of loneline55 and isolation. What dlfference have we made, our Impact: This year, Connect Fermanagh has continued to support individuals experlencin8 Isolation and loneliness, while steadily increasin8 the profile and awareness of our charity. We've strengthened connertions across the community and deepened our understanding of referral pathways that help meet the evolving needs of those we support. Our success in securing new funding opportunities has been vital in sustaining and growing the project. At the heart of everything we do is a cornmitment to listenin8, re5pondin8, and helping people feel less alone whether throu8h befriending calls, prattical support. information signposting, or referrals to appropriate agencies. Our work remains rooted in compassion. connection, and a beliefthat no one should feel or experlence i501ation or loneliness. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Connect Fermanagh welcomed 12 new referrals to our befrlending service and 4 new Volunteers. During this period, 30 dedicated volunteers provided weekly or fortnightly calls to 44 service users. These calls offered far more than conversation they became a source of connection, comfort, and, for many. a vital lifeline. In these instances, the Project Coordinator was able to follow safe8uardin8 procedure5 and referral pathways to ensure that the person in need was connected with the appropriate support and agency. Throughout the year. several recurring themes emerged, Includin8 increased
anxiety and low mood linked to the rlsing cost of livin& fuel poverty, and storm-related home damage. These challen8es, coupled with ongoing mental health concerns, highlighted the growing complexity of needs wlthin our community. The befriending service continues to play a crucial role in reducing isolation, promoting wellbeing, and ensuring vulnerable individuals feel heard, supported, and connected. To date, 157 individuals have been supported through Connect Fermanagh's befriending service. Each one has received friendly conversations, a listening ear, and practical help through information, si8npostin& and referrals when needed. Our service users come from across the county, with 35% based in Enniskillen and 65% living in rural areas and villages. Th majority of individuals receivin8 our calls are female and are aged 60 and over, in 2024/25 new referrals were 75% female and 25% male. To promote our servlce and encourage new referrals and volunteer engagement, we hosted information stands at venues such as Killyhevlin Hotel, Belleek Information Event, Dunnes Stores, A5da, Te5co, Li5naskea Library, and ARC Healthy Living Centre. We also participated in networkin8 and awareness events including the Devenish Partnership/Age Aware Nl 8atherln& Fuel Poverty workshop, Cleenish Hall Health Fair, and the Fermanagh and Omagh Intergenerational Forum. We remain active members of key regional partnershlps includin8 the Southwest Age Partnership. Family Support Hub Fermanagh, The Centre for Ageing Better, A8e Friendly Nl, and the Intergenerational Forum, to maintain awareness, strengthen referral pathways and advocate for those we support. Connect Fermanagh actively promoted its work through regular updates on Facebook and through partnership wlth Volunteer Now, raising awareness and celebratin8 achievements. The Impartial Reporter and The Fermana8h Herald published articles and photographs coverin8 our Spring Planting event and Christmas Appeal, publlcly recognSslng our impact, thanklng funders for their generous support and shlnin8 a light on our need for new volunteers. A major hi8hli8ht of the year was recelvln8 the Volunteer Friendly Quallty Standards Accredltatlon Award, which formally reco8nised our commitment to best practlce In volunteer management. This award celebrates our commitment to best practice in volunteer management and acknowled8es the vltal role our volunteers play Sn supporting vulnerable indivlduals and families across the region. We're proud of what's been achieved and grateful to our volunteers, Funder5, and community partners who continue to make this work possible. Together, we're helping people feel less alone and more connected one call at a time. What dlfferen¢e have we made, our Impact: Our friendly phone-calls and social activities have increased a sense of belon8ln8 and boosted happiness for people who would otherwlse be socially isolated and feelin8 lonelyi for many that we call thls is the only contact they have in a week from someone who isn't paid to be there for them. Our calls reduce feelings of loneline55 and improve people emotional well-beln8. Our calls help individuals feel rnore connected, we improve people's resilience to be able to cope with life- challenge5. Reducing stress and anxlety by having someone to talk to, havin8 someone provide information and signposting to services and supports has had a positive impact on both the physlcal and mental health of those we call. Providin8 Opportunities for people to build social networks and having acce55 to social events for people who have mobility issues, livin8 In rural and isolated locations si8nificantly improves and enriches the quality of life of those we call. People we call are more resilient, more confident, feel less isolated and are living happier lives as a result of the work of our dedicated Volunteers Flnanclal Revlew Connect Fermanagh is in a stron8 financial position. with a healthy, dlverse range of income including private donations. charitable foundations, support from the AXA Community Grant, Community Foundation. Tesco's Groundworks Grant and the National Lottery Awards for All. The financial 5UPPOrt from Charitable Trusts and funders continues to be appreciate5 as without it, many of Connect Ferrnana8h'5 activities would be impossible or significantly reduced. Flnanclal Management Systems Connect Fermanagh has in place sound financial management procedures whlch we are confident are robust and appropriate in terms of good governance.
The results for the year ended 31" March 2025 are set out in pages 8 and 9 of the Financial Statements The Trustee5 consider that the unrestricted funds of the Charity are sufficient and adequate to fulfil their obligations. Reserves Pollcv The income of the Charity is considered adequate. and the risks associated with any si8nificant reduction in income is regarded as unllkely. The Trustees are Satisfied with the current level of reserves at the present time.
Trustee's responslbllltles statement The Trustees are responslble for preparing the Trustees, Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice}. The charity trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable trust and the incoming resources and application of resources, Including the income and expenditure, for that period. In preparin8 these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select Suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP; • make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting record5 that are sufficient to show and explain the charlty's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for takin8 reasonable steps for the preventlon and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Auditor Each of the persons who are a Trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that: So far as they are aware, there Is no relevant audlt Informatlon of whlch the charity's auditor is unaware; and They have taken all Steps that they ought to have taken as a Trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audlt information and to establlsh that the charity's auditor 15 aware of that information. The Trus Ih rustee's annual report was approved on 11 September 2025 and si8ned on behalf of the board of es by: Lauri Mccusker {Chalrl Caroline Storey ITrea5urerl
mu Year 3-3113125 Inanua Profitfrom previoLLSyPtlirffJcarriedf0rWard Pettycash carriedf(xw Year 2 Prrfitl L( 19,092.31 182.81 3,236.61 ,511.73 Clasiro&nkPdm-3113125 Pa1 PAlarKe- 3113125 Pettycash Blan 3113125 22,280.43 231.30 2,511.73