Our Social Space Ltd Company Limited by Guaranlee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Directorfs Report) Year ended 30 September 2023 The tnjstees. who are also the directors for the purposes of company law. present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2023. Reference and admlnlstratlon detalls Registered charity name Our Social Space Ltd Charity reglstration number NIC108664 Company reglstratlon number N1655540 Prln¢lpal office and registered Offi¢e 74 Sunnyside Street Belfast BTI 3EY The Trustees Mr Seamus Young Dr Richard Turner Mr Philip Whyte Dr James Gallagher Company secretary Carrie Montgomery Independent Examlner Mickey Ghanni 24 Ayrshire Lodge Lisbum BT28 2f Bankers Santander Bootle Merseyside L30 4GB Trustees, Annual Report & Flnoncial Statements Page 3 of IS
Our Social Space Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Dlrectorfs Report) (contlnued) Year ended 30 September 2023 Structure, Govemance & Management Our Sodal Space Ltd Is a company limited by guarantee with charity stalus. It was incorporated on 7 September 2018. It has been re9lstered as a charity with the Charities CommissSon Northem Ireland since 22 F8bruary 2022. The company Is governed by Its Memorandum and Artides of Association dated 29 January 2019 (amended). In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. Recrultmont and Appolntmenl of Trustsos The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. Under the requirements of the Articles of Association Ihe number of trustees shall not be less than three appointed by the board. The initial temi of office wll be two terms ofthree years. Upon satisfactory completion of tsyo terms Trustees are eligible for further tenns at the Board's requ8St. The trustees of the company have a mix of skills. In the event of particular skills being lost due to retirement or resignation. suitsble individuals are approached to offer themselves for appointment as Irustees. Trusteo Inductlon and tralnlng Most new trustees are already familiar with the Yrk of the charity. New trustees are encouraged to attend suitable training courses to familiarise themselves with t)oth the work of the charity and their responsibilities as directors. Rlsk Management The trustees have carried out a review of the malor risks to which the charity is exposed, and where appropriate have put in place systems and conlrols to mitigate the effects of those risks. Key managemont Durlng the year In review the day to day njnnlng of Our Soclal Space Ltd was overseen by the CEO r8POrting to the Boafd of Trustees. ObJectlve8 and actlvltl•• Why aro wo hero? To create space for social connection8 withln local communitie8, wilh a vision that no one feels lonely or socially isolated. We are a group of local r8sld8nts who value: strong communth'es ¢reatlng a sense of belonging,. passion and drive to inspire each other: accouniability to do vthal we say we'll do., communication and building trust and: environmentslism. Tho Charlty's objocts ("ObJocts") are to: Promote the benefrt of residents of the Ballynafeighlomieau Area without discrimination, in an effort to provide (or asslst In providing) facilities in the inter&sts of social welfare. for health. recreation and lelsure time occupation, with the object of improving the nditionS and quality of life for the entire community to help in supporting those most socially vulnerable wilhin our community. Trustees, Annual Report & Flnanciol Stotements Poge 4 of 15
Our Social Space Ltd Company L5rnlted by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Directorfs Report) (contlnued) Year ended 30 September 2023 Achlevements and performance The Fllcks Hut In November 2019 we were awarded a grant tr Film Hub Nl as part of the BFI Film Audience NebAYork to support development of a local community cinema. The project delivered of a programme of five film screenings and facilitated post-screening debates addressing social issues affecting men during this initia pilot phase (2020-2021). In March 2023. The Flicks Hut was hosted a screening of Happening in partnership with Infomiing Choices Nl who co-facilitated a post-screening debate discussing the issues raised from "Happening- marking sexual health awareness week. Soclally Actlve Communltles Our Social Active Communities project has continued throughout 2022123 providing opportunities for social connedions via a programme of six social dance classes across three evenings per week. In 2021122 this project was development through an award of a grant from Halifax Foundation Nl and has continued through donations. induding a social dance event fundraiser organised by beneficiaries. Engagement and relention rates Vre very good with 81 OA of participants reporting attending classes regularfy. with 740kn still attending at time of completing the reporting. When asked rflhow participation in classes benefited health, 84% affimied dasses had experienced benefits to th8ir mental health, 77Yo their social health e.g. met new peoplelsense of belonginpark of a community and 74Yo their physical health. Beneficiaries have reported: "This new lrfe of social dancing with these groups of wonderful people has been totally lrfe changing for me. My physical and mental heafth has improved 10 fold. My confidence has grown and I have a whole new circle of wonderful supportive fiiends. I now have 8 whol8 new outlook on life.. and explained that'The tutors and organisers have been fantastic in 8n effort to rnduce barne for all. Th8y take Into account people's personal clrcumstances and identify how they help to reduce any personal barriers that people may have. particularty those wilh issues relating to confidence. heatth and caring rosponsibilities.. Our Social Space is considering the fulure development of The Fllcks Hut and Socially Active Communth'es as part of our strateglc review. Flnanclal revlew It is the view of the Board of Directors that Our Social Space Lld operated prudentiy and effectively within the param8ters of tha financial resources whith were available. Reserves Pollcy The Chariws policy Is to retaln a level of unrestrlcled funds that are needed to provlde funds whlch can be applied to specific projects to be undertaken at short notice and to cover the running costs of the Charity for a limited period. should there be a significant shortfall in projected income. Trustees'Annuol Report & Financial Statements Page 5 of 15
Our Social Space Ltd Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (confinued) Year ended 30 September 2023 The Trustees consider it prudent Ihat unreslricted reserves should be sufficient to avoid the necessity of realising fixed assets held for the Charity's use and to cover six months unrestricted expenditure. The level of unrestricted funds needed for these purposes are shown as designated funds. The Boards strategy is to build reserves to ensure the Charity's obligations are met and also to build surpluses which can be reinvested in developing further services. The Charity will continue to monitor compliance with this policy on a regular basis and the Board will review the appropriateness of the policy annually. Trustees. responsibilities statement The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law. are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial ststements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom A¢UntIng Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to= select suitable accounting policies and then apply them c(x)sistently- 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 concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will Continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charivs transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial stalements Comply wilh the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and olher irregularities. Independent Examlner Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confimis that: so far as they are aware, there is no relevant information of which the charity's independent examiner is unaware., and they have tsken all steps that Ihey oughl to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant informats'on and to establish that the charity's independent examiner is aware of that information. Small company provlslons This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption. The trustees. annual report was approved on 20 June 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by.. Dr R Turner Trustee Trustees. Annuol Report & Financiol Stotements Puge 6 of 15