Our Social Space Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) Year ended 30 September 2024 The trustees. who are also the directors for the purposes of company law. present their report and the unaudiled financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024. Reference and admlnlstratlon detalls Roglstered ¢hartty name Our soal Space Ltd Charlty reglstratlon number NIC108664 Company roglstratlon number N1655540 Prlnclpal office and reglstered Office 74 Sunnyside Street Belfast BT7 3EY The TrustOaS Mr S8amus Young Dr Richard Tumer Mr Philip Whyte Dr James Gallagher Ms Helen McKenna Dr Mark Johnson (Resigned 20 June 2024) {Appointed 20 June 2024) (Appointed 20 June 20241 Company 8e¢r618ry Carrie Montgomery Indèpéndent Examlner Mickey Ghanni 24 Ayrshife Lodge Lisbum BT28 2YZ Banker$ Santander Booue Merseyslde L30 4GB Trus¢ees'Annuol Aeport & Finonclol 5totements Page3of16
Our Social Space Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustee5' Annual Report (Incorporating Ihe Directorfs Report) (contlnuedj Year ended 30 September 2024 Structure, Goveman¢e & Management Our Soclal Space Ltd Is a company Ilmlted by guarantee with charlty status. It was Incorporated on 7 September 2018. It has been registered as a charity with th8 Charrties Commission Northern Ireland sinc8 22 February 2022. The o)mpany is govemed by its Memorandum and Articles of Associats'on dated 29 January 2019 (amended). In the evenl of the company being wound up members are required lo contribute an amount not exceeding £1. Recrultment and Appolntment of Trusteos The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charty law. Under the requlrements of the Articles of Association the number of trustees shall nol be less than three appointed by th8 board. The inibal term of office will be two terms of three years. Upon satisfactory comp18tion of two lemis Trustees are eligible for further lenns at the 8oard's request. The trusle8s of the company have a mix of skills. In the event ol particular skills belng lost due lo retirement or resignation. suitsble individuals are approached to offer themselves for appoinlment as trustees. Trustee Inductlon and tralnlng Most new trustees are already familiar with the work of the charity. New trustees are encouraged to attend suitable training courses to familiarise themselves with both the work of the charity and their responsibilities as directors. Risk Managem6nt The trustees have carried out a review of the major risks to which the chanty is exposed. and where appropriate have put in place systems and controls to mitoate the effects of those risks. Key management During th8 year in revi8W the day to day running of Our Social Space Ltd was overseen by th8 CEO rep)rtsng to the Board ol Trustees. Objectlves and acllvltles Why ara we here? To cate space for social connections within local MmUnitIes, with a vision that no one leels lonety or socially isolated. We are a group of local residents who value.. strong communities cr6aling a sense of belonging., passion and dnve to inspire each other: accounlability lo do what we say we'll do: communicatTron and building trust and: environmentalism. The Chartty'8 obl8cts I"ObJocts") aro to: Promote the benefit of residents ol the BallynafeiglLIOrmeau ea without discrlmination. in an effort to provide lor assist in Providing) facilities in the inleiests ol social welfare, for health, recrealion and leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditbons and quality ol life for the entire community lo help in supporbng those m051 socially vulnerable within our community. Tru5tees' Annuol Report & Finonciol Statements Poqe 4 of 16
Our Soclal Space Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (contlnued) Year ended 30 September 2024 AGhlevements and performance Thls year marked a slgnlficant perlod of growth and reflectlon for Our Soclal Space Ltd. As we contlnue to navigate a complex social landscap8 shaped by rising loneliness and disconnection. our mission to build stronger. more connected communities through inclusive social danca has never felt more Urgent - or more impactful. Our Socialty Active Communiti'es - a project that has become the bealing heart of our work. Our Flagshlp ProJ•ct: Our Soclalty Actlve Communlllos Support6d by the Halifax Foundation - Community Flex, Our Socially Active Communities project has continued lo flourish as the comerslone of our community work. These beginner-friendly, social dance dasses and workshops have ated a vital lifeline for people at risk of isolatlon - particularly older adults, solo parents. carers. neurodivergent individuals, and thos8 undergoing major lrfe transitions. Set to the )0ul rhW)ms of swng, jazz. and blues, Ihe sesslons are grounded in a zero-pressure ethos where connection, not perfection, is the goal. What partlclpants told us: "I didn't think I'd have the confidence to do something like Ihls - I feel like I've found a plece of myself again." "My mentsl heallh has improved so much sincejoining - this is my happy place.. "It's rare to find a space that feels truty indusive, but this is it.. Key Outcomes.. Improved selfconfldenco and SelfxpreSsIOn Better physlcal and m•ntal wellbolng Strengthonod s•n•• of Inclu8lon and longIng Expand•d •oclal n•twork and moanlngful frl8nd$hlp$ Participants conslslently reported feellng uplifted, empowered, and reconnecled-not lust to others. but to themselves. These outcomes reinforce whal we know lo be true.. that Incluslvo soclal danca Is a powerful tool for personal and communlty transforniatlon. Strateglc Plannlng: Why Soclal Danclng7 In 2024, we embarked on a year-long strategic plannlng process lo gu5de our vlslon through 2028. Cenlral to this strategy is a commrtmenl to 'Why Soclal Danclng?" our fesponse lo one ol the most pressing public health issues of our time.. 8ocSal Isolatlon. Social isolation is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and increases the risk of early deaih by up to 260A (Holt-Lunstad. 2015). In the UK, over 7 million people live with chronlc loneliness. rrustees. Annuol Report & Financiol Stotement5 Poge 5 of 16
Those most affected are also the most marginalised facing economic hardship. caregiving responsibilities, neurodiversty, or life transitions that erode social routines. Vthile physical and mental heatth receive substantial investment, soclal health - our ability to build relationships and feel part of a community- remains under-recognised and underhjnded. At Our Social Space, we believe soclal danc8 offers a unique and joyful solution: It fosters connection without requiring conversation. It helps people develop confidence. routine, and shared experience. It offers immediate amotional uplift while building long-term soual supporL Dance, especialty in group social formats, is an artform that transcends language. age, background, and ability. It is both expressive, connective and democratic practice. Our approach uses the expressive power of dance to make art more accessible. breaking down the barriers that prevent many from engaging with tradrtional cultural spaces. We are proud to contribute to the wider creats've landscape of Northem Ireland through inclusive. community-¢entred programming. We remain driven by our founding belief: that no one should leel alone. and that everyone deserves spaces to connect, belong, and thrlve. As we look ahead. we do so with gratrtude, purpose. and renewed energy for the work to come. Flnancial review It is the vTrew of the Board of Directors that Our Social Space Ltd operated prudenuy and effectivety within the parameters of the financial resources which were available. Reserves Policy The Charivs poly is to retain a level of unrestricted funds that are needed to provmde fvnds which can be applied to specific Projects to be undertaken at short notice and to cover the running costs of the Charity for a limited perDd, should there be a significant shortfall In prolected income. Tru5tees'Annuol Report & Finonciol Statements Page 60116
Our Social Space Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (continuedj Year ended 30 September 2024 The Trustees consider it prudent that UnStriCted reserves should be sufficient to avoid the necessty of realising fixed assets held for the Charity's use and to cover six months unrestricled expenditure. The level of unrestricted funds needed for these purposes a shown as designated funds. The Boards strategy is to build reserves to ensure the Chanty's obligations are met and also to build surpluses which can be reinvested in developing further services. The Charity will continue to monltor compliance with this policy on a regular basis and the Board will review the appropriateness of the policy annually. Trustees. responslbilities statement The trustees, who are also d1clorS for the purposes of company law. are reswnsible for preparing the tnjstees, report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom A(Unting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Pra¢tirE). Company law requlres the chanty trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of th8 state of affairs of the charitsble company and the incoming resources and application of resources. including the income and expendrtur8. for that period. In preparing these financial ststements. the trustees are required lo: select suitable accounting pdicies and then apply them consistently: observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP: make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudenL' prepa the financial ststements 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 records that are sufficient lo show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the chanty and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Acl 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for laking reasonable steps for the prevention and delection of fraud and other irregularities. Independent Examlner Each of the persons is a trustee at the dale ol approval ol thls report confirms that.. so far as they are aware, there is no relevant infonnation of which the chanty's independent examiner is unaware., and they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant infonnation and lo esiabllsh Ihal the charitys Independent examlner Is aware of that infomation. Small company provlslons This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions appllcable lo companies entitled to the small companies axemption. The truslees, annual report was approved on 12 June 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by.. Dr R Turner Trustee Trustee5' Annuul Report & Finonciol Stotements Page 701 16