SISTERSIN Report of the Trustees FOR THE PERIOD I IUNE 2023 TO 30 IUNE 2024 The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the period I lune 2023 to 30 lune 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland [FRS 102] (effective l January 2019). OBIECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims Our mission is to enable, empowerand develop female pupi15 in education to become the leaders of tomorrow; to help them discover their full potential & open new possibilities for their professional journey5 by building leadership capability and confidence. SisterslN has created the signature SisterslN Leadership Programme, an 8-month development journey for sixth form girls to help build their confidence and broaden their career perspectives. The programme ha5 3 core elements.. Bespoke leadership skills training Project leadership experience Mentoring from female business leaders. In cralting the programme, we sought to create something that would have a long-lasting impact Each element of the programme was designed to be practical and provide an opportunity for pupils to apply the skills they learned. The programme exposed the students to different careers that exist today, connected them to the world of work and to female leaders who have shared their career journeys and personal leadership stories with them. A critical part of the SisterslN programme is to boost the pupils, self-confidence, We want them to leave the programme inspired as to all the career opportunities that lie in front of them and knowledgeable that they can choose to step up as leaders in whatever path they pursue. Public benefit The Trustees of SisterslN have fully complied with the Public Benefit requirements as set out in the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's statutory guidance on public benefit. The benefit which flows from the organisation purpose is an improved level of education and work experience. increased confidence and broadened career prospects. These benefits will be evidenced through feedback from schools and pupils and regular internal evaluation of our services. There is no possibility of any harm arising from any of the purposes. The charities benefIciaries are female school students in Northern Ireland aged 16-18. There is no private benefiL Beyond the direct impact SisterslN has on the pupils, leaders and organisations involved, we have seen the programme create a ripple effect of positive impact in communities and beyond.
SISTERSIN Report of the Trustees FOR THE PERIOD I JUNE 2023 TO 30 IUNE 2024 ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charltable actlvfitles We build skills: The Leadership Skills Curriculum, is delivered by teachers within the participating schools. This 10-module programme was intensive, challenging and rewarding for the students involved. We give opportunltles: The Leadership Project, undertaken by each girl, unearthed a wealth OF innovation, creativity, and talent. The wide range of projects enriched the school curriculum and has had an impact on both the school and the local community. We build networks: Each girl was matched with a female mentor in a leadership role, This mentoring was to prove as powerful and rewarding for the female leader as it was for the student. Regular virtual and face-to-face meetings took place, including a job shadowing day, when the girls followed the role of a senior leader in each organisation. This sparked professional conversations between rnentors and mentees leading to connections that we hope will endure. The programme in numbers: The students participating in the 2023/24 prograrnme came from 28 schools, covering 6 districts across Northern Ireland. It involved 192 industry organisations operating in 71 different professional industries/sectors providing 450 mentor applications to the 379 students partaking in this year's programme. The students received 1,700 hours I:1 mentoring, participated in over 20 masterclasses with 4,500 leadership lessons being provided over 10 modules and were able to shadowtheir mentor for a dayin their workplace. 99% of pupils felt that the time investment was worthwhile, and 850h of pupils felt the programme met or exceeded their expectations. There was an uplift of 400h in pupils, levels of confidence and 22 in their level of self-awareness 93 % of pupils have applied the leadership skills from lessons, and 630/0 OF mentors & 800h of teachers saw an improvement across all 10 leadership skills Industry partners and mentors Businesses, and specifically Mentors. play a key role in the SisterslN Leadership Programme and we extend a huge thank you to all those involved. The 134 different organisations across a range of sectors and industries have provided time for mentors to volunteer as partofSisterslN and access to pupils as part oFthe job shadow day. Our 389 mentors generously shared their time, insights, and personal learning with pupils over a 5-month period and delivered over 1,700 hours of l..1 mentoring, This included giving guidance to pupils for their leadership project and career advice. Some even delivered leadership masterclasses or provided connections from their own network The benefit doesn't just extend to participating pupils. Our mentors, from all sectr)rs, have reported benefits for themselves and their businesses. 790A of mentors say the programme met or exceeded their expectations, and 230/0 of mentors participated to support their own personal development. BO % ofmentors confirmed that would participate in the programme again. Collectively we can play a part in giving each girl the opportunity to shine to their fullest potential. 202312024 Highlights
SISTERSIN Report of the Trustees FOR THE PERIOD I JUNE 2023 TO 30 JUNE Z024 Some organisations went a step further and provided unique leadership project opportunities and events throughout the programTne year. Three of our Founding Partners delivered inspiring events For the SisterslN pupils to attend. The ICC, Belfast supported a team of 28 students with the organisation of the SisterslN Celebration Event. including behind the scenes insight to working in large scale events and marketing. SisterslN Inspiring Entrepreneurs Event, supported by Danske Bank, Belfast City Council, and Podiem, provided rnentees with invaluable insights from successful female entrepreneurs, and Queen's University, Belfast delivered SisterslNSPIRE at their campus, where the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute awarded formal endorsement to the SisterslN leadership programme. In collaboration with 4 Voices, Vocalis, and Mccann VA, the SisterslN "2048: The Future Starts Now. event in the Senate Chamber at Stormont saw 12 SisterslN mentees deliver 5 minute speeches about what they would like to see in Northern Ireland in 25 years, after completing 12 weeks of public speaking training. In March, the SisterslN Closing Celebration was attended by First Minister, Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister, Emma-Little-Pengelly. The event heard from Dr Gill Tierney, President of the Association oFSurgeons in GB and Ireland, and our SisterslN mentee Maka Chinanayi from Hazelwood Integrated College delivered keynote speeches at SisterslN Celebration Event. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial posltion The charity's financial position is reviewed on a regular basis by the board. The charity has an annual independent examination perfornied by an external accountanL The charity income for the 2024 period was £197,800 (2023.. £117,230 and the expenditure was £64,770 (2023.. £102,041) which in turn results in a surplus of £133,030 {2023.. £15,189} in the period. Restricted funds at the period end totalled £54,958 and unrestricted funds at the period end totalled £93,261. Principal funding sources The charity is funded entirely from contributions from grant funders, its participating Industry Partners and Schools. A huge thanks goes out to all of our Industry Partners and Schools who have supported us throughout the year. We couldn't have done it without you. Reserves poliry The trustees recognise that it Is necessary to hold reserves in order to offset the effects of fluctuation on incoming resources and thereby secure the continued viability of the Charity beyond the immediate future. In keeping with best practice, it is the aim of the charity to hold free reserves which equate to three to six months operating costs. FUTURE PLANS 202312024 was all about growing from the piloL growing our reach to 28 schools and widening our industry supporL To ensure that we are able to grow sustainably, we continued to put firm foundations in place, whkle encouraging continuous evaluation and development, as we gathered valuable experience alld feedback from our partners, mentors and pupils to help us take the programme to the next level. Our visionary and skilled Board of Directors continue to be instrumental not only in the success of this year's programme but who have worked hard to help shape the future vision and roadmap for SisterslN. Our Vision for the future is to make the SisterslN Leadership Programme available to.. - anygirl from anyschool or college at Post 16 level in Northern Ireland who wants to engage in the programme any female mentor, in any organisation, no matter how big or small, who wishes to mentor the female leaders of tomorrow. Our focus on Northern Ireland initially will ensure that the programme can be rolled out and scaled tn a successful way and to high quality Standards.
SISTERSIN Report of the Trustees FOR THE PERIOD I IUNE 2023 TO 30 IUNE 2024 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governlng document SisterslN is a company limited by guarantee which was incorporated on 25th May 2022. It was registered a5 a charity with the Nl Charity Commission as from 31stAugust 2022. The company is governed by a Board of Trustees which operates as detailed in the company's governing document, the Memorandum and Articles ofAssociation. Recruitment and appolntment of new trustees Due to the nature of the charity's work the trustees seek to ensure that these needs are appropriately reflected through the diversity ofthe trustee body. To enhance the potential pool, trustees are requested to provide a list of their skills (and update it each year) and in the event of particular skills lacking or being lost due to retiremenL individuals are approached to offer themselves for election. Organisatlonal structure The company is governed by a Board of Trustees which operates as detailed in the company's governing document the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The trustees meet on a regular basis to review all aspects of the charkty. The committee is made up of a number of members with a shared vision, commitment and passion for achieving the objectives of the organisation. Members come with a range of skills crucial to the management of the organisation. During the year a director of operations, Mrs Gillian McKeown, was appointed by the board to administer the day to day operations of the charity. Induction and training of new trustees New Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. They meet key employees and other Trustees. The Trustees and management committee are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking oftheir role. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DFfAILS Reglstered Company number N1688523 [Northern Ireland} Registered Charity number 109051 Reglstered offlce Down Business Centre 46 Belfast Road Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 9UP Trustees P Cochrane Chartered Accountant P Dobbin School Principal Mrs A Press Director Miss C Mageean Professional Athlete Mrs O O'Reilly Director Y K Choo Programme Officer (resigned 2415/2024] Professor K Morrison Dean ofEducation J Healy Director (resigned 29/2/2024]
SISTERSIN Report of the Trustees FOR THE PERIOD I IUNE 2023 TO 30 IUNE 2024 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner M.B.McGrady & Co Chartered Accountants Rathmore House 52 St Patricks Avenue Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6DS STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees (who are also the directors of SisterslN for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to select suitable accounting policies 2nd then apply them consistently,. observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP,. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which dksclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by order ofthe board of trustees on 20 lanuary 2025 and signed on its behalf by,. P Dobbin- Trustee