Liberty Church Wid-UTster Company Ilmited by guarantee The Directors are pleased to present their annual directors, report together with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31, March 2024 (note, the comparative period figures relate to the lour month period ended 31. March 2023, for this reason they are not direGtIy comparable). This report has also been prepared to meet with the requirements for a directors report and accounts for the purposes of the Companies Act. The Directors who served during the year were as follows: Mr David Adair Mrs Helen Hart Mr Paul Harper Mr Jason Shiels The directors meet regularly to discuss the broad strategy of the charity to include areas of activity for the charity, assessrnent of reserves and risk managemeni. The day-to-day administration ot the cjiayily i,g delenalpd to Mr ,la.*nn Shiel.8 IDirprtnr)- Rlsk Mana ement The Directors actively review any major risks, which the charity faces on a regular basis and believ8 that maintaining reserves at current levels, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide suff icienl resources for the incoming year. The Directors have also examined other operational and business risks faced by the Charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the most significant risks. Ob'ectlves of Libert Church Mid-ulster The church is establish8d and has a primary area of benefit in Mid-ulster for., al the promotion of the Christian faith bl to relieve sickn8ss, poverty, hunger, hardship and promote well-being cl to further Christian educalion d) partnership for Ihe common good in society e) any other exclusively charitable purposes Aciivilles meetln ob'eclives and ublic benefit I ne uireGiors nave haa regard io ine Nonnern Irelan(J L-harily Gommission's Hutslic tsenetil requirements, as demonstrated though the following overview of the years activities.. This report provides an overview of the work of Liberty Church Mid-ulster for the year ended 31 St March 2024. This is the second annual report for Liberty Church Mid-ulster. Chariiable Activities and Im act Re ort This period has seen considerable success in meeting the aims and objectives of the charity. -Promotion ol the Christian faith- Church meetings have included Sunday sewices- morning and (monthly) evening services. Life-groups to build community, discipleship and sludy the Word of God. There have also been regular prayer meetings, courses, training limes and special events involving visiting speakers. We have had various oulreach programs. These met the aims of the church. - Promotion of the alleviation of hardshlpy di'stressi poverty- Llberty Foodbank continues to meet food poverty needs in the community. Our bank of referral partners is as strong as ever, and indeed, is expanding. This is a key marker of the growing footprint in how the church is helping to meet food povarty needs in Mid-ulster. We continue to deliver parcels where needed. However, we The noles on pages 8 10 15 form part of these financial statements. Page 2
Llberty Church Mid-ulster Company limited by auarantee are transitioning to higher percentage of recipients who now collect their food parcels from the building. During the year, approximately 62 people are being served weekly by around 20 food parcels per week from Liberty Foodbank. The growth in parcel collection at our base also further enhances our effectiveness in sign-posting people to our other services and indeed to broader communily wide services. In this regard, we have a very 'joined up, approach to connecting people nn I nJ+ii knnn4j+in prAY v4+n4 11 + +nr ri IrnY+. 4 VI g thA including Asda grant award, Foodshare, and of course the supermarkets. We are also very grateful for local churches and individuals who give generously towards the Foodbank during the year. Foodbank Co-ordinator Gillian Brown and her team of hard-working volunteers are to be cornmended for their tireless work on behalf of food poverty. -Li'berty Counselling service.. has developed and expanded in reach and volume of clients over the period under review. This service has had a very significant impact during the year with several- nuiio'red nours ol counseliing oeing conauciea io neip inose witn a range UF menial ana emotional health issues. Ali Shiels, lead ccunsellor, has expertise with trauma and has helped clients wilh 'Troubles' trauma, domestic violence, and sexual abuse, among many other areas of distress. -S8fe Families and Home lor Good- we have had speakers from these charities to Liberty in the past year and have promoted their work. There are now volunteers associated with each of these charities from members of Liberty and we couldn't be happier about that because their work and vision are amazing. -we have had very successlul mental health support groups for ladies using crarts as the common interest and facilitated mental health support. Jeanette Logan has done a great job with these, along with Tracey Carson. We have Befriending community support and have seen how this links in well with our other services, especially the Foodbank, in alleviating distress especially loneliness and isolation. All of these met the aims of the church. -Promotion of educatlon (and training) - we are a faith-based charity that also has valued a holistic persDective and approach on the well-beino of people in our comrnunity - bodv, soul, and spirit. We promot8 training and educalion tirnes around understanding of the Christian Gospel and Biblical worldview but also how vari8d types of education are valuable for the community. We hav8 had seminars open to the public on health related topics. These s8minars were well-attended and great feedback was given to the facilitators. -w8 have a weekly group for chlldren aged 4-11 years known as 'King's Kids,. These are fun times for children that incorporate games, singing, crafts, Bible teaching and discussion applied to li11os of the childrpn alon.g witli 11 In tripo 2.nd 01 Itingo .All o! thpqg rn.Ftht ths? aini.R n! tkig chLirrh -Ladies' nights were also held giving talks on various tOPiGS relevant to women. -Tralnlng was given on sound and medla during the year with an enthusiastic group of volunteers in this service. -Training on leadership and voluntearing was given to our volunteers. -Training took place on pastoral prayer minislry Wlth Kairos Trust in Belfast. We now have a tiained prayer ministry team operating weekly. -Financial Support- we would like to acknowledge the generous financial support of DelmaNa Education £11,087 {2023'. £4,773) and Drop Inn Ministries £11,90012023.- £2,500). I he notes on pages 8 to 15 lorm payl ol tttese linancial statements. Page 3
Liberty Church litid-ulster Company Ilmiléd by guaranlee Flnanclal Overvlew: The Financial Statements are presented in the standard format required by the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 2015 and in accordance with The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. The Statement of Financial Activities on page 9 shows the gross income from all sources. Total Incoming Resources £ 120,163 (2023; £30,096) Total Resources Expended £ 116,025 (2023. £34,903) Surplusl (Deficit) for year £ 4,138 {2023' £14,807)) No funds held by the charity were in deficit either during the year or at the year end. Realstratlon Delalls: Registered Northern Ireland Charity No: NIC109066 Registered Limited Company No: N1684479 Company Registered in Northern Ireland Statement of dlrectors res onslbllltles The directors are responsible for preparing the directors report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors Ic prepare narycial vtateTr.e,,,- for eaA4h firyancial '4e3r. Unrler t*at laiN the directore haiJ= lanted to p',epare t,e financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (Uniled Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable lawl. Under company law the directors must nol approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of aff airs of the company and the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial stat8m8nts, the directors are required to: • se18Ct suitable accounting policies and th8n apply Ihem consistently. make judgments and accounting eslimates that are reasonable and prudent; prepare tne financial siatemenis on tne going concern tsasis unless 11 Is Inappropriaie to presume that Ihe company will continue in business. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose wilh reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements Gornply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Small Com an Provlslons This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption. This report was approved by the B rd f Dir tors on 4th October 2024, and signed on its b8haff by,. Mrs Helen Hart Director Mr Paul Harp Director The notes on pages 8 to 15 lorm part of these financial statements. Page 4