Registered number: NI027662
Charity number: 106855
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Unaudited
Trustees' Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Contents
|
|
Reference and Administrative Details of the Company, its Trustees and Advisers
|
|
|
|
Independent Examiner's Report
|
|
Statement of Financial Activities
|
|
|
|
Notes to the Financial Statements
|
|
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Reference and Administrative Details of the Company, its Trustees and Advisers
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
|
Pastor Alistair Ritchie, Chair (appointed 29 September 2023)
|
|
Mr Edwin Robb (appointed 3 October 2023)
|
|
Dr Moses Mushipe (appointed 3 October 2023)
|
|
Mr George Quail (appointed 3 October 2023)
|
|
Pastor Stephen Thompson, Chair (resigned 29 September 2023)
|
|
David Bradshaw (resigned 11 April 2023)
|
|
Colin Lockhart (resigned 4 October 2023)
|
|
Karen Millar (resigned 4 October 2023)
|
Company registered number
|
|
Charity registered number
|
|
|
276 Ravenhill Road
Belfast
Antrim
BT6 8GJ
|
|
Sumer Accountants NI Ltd
4th Floor
Glendinning House
6 Murray Street
Belfast
BT1 6DN
|
|
Ulster Bank
Arches Retail Park
Connswater
Belfast
BT5 4AF
|
Page 1
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Trustees' Report
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Company for the year 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The company is established to provide the wellbeing of the inhabitants of Northern Ireland and its environs without distinction of age, sex, race, political, religious or other opinion by all or any of the following means:
1. The relief of poverty;
2. The advancement of community development;
3. The advancement of education, skills training and the arts;
4. The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage;
5. The provisions of facilities in the interests of social welfare; and
6. Generally improve the conditions of life for the said inhabitants by associating with the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to meet our objectives.
Achievements and performance
a. Review of Activities
In 2023, Compassion Belfast continued to employ a full-time Project Coordinator until October 2023 when the role became vacant.
Compassion Belfast continues to fulfil its objectives however some activities have been consolidated and some ceased.
Our Compassion Belfast Hub continues to incorporate the ‘New to You’ charity shop and rented space above which brings in much needed finance for the charity.
This year has seen some significant changes within Compassion Belfast which has resulted in some projects no longer functioning.
‘The Base Project’ and ‘fun in a box’ have both ceased to be operational throughout the year. However, various Compassion projects continue to offer significant support to people experiencing difficult times.
‘Compassion Walks’ has continued to assist the homeless and rough sleepers in Belfast City Centre. Through food, hygiene and winter kits and other essentials a trained team of volunteers seeks to connect and assist on Saturday mornings as and when volunteers are available.
Page 2
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Achievements and performance (continued)
This year saw us continue our ‘Project Christmas Box’ toy appeal and Hamper giveaway. In Partnership with three local schools and our own food bank we were able to provide 150 children with a bag of multiple toys and age related presents for Christmas and 95 families received a hamper with a collection of food and Christmas treats.
‘The Living Room’ project continues to be one of our main projects as we aid families who have been impacted with various difficult circumstances which include family breakdown, displacement, unemployment and the challenge of the cost of living crisis.
Below is a table outlining the Living Room’s activity and impact over the course of the year:
Number of Monday Sessions
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individuals with 3 day packs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As well as this, we were privileged to participate in Belfast City Council (BCC) Utility & Voucher Scheme. We received £7000 and were able to help 71 families.
As part of The Living Room project we continue to deepen and develop partnerships with Clanmil Housing Group, Radius Housing, Apex Housing, Belfast City Council, Dale Farm, Tesco, Lidl, Sainsbury’s and other local businesses. Our volunteers are a diverse representation from across our city.
Similar to 2022, we continued to see an increase in visitors from displaced global regions in 2023.
‘The Tool Box’ continues to utilise its workspace. It now runs two days weekly. An average of 5 people attend each week helping alleviate isolation and poor mental health caused by social poverty.
‘New to You’- community space and used goods shop. The shop continues to operate six days per week due to it committed volunteer group.
Our fundraising team continues to develop and progress is being made.
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
b. Reserves policy
The Charity’s policy is to retain a level of free reserves, which matches the needs of the organisation both at the current time and in the foreseeable future. The Charity has developed a plan to establish and maintain this agreed level of free reserves. 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.
Structure, governance and management
Page 3
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Structure, governance and management (continued)
a. Constitution
The Company is registered as a Charitable Company limited by guarantee and is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited Company, limited by guarantee as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The Company is a registered charity. Charity Registration Number 106855.
b. Directors
Compassion Belfast underwent significant changes during 2023. The previous Chair and members of the Board stepped down during the year and a new Chair and three new trustees/directors were appointed in accordance with the constitution.
Plans for future periods
a. Future Developments
We will recruit a new Compassion Belfast Coordinator.
We will continue to develop all existing Compassion Belfast projects.
We will continue to grow and value all volunteers of Compassion Belfast.
We will continue to develop funding sources and a fundraising team.
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible 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).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
∙observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply 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.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 2 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Page 4
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Page 5
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Independent Examiner's Report
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Compassion Belfast
|
I report on the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 8 to 17.
Respective Responsibilities of charity Trustees and Examiner
|
As the company's trustees (and also the directors of the company for the purpose of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Having satisfied myself that the company is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
∙examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;
∙follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act; and
∙state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
|
I have examined your company accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.
My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the company and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as company trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
|
that accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006;
|
|
that the accounts do not accord with those accounting records;
|
|
that the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the 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);
|
|
that there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
|
Independent Examiner's Statement
|
I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
Page 6
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Independent Examiner's Report (continued)
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
This report is made solely to the company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 65(3)(a) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and regulations made under section 66 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: 2 October 2024
Amanda McMaw FCA
Sumer Accountants NI Ltd
Glendinning House
6 Murray Street
Belfast
BT1 6DN
Page 7
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account)
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
Total funds brought forward
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total funds carried forward
|
|
|
|
|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
|
The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements.
|
Page 8
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Registered number: NI027662
Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets less current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets excluding pension asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
Page 9
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Registered number: NI027662
Balance Sheet (continued)
As at 31 December 2023
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 02 October 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
|
|
The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements.
|
Page 10
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
1.Accounting policies
|
|
Basis of preparation of financial statements
|
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Compassion Belfast meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The Company is a Charitable Company limited by guarantee. The members of the Company are the Trustees named on page one. In the event of the Company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the Company.
The Trustees of Compassion Belfast have reviewed the resources available and believe that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the forseeable future.
Accordingly, Compassion Belfast continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Where the donated good is a fixed asset, it is measured at fair value, unless it is impractical to measure this reliably, in which case the cost of the item to the donor should be used. The gain is recognised as income from donations and a corresponding amount is included in the appropriate fixed asset class and depreciated over the useful economic life in accordance with the Company's accounting policies.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
Page 11
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
1.Accounting policies (continued)
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Charitable activities are costs incurred on the company's operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the company apportioned to charitable activities.
|
|
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
|
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
|
|
|
|
Long-term leasehold property
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
|
|
Liabilities and provisions
|
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Company to the fund in respect of the year.
Page 12
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
1.Accounting policies (continued)
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
|
|
Income from donations and legacies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from charitable activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 13
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
|
|
Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent examiner's remuneration
|
|
The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £3,300 (2022 - £3,000).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
No Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits in either year.
|
Page 14
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
|
|
Long-term leasehold property
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accruals and deferred income
|
|
|
Page 15
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
|
|
Statement of funds - current year
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 January 2023
£
|
|
|
Balance at 31 December 2023
£
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Funds - all funds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement of funds - prior year
|
|
|
|
Balance at
1 January 2022
£
|
|
|
Balance at
31 December 2022
£
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Funds - all funds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary of funds - current year
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 January 2023
£
|
|
|
Balance at 31 December 2023
£
|
|
|
Summary of funds - prior year
|
|
|
|
Balance at
1 January 2022
£
|
|
|
Balance at
31 December 2022
£
|
Page 16
|
Compassion Belfast
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2023
|
|
Analysis of net assets between funds
|
|
|
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creditors due within one year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creditors due within one year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pension contributions paid by the company for the reporting period amounted to £1,045 (2022: £902)
|
Related party transactions
|
|
The Company has not entered into any related party transaction during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the Company at 31 December 2023.
Remuneration of £nil was paid to a family member of a Trustee during 2023 (2022: £2,659).
|
Page 17
|
|