The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Memorandum and Articles, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)
1. To advance the Christian religion for the benefit of the public.
2. Associating together the said inhabitants and the local authorities voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to show God's love and to bring about reconciliation and unity.
At Healing the Land we:
Encourage people to develop their relationship with Jesus Christ believing that His desire is to give us life in its fullest (John 10:10).
Organise events that are open and welcoming to all people in the community. It is our desire to see people from throughout Ireland living peacefully together.
Interact with people one-on-one in the community to give encouragement and show God’s love in practical ways.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Community Outreach
We continued to reach out and show God’s love in practical ways to those who are lonely and most vulnerable in Maghera, Draperstown and surrounding rural communities. Most of our work continues to be with the elderly, those living alone, single parent families etc. Our Community Outreach Coordinator has continued her work befriending the elderly and lonely in the community. She has had countless opportunities to pray with people, to run errands as needed and provide support at doctor’s appointments etc., especially for those who are immobile and have no or limited family support. In addition she was asked to take part in a funeral service for one of the ladies she visited regularly.
In addition to our regular work in the community we also:
Delivered multiple bread items weekly (donated weekly by Ditty’s Home Bakery).
Delivered 100 free turkey dinners on 23rd December in partnership with Ditty’s Bakery, Castledawson. We continued to collaborate with the Maghera Cross Community Link, local Day Centre and other people in the community to ensure that those who needed a meal were provided with one.
Delivered over 30 food hampers the week before Christmas to those in need of encouragement and support in a season that is difficult and lonely for so many.
Hosted a “Night of Worship and Hope” in the Maghera Cross Community Link with the Tennessee worship team who returned in June. This evening was free and open to all, was widely shared on social media and posters advertising the event were displayed in shops throughout the town.
We have been able to serve in various practical ways, i.e. cutting grass, yard clean up, providing furniture, small household jobs etc.
Our Community Outreach Coordinator continues to serve as Secretary for the Maghera Residents Collective and is part of the steering group for the International Fund for Ireland Personal Youth Development Programme coordinated by the Maghera Cross Community Link.
Maghaberry Prison
We continue to coordinate the prison choir in Maghaberry which meets twice a month, and participates in the Carol Service and Easter Service. Choir continues to complement other Chaplaincy programmes already in place and offers a space for men to be encouraged and to encounter God, perhaps for the very first time. We continue to connect with these men on a regular basis, often upon their release, helping them to adapt to life on the outside.
The worship team from Tennessee took part in services in Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hyde Bank prisons in June. The prison choir had the opportunity to participate in the worship event in Maghaberry. Thirty eight people gave their lives to the Lord throughout the three prison locations at these worship events.
For the 9th year, we were generously provided with 1,400 boxes of chocolates for all of the prisoners and staff in Maghaberry Prison. These were hand delivered to all the men just prior to Christmas. A local fellowship also donated bags of mini-eggs for all of the men for Easter, which we were able to distribute throughout the prison on Good Friday. Through these gifts seven men gave their lives to the Lord.
We were also invited to speak at various services in Magilligan Prison on Friday evenings where several men decided to follow Jesus.
Our prison outreach team, along with the lead Chaplain from Maghaberry Prison, had the opportunity to visit and minister in a ladies prison in Rusca, Moldova in May 2024. Over thirty ladies gave their lives to the Lord, and, through contacts with a local bakery in Moldova, we were able to provide bread items for the whole prison population as a gift.
We also delivered food hampers to prisoner families just prior to Christmas and connected with these families throughout the year, recognising that quite often families are also struggling on the outside.
It’s Time Day of Prayer
We felt led by God to organise a Day of Prayer for this land which we organised for Sunday 29th October 2023 outside Belfast City Hall. This was an opportunity for people, young and old, to gather shoulder to shoulder, in unity, with one voice to pray for all that has been happening throughout this land and to it’s people. This event included a prayer walk in Belfast, a time of worship and various individuals leading in prayer. This event was open to everyone and was widely circulated on social media and e-mailed to church leaders and pastors.
The Day of Prayer then led us to gathering to pray every Monday night at the front of Belfast City Hall for over a year. Each Monday night was an opportunity to pray alongside other believers from throughout this land and to share the hope within us with those who stopped to chat with us on the street.
Alight
Our monthly gathering for young adults continue the last Saturday night of each month. This is an opportunity for young adults to worship together and hear biblical teaching to encourage and build them up. In August we started to hold our monthly gatherings in Ditty’s Bakery, Castledawson. In June we also hosted a BBQ before we took a short break over the summer. All Alight gatherings are advertised on social media and all young adults are welcome to come to a space where they can encounter God and the power of His Holy Spirit.
Bible study
Our men’s bible study continues each Saturday morning and has been an opportunity to bring men together from various denominations and traditions around the Word and prayer. We continue to see these men grow in their faith and we see God moving in each of their lives.
Prayer for the Community
We continue to gather together on Friday mornings to pray for our local community and land. This included our annual Good Friday prayer gathering to pray over our community.
Collaborating with others
In addition, we have been supportive of, and have taken part in prayer events coordinated by other organisations encouraging prayer specifically for Ireland and the U.K.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 6 July 2017.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute such amounts as may be required (not exceeding £10) in the event of a winding up.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 12.
As the charity trustees (and also the directors of the company for the purposes 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 charity 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 Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
I have examined your charity 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. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity 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 charity trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006
2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records
3. 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
4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Healing the Land Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is 42 Luney Road, MAGHERAFELT, Co Londonderry, BT45 5JW.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Memorandum and Articles, the Companies Act 2006 and “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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on a payments basis.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
No provision is required for taxation as the company is defined as a charity for taxation purposes.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Raising funds
Governance Costs
Event costs
COVID response
Bank fees
Sundry
One of the previous trustees, Judith Badger, received £2,500 remuneration during the year (2023: £4,000). One of the trustees was reimbursed a total of £647 worth of expenses (2023- one was reimbursed £233).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).