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REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02752450 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1014852















Strategic Report, Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2024

for


Lewisham Irish Community Centre

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)


Lewisham Irish Community Centre







Contents of the Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024






Page



Strategic Report  

1



Report of the Trustees  

2


to


8


Independent Examiner's Report  

9



Statement of Financial Activities  

10



Balance Sheet  

11


to


12


Notes to the Financial Statements  

13


to


22


Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Strategic Report

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


The trustees present their strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2024.


SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT

Governance


Lewisham Irish Community Centre is governed by a board of trustees. We focus on the principles of good governance and work hard to regularly review and develop strategies for working effectively as a management committee.


Each new Trustee is offered an induction programme that emphasizes their personal and collective responsibility to the mission and objectives of the charity. Ever mindful that Trustees with appropriate business skills and knowledge of the voluntary sector are scarce, we continue to identify gaps in skills and competencies reviewing board training and recruiting new members.


Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:






Michael Mc Donnell - Trustee


Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024



INTRODUCTION


Lewisham Irish Community Centre (LICC) is a dynamic, outward looking organisation based in the London Borough of Lewisham in South London. We are a registered charity established in 1992.


Our base in Rushey Green is a vibrant hub for the local community and the Irish community in Lewisham, providing advice, support and advocacy for the Irish community and specialist advice and support for Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) communities. The centre provides weekly clubs and classes for children and families, young people and the older community.


OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and activities

The principal objective of the charity is to promote the benefit of the community, particularly but not exclusively to persons of Irish descent within the London Borough of Lewisham. This objective is achieved through association with local authorities, voluntary organisations and local population to:

- Advance education in Irish culture & heritage.
- To relieve sickness & deprivation.
- Provision of social and recreational activities for the wellbeing of the community.

Main Summary
Lewisham Irish Community Centre continues to adapt and develop its services to the needs of the community. Our aims and objectives are guided by the vision to enhance the well-being particularly but not exclusively of the Irish community in Lewisham. We work closely with the Irish Embassy, Lewisham Council and the local community and its representatives to put our vision into practice. Last year began with the official reopening of LICC following an extensive refurbishment of the building. We were delighted to announce the expansion of the welfare service with the introduction of two new members of the advice team. Our objective was to extend our reach to those not accessing existing services which began with a highly successful promotional drive. However, by mid-year, our financial situation was proving challenging, income generation was down, running costs were increasing and there were shortfalls across several services, this ran the risk of potential reduction in services which were needed more than ever in these critical times. LICC responded to the challenge by putting an interim staffing restructure in place, the senior advice role took on the additional responsibility for premises management and co-facilitation of the Irish Elders project. The revised structure has proved successful, it enabled LICC to secure an extra £58,000 which included retrospective costs of living funding from the National Lottery. The charity's financial outlook was much improved by the end of the financial year with income in excess of £300,000 and unrestricted reserves reaching £30,000. We look forward to further strengthening the charity's financial position in 2024/25 with applications in progress for longer-term, multi-year funding. Meanwhile, the day-to-day operations of the Centre itself have grown from strength to strength with an average of 350 individuals accessing LICC activities weekly. In addition to LICC projects, the NHS deliver three classes weekly. Evening activities include Irish language, Irish dancing, salsa classes and Lewisham wellbeing hub. Lewisham Foodcycle, Catford Fridge and two community church groups hire the space over the weekend. Over 600+ individuals access the building weekly.

We actively seek out collaborations with local and Irish groups to increase the range of services on offer and extend our reach within the community. Current partners include Community connections, Lewisham local, KWD solicitors, the Diamond Club, Southwark Irish Pensioners project, Immigrant counselling and psychotherapy services and St. Christopher's Hospice. Our Irish Elders group were delighted to support Holbeach Primary School's cultural week and Irish in Britain's looking back to look forward 50th-year heritage project by recalling their stories of emigration. Earlier this year we arranged a minibus to London Irish Centre to visit the exhibition. Further highlights from the past year included welcoming Sean Fleming, Minister for Irish Diaspora to the Lewisham Irish Community Centre, to discuss some of our work supported by Irish government ESP funding.

We held twelve cultural and social events concluding with a five-day celebration for St. Patrick's Day, the highlight of which was participating in the main St. Patrick's Day parade alongside the BrosnaCan Academy of Irish Dancing. We would like to thank the Board of Trustees for their ongoing guidance and expertise and the staff team led by Kathleen Sheridan for their commitment to the welfare of the community. We thank our funders and partners for supporting our work and the Community for making LICC such a warm welcoming environment. We look forward to the year ahead developing our new strategic plans for an open more inclusive Irish Community Centre in Lewisham, representing and celebrating the diversity of our Irish diaspora and local residents.


Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024



OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Advice & Support Services

The advice and support project provides information advice and advocacy on welfare benefits, housing and disability to the Irish community and the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities.

During this period our welfare team supported 210 clients with housing and welfare issues and offered 642 appointments including 79 home visits.

The main areas of support were 41 Housing cases including homelessness prevention and housing options, 79
welfare enquiries, the main issues were accessing disability benefits which included applications, appeals and representation. 41 Irish citizenship enquiries including pensions, passports and birth certificates. Other areas include utility debts, grants for household items, support with transport schemes, safeguarding issues, addiction and recovery support, referral to mental health services, counselling and specialist legal services. The team have successfully supported individuals in managing debts and increasing household income through disability and out-of-work benefits. The service supported clients to challenge welfare benefits decisions and apply for eligible benefits particularly attendance allowance and Personal Independence Payments which increase household income and independence. As much of the mental health issues and stress experienced by clients are compounded by poor living conditions and poverty, we were able to reduce the impact by supporting on a practical basis.
We sign-post clients into our activities at the Centre which include free lunches, and free and reduced-cost classes. We have witnessed clients increase their confidence and self-esteem by becoming part of the community through engaging in activities, services, and classes both within and outside the Centre.

The Bia food delivery project is an extension to the welfare services providing on-going support and contact with those who are vulnerable in the community. The Bia food delivery project originally set up in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic has run for 174 weeks to date. Last year we delivered 720 meals to 20 individuals.
Thanks to the support from the Irish government, the Ireland Fund of Great Britain and a kind individual donation, the project continues.


Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024



OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

SOCIAL INVESTMENTS

Irish Elders Project
The Lewisham Irish Community Centre's Irish Elders Project runs each Friday afternoon onsite and delivers a four-week program which includes music, dance, singing and exercise. An average of 35+ individuals attend weekly however this figure increases to 90+ for special occasions such as Christmas and St. Patrick's Day lunch. In addition to our Irish Elders project, we have a growing program of classes and activities throughout the week for the older community which include Monday Warm Welcome Community Café attended by 50+ individuals, Tuesday and Wednesday Zumba classes attended by a further 50+ individuals, Irish men's card school attended by a regular group of 10.

Children and Young People
62 local families accessed our children and youth projects.

Playgroup
The Lewisham Irish Community Centre's Friday morning playgroup provides unstructured play and stay sessions for families with toddlers. It provides a space for young children to grow and develop while supporting local families to connect within the community. During this period over 34 families accessed the scheme. Karen Duggan has coordinated the project since 2002

Youth Club
The Lewisham Irish Community Centre works in partnership with Lewisham Foodcycle to provide a free community meal each Wednesday, this is attended by a broad section of the community including those attending classes, Irish Elders group and local residents.
Every Thursday, we facilitate Lewisham Community Connections and a further nine local groups including our Gypsy Roma Traveller Project and Irish advice project to provide weekly walk-in information advice and support.
We continue to deliver a joint outreach advice and support service with Southwark Irish Pensioners project across Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.

Partnerships
The Lewisham Irish Community Centre supports Foodcycle to provide an extra community meal each Wednesday, this is attended by a broad section of the community including those attending classes, Irish Elders group and local residents.
Every Thursday, we facilitate Lewisham Community Connections and a further nine local groups including our Gypsy Roma Traveller Project and Irish advice project to provide weekly walk-in information advice and support.
We continue to deliver a joint outreach advice and support service with Southwark Irish Pensioners project across Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.

Grantmaking

Grants were paid to the value of £2520 from Southwark Irish Pensioners Project on behalf of the benevolent fund of St. Patrick.


Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal funding sources

The Lewisham Irish Community Centre is primarily funded by three sources:

We are in receipt of five year funding of £150,000 from 2022-2027 to support the senior welfare post.

We have a 'service contract' with the London Borough of Lewisham, which contributes towards the Gypsy Roma Travellers Outreach service. The current contract has been renewed for a five-year period 2022-2027.

The other main grant is paid by the Irish Government (Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Programme), which pays for the delivery and management of the Irish Welfare Services and the Gypsy Roma Traveller Outreach Service.

Total grants received this year which including funding from the Ireland fund, Lewisham Council and the National lottery community fund raised £218,581 (2023 £169,440), which is an increase of £49,141 from 2022 -2023.

Income generation
LICC generates income from hall hire facilities rented out to the local community both privately and on an on-going basis to charitable and community-led groups. While we have generated a regular steady source of income from weekday partners and charities private hall hire remains challenging particularly with the noise restrictions in force in the building with is close to neighbouring residents.
This year we have invested in a project coordinator role which will focus on private hall hire as part of their remit, we expect to increase income by the second half of the year .
Total income this period was £78,600 (2023 £70,406) .

Reserves policy

LICC operates a reserves policy that aims to cover cash flow shortfalls due to uncertainty in the timing of future grant awards. Reserves are monitored regularly by the board of Trustees which remains confident current levels of reserves are proportionate to the organisation's needs.

The Trustees regard £40,000 as a prudent sum to cover running costs for three months.

Total reserves currently stand at £107,416 (2023 £69,305).

Restricted funds currently stand at £77,147 (2023 £63,857)

Unrestricted funds currently stand at £30,269 (2023 £5,448), however £2,326 (£2023 £2,389) is required to cover future depreciation of fixed assets.


Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


FUTURE STRATEGIC DIRECTION

LICC is currently working on a five year strategic plan 2025-2030,  reaffirming our commitment to the welfare of the diverse Irish community, preserving Irish heritage , collaborating with local services to provide services and support to the local community and organisational development


Welfare of the Irish Community

We will continue our core focus of ensuring the welfare of the Irish community is at the heart of our work but with

a specific focus on tailored care to the elderly Irish, support for unpaid carers and therapeutic support around

mental health and wellness in addition to our existing housing and welfare benefits services.

Address the changing needs of the older Irish and vulnerable Irish community focusing on support with long

term physical health conditions and mental health and wellbeing.

Empower the community to access their rights and entitlements within the statutory services

Prevent and reduce homelessness

Improve access to welfare rights and entitlements to enhance client's quality of life and independence.

Reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness through the provision of social and cultural activities both

onsite and through outreach initiative.

Provide community outreach programmes to the older community and the Irish Traveller Community.

Respond to local need through the provision of social and wellbeing activities for families, young people ,

local residents and the over 60 age group


Celebrating the Diversity of the Irish community

We will continue to champion our values of openness and inclusivity; we will celebrate the diversity of the Irish

  community including continuing our commitment to promote and provide services to underrepresented groups

  including the Irish Traveller communities. We will support our LGBTQI+ community through initiatives designed to

  promote inclusiveness, tolerance, and respect for diversity. We will work to tailor support, raise awareness and

  celebrate the ethnic diversity of the Irish community.

Celebrate GRT history and culture-  Work with local members of London Irish LGBT+ community to make LICC

  inclusive, accessible and open.

Raise awareness of the ethnic diversity of the Irish community.

Celebrate Irishness across the generations of first, second and third generation Irish .

Organise Gypsy Roma Traveller History month

Work with members of the GRT community and in partnership with GRT groups to celebrate Traveller culture.

Organise or facilitate events /meet up for LGBT network

Work with members of the London Irish LGBT to celebrate LGBT History month


Collaboration

One of our strengths over recent years has been our successful collaborations with local and Irish-based charity

  groups, we intend to maintain and nurture existing relationships with our main funders and supporters while seeking   out new opportunities to deepen and broaden our services and activities within the community. We will use

  collaboration as a way of connecting individuals, groups and communities.

Maintain and nurture existing relationships with the Irish Government and Embassy, our main funding providers

Maintain a positive partnership with Lewisham Borough Council through a commitment to local

  outreach partnerships and collaborations

Retain existing partnerships and collaborations with SIPP, Lewisham Foodcycle , Colaiste Na nGael,

  Community Connections , KWD Solicitors, Eltham Pharmacy, Irish in Britain.

Provision of social and wellbeing activities for Local families, young people , local residents and the over

  60 age group

Investigate and promote new collaborations by regular attendance and representations at a local level

Continue to raise our profile via social media and website


Focus on preserving our Heritage

We will preserve Irish traditions and our rich shared heritage through the expansion of our annual cultural program

  and celebrate this throughout the borough, strengthen focus on the Irish Language and focus on stories of

  emigration of its local people in Lewisham particularly the Irish Elderly community and their contribution to London.

Ensure weekly provision of Irish language classes-  Ensure weekly provision of Irish dancing cases for children and     adults.

Create a project with focuses on the history of Lewisham Irish centre, it's key achievements and the story

  and celebration of its people past and present



Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


Organisational Development

We will continue to modernise and professionalise as an organisation, setting high standards for ourselves as a

  modern charity.

Retain the quality Mark service for the welfare and youth projects

Recruitment

Staff retention

Structure around appraisals, supervision and clinical support


Post year end developments

Since the end of the financial year, LICC has strengthened its financial position by securing £102000 in funding from

  the  Irish Emigrant support programme.

LICC  secured £270,000 over three years from the National Lottery Community Fund 'Reaching Communities' and

  smaller awards from Merchant Taylor and Lewisham Council to fund activities for local residents.

The increase in funding towards LICC projects affords LICC capacity to build it's reserve and strengthen as an

  organisation.


STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity 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 Lewisham Irish Community Centre (LICC) is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a company limited by guarantee (as defined by the Companies Act 2006, Company no: 2752450 England & Wales) and with the Charities Commission (Registration no: 1014852).


Recruitment and appointment of the Management Committee

Voting takes place at the AGM. Candidates for nomination must be a paid up member of LICC; in agreement with the Charities aims and objectives; willing to take up post if elected; not disqualified from being a Charity Trustee and not disqualified from being a Company Director. When recruiting people on to the management committee, members look for a balance of business skills, voluntary sector experience and knowledge of the needs of the local community required to run the charity effectively.

Structure and management

LICC is controlled by a Management Committee of up to 12 Trustees (who are also the directors of the company) for a period of one year. Each Trustee is also a paid up member of LICC. The responsibility of the day to day running of LICC and staff and volunteer management, is entrusted to the CEO who reports to the Management Committee.

Management Committee induction and training

Trustees are welcomed on to the Committee and introduced to other members and staff. They receive an induction pack, which includes a Trustee Declaration form, role description and an invitation to visit the various activities going on in the Centre. New Trustees are asked to complete a skills analysis questionnaire so that training needs can be identified and addressed.

Risk management

As Trustees we are aware of our responsibilities under The Charities SORP (FRS102) to undertake regular risk management reviews. A review has been completed this year and the main tasks have been identified and mitigation strategies are in place.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

02752450 (England and Wales)


Registered Charity number

1014852



Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


Registered office

2a Davenport Road

Lewisham

London

SE6 2AZ


Trustees

Colum Mackey Chair

James Farrell Vice Chair (resigned 26.4.24)

Mrs Anne Mary O'Rorke Trustee

Ms Karen Duggan Trustee

Mrs Pauline Maton Trustee

Michael Mc Donnell Treasurer

Ms Martina O'Sullivan Trustee (appointed 27.9.23)

Dominic Nicholas Fox Trustee (resigned 26.4.24)

Ruairi Cullen Director

Ms Dervla O'Shea Trustee (resigned 26.4.24)


Independent Examiner

K D Hardie FCCA

A Star Accountancy Limited

Chartered Certified Accountants

19 Beech Avenue

Sidcup

Kent

DA15 8NH


Bankers

Co-operative Bank

151 Lewisham High Street

Lewisham

London

SE13 6AA


Solicitors

Ewing & Co.

148 High Street

Penge

London

SE20 7EU


This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.


Approved by order of the board of trustees on 30 January 2025 and signed on its behalf by:






Michael Mc Donnell - Trustee


Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of

Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Lewisham Irish Community Centre ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024.


Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors 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 ('the 2006 Act').


Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.


Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.


I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:


1.

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.

the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.

the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).


I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.









K D Hardie FCCA

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants


A Star Accountancy Limited

Chartered Certified Accountants

19 Beech Avenue

Sidcup

Kent

DA15 8NH


30 January 2025


Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Statement of Financial Activities

(Incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account)

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


31.3.24

31.3.23


Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total


funds

funds

funds

funds



Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

10,301


231,229


241,530


188,208



Other activities & fundraising

3

45,457


33,143


78,600


70,406


Investment income

4

2


-


2


209


Total

55,760


264,372


320,132


258,823



EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

4,220


-


4,220


1,662



Charitable activities

Charitable Activities

26,263


251,082


277,345


271,473



Other

456


-


456


-


Total

30,939


251,082


282,021


273,135



NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

24,821


13,290


38,111


(14,312

)



RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

5,448


63,857


69,305


83,617



TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

30,269


77,147


107,416


69,305



Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Balance Sheet

31 March 2024


31.3.24

31.3.23



Notes

£


£

FIXED ASSETS


Tangible assets

8

2,326


2,389



CURRENT ASSETS


Debtors

9

39,561


49,243


Cash at bank and in hand

113,221


89,907


152,782


139,150



CREDITORS


Amounts falling due within one year

10

(32,764

)

(51,374

)


NET CURRENT ASSETS

120,018


87,776



TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT

LIABILITIES

122,344


90,165



CREDITORS


Amounts falling due after more than one year

11

(14,928

)

(20,860

)


NET ASSETS

107,416


69,305


FUNDS

14

Unrestricted funds

30,269


5,448


Restricted funds

77,147


63,857


TOTAL FUNDS

107,416


69,305



The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024.


The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.


The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
(a)ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
(b)preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.


Lewisham Irish Community Centre (Registered number: 02752450)


Balance Sheet - continued

31 March 2024


These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with and delivered in accordance with the special provisions applicable to small charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.


The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 30 January 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:






Michael Mc Donnell - Trustee






Colum Mackey - Trustee


Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


1.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES



Basis of preparing the financial statements


The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, 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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.



Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions


The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':




the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.



Income


All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.



Expenditure


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 a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.



Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.



Raising funds


Cost of generating funds, are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.



Charitable activities


- Charitable activities, include expenditure associated with the running of the events at the centre or elsewhere.



Governance costs


Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.



Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.



Fixtures, fittings & equipment

-

25% on cost


Computer equipment

-  

33% on cost and 25% on cost



Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.


Fund accounting

General Funds are unrestricted funds, which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees, in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for any other purpose.


Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


1.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued



Fund accounting

Restricted funds can only be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors, or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering those funds are charged against the specific fund.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.


Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.


Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits


The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme.  Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.


2.

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Donations

4,634


1,188




Grants

218,581


169,440




Subscriptions

340


-




Donated services and facilities

12,500


12,500




Other Income

5,000


5,080




Expenses reimbursed

475


-



241,530


188,208





Grants received, included in the above, are as follows:


31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Ireland Fund of GB

5,000


2,500




Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Emigrant Support Programme

105,313


95,840




Petchy Foundation - Youth Club

600


1,500




South Irish Pensioners Project

2,520


600




Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Ward

-


18,000




The City Bridge Trust - Bridging Divides Funding

35,000


40,000




LBL Core Funding

10,000


10,000




LBL - Warm Welcome Funding

6,400


1,000




Community Organisations Cost of Living - phase 1

19,811


-




Community Organisations Cost of Living - phase 2

24,001


-




Awards for All - Empowering young people in the local community

9,936


-



218,581


169,440





Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


3.

OTHER ACTIVITIES & FUNDRAISING

31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Ticket Sales & event income

18,869


12,057




Fees for Services

33,143


31,510




Hire of Hall

26,588


26,839



78,600


70,406




4.

INVESTMENT INCOME

31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Deposit account interest

2


209




5.

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)



Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):



31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Depreciation - owned assets

637


562




Other operating leases

12,500


12,500




6.

TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS


There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.



Trustees' expenses


There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023.


7.

STAFF COSTS



The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:


31.3.24

31.3.23



Full time

4


3




Part time

5


8



9


11





No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.



The CEO's time was split between generating voluntary income, fundraising, charitable activities and governance.  The other part time members of staff spend all of their time on charitable activities.



Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


8.

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures,



fittings &

Computer



equipment

equipment

Totals



£

£

£


COST


At 1 April 2023

13,991


10,701


24,692




Additions

-


574


574




At 31 March 2024

13,991


11,275


25,266




DEPRECIATION


At 1 April 2023

13,943


8,360


22,303




Charge for year

-


637


637




At 31 March 2024

13,943


8,997


22,940




NET BOOK VALUE


At 31 March 2024

48


2,278


2,326




At 31 March 2023

48


2,341


2,389




9.

DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Other debtors

3,670


8,085




Prepayments and accrued income

35,891


41,158



39,561


49,243




10.

CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 12)

1,874


1,903




Social security and other taxes

3,120


3,120




Deposits

3,502


3,502




Other creditors

14,602


30,461




Credit card

302


1,130




Accruals and deferred income

9,364


11,258



32,764


51,374





Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


11.

CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Bank loans (see note 12)

14,928


20,860




12.

LOANS



An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:


31.3.24

31.3.23



£

£


Amounts falling due within one year on demand:


Bank overdrafts

1,874


1,903




Amounts falling due in more than five years:



Repayable by instalments:


Bank loans more 5 yr by instal

14,928


20,860





The amount disclosed as a loan within these financial statements for £1,874   (2023 £1,903) is actually expenditure paid out in respect of a restricted fund paid over after the year end date, pending the accrued income.


13.

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

31.3.24

31.3.23


Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total


funds

funds

funds

funds



£

£

£

£


Fixed assets

2,326


-


2,326


2,389




Current assets

73,800


78,982


152,782


139,150




Current liabilities

(30,929

)

(1,835

)

(32,764

)

(51,374

)



Long term liabilities

(14,928

)

-


(14,928

)

(20,860

)


30,269


77,147


107,416


69,305





Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


14.

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net



movement



At 1.4.23

in funds

At 31.3.24


£

£

£



Unrestricted funds


Other Unrestricted

5,448


22,703


28,151




Befrending project

-


2,118


2,118



5,448


24,821


30,269




Restricted funds


Department of Foreign Affairs and

Trade-ESP

13,849


3,645


17,494




Back Garden Project LBL & Crowd

Funding

3,687


-


3,687




ESP - GRT Project

2,309


-


2,309




Petchy Foundation

334


266


600




ESP Lewisham Irish Pensioners

1,505


1,120


2,625




ESP Southwark, Lambeth & Lewisham

Outreach

656


1,623


2,279




Community Spaces At Risk

2,580


(2,580

)

-




Community Cafe & Wellbeing Group

148


2,391


2,539




Southwark Irish Pensioners Project - Bens

OC Grant

250


135


385




The City Bridge Trust

38,539


-


38,539




The National Lottery Community Fund -

EYP

-


6,690


6,690



63,857


13,290


77,147




TOTAL FUNDS

69,305


38,111


107,416




Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


14.

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued



Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:


Incoming

Resources

Movement


resources

expended

in funds


£

£

£



Unrestricted funds


Other Unrestricted

52,760


(30,057

)

22,703




Befrending project

3,000


(882

)

2,118



55,760


(30,939

)

24,821




Restricted funds


Department of Foreign Affairs and

Trade-ESP

72,313


(68,668

)

3,645




Ireland Fund of GB

5,000


(5,000

)

-




LBL Rent

12,500


(12,500

)

-




ESP - GRT Project

33,143


(33,143

)

-




Petchy Foundation

748


(482

)

266




ESP Lewisham Irish Pensioners

9,000


(7,880

)

1,120




ESP Southwark, Lambeth & Lewisham

Outreach

24,000


(22,377

)

1,623




Community Spaces At Risk

-


(2,580

)

(2,580

)



Community Cafe & Wellbeing Group

6,400


(4,009

)

2,391




LB Lewisham - core funding

10,000


(10,000

)

-




Southwark Irish Pensioners Project - Bens

OC Grant

2,520


(2,385

)

135




The City Bridge Trust

35,000


(35,000

)

-




The National Lottery Community Fund -

phase 2

24,001


(24,001

)

-




The National Lottery Community Fund -

phase 1

19,811


(19,811

)

-




The National Lottery Community Fund -

EYP

9,936


(3,246

)

6,690



264,372


(251,082

)

13,290




TOTAL FUNDS

320,132


(282,021

)

38,111





Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


14.

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued



Comparatives for movement in funds


Net



movement



At 1.4.22

in funds

At 31.3.23


£

£

£



Unrestricted funds


Other Unrestricted

35,220


(29,854

)

5,366




Rushey Green Playgroup

441


(359

)

82




Lewisham Irish Pensioners - designated

1,802


(1,802

)

-




Lewisham Elders & Carers - designated

2,000


(2,000

)

-



39,463


(34,015

)

5,448




Restricted funds


Department of Foreign Affairs and

Trade-ESP

8,696


5,153


13,849




Awards for All Elders Facilitator

5,884


(5,884

)

-




Back Garden Project LBL & Crowd

Funding

3,687


-


3,687




ESP - GRT Project

3,484


(1,175

)

2,309




Petchy Foundation

561


(227

)

334




ESP Lewisham Irish Pensioners

1,592


(87

)

1,505




ESP Southwark, Lambeth & Lewisham

Outreach

-


656


656




PIPHC - GRT service contract

1,577


(1,577

)

-




Burberry Youth Club

15,942


(15,942

)

-




Creative Lewisham Small Grants

151


(151

)

-




Community Spaces At Risk

2,580


-


2,580




Community Cafe & Wellbeing Group

-


148


148




Southwark Irish Pensioners Project - Bens

OC Grant

-


250


250




The City Bridge Trust

-


38,539


38,539



44,154


19,703


63,857




TOTAL FUNDS

83,617


(14,312

)

69,305




Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


14.

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued



Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:


Incoming

Resources

Movement


resources

expended

in funds


£

£

£



Unrestricted funds


Other Unrestricted

45,226


(75,080

)

(29,854

)



Rushey Green Playgroup

-


(359

)

(359

)



Lewisham Irish Pensioners - designated

-


(1,802

)

(1,802

)



Lewisham Elders & Carers - designated

-


(2,000

)

(2,000

)


45,226


(79,241

)

(34,015

)



Restricted funds


Department of Foreign Affairs and

Trade-ESP

55,000


(49,847

)

5,153




Ireland Fund of GB

2,500


(2,500

)

-




LBL Rent

12,500


(12,500

)

-




Awards for All Elders Facilitator

-


(5,884

)

(5,884

)



ESP - GRT Project

13,300


(14,475

)

(1,175

)



Petchy Foundation

1,500


(1,727

)

(227

)



ESP Lewisham Irish Pensioners

6,540


(6,627

)

(87

)



ESP Southwark, Lambeth & Lewisham

Outreach

21,000


(20,344

)

656




PIPHC - GRT service contract

31,657


(33,234

)

(1,577

)



Burberry Youth Club

-


(15,942

)

(15,942

)



Creative Lewisham Small Grants

-


(151

)

(151

)



Community Cafe & Wellbeing Group

1,000


(852

)

148




LB Lewisham - core funding

10,000


(10,000

)

-




Southwark Irish Pensioners Project - Bens

OC Grant

600


(350

)

250




The City Bridge Trust

40,000


(1,461

)

38,539




Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure

Levy (NCIL) Ward

18,000


(18,000

)

-



213,597


(193,894

)

19,703




TOTAL FUNDS

258,823


(273,135

)

(14,312

)




Further information on funds.



Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: The Emigrant Support Programme received a grant of £105,313 for the year from 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024  (2023 £95,680). The funds were restricted for the following projects:




2024


2023




Information, Advice & Support


£58,000


£55,000




Gypsy Roma Travellers Outreach Service


£14,313


£13,300




SLL Outreach Advice Partnership Project


£24,000


£21,000




Elders Project


£9,000


£6,540





An amount of £19,305 was refunded after the 2022  financial year end primarily, as part of the funding was specifically for an additional post that was not taken up for several month until April 2023, although the related work was still none the less carried out by existing Centre employees.



Lewisham Irish Community Centre


Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 March 2024


14.

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued



Lewisham Irish Pensioners Association, was merged into LICC during 2018/19.  The balance of funds at the time of its cessation were donated to LICC.  These funds are unrestricted but have been denoted as a designated fund.



Ireland Fund of Great Britain this relates to funding of £5,000 (2023 £2,500) towards reminiscence project.



LBL Crowd Funding Award - Back Garden Project £3,687 brought forward with no expenditure during the year due to Covid in affected years, & pending additional funding that would be required to complete the project.



City Bridge Trust funding was awarded November 2022 for £150,000 in phased quarterly instalments. This is over five years towards salary costs of a Senior Advice Worker to support, supervise and lead the advice team delivering services to the Irish Community and Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Communities in the London Borough of Lewisham, supported by City Bridge Trust, the funding arm of The City of London Corporation’s charity, Bridge House Estates (1035628).



The National Lottery Cost of Living Fund - Phase one £19,811 and phase two £24,001 relate to a 'one-off' fund which supports charities dealing with the impact of the cost of living. The fund covers project running and salary costs  Phase one included retrospective costs from July 2023



The Awards for All Fund Empowering Young People - this relates to a new grant of £9,936 received in 2023/4 towards the delivery of LICC youth club.



The Mayor's Community Spaces at Risk Fund


A grant of £4,400 was awarded & publicised, of which £1,820 was paid out directly to a consultant during the previous period, the balance was utilised in 2023/4 by consultation and research work for LICC by Locality.


15.

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES


In respect of individual restricted funds held, whilst there are no time limits stipulated on expenditure thereof, should expenditure not ultimately be incurred in line with the original intended use outlined in the original funding applications, or should an alternative use for those specified funds not be agreed, the funders reserve the right to request repayment of restricted funds held.

16.

RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES



There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2024.


17.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION



Lewisham Irish Community Centre has appointed Kim David Hardie F.C.C.A. of A Star Accountancy Ltd. to independently review its annual accounts for the period.  The cost of the Independent examiners fee is £350 (2023 £350), plus an additional £1,750 for compilation and preparation of these financial statements and related support work (2023 £1,750).