Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service Charity Accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NI627165

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NIC102332

Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial Statements

31 March 2025

Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

	Page

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report)	1

Independent auditor's report to the members	8

Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)	13

Statement of financial position	14

Notes to the financial statements	15

Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)

Year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 .

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name	Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Charity registration number	NIC102332

Company registration number	NI627165

Principal office and registered	Cana House
office	St Mary's Church, Chaple Lane
	Grotto Entrance
	1st Floor, 68 Berry Street
	Belfast
	BT1 1FJ

The trustees

	Archbishop Eamon Martin
	Bishop Michael Router
	Bishop Donal McKeown
	Bishop Lawrence Duffy
	Mr P McGuinness
	Mrs G Loughran
	Bishop Alan McGuckian	(Appointed 27 April 2024)

Company secretary	Deirdre O'Rawe

Auditor	Hill Vellacott
	Chartered accountants & statutory auditor
	22 Great Victoria Street
	Belfast
	BT2 7BA

Structure, governance and management

Accord (NI) has centres across N. Ireland with its Regional Office based in Belfast. This year the company was fully operational with a central administration. In 2024/25, the company had 2 full time and 3 part-time employees, 46 volunteers, and 15 in training. The Board of Trustees met on a quarterly basis and the day-to-day operations are delegated to the Regional Director. Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service has eight regional centres in Belfast (Including Downpatrick), Derry, Armagh, Newry, Maghera, Omagh, Ballymena, Enniskillen and an outreach centre in Coleraine and a Regional Office in Belfast.

Objectives and activities

Accord (NI) is an agency of the Catholic Church providing a service to couples preparing for or seeking a deeper commitment within the Sacrament of Marriage. Accord (NI's) services are open to all regardless of faith, denomination or none. Services are provided, based on client need rather than ability to pay. In the Marriage Education Programme, couples are invited to explore and reflect on the essential elements of their marriage and the purpose and value of their choices within a committed relationship. Accord (NI) specialises in Inter-Church marriage preparation and works with clergy from the other main denominations. Relationship counselling is provided for couples, as well as individuals in a couple relationship, in a caring and confidential manner.

People who benefit from our work are;

- Those whose ability to communicate in marriage is enhanced in marriage preparation;

- Those who learn through counselling to cope with, what on their own, would be over-whelming

challenges in their relationships;

- Those who avail of the fertility and wellbeing service;

- The children, parents and teachers who benefit from the pioneering work in relationships and

sexuality education in schools;

- Those who are helped through counselling to separate amicably and to minimise the

consequential damage to their children.

Accord (NI's) counselling service contributes in a very positive way to the happiness and well-being of many children, often very significantly, when their parents seek help in order to resolve their relationship difficulties. As a pastoral service based on gospel values, Accord (NI) seeks to support and strengthen marriages, relationships and families. Research clearly shows that inter-parental conflict can damage intimate relationships and cause disruption in family life. This is even more critical for children living in situations of domestic violence or abuse. The family is necessary for the stability of society as a unit in which children, the future generation, are nurtured, cared for and reared into adulthood. Emotionally unhealthy or dysfunctional families find the task of rearing and enabling children to be balanced and happy quite challenging and difficult. Because of the importance of the family for the life and well-being of society, it is essential that Accord (NI) continues to work to to provide the necessary supports to strengthen marriage and the family.

Accord (NI's) work falls within activities mandated by the Department of Health, Family and Children's Policy Directorate. In addition, the aims of the organisation dovetail with and compliment the Government's Families Matter - Supporting Families in Northern Ireland (2008). This strategy supports the aims and objectives of another strategy - 'Our Children and Young People, Our Pledge' - which sets out the vision for improving support for families and children.

With 11 locations throughout Northern Ireland, Accord (NI) strives to be as accessible as possible and to reach out to those most marginalised in our society. A significant number of people who avail from our services could not afford counselling within the private sector. An additional direct benefit is that helping families to remain together reduces the cost to the exchequer.

Strategic report

The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity.

Achievements and performance

Accord (NI) Marriage Education Facilitators offered support and delivered marriage preparation to 1,225 couples across N.Ireland. Both face-to-face and the adapted Virtual Interactive Marriage Preparation programme continued to provide an opportunity for couples, including inter-church couples, preparing for sacramental marriage and was enthusiastically delivered by our facilitators.

There were 1,219 hours of marriage and relationship counselling provided both in-person and online.

Statistics on the challenges couples face when presenting for counselling are as follows:

Communication

22% noted that they and their partner were never or seldom able to talk and listen to each other

36% felt they were always or often ignored or not listened to by their partner

11% reported that they always or often ignored or did not listen to their partner

20% felt they were always or often criticised or insulted by their partner

12% reported that they always or often criticise their partner

13% felt they were always or often belittled or put down by their partner

5% reported that they always or often belittled or put down their partner.

Problematic Behaviour

6% reported their own or their partner's use of alcohol was always or often problematic

3% reported their own or their partner's use of drugs was always or often problematic

2% reported their own or their partner's gambling was always or often problematic

16% reported their own or their partner's use of the phone/texting always or often caused problems

15% reported that their own or their partner's use of the internet or social media always or often caused problems

29% reported that trust in the relationship was always or often affected by problem behaviours.

Intimacy

33% reported that they never or seldom experienced closeness and affection with their partner

43% described their sexual relationship as either absent, poor or very poor

5% reported difficulty always or often having sex

7% reported their partner always or often having concerns about another close, physical, or emotional relationship of theirs

12% reported always or often having concerns about another close, physical, or emotional relationship of their partner's.

Family Issues

26% reported that childcare and home duties always and often caused problems in the relationship

18% reported problems between them and their own or their partner's extended family always or often

caused difficulties in their relationship

2% reported issues of culture, religious beliefs or values often or always caused difficulties between them and their partner

14% reported bereavement, other loss or grief experienced by them or their partner affected their relationship always or often

22% reported that either they or their partner always or often experienced depression

20% reported that finances and financial management always or often caused problems between them.

Conflict

47% reported they always, repeatedly or often argued with their partner

25% reported that arguments are never resolved calmly

61% reported that arguments are sometimes resolved calmly

39% reported that they or their partner always, repeatedly or often yelled or shouted during arguments

2% reported that they or their partner always, repeatedly or often throw things during arguments

2% reported that they or their partners always, repeatedly or often pushed, hit or slapped during arguments

9% reported that children were within earshot during arguments always, repeatedly or often

9% reported that behaviour during arguments caused distress to children always, repeatedly or often

CPD for Counsellors:

The following role-relevant training programmes were designed to meet the specialist needs of couple counsellors and included two hours of post-course reading;

- An Introduction to Neurodiversity in Couples Work

- Working with cases where Domestic Abuse has been identified

- An Introduction to Addiction in Couples Work

- The Impact of illness and disability on the Couple Relationship: Challenges for the Couple

Therapist

- An Introduction to Trauma in Couples Work

- Taking Stock - Moving Forward

- Working with Couples in the Aftermath of Infidelity

- Challenges of Working with Couples where there are Stepfamily Dynamics

CPD for Marriage Education Facilitators:

- Laying Strong Foundations

- Family of Origin

- Couple Conversations

- Sexuality and Intimacy

- Choosing the Sacrament of Marriage

- Working with Conflict

Policy Review and Development

The Board undertook a review of all existing polices and procedures and introduced a number of relevant new policies.

The following policies and procedures were ratified in 2024:

- Domestic Abuse Policy

- Child Safeguarding Policy

- Adult Safeguarding Policy

- Data Protection Policy including Privacy Notices

- Accord NI Protocol and Procedures for the Delivery of Accord NI Virtual Interactive Marriage

Preparation Programme

- Protocol and Procedures for Online Counselling

- Complaints Handling Policy & Procedure

- Code of Ethics and Practice

- Whistle Blowing Policy

- Refund and Cancellation Policy

- Finance Expenses Policy

Synodal Reflection

Following the Synodal Reflection in 2023, a further gathering took place in 2024 to broaden the discussion with a wider audience including apostolates for marriage and family - priests, representatives of pastoral councils, agencies/groups involved in the ministry of marriage and family, and education bodies. It was agreed that a proposal be taken forward for members of organisations present on this day to join the Council for Marriage and the Family and allow for closer working on our common mission. A commitment was given that there would be more of these gatherings in order to continue to build relationships and encourage each other in our challenging and vital work.

Inter-Company Meeting, Ballymacscanlon

The boards of the three Accord Companies (Accord NI, Accord CLG and Accord Dublin) met in February to review the work of Accord across the island and reaffirm that the work of this ministry remains important and much needed. Areas of mutual interest were discussed including stronger links with parishes and other religious organisations, developing a ministry or marriage, meeting and communicating with people who have come to make Ireland their home, developing a more outward facing role, and engaging with the prevailing culture about the goods news of the beauty of marriage.

Financial review

Given its responsibility to ensure organisational sustainability, the Board took the difficult decision of operating recharges to centres in order to meet the balance of funding required for support provided by Regional office. This is a result of the cessation of the Department of Health Core Grant this year, and the absence of alternative funding. Accord (NI) will apply for the next round of funding in 2026/27. Accord (NI) continues to obtain finance from marriage preparation programme delivery, counselling contributions and diocesan grants which will be used to support families with complex needs that require both prevention and early intervention. The board will continue to lobby for the reinstatement of the Core grant and acknowledgement that the Voluntary and Community Sector plays a vital part of the public service infrastructure in N.Ireland, with a reach and expertise that the public sector does not always have into communities.

Accord (NI) Regional Office and all centres operate individually and all resources are transferred into the bank accounts of Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service . All funds are lodged into, and all expenses paid from, accounts operating under the name of Accord (NI).

Plans for future periods

- Validation of Marriage Care UK/Accord NI Certificate in Couple Counselling

- Conduct Research on Catholic Marriage in N.Ireland

- Selection and Training of Marriage Education Facilitators

- Continue to work with the Voluntary and Community Sector Joint Forum to lobby for the

reinstatement of grant aid

- Further reflect on the Key Themes emerging from the Pre-Synodal Assembly of the Catholic

Church in Ireland and ensure the centrality of Sacramental Marriage is included. In the Pre-Synodal Assembly document, families were recognised as 'the first educator of faith', the seedbed of belonging. The domestic Church was seen as central to sustaining faith in an increasingly secular context.

- Engage in a further Inter-Company Meeting with Sister Companies; Accord Dublin and Accord

CLG, to ensure the continuation of our common shared mission and avail of opportunities for collaboration

Trustees' responsibilities statement

The trustees, who are also directors 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 charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the 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 in the applicable Charities SORP; - make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards 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 charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:

- so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware; and - they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information.

The trustees' annual report and the strategic report were approved on 21 November 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Archbishop Eamon Martin	Deirdre O'Rawe
Trustee	Charity Secretary

Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Year ended 31 March 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: - give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; - have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; - have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

- the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

- the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees' report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: - adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or - the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or - certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or - we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: Our approach was as follows: We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the entity and determined that the most significant are those that relate to: - the charitable status of the Charity and its registration with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2013; - compliance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) (second edition - October 2020) - 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 2020); - data protection laws (including UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)); and We assessed the risks of material misstatement in respect of fraud with the consideration of: - the Charity's own assessment of the risks that irregularities may occur either because of fraud or error that was approved by the directors of the Trustee; - the results of our enquiries of management and the Audit Committee about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities; - any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the Charity's documentation of their policies and procedures relating to: - identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance; - detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; - the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations; and - the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud. Based on the results of our risk assessment we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with such laws and regulations identified above. - we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the areas of the controls covering the receipt of donations and offerings that are received in cash and in which management is required to exercise significant judgment, such as disclosure of adjusting items. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override. - we also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the Charity operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included NI Charity legislation (including the regulator, The Charities Commission for Northern Ireland) and the Charity SORP. - in addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the Group's ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty. This included data protection and safeguarding. - we made enquiries of management and those charged with governance and reviewed minutes of the Board of the Trustee and Finance Committees and enquired about any communications with the charity regulator. Audit procedures designed to respond to the risks of fraud - we considered the risk of fraud through management override and, in response, we incorporated testing of manual journal entries into our audit approach. - we considered the risk of fraud through transactions outside the normal course of transactions by noting anything that was unusual in nature or size and enquired about such transaction to gain an understanding of their nature; - based on the results of our risk assessment we designed our audit procedures to identify and to address material misstatements in relation to fraud and other irregularities. - we reviewed the operation of the controls within the Northern Ireland Regional office over donations and the segregation of duties within those controls, together with substantive testing and analytical review and incorporating an element of unpredictability in the selection of the nature, timing and extent of audit procedures. - we evaluated the selection and application of accounting policies by the Charity, particularly those related to subjective measurements and complex transactions, that may be indicative of fraudulent financial reporting. As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: - Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. - Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control. - Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees. - Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern. - Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's members, as a body, in accordance with section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Conor McCaffery ACA

(Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of

Hill Vellacott

Chartered accountants & statutory auditor

22 Great Victoria Street

Belfast

BT2 7BA

21 November 2025

Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Activities

(including income and expenditure account)

Year ended 31 March 2025

	2025			2024
	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds	Total funds
Note	£	£	£	£

Income and endowments

Donations and legacies	5	34,234	80,428	114,662	92,175
Charitable activities	6	136,697	–	136,697	250,969
Investment income	7	9,496	–	9,496	7,135
Other income	8	36,547	–	36,547	20,547
		---------	--------	---------	---------
Total income		216,974	80,428	297,402	370,826
		---------	--------	---------	---------

Expenditure

Expenditure on raising funds:

	Costs of raising donations and legacies		9	–	99,620	99,619	103,066
Expenditure on charitable activities		10,11		284,727	–	284,728	231,505
				---------	--------	---------	---------
Total expenditure				284,727	99,620	384,347	334,571
				---------	--------	---------	---------

	---------	--------	---------	---------
Net (expenditure)/income and net movement in funds	( 67,753)	( 19,192)	( 86,945)	36,255
	---------	--------	---------	---------

Reconciliation of funds

Total funds brought forward	443,842	282,151	725,993	689,738
	---------	---------	---------	---------
Total funds carried forward	376,089	262,959	639,048	725,993
	---------	---------	---------	---------

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2025

	2025	2024
Note	£	£

Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets	16	13,268	12,678

Current assets

Debtors	17	7,786	20,719
Cash at bank and in hand		673,969	744,445
		---------	---------
		681,755	765,164

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	18	55,975	51,849
		---------	---------
Net current assets		625,780	713,315
		---------	---------
Total assets less current liabilities		639,048	725,993
		---------	---------
Net assets		639,048	725,993
		---------	---------

Funds of the charity

Restricted funds		262,959	282,151
Unrestricted funds		376,089	443,842
		---------	---------
Total charity funds	21	639,048	725,993
		---------	---------

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 21 November 2025 , and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Archbishop Eamon Martin
Trustee

Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland and a registered charity in Northern Ireland. The address of the registered office is Cana House, St Mary's Church, Chaple Lane, Grotto Entrance, 1st Floor, 68 Berry Street, Belfast, BT1 1FJ.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Significant judgements. There are no judgements (apart from those involving assimilations) that the trustees have made in the process of applying the unity's accounting policies that that have a significant effect on the amounts recognise in the financial statements. Key sources of estimation uncertainty Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future and, by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. There are no key assumptions and other sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: - income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably. - legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established. - income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers. - income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates: - expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods. - expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities. - other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

	Fixtures and fittings	-	10% straight line

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date. For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund. When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.

4. Limited by guarantee

Accord Northern Ireland Catholic Marriage Care Service is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have share capital. Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such an amount as may be required, not exceeding £1, to the assets of the company in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.

5. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
£	£	£

Donations

DHSSPS	–	32,681	32,681
Bishops Contribution	34,234	–	34,234
Diocesan Grant - Belfast	–	19,500	19,500
Diocesan Grant - Ballymena	–	3,600	3,600
Diocesan Grant - Enniskillen	–	6,000	6,000
Diocesan Grant - NIRO	–	18,647	18,647
	--------	--------	---------
	34,234	80,428	114,662
	--------	--------	---------

Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
£	£	£

Donations

DHSSPS	–	32,681	32,681
Bishops Contribution	10,894	–	10,894
Diocesan Grant - Belfast	–	19,500	19,500
Diocesan Grant - Ballymena	–	3,600	3,600
Diocesan Grant - Enniskillen	–	6,000	6,000
Diocesan Grant - NIRO	–	19,500	19,500
	--------	--------	--------
	10,894	81,281	92,175
	--------	--------	--------

There is also a contribution from the Derry Diocese towards the costs incurred by the Derry centre. This contribution is paid directly to the parish offices and not to the main Accord NI bank account.

6. Charitable activities

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Marriage Preparation Programmes.	136,697	136,697	250,969	250,969
	---------	---------	---------	---------

7. Investment income

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Bank interest receivable	9,496	9,496	7,135	7,135
	-------	-------	-------	-------

8. Other income

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Counselling income	22,535	22,535	16,547	16,547
Sundry income	14,012	14,012	4,000	4,000
	--------	--------	--------	--------
	36,547	36,547	20,547	20,547
	--------	--------	--------	--------

9. Costs of raising donations and legacies

	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Administration wages and salaries	81,650	81,650	85,936	85,936
Rent & Rates	16,000	16,000	14,667	14,667
Premises maintence and cleaning	–	–	353	353
Governance Costs	1,970	1,969	2,110	2,110
	--------	--------	---------	---------
	99,620	99,619	103,066	103,066
	--------	--------	---------	---------

10. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Marriage Preparation Programmes	235,835	235,835	219,115	219,115
Counselling Costs	43,542	43,542	7,540	7,540
Support costs	5,350	5,351	4,850	4,850
	---------	---------	---------	---------
	284,727	284,728	231,505	231,505
	---------	---------	---------	---------

11. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

	Activities undertaken directly	Support costs	Total funds 2025	Total fund 2024
	£	£	£	£
Marriage Preparation Programmes	235,835	–	235,835	219,115
Counselling Costs	43,542	–	43,542	7,540
Governance costs	–	5,351	5,351	4,850
	---------	-------	---------	---------
	279,377	5,351	284,728	231,505
	---------	-------	---------	---------

Counselling activities in the current year have made a loss of £21,007 (2024 - Loss £14,793).

12. Net (expenditure)/income

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

	2025	2024
	£	£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	2,745	2,372
	-------	-------

13. Auditors remuneration

	2025	2024
	£	£
Fees payable for the audit of the financial statements	4,860	4,851
	-------	-------

14. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

	2025	2024
	£	£
Wages and salaries	177,154	188,565
Employer contributions to pension plans	9,696	8,951
	---------	---------
	186,850	197,516
	---------	---------

The average head count of employees during the year was 17 (2024: 23 ). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:

	2025	2024
	No.	No.
Administrative staff	5	5
Facilitators	7	13
Counsellors	5	5
	----	----
	17	23
	----	----

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).

15. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees.

16. Tangible fixed assets

	Fixtures and fittings
	£
Cost
At 1 Apr 2024	24,472
Additions	3,335
	--------
At 31 Mar 2025	27,807
	--------
Depreciation
At 1 Apr 2024	11,794
Charge for the year	2,745
	--------
At 31 Mar 2025	14,539
	--------
Carrying amount
At 31 Mar 2025	13,268
	--------
At 31 Mar 2024	12,678
	--------

17. Debtors

	2025	2024
	£	£
Prepayments and accrued income	2,339	4,691
Other debtors	5,447	16,028
	-------	--------
	7,786	20,719
	-------	--------

18. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

	2025	2024
	£	£
Accruals and deferred income	53,095	48,478
Social security and other taxes	2,880	3,371
	--------	--------
	55,975	51,849
	--------	--------

19. Deferred income

	2025	2024
	£	£
Amount deferred in year	40,590	35,800
	--------	--------

20. Pensions and other post retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £ 9,696 (2024: £ 8,951 ).

21. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

	At 1 Apr 2024	Income	Expenditure	At 31 Mar 2025
	£	£	£	£
General funds	443,842	216,974	(284,727)	376,089
	---------	---------	---------	---------

	At 1 Apr 2023	Income	Expenditure	At 31 Mar 2024
	£	£	£	£
General funds	385,802	289,545	(231,505)	443,842
	---------	---------	---------	---------

Restricted funds

	At 1 Apr 2024	Income	Expenditure	At 31 Mar 2025
	£	£	£	£
DHSSPS & Diocesan Grants	282,151	80,428	(99,620)	262,959
	---------	--------	--------	---------

	At 1 Apr 2023	Income	Expenditure	At 31 Mar 2024
	£	£	£	£
DHSSPS & Diocesan Grants	303,936	81,281	(103,066)	282,151
	---------	--------	---------	---------

DHSSPS & Diocesan Grants restricted fund

The company receives a revenue grant each year from the department of health and this funding is used to fund core staff salaries and other administraition expenses at the regional office. A monitoring report is submitted each quarter to the department. In addition to this there are Diocesan grants provided to provide funding for administration expenses.

Centre restricted funds

The company commenced operations on 1st May 2016 and at that point all of the bank accounts and other assets and liabilities for the 9 regional branches were transferred into the central company account. The balances accumulated at the point of transfer were deemed to be restricted for use in the individual Diocese in which they were collected.

22. Analysis of net assets between funds

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	13,268	–	13,268
Current assets	428,399	253,263	681,662
Creditors less than 1 year	(55,882)	–	(55,882)
	---------	---------	---------
Net assets	385,785	253,263	639,048
	---------	---------	---------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	12,678	–	12,678
Current assets	472,022	293,142	765,164
Creditors less than 1 year	(51,849)	–	(51,849)
	---------	---------	---------
Net assets	432,851	293,142	725,993
	---------	---------	---------