Chair’s Introduction
2025 has been another exciting but challenging year for Irish Community Care.
We continue to provide good outcomes for our Community Members despite the financial pressures we face. Earlier in the year, the Director and I were invited to the UK – Ireland Summit which was held in Liverpool. It was a wonderful event hosted by the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Taoiseach of Ireland Micheál Martin. The highlight of the evening involved meeting the Taoiseach who personally thanked us in acknowledgement of the great work that Irish Community Care undertakes.
We also celebrated the important contribution that Irish nurses have made to the NHS over the years. We were privileged to connect Community Members from across the Northwest into an amazing social history and to jointly host the book launch with Liverpool Irish Centre. We extend our sincere thanks to Community Members for generously giving their time, sharing the good times, difficult times, fun and craic as young people away from home all while on their journey from trainee to qualified nurse. Each story so personal and unique – but a shared bond as a migrant making a new home abroad. Special thanks to authors, Louise Ryan, Gráinne McPolin and Neha Doshi.
Irish Community Care extends our sincere thanks to the Irish Government for its ongoing support in our work. We thank Uachtarán na Éireann - President of Ireland Michael D Higgins for his interest in and continued endorsement of our work and his role in promoting and championing the importance of the Irish diaspora. He has led Ireland with courage and conviction. We wish him well as he leaves his position as Ireland’s Head of State. We are looking forward to welcoming Catherine Connolly as the new President of Ireland and to working with her over the coming years.
We also thank the Government of Ireland for its financial support through the Emigrant Support Programme. We were delighted to welcome the Ambassador of Ireland HE Martin Fraser, as Guest of Honour at our 60th anniversary celebrations in November 2024 – a significant milestone event for the charity and the Irish community.
We send our best wishes to the outgoing Consul General to the North of England - Sarah Mangan and Vice Consul – Carina O’Brien whose support have been invaluable over the last four years. We extend a warm welcome to the new Consul General Cillian O’Kelly and Vice Consul Deirdre O’Flaherty. We are looking forward to working with the Consular team and sharing the positive work we undertake at Irish Community Care.
I presently also remain the chair of the People Committee, and we continue to carry out the objectives as set out in our business plan. This has involved reviewing terms and conditions for staff including comparing salaries by undertaking a benchmarking exercise across other similar charities to ensure we are not only competitive and attract staff to the organisation but also reward our existing staff for their hard work and commitment.
We continue to develop and monitor policies and procedures including a board assurance framework to examine risks and ensure appropriate controls are in place for staff, Community Members, volunteers and trustees.
The Finance and Funding Committee continues to provide excellent financial oversight and guidance to the Trustee Board.
As Chair I continue to be proud to support Irish Community Care with its ethos, values and open approach, which is shared by the trustees. I would like to thank all our trustees for their continued support during 2025.
This year we welcomed four new Trustees, Andrea Farrell, Cara Newton, Catherine O’Sullivan and Richard Ridyard, who bring with them a wealth of experience and a diversity of skills to support the board and committees to deliver the strategic objectives as set out in the business plan. We also said a fond farewell to Aileen Wiswell who was a trustee for nine years.
To encourage closer working between staff and Trustees we are meeting on a regular basis, this includes inviting staff to attend the board meetings to inform the trustees of the work they undertake and the outcomes they deliver.
We also held our second joint staff and Trustee strategy and business planning meeting, reviewing achievements and challenges and developing our business objectives for 2026-2029. This involved staff and trustees working together in groups, looking at successes of the previous year and also at areas that we need to improve on. Everyone also wrote a personal pledge to ICC for the following 12 months which stated what they could do to support the work of the charity. It was great to see such positive team working and commitment to ICC. The outcome of this will be incorporated into our business planning going forward.
One of our business plan objectives is to build our profile and improve our marketing. As part of this we have employed a Content Creator who working closely with our team has raised our profile on social media over the last 6 months, highlighting the work of the charity to a much larger audience.
Funding is an ongoing challenge for Irish Community Care. We continue to fundraise and to apply for funding. We have been successful in several areas including the 2024 Liverpool Santa Dash. In 2025 the Irish Community Care Santa Dashers will don green Santa suits; raising awareness of the charity and hopefully raising much needed funds to make sure we can continue with our life saving and life changing work.
Irish Community Care greatly values partnership and collaboration. Our work with Fréa continues to thrive and 2025 saw some excellent fund-raising and networking events which included the St Patrick’s Day Ball which was held in Manchester, the Big Irish Breakfast and the Women of Irish Heritage events.
Irish Community Care is proud to co – deliver Fréa Renewing Roots Programme supporting and raising the profile of former residents of Ireland’s Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
We continue to collaborate with Liverpool City Council to ensure that residents of Tara Park are listened to as we lobby for improved living conditions at the council owned and managed Gypsy Traveller site.
As always, I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers under the excellent leadership of the Director of Irish Community Care, who have demonstrated their true commitment to improving outcomes and making a difference to the lives of our Community Members.
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charitable company's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
Partners and Collaborators
Irish Community Care continues to build capacity and sustainability through strengthened partnerships and collaboration. This is crucial in ensuring that the Irish, Irish by Descent, Irish Traveller and Gypsy Traveller experiences are recognised and continue to inform appropriate agendas, leading to more equitable access to services and opportunities.
We have strengthened and extended our partnerships and connections locally, regionally and nationally. Operationally we work closely with colleagues in health, housing, social services, adult social care, education, employment, DWP and more. We are well integrated and recognised across the voluntary community and faith sectors.
We liaise with colleagues in the Consular Team in the North of England, Embassy of Ireland, Department of Foreign Affairs, Irish in Britain and the wide range of Irish organisations across the country. We met with the Minister for Overseas Development and Diaspora TD Neale Richmond, discussing the many challenges faced by Irish communities and organisations abroad, including, capacity, funding and legacy.
We shared our views to help shape the new Diaspora Strategy. These included a continued focus on welfare and vulnerability, supporting people who have left Ireland in a crisis, and the importance of building the profile of the diaspora back home in Ireland through education.
Our ongoing connections and relationships continue to grow from strength to strength, working with the Northwest Equalities Team within the Probation Service, West Cheshire Mental Health Alliance, Cheshire & Merseyside Criminal Justice Strategic Partnership Hate Crime Sub-group, Cheshire Gypsy & Traveller Strategic Partnership Group, Wirral Migrant Health Group, Moving for Change, Liverpool’s Dementia Action Alliance, Liverpool City Regions Combined Authority Race Equality Hub, to name a few.
We ensured the inclusion of our diverse Irish Communities in Liverpool’s Anti Racist Strategy consultation. Facilitators provided the following feedback:
‘Dear Irish Community Care Team, we wanted to write this letter to say thank you – that won’t be enough to express our appreciation for your engagement & support on this work. Thank you for your openness & honesty, allowing us into your space and for educating us on your community and its history. Thank you also for all you do championing & supporting the Irish community & diaspora. You are a true inspiration & an example of the Liverpool we’re trying to create’
Irish Community Care continues to engage with Liverpool Universities to ensure the experiences of Irish students are recognised across student services; to offer support to those experiencing homesickness, financial disadvantage and to promote volunteering opportunities. We participated in ‘Welcome Student’ events at all Liverpool Universities – sharing all things Irish Community Care.
We hosted ‘Health in the Community’ sessions in collaboration with University of Liverpool enabling medical students to meet Community Members and gain first hand insight into the diverse experiences of Irish communities within healthcare.
We are proud to be part of Fréa; a unique partnership between three Irish charities in the North of England; Irish Community Care, Leeds Irish Health and Homes, and Irish Community Care Manchester; all working together to change lives and create thriving Irish communities. [www.frea.org.uk]
This year’s Fréa achievements include an annual programme of fundraising events including the St. Patrick’s Day Ball, ‘Big Irish Breakfast’ and ‘Peek the Reek’ - raising over 150,000 for Fréa charities.
The Renewing Roots Programme has gone from strength to strength. In addition to specialist casework support to former residents of Irelands Mother and Baby and County Home institutions, the programme has also developed an Arts for Wellbeing Group, launched the Oral History Project, and influenced policy though campaigning for Philomena’s Law https://frea.org.uk/blog/philomenas-law-what-is-it
The Local Collaborations Programme is a partnership with residents of Tara Park, Liverpool City Council and Friends Families and Travellers, led by Irish Community Care and funded by Lloyds Bank Foundation. The aim is to deliver a shared vision for Tara Park (the council’s owned and managed Gypsy Traveller site), including resident empowerment and site modernisation. The programme has made significant strides including political engagement with the support of local MP Kim Johnson (Chair All Party Parliamentary Group for Gypsies and Travellers) and senior local authority policy and decision makers. Residents are noting they feel more confident that change will happen. The programme has also developed a package of Inclusive Services Training for Liverpool City Council staff - this will be rolled out 2025 – 2026.
We welcomed ‘Meitheal Muintire’ Irish End of Life Care Project to Liverpool in June. Irish in Britain and Innisfree Housing Association hosted a thought-provoking workshop on what does good end of life care look like for Irish communities living in the UK. Win Lawlor, Strategic Policy and Partnerships Lead at Irish Community Care provided an insight into health status and health outcomes of Irish Communities, the findings were stark and at times alarming, but the workshop provided a space for valuable, insightful and unique ways of ensuring positive and inclusive end of life care. We look forward to supporting this project and creating positive outcomes for our Community Members.
Our People
Our people are Irish Community Care’s greatest asset.
We acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our staff team. Their resilience and tenacity are exemplary in challenging times. As an organisation we aim to ensure that Irish Community Care is a great place to work. We are continuously reviewing terms and conditions of service to ensure we remain competitive in the current labour market. Our ambition is to offer rewarding and inspiring experiences for everyone who connects with the organisation.
Irish Community Care place community input, involvement and influence at the heart of services. We work tirelessly to ensure we are not just representing our communities’ needs, but that they are able to influence what services are required, and how they are operated. We value the views of our staff, volunteers and partners; their perspectives help us review and shape our services.
We extend a big Irish Community Care warm welcome to new staff Carla Ward, Serrianne Gundry, and Shauna Calpin to the team. We have invested in the role of Content Creator and welcome Lauren Duffy whose work to date has strengthened our social media presence and profile. Sadly, we say farewell to Luke Wallwork and Gabriel Johnson. We thank them both for their work on the Digital Inclusion Programme.
Our Trustees continue to lead the organisation through excellent governance.
We welcome new trustees Andrea Farrell, Cara Newton, Catherine O’Sullivan and Richard Ridyard, each bringing a range of skills to the Board including, legal, HR, PR and Marketing, Equalities and Social Justice. Sadly, we say farewell to Aileen Wiswell who has resigned from the Board after 9 years of dedication and commitment to Irish Community Care. We are delighted that Aileen received the Irish in Britain Annual Trustee Award in recognition of her amazing contribution.
Volunteering is the backbone of Irish Community Care. Through the CARA Volunteer Programme, people give their time generously so that we can offer stronger connections. Volunteers are involved in reception and administration, regular befriending calls, home and hospital visits, literacy support and group activities.
Everyone at Irish Community Care continues to be inspired by the journeys of our Community Members. Despite the challenges they encounter in economic and political uncertainty; our people face these head on, work with our team to find solutions, staying positive, strong and respectful.
Acknowledgements
As you read through our annual report, we hope you can clearly see how our vision and values are embedded in all our work, and how, people matter at Irish Community Care.
We are proud to support our Community Members, to provide a crucial gateway from marginalisation and exclusion to opportunity and inclusion. We build strength and resilience, nourish independence and change lives.
As an organisation we manage many challenges, including sustainability and capacity, recruitment and retention of staff, pushing back at statutory services around duty of care and responsibilities.
Thank you to everyone who connects with us and supports us, so that we can continue to respond to these challenges and champion for better.
Irish Community Care is deeply indebted to our funders whose continued investment, understanding and support has enabled us to provide lifesaving and life-changing services.
We acknowledge the continued support from the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme which invests significantly in advice, advocacy, community and infrastructure support.
Continued support from public bodies (council and health) in Cheshire, Liverpool, and Wirral enables us to deliver vital support services to our communities across the Northwest and to work in partnership to address and highlight the concerns of local communities.
The Irish Youth Foundation continues to recognise the difficulties faced by young people and families in our communities. It supports our work in offering an essential support service to people newly arrived or settled here. For example: Finding a place to live, a job or training, keeping well, managing debt and the increasing cost of living, keeping connected to culture and community.
The Ireland Funds enable us to provide direct practical, material and financial support to individuals who are struggling to make ends meet, especially in the current cost of living crisis. It supports the delivery of a specialist programme – ‘Cuimhne Memory Support’, which brings people experiencing memory loss and their friends, families and/or carers together in a safe and supportive cultural environment.
We are delighted to have received further three-year funding from the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) for ‘Travelling to Independence’ Programme in Cheshire. The programme has been externally evaluated, and the report clearly demonstrates the pivotal role Irish Community Care plays in supporting Irish Traveller and Gypsy Traveller people in Cheshire and sharing insight with partners so they can better understand and deliver culturally appropriate and inclusive services.
The Garfield Weston Foundation has supported us with core costs over the last 12 months, and we have made an application for further funding.
Fréa continues to make links with those with a passion, understanding and empathy to our diverse Irish communities. The aim is to generate income to support the sustainability of the three charities. Fundraising events this year included the inaugural St Patrick’s Day Ball, ‘Big Irish Breakfast’, ‘Peek the Reek’, individual donations, and other fundraising events through Women of Irish Heritage Network.
We take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Dorothy Lynch, Fréa Development Manager, Fréa Trustees and all colleagues in each of the Fréa charities. We greatly appreciate the generosity of people attending and supporting Fréa events and fundraisers.
We appreciate the support of everyone who took on local fundraising challenges over the past 12 months. The Irish Community Care Staff Team and Trustees raised over £3,000 participating in the famous Liverpool Santa Dash! Wonderfully fierce competition between the Blue Evertonian and Red Liverpool Santas! Watch this space for Santa Dash 2025, where for the first time ever there will be the inclusion of Green Santa Suits amongst the runners, we are proud to showcase our diverse Irish Communities through the streets of Liverpool in green.
As we know the future of all funding remains uncertain as global and national economic uncertainty impacts on public bodies, businesses, and charitable trusts. Irish Community Care will continue to maintain a strong and robust position to lobby for investment in community specific services to effectively reach those most in need of support.
We will do this through:
Excellent governance
Reviewing fundraising plans
PR and Marketing; sharing outcomes and impact
Longstanding Relationships with Key Funders
Partnership and Collaboration
Business and Philanthropic support via Fréa
Excellent Financial Management
Reserves and Contingency Planning
Irish Community Care is about people. Our diverse Irish communities are at the heart of who we are, the work we do and what the future holds. We work tirelessly to ensure our Irish communities stay safe, well and connected.
We thank every single person who has supported Irish Community Care, from attending events, activities and fundraisers, to our staff team, volunteers, trustees, external partners in all areas of work and supporters within the community and further afield.
We extend a special word of thanks to our Community Members, who inspire us all with their resilience, their spirit, and their ambitions for a bigger and brighter future for all.
Alone we are strong, but together we are stronger. Neart Le Chéile.
The results for the year and the charity's financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements.
The results for the year and the charity's financial position at the end of the year are shown in the attached financial statements. Income for the year totalled £674,230 (2024: £690,328) of which £625,060 (2024: £632,266) related to funds upon which a restriction was placed. Total expenditure was £859,130 (2024: £783,915) giving an overall deficit for the year of £184,900 (2024: deficit of £93,587). At the year end, total reserves were £654,501 (2024: £839,401) of which £366,338 (2024: £490,284) is restricted.
The Board of Trustees has given due consideration to the deficits incurred in both the restricted and unrestricted funds. The deficit in the restricted fund has arisen due to:
the decrease in Emigrant Support Programme Funding based on their wider funding model for Fréa where funding previously held by Irish Community Care is now paid directly to Fréa.
higher programme delivery costs.
continued inflationary pressures on staffing and operational activities.
Despite these challenges, the Charity successfully delivered its planned programmes (see note 17) and maintained its commitment to high-quality service provision. Restricted funds were utilised in line with funders’ intentions, supporting a wide range of community-focused activities.
With respect to the unrestricted fund, the Charity incurred one-off costs relating to its 60th anniversary and future proofing of IT systems, in addition to year-on-year increases in Head Office and payroll costs, and has committed to covering, when they arise, additional costs not met by funders. This ensures that the best possible service is provided to Community Members. With that in mind, and as previously highlighted, the Charity is continually seeking fundraising opportunities to grow the unrestricted fund. Post year end the Charity has been successful in securing further grant funding to support core costs.
Investment policy and objectives
The Trustees have considered the most appropriate policy for investing resources and have decided that bank deposits meet their requirement for short- and medium-term protection of resources. The Trustees consider the return on funds from this source to be the most suitable currently available.
Reserves Policy
It is the policy of the charitable company to create and maintain unrestricted funds which are not committed to or invested in tangible fixed assets at a level which, because of the relatively limited amounts involved, provides as much assurance of future operating resources as possible. Operating resources are to cover management, administration and support costs and to respond to unforeseen circumstances. The current level of free reserves is £29,683. This level of reserves is considered necessary to ensure short term continuance of activity levels in the event of significant reductions in or cessation of funding.
Risk Policy
The Trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charitable company may face and believe that all the major risks have been identified. The Trustees have adopted a formal risk assessment procedure and have established systems to ensure that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.
Plans for Future Periods
As we manage the current economic uncertainties and cost of living crisis; we recognise there are significant challenges ahead for all. We are currently setting our objectives for our new three-year Business Plan 2026 – 2029 and will work together to achieve these.
Going concern
The use of the going concern basis of accounting is considered appropriate because there are no material uncertainties or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. Income is expected to remain consistent, and any decrease would be matched by a decrease in associated costs. The Trustees believe that the charitable company is well placed to manage its operational risks successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.
The organisation is a charitable company, limited by guarantee (registered in England and Wales company no.07259164), incorporated on 19 May 2010. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed by its Articles of Association.
The charitable company was registered with the Charity Commission on 6 July 2010 as a charity (charity no.1136760) to promote the welfare and inclusion of our communities in general and our Irish and Irish Traveller communities in particular throughout Merseyside and surrounding areas and to help and relieve need, hardship, sickness and distress through access to local, regional, national and international facilities for social welfare, recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the community.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
Appointment of trustees, membership and board functioning
The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation while day to day management is devolved to Breege McDaid, the Director. The trustees meet bi-monthly or more frequently, if required, with committees meeting bi-monthly and task groups developed when necessary.
New trustees are proposed and agreed at trustees’ meeting and their training needs are assessed and the appropriate skills developed.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the charitable company and guarantee to contribute £10 in the event of a winding up.
Small company provisions
The report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
On behalf of the board of trustees
The trustees, who are also the directors of Irish Community Care Ltd for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
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 Charities SORP;
- make judgements and 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; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Irish Community Care Ltd (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 August 2025.
This report is made solely to the charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My examination has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's Trustees as a body, for my examination, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institue of Chartered Accountants England and Wales, 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 that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable company as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 financial statements to be reached.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Investments
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Irish Community Care Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 151 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2AH.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charitable company's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charitable company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the accounts the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the Trustees continue to adopt the ‘going concern’ basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
Funds held by the charitable company are:
Unrestricted general funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charitable company is entitled to it and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
Voluntary income is received by way of donations and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when received
Grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable and expenditure is matched to the related fund
Capital grants are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Capital grants received for the purpose of providing fixed assets are accounted for immediately as restricted funds. The treatment of fixed assets purchased depends on the basis on which they are held. If required by the terms of the grant, the fixed asset is held in a restricted fund but where the acquisition of the fixed asset discharges the restriction, the asset will be held in an unrestricted fund. The relevant fund is then reduced over the estimated useful economic life of the asset in line with its depreciation.
Contractual income for services performed is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities to the extent that the charity has provided the service.
Expenditure reflects all amounts paid and accrued during the year. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charitable company in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs represent costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit/independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charitable company.
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
All assets costing more than £500 are capitalised at cost.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charitable company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts.
The charitable company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charitable company's balance sheet when the charitable company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charitable company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received, if material.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charitable company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.
Taxation
The charity benefits from various exemptions from taxation afforded by tax legislation and is not liable to corporation tax on income or gains falling within those exemptions. Recovery is made of tax deducted from qualifying income and from receipts under Gift Aid. The charity is not able to recover Value Added Tax. Expenditure is recorded in the accounts inclusive of VAT.
In the application of the charitable company’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. There are no critical accounting estimates or judgements included in these accounts.
Investments
Office and other costs
Project costs
Support and governance costs are recharged to direct charitable activities.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year (2024: none), no trustees were reimbursed out of pocket expenses during the year (2024: one trustee was reimbursed expenses of £124).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company in an independently administered fund.
The charge to the statement of financial activities in respect of defined contribution schemes was £18,325 (2024: £18,317).
At the reporting end date the charitable company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes.
Expenditure
Expenditure
Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme award of £382,690 2024 – 2025 contributes towards staff salaries and running costs of the following services:
Community Programme: Advice, Advocacy and Community Development - £380,000
Fréa Renewing Roots Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions Programme - £2,690
The balance as of 31 August 2025 includes the balance of funding for the above programmes to 30 June 2026.
Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme Grant 2025 – 2026 no longer includes an amount (2024 - 2025 £158,013) for Fréa Renewing Roots Programme. This funding is now held by Fréa, with each partner invoicing Fréa accordingly for expenditure incurred.
The Irish Youth Foundation continues to recognise the difficulties faced by young people and families in our communities. It supports our work in offering a vital support service to people either newly arrived or settled here e.g., finding a place to live, a job or training, keeping well, managing debt and the increasing cost of living, keeping connected to culture, community and home.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (VOLA) - Digital Connectivity for Local Community Facilities Grant to upgrade outdated computer devices, increase digital device capacity, improve broadband connectivity, and community based digital facilities.
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership funding to address the mental health concerns and in particular the risk of suicide in the Irish Traveller and Gypsy Traveller communities in West Cheshire.
Continued support from public bodies (council and health) in Cheshire, Liverpool, Wigan, and Wirral to highlight and address the particular concerns of local communities:
Cheshire West and Chester Council funding supports the delivery of ICC Cheshire service delivering advice, guidance and support to the Irish Traveller and Gypsy Traveller communities in the area.
Wirral Borough Council - contribution towards Wirral Community Health Programme
Liverpool City Council funds the Community Health Programme, including the Community Champions working to address health inequalities in excluded communities in the city.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCR-CA) to research the needs and preferences of Gypsy and Traveller communities across LCR-CA footprint with a focus on quality-of-life determinants including access and barriers to employability services; access to work; accommodation and health services.
Cheshire Halton and Warrington Race Equality Council (CHAWREC): Funding drawn down the Government’s Household Support Fund by CHAWREC channelled through ICC to ensure equitable access for the Irish Traveller and Gypsy Traveller communities.
Lloyds Bank Foundation Local Collaborations Programme: Funding to enable ICC to lead a partnership with Tara Park residents, Liverpool City Council (LCC) and Friends Families and Travellers to deliver a shared vision for Tara Park (LCC’s owned and managed Gypsy Traveller site)
Moving for Change: Funding to support Community Members who are roadside or vulnerably accommodated with high heating costs.
National Lottery Community Fund - Reaching Communities provides funding for Travelling to Independence; a community development programme engaging Irish Traveller and Gypsy Traveller communities in Cheshire. An underspend has arisen due to recruitment challenges
Power of Music - Funding to expand the Cuimhne Memory Support Programme to include music i.e. sing along, dancing, reading lyrics, live musicians etc.
The Ireland Funds (previously Ireland Fund of GB) enable ICC to provide direct practical, material and financial support to individuals who are struggling to make ends meet- especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The successful outcome of our application to the Postcode Neighborhood Trust enables us to enhance capacity in the team and provide wrap around support to community members through volunteering.
Other funds include:
LCVS Community Impact Fund towards improving Health and Wellbeing through intergenerational art, culture and education, all funds were spent during the year.
The Skelton Charity funding towards ‘Liven up the Library’ project, to turn our underutilised ‘Library’ space into a welcoming home from home for our Community Members, £1,400 remains unspent at the year end.
The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:
This fund will be used in the event of a very significant reduction in the amount of grant from the Irish Government necessitating the termination of staff contracts and possible closure of the Charity.
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
During the prior year work was carried out at the offices of Irish Community Care. The work was carried out by a company owned by the husband of A Wiswell MBE, a trustee, at a cost of £2,400, no transactions in 2025.
Trustees donated £1,320 during the year (2024: £720)
There were no other related party transactions in the year (2024: none).
No guarantees have been given or received.
Irish Community Care Limited is incorporated under the Companies Act as a company limited by guarantee. The liability of the members is limited to £10 in the event of winding up the charity.