Annual Report 2017
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ANNUAL REPORT 2017 Grants to alleviate poverty are given across the board, regardless of religious or ethnic background Protestant Aid dispenses every cent received from subscribers in grant aid It is also a fact that despite near full CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT employment, there are many people in this country who still require our services. Protestant Aid is at the forefront of giving hope to people who find themselves in As always, I am desperate financial situations due to grateful to all the Board ill-health (particularly mental health), “ addiction, domestic abuse and many other members and volunteers for their circumstances. dedication and support over the last year Our Charitable Services expenditure reflects - my thanks to them and our Chief Executive, the economic conditions with our average David Webb grant sizes increased due to many of the cases being more desperate. Following recent serious weather ” conditions, we developed an As widely reported in the media, Ireland was again the Emergency Grant Initiative to fastest growing economy in the euro zone during 2017 help alleviate distress for and while certain worldwide political events (including the financially vulnerable, Brexit) have generated uncertainty, the general economic especially the elderly, due outlook in Ireland is positive. to extra heating costs. Under this scheme, we Although the improved financial situation has helped many people in this distributed almost €25,000 country, it is an unfortunate fact that those on the margins of society still to those in need. struggle in poverty. Many are facing grave and persistent challenges with over 8,000 people without a home and over 213,000 children, or nearly one in five at risk of poverty, according to Social Justice Ireland. We are fortunate to have a well-run Charitable Services area, with Geoff Scargill (Head of Charitable Services) ably assisted THANK YOU by Joyce Sparkes in dealing with all applications and enquiries with professionalism and compassion. “ It was difficult for me to ask Protestant On the Building Project in St. John’s House, 2017 has had its Aid for help, especially as I have never been in this challenges in terms of delays. However, Phase 1 is nearing position before. When my illness became more serious completion and we expect our first residents to be in situ by and I had to go on sick leave, I was sure things could not early autumn 2018 with Phase II scheduled for completion by get worse. My car is vital for medical appointments and the end of 2018 with the residents of St. Marys Home moving when it broke down I was in despair - what would in early 2019. I do? My Rector kindly suggested I apply to Protestant We are indebted to our volunteers, particularly Dr. Michael Webb Aid and I am so happy she did. Your grant covered the and Mr. Gordon Richards on the construction side and Mrs. repairs and I am now back on the road. Thank you for Yvonne Good and her Committee on the interior side. There is no helping me at a particularly low time in my life - you doubt that when we come to the eventual finished product, we were there for me when I needed help.” will have a new St John’s Nursing Home of outstanding quality. As always, I am grateful to all the Board members and volunteers for their dedication and support over the last year - my thanks to “ When my landlord needed his property back to carry them and our Chief Executive, David Webb. out renovations, I was devastated. He was decent On a final note, I would like to express the Board’s sincere enough and gave me a lot of notice but moving is costly appreciation of the dedication and commitment of Mr. Ivor with many hidden expenses. With my low income, Moloney, who is retiring after some 15 years as Chairman of I had limited options and was worried sick - I would St. John’s House Committee. His contribution over the years wake up during the night when my problems seemed has always been invaluable and we are pleased that he will to grow bigger. Your grant was a Godsend and took still remain a Trustee of St. John’s House and a member of the away the worry of moving. I am now well settled in to Brabazon Committee. my new apartment and will always be grateful for Arthur Vincent, Chairman your help.” Our CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW experience indicates that employment does not always guarantee a decent Your trust in standard of living, with the cost of education and other services Protestant Aid makes it “ making life extremely challenging for possible for us to carry on this those living on a low income. important work and help give dignity and We are hugely thankful for every single hope to those living in poverty cent that we receive to support our vital work and that is why we make sure that every cent is used as effectively as possible. Without our loyal subscribers, we would not ” be able to provide the financial assistance It is an unfortunate fact that the welcome growth in the that directly helps the lives of those on the domestic economy and its positive knock-on effects has done margins of society. little to improve the nearly 800,000 people who are living In 2017, €624,970 was raised by Protestant in poverty in Ireland. Aid and, through investments and other At Protestant Aid, we see on a daily basis the harsh realities faced by sources, a total of €759,551 was spent on thousands of low income households who are unable to afford essentials our charitable activities to ensure that we such as food and shelter. It is a sad reality that families and children stuck continue to give comfort to those that seek in a poverty trap are more likely to be affected by the homelessness crisis our help. as they cannot afford the increased rents. We are also seeing more than Throughout our long history, we have ever the phenomenon of the “working poor” who are in employment but been blessed to receive legacies from our actually living in poverty. supporters. Legacies can have a transformative effect, providing sufficient reserves to ensure that our valuable work is continued well into the future so we THANK YOU would ask that you remember Protestant Aid (if you can) with a bequest from your estate that will strengthen our ability to “ Just a short line to thank you for your help those in need in years to come. help during the recent cold weather. Our Nursing Homes in Brabazon House and St. John’s continue I was worrying about my next bill when to flourish. The energy, vitality and confidence shown by our Residents your grant cheque came through the in their later years are a great motivation to us all. We are delighted to see letterbox - an answer to prayer. You steady progress in the construction of our new St John’s Nursing Home on have lifted a weight from my shoulders. the Merrion Road and we would like to thank each and every person who has I am blessed by your generosity. supported us to make this project a reality. Thank you. ” Once completed, this new state-of-the-art facility will have an immediate and profound impact for our Residents. In advance of its completion, we are making steps to improve our quality of service and we continue to review and “ I want to thank you for being kind and refine our strategy for the nursing homes to ensure that we are in the best understanding regarding my recent possible position to meet the needs of our Residents in the coming years. General Grant Application. The financial stress we endured during my illness We continue to work closely with our volunteers, clergy and social workers was worse than any physical complaint throughout the 26 Counties to ensure that funds are put to use where they are I had - my heating and utility bills just needed most. Your trust in Protestant Aid makes it possible for us to carry on seemed to be mounting and we could this important work and help give dignity and hope to those living in poverty. not get on top of them. I kept checking Once again, I would like to recognise the efforts of all the volunteers and staff my electricity meter and it became an for their dedication and commitment in achieving our goals. obsession. David Webb, Chief Executive The relief we felt when receiving your grant cheque was immense - I cried with joy! ” We can often make assumptions about CHARITABLE SERVICES REPORT the profile of people we imagine are in poverty, or where they might live, or even why they are in financial Every euro donated difficulties, but these continues to be redistributed in preconceptions can be “ way off the mark. charitable grants without deduction, Your next door neighbour providing the lifeline that helps alleviate might be living in stress and poverty in countless situations poverty, the woman that sits beside you in church or the man you often meet in ” the shop. Fear is a big part of poverty and can HIDDEN POVERTY AND TOUGH CHOICES be the hallmark of those in need - A recent recipient of a Protestant Aid grant wrote a ‘Thank You’ note to the fear of an unexpected us saying that our help was timely in that one of the choices they were bill, the fear of not being faced with making that week was ‘food or heat’ - their choice was stark able to keep your children and unforgiving.