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The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
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HEALING THROUGH REMEMBERING

  • Status

    Received: on time

  • Income

    £51.7K

  • Spending

    £59.2K

Charity no. 101717 Company no. 48343 Date registered. 02/11/2015

Public benefits

1. To advance education in the purpose and methods of mediation, conciliation and reconciliation of disputes or conflicts; The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include a more peaceful society with reduced levels of tension and community conflict. These benefits are demonstrated in a number of ways including the bringing together of

individuals and groups from widely differing and sometimes opposing viewpoints. By coming together, groups and individuals have reached agreements on a wide range of issues including some related to Commemoration, Truth Recovery and Acknowledgement, a Day of Reflection, a Living Memorial Museum and Storytelling. The benefits are further demonstrated by the wide range of resources created for use by groups, individuals and decision makers as part of their work to advance conflict resolution and reconciliation. Regular independent evaluations, feedback returns and participant numbers at public events provide additional evidence of the benefit of the work done. This purpose does not give rise to any harm. The beneficiaries of this purpose include those affected by the conflict in and about Northern Ireland as well as the public in general. 2. To advance the means of managing methods of mediation, conciliation and reconciliation of disputes or conflicts for peaceful resolution in the interests of good citizenship and community relations; The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include good citizenship and a better understanding within groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds and traditions of the perspectives and understandings of others. These benefits are demonstrated in a range of ways including the numbers of people who have visited events and exhibitions hosted by the organisation, by the diversity of people who have participated in the International Study Visits organised by the organisation and by the variety of entities using the Conversation Guide for Workshops for groups and organisations seeking to debate and discuss the five key areas for dealing with the past. Participant numbers, visitor feedback comments and independent evaluations provide strong evidence of the value of the work done. This purpose does not give rise to any harm. The beneficiaries of this purpose include individuals and communities from differing backgrounds as well as the public in general. 3. To promote the research and the exchange of views that help towards education into the causes, prevention and alleviation of destructive patterns of behaviour and into peaceful means of resolving conflict. The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include a better understanding of the origins of conflict and the ways in which it can be addressed. These benefits are demonstrated by the range and variety of groups requesting facilitation, workshops and support from the organisation. These are groups and organisations wishing to look at dealing with the past and seeking support for the difficult debate and discussion this requires. It is further shown in the range of reports, research, policy initiatives and toolkits produced the organisation and which are widely disseminated. Visitor numbers to the organisation’s website as well as its presence on social media provide additional evidence of the benefits created in this regard. This purpose does not give rise to any harm. The beneficiaries of this purpose include people from differing traditions or groups as well as the public in general. A private benefit to trustees may arise where an individual gains the skills, knowledge and confidence to address personal issues related to equality and diversity and which are often transferable to other settings. These benefits are incidental and necessary to ensure the benefits provided to our beneficiaries.

What your organisation does

Healing Through Remembering (HTR) is an extensive cross-community project made up of a range of individual members holding differing political, social and religious perspectives who come together to focus on the issue of how best to deal with the past relating to the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. Through on-going internal discussions,

research, roundtable discussions, conferences and outreach programmes, HTR produces a range of reports, options papers, exhibitions, dramas, discussion papers, events and audits which continue to inform discussion throughout society – this includes community groups, political parties, statutory and government policy makers. HTR’s key strength lies in its diverse membership who come from a range of backgrounds – including loyalist, republican, British Army, police, church, media, victims, academia and community activism - who work together on how best to deal with the past relating to the conflict. Thus HTR addresses issues with the full range of views and opinions as part of the debate. HTR’s success relies on an inclusive and bottom-up approach which facilitates the development of innovative mechanisms and best practices. Vital to the work of HTR is the building of trust so as to form a safe space in which dialogue can be open and honest. The work of HTR addresses five particular themes, each one identified following a public consultation in 2002. These are Storytelling, Day of Reflection, Truth Recovery & Acknowledgement, Living Memorial Museum and Commemoration. Membership consists of individuals who hold very different views and perspectives on the themes they are discussing, but who agree on the need to create a better future. Examples of work done include an Annual Day of Reflection on 21 June every year since 2007, an exhibition entitled ‘Everyday Objects transformed by the Conflict’ and the report ‘Are we there yet?’ a document outlining proposals in regard to dealing with the past.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of education
  • The advancement of citizenship or community development
  • The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity

Who the charity helps

  • Ex-offenders and prisoners
  • General public
  • Older people
  • Victim support
  • Voluntary and community sector

How the charity works

  • Advice/advocacy/information
  • Cross-border/cross-community
  • Education/training
  • Research/evaluation

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 December 2023

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 December 2022

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 December 2021

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charitable purposes

The Charity's Objects are to promote for the benefit of the public in Northern Ireland (hereinafter called "the area of benefit") the advancement of education in the purpose and methods of mediation, conciliation and reconciliation of disputes or conflicts and of all the means of managing them for peaceful resolution in the interests of good citizenship and community relations and in particular to promote research and the exchange of views that help towards education into the causes, prevention and alleviation of destructive patterns of behaviour and into peaceful means of resolving conflict.

Governing document

Memorandum and Articles

Other name

  • 12 Trustees
  • 1 Employees
  • 3 Volunteers

Contact details

Public address

  • Ms Kate Turner, C/O Uhy Hacker Young Fitch, Suite 2.06, Custom House, Belfast, BT1 3ET

Trustee board

Trustee
Dawn Purvis
Claire Hackett
Brandon Hamber
Brian Lambkin
Dr Geraldine Smyth
Mr Irwin Turbitt
Oliver Wilkinson
Mr Alexander Bunting
Dr Louise Purbrick
Conor Keenan
Mr Philip Dean
Dr Hedley Abernethy

List of regions

  • In Northern Ireland