Arthur Rafferty Foundation

Public benefits

In considering the intended beneficiaries of the work of the Association, the Association seeks to benefit individuals and families who are suffering or who have been affected, bereaved or injured as a result of the conflict in Northern Ireland without distinction of political creed or religious opinion. The work of the Association also benefits

the general public in Northern Ireland as a mechanism for assisting in dealing with the past. In considering and demonstrating the benefits that flow from the Association’s educational and health purposes and those aimed at relieving the needs of beneficiaries, the Association seeks to provide emotional and practical support as well as information that is a source of strength and comfort. Many of the Association’s beneficiaries have suffered personal experiences of hurt, loss and trauma and the Association through its volunteers seeks to help victims take control through the acknowledgement of their experiences and the provision of opportunities for remembrance and mourning. The Association’s specialist services, help-line and drop-in centres provide an important source of information and advice for victims enabling victims to benefit from a listening ear and an opportunity to share grief and support one another. This enables both victims and wider society to come together in an effort to foster an atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement and to cultivate a community spirit in favour of equality and diversity. It is the intention of the Association to conduct research projects and service delivery feedback help to improve our understanding of what help is needed by victims and the appropriate ways in which to provide such help. It is hoped that the work of the Association will enable victims to have access to a range of services to meet their needs and which respond to local communities and benefit from national resilience and strength. It is hoped that the advocacy work of the Association will increase public awareness of issues facing victims and enable a positive change for victims. In considering the harm that may flow from this purpose, the assistance by the Association is free of charge and its advice in confidential. Given that many of the beneficiaries of the Association’s work are affected by low income or in receipt of state benefits, access to the support provided by the Association is important. In the context of the Association’s advocacy and educational work, it is not perceived that harm arises from these purposes. There are no private benefits arising from the purposes of the Association beyond incidental benefits arising from the involvement of committee members (some of whom have been affected by the loss of family as a result of the Troubles) benefiting from an area increasingly free from sectarian conflict and which benefits from improved relationships within the community. The private benefits received by committee members as a consequence of being afforded the opportunity to communicate their experiences and to support those seeking truth and justice are incidental as victims of the Trouble and are no greater than the benefits obtained by any other beneficiary of the Association’s work

What your organisation does

The Association provides advice, support and advocacy services for those who have been affected, bereaved or injured during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.