YEARLY REPORT 2024
2024, Abbotsvale Community Centres 26[th] year has yet again been a successful one, filled with new beginnings and opportunities. It is the year we decided to turn the unused bowling green into a community area, this space has been unused for many years and has become unsafe over time due to the lack of use and lack of ongoing maintenance from the bowling team. The new Community Hub will be called the Abbotsvale Oasis which will include a cycle/walk track which has been funded by Active Cumbria and a sensory Garden, subject to funding being obtained from Orsted the local Wind Farms, funding bids are going in now and we will hopefully find out the beginning of next year.. Kerry from Cheeky Monkeys Nursery will have a new Eco classroom on the green which has been funded by the local Authority from Government funding to improve childcare opportunities, she has been a source of help and inspiration in our bid to turn the area into a community space. Work on the area will commence in January 2025 and phase 1 (the cycle track and Cheeky Monkey’s Classroom) will be open by April 2025. Phase 2, the sensory garden, and new kitchen funded by local councillor donations and the bicycle maintenance hub funding of which can be applied for from Active Cumbria, will hopefully follow later in the year. In August we had a Community Engagement day at the centre to gauge to interest in our New Abbots vale Oasis, refreshments consisting of a delicious buffet made by Karen and Kerry was laid on and the event was well attended by local community from very young children riding balance bicycles to our more mature members walking around the proposed cycle/walk track area. A great day was had by all.
We have worked closely with the Community Team at Westmorland and Furness to help with the funding bids and to gain inspiration on what we can offer to the Community. Kevin Bell has the Community Worker has been such a help, with advice and funding bid knowledge.
The Community Centre itself remains as busy as ever, with nearly all hire space filled to capacity, we have welcomed new groups this year one of which is the local Slimming World group, a very busy group bringing many of the local community through our doors, we have received lots of praise over the Community Centre and how welcoming we are from the organiser, which is something we remain proud of and why the Community Centre remains busy. We will be welcoming baby sensory in the new year, and no doubt other new groups in the coming months, to join our regular hirers who have been with us many years and who include, Abbotsvale Over 55’s, Rhythm Time, Blossom Babes, Vale tenants and residents, Daisy First Aid for children, Cut and Chat, Generations Dance, Fearless Dance and Heartbeeps
In 2025 we plan to become more Eco friendly and have recently had an Energy Efficiency Audit. We plan to replace all our lighting in the near future as well as looking at options for new Eco friendly heating and solar panels for the building.
Funding has been received to help cover the wages of our Manager Karen, who has now been with us for 25 years, from ‘The Sir John Fisher Foundation. They have always been very supportive of the Community Centre and our Community aims over the years and continue to support us in the work we do. We have also had National Lottery funding in the last 12 months that funded new fire doors, a new boiler in the Nursery, water boilers on the wall and helped towards the running costs and utilities of the centre.
So going forward 2025 will be a year of new beginnings for the Community Centre and its new Community Space that we have no doubts will be well used and an asset to the Community of Risedale.
Abbotsvale Community Association Statement of Income and Expenditure for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 2024 22,781 696 27,695 Balances at 1st April 2024 Current Account Rent Accoun Respite Care Account Lloyds Bowling Account Cash in hand 2025 15,400 4,125 20.40₴ 500 350 1,334 1,170 1623 2,380 13,500 4,843 2.250 1,740 31,344 19,445 2,698 1,521 4,052 1,296 Income Cur and Chat Group Blossom Babies Abbotsvale Over 55's Grants Canerator DaRending Fleartbeeps Fearless Dance Cheeky Money unitectice Refuse Orkadia Ltd Rhyme Time Kay Charniey Dance School Y'All Dancing Private Rent Business Super Grants Age UK Cumbria County Counci! Grants Inpost Rent Fundraise & Recycle 3,500 1,320 50,190 1,510 1,634 3,320 13,500 4,497 1,080 1,350 1,000 972 84, 469 2,840 1,501 1.379 38,631 15,400 4.125 20,408 59,039 59,039 104,877 We approve these accounts and confirm that we have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation Chairperson: Iwaiity Date: Water Misc Balances at 31st March 2025 Current Account Rent Account Respite Care Account Lloyds Bowling Account Cash in hand Grants Paid in Advance 1,100 84,469 54,820 4,125 -39,432 20,408 104,877
Abbotsvale Community Association Chartered Accountants Report to Abbotsvale Community Association In accordance with your instructions, we have compiled these unaudited accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 from the records, information and explanations supplied to us. Orwin Oliver Chartered Accountants 24 King Street Ulverston Cumbria LA12 7DZ