## **Seaforth Information Network Group** ## **Trustee’s Annual Report** ## **Achievements and Performance** ## **SING Plus Centre** We continue to develop projects at the centre to meet the needs of users and the wider community enabling us to meet their needs and increase centre usage. As a small organisation we continually need to source funding due to the increase in utility bills and other increased costs. We value the support of the local community, other groups and organisation such as the NHS, Dialogue society plus many more that have use the facilities throughout the year and hopefully will continue to support us. ## **Information Shop** The shop has continued to provide a useful resource to the local community. Local residents continue to access the shop for general enquiries and information. We have regular groups who meet such as the Knit n Natter group and who donate their garments to hospitals and other worthwhile causes. Other activities include providing local residents with a warm space to come meet new people and participate in a number of activities such as bingo, book exchange, art and craft and lots more. Further to this we provide ad-hoc drop in sessions where locals can drop in for a cuppa and a chat. We continue to work closely with SCVS who offer support plus other agencies. We continue to provide residents with useful up to date information and signpost them to agencies who can offer advice around benefits entitlements, health and well-being. ## **Young People** We have continued to provide a programme of services face-face, offering support and information if required. We opened the centre which allows us to provide a safe and friendly free environment. We continue to source funding to support the work we do and have been successful from SMBC plus other agencies. The young people look forward to coming into their own space meeting up regularly and doing various activities. ## **Kids Kitchen** Kids Kitchen provides activities and measl to children in receipt of free school meals support by Sefton MBC. The scheme runs throughout the holidays. The provision is based in the centre providing the children with a range of both physical and educational activities with the aim of reducing social isolation, inactivity and hunger during the holidays. . ## **Seaforth Information Network Group** ## **Trustees Annual Report** ## **The Input of volunteers** Once again we take this opportunity to say thank you to the volunteers involved in the organisation for all the hard work they have put in over the year in ensuring the continued success of the organisation. Throughout the year the volunteers have fundraised, helped pick up food from Fare share Speke, and help with our older people projects. They help manage the shop and centre, giving staff the opportunity to fundraise and promote the organisation. Volunteers are given the opportunity to participate in training and develop new or upgrade existing skills. ## **Financial Review** As with any funded organisation we feel it is important to ensure that the organisation can be sustained in the long term, and the continuity of the level of services is maintained and risk is minimised. We have been fortunate to date with the success of funding applications and the ensuing grants. Given we have our reserves gives us the flexibility to develop our own projects without grant restraints but we appreciate that they will only carry on for so long. Therefore we still need and appreciate the grant aid that we receive, and would like to thank all those who have supported us SMBC, SCVS plus many more. This year continued to show problems with the global and local economy and we know that funding may be under severe pressure for organisations such as ours, and the buffer of unrestricted funds we have been able to build will hope will see us through difficult periods. ## **Plans for Future Periods** As an organisation we intend to continue to provide an affordable quality service to all local residents and young people. We will continue to ensure that we regularly review all policies and procedures ensuring our staff and volunteers are supported and continue to source funds to secure services/activities within the local area.