2025-03-31-accounts - Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

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Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee)

Report and Financial Statements for the

12 months ended 31st March 2025

Charity number 1154423

Company number 08275575

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall (A company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements For the 12 months ended 31st March 2025

Contents Page

Legal and Administrative Information 3 Objectives 4 Structure, Governance, Management & 5-6 Risk Assessment Chair Report 7 Manager Report 8 Achievements and Performance 9-10 Financial Review 11-12 Financial Accounts 2022-23 13 Signed Independent Examiners Report 15 Statement of Financial Activities 16 Signed Balance Sheet 17 Notes to the Financial Statements 1825

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall (A company limited by guarantee)

Report on the Trustees for the 12 months ended 31[st] March 2025

The trustees are pleased to present their annual directors’ report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a director’s report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity name: Gwynfi Miners Community Hall Charity registration number: 1154423 Company registration number: 08275575 Registered Office an Operational address: 98 Jersey Road Blaengwynfi Port Talbot SA13 3TE

Trustees

Dr Brian Gibbons FRCGP, MB BCh BAO Chair Mr John Griffiths Company Secretary Mrs Christine Isobelle Suzanne Keirle Mrs Mairlyn Young James Arthur Jordan Ciaran Gibbons *

*Trustees who are not directors under company law.

Independent Examiner

Bankers

Darren Norton FCCA Young and Phillips Chartered Certified Accountants Co-operative Bank

Accountant

Joanna Surman FCCA Young and Phillips

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee)

Objectives

Our charity’s objectives as set out in the objects contained in the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association are:

To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of the electoral ward of Gwynfi and the surrounding area, the provision of facilities for well-being, self-improvement, recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large, in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.

To help young people, especially but not exclusively through leisure time activities, to develop their capabilities so that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society.

Ensuring Our Work Delivers Against Our Objectives

All new activities, services, and facility developments undertaken by the charity are rigorously aligned with our core objectives, ensuring maximum community benefit.

Following our operational review in the inaugural year, which defined the core programming essential to achieving our mission, we have built on those successes annually. This process involves continuous review of established programs, the testing of new initiatives, and the introduction of innovative services to enhance our community reach and effectiveness.

The Gwynfi Miners Community Hall has transitioned from a traditional village hall into a dynamic, multi-agency Community Hub. This was crucial to ensure we can continue to meet the community’s emerging needs and fulfill the organisation’s objectives.

The Facility Manager provides the Trustees with regular reports detailing program delivery, attendance, and measurable outcomes. These reports also include planning for future provisions, supported by impact assessments that define the anticipated beneficiary groups.

Programs or facilities that no longer demonstrate community need or support are discontinued. This disciplined approach ensures resources are reallocated to new initiatives that drive greater public benefit and organisational impact.

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall (A company limited by guarantee)

Structure, Governance & Management

Governing Document

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales on 31 October 2012 and registered as a Charity on 31 October 2013.

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.

Recruitment and Appointment of Directors

The directors of the company serve concurrently as the charity trustees for the purposes of charity law. All board members dedicate their time voluntarily, receiving no remuneration or financial benefits from the charity, upholding a commitment to fiduciary duty and public service.

Appointment and Tenure

New directors are appointed either through election at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or by co-opting during the year, often to integrate specific, necessary skills into the Board.

In compliance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, Directors are appointed to serve until their required retirement at a subsequent AGM. At each Annual General Meeting, one-third of the directors, or the number nearest to one-third, must retire from office by rotation. To ensure continuity and adhere to regulatory standards, the directors who have served the longest period since their last appointment are required to retire.

Management

The Board of Directors provides oversight and ensures the Governance of the Charities overall affairs. Day-to-day operational management of the facility is the responsibility of the full-time Facility Manager. The Manager is further supported by two paid part-time staff members who collaboratively ensure comprehensive operational coverage and supervision throughout the Hall's regular opening hours.

Risk Assessment

Health, Safety, and Compliance

A proactive approach to Health and Safety is maintained through regular, comprehensive risk assessments conducted by the Facility Manager. Systems are established and consistently reviewed to mitigate identified risks, with findings reported to the Board of Directors during monthly committee meetings.

This robust operational oversight includes mandatory preventative maintenance checks and inspections for critical services, such as building integrity, gym equipment, gas central heating, electrical systems and water quality protocols etc

Financial Resilience and Service Provision

The most significant strategic risk remains funding uncertainty, which is amplified by Central Government and Local Authority funding cuts, national Cost-of-Living Crisis and Fuel Poverty within the community. We are intensively collaborating with partners to mitigate these financial pressures and remain committed to ensuring service inclusivity by providing free or heavily subsidised local provisions.

Our critical ‘Warm Space’ initiative offers residents a safe, warm, and structured environment, providing access to essential free resources such as Wi-Fi, charging points, refreshments, and social activities. This program actively fosters

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee)

community cohesion and reduces the risk of isolation among our most vulnerable residents while addressing the immediate effects of rising costs.

Capital Projects Update

Remediation of Water Ingress and Facility Refurbishment

The persistent water ingress, affecting our lower floors, remains a significant operational challenge, continually compromising the building’s structural integrity and severely disrupting scheduled activities and service delivery.

In response, we have initiated and are successfully progressing comprehensive investigation and surveying procedures. This process has involved close collaboration with the local authority, Dwr Cymru and specialist water proofing and building contractors.

Due to the age and inherent complexity of the building’s structure, this preparatory phase is necessarily time-consuming. However, it is essential for securing the external capital funding required to plan and complete the waterproofing and refurbishment project safely, efficiently, and while maximising community benefit.

We anticipate that we will have all the necessary foundations in place by the end of 2025 to start applying for external funding in early 2026.

Chair’s Report

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee)

While much of 2024–25 was about consolidating the activities at Gwynfi Miners Community Hall, there were also a number of important developments, which were mostly positive. However, this year also showed that we continue to remain vulnerable to a single major shock or setback.

We were delighted that our Manager's contribution to the success of GMCH was recognised by Simon receiving an invitation to Buckingham Palace afternoon tea. The event was a great success and was fair recognition for his hard work and commitment.

We managed to maintain and expand our core activities over the year, with a continuing increase in user numbers. Much of the increase was due to the use of the Hall by younger people, which is excellent news.

Services such as the Credit Union and the Winter Hub continued to operate, and we were pleased to see the renewal of our links with Citizens Advice. And again, we had a sell-out Remembrance Concert. We were also able to put on a number of training courses to improve life skills and also enhance work readiness.

We welcomed Professor Lizzie Thynne (University of Sussex) and Imperfect Films for her follow-up work following the launch of her film on Jill Craigie the previous year. The visit culminated in a short, "no-stars" film about our village, which we look forward to seeing.

Over the year, we have greatly benefitted from the work of Clare Pritchard, as NPT Children's Rights Development Officer. Clare has really linked in with our young people's agenda and is an invaluable asset in developing appropriate age-to-do activities. She greatly complements the work of Flying Start and Youth Service provision.

During the year, we have spent a lot of time preparing for our successful bid to the Building Stronger Communities project. This will provide us with assured funding over a number of years, with a particular focus on addressing our ongoing flooding and general building renewal problems. The inability to use the lower floor of our building means we are not able to provide a range of physical activities, as well as depriving us of a valuable funding stream.

Our building's vulnerabilities were also highlighted by the damage that Storm Darragh inflicted on the roof. Fortunately, the damage was remediated via our insurance, but it shows how precarious the operation of GMCH can be.

We were also fortunate to receive generous support from the Afan Cluster – SBUHB for gym equipment, a Facilities Grant, and £20,000 from the NPT CBC Third Sector Grant. This last grant was very welcome, and we can only hope that this level of support will be available in future years.

And as always, we received our ongoing grant support from Llynfi-Afan Renewable Energy Park. Without this assured financial support, Gwynfi Miners Community Hall would not survive. We are very grateful for this continuing core support.

During the year, our long-standing director and company secretary, John Griffiths, indicated he would not be putting his name forward again. We wish to thank John for his many years of service and for his wise advice.

We needed to postpone our first AGM meeting due to a poor turnout. While there were extenuating circumstances to explain this, nonetheless voluntary bodies such as GMCH can only survive through community commitment and people's willingness to give up their time. We realise this is not always easy, but we look forward to a renewal of our directors' board during the next year.

We wish to thank our staff, Leigh and Pam, and our Manager, Simon, for the work over the year. They are doing a massive and greatly valued job that is crucial for the well-being and quality of life of our community. Thanks to them all.

Managers’ Report

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee)

I am pleased to report on the operational and maintenance activities of the Gwynfi Miners Community Hall for the past year. Despite persistent challenges it has been another successful year. Welcoming over 17,000 visitors, we remain committed to providing a diverse and comprehensive range of activities for every demographic, from newborns to our most senior residents, actively improving lives and enhancing community well-being.

A detailed review of our services and activities follows in this annual report.

I acknowledge that the achievements of the Gwynfi Miners Community Hall are emphatically not a solo effort, but the direct result of the dedicated and expanded collaborative partnerships.

This year's success, coupled with the 13-year longevity of the Gwynfi Miners Community Hall, stands as a powerful testament to the collective effort of our staff, directors, supporters, users, and volunteers. This achievement is especially significant considering the building was initially earmarked for closure on economic grounds by the local authority.

Looking ahead, 2026 will mark the Hall's momentous 125th Anniversary, a major milestone we plan to commemorate with a host of special events.

While highly utilised, the Hall faces ongoing public funding cuts. The Third Sector, exemplified by our Hall, delivers essential, measurable services now predominating across the Afan Valley. It is imperative that statutory bodies formally recognise this critical role and provide commensurate support. The absence of these services will have severe, detrimental impacts on residents and other public services.

Securing funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) was a pivotal achievement this year. This investment directly enabled the installation of new disabled toilets, complementing the previously fitted chairlift system to improve ground floor access.

While the age and structure of the building present limitations, this investment provides a tangible demonstration of our ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and inclusivity for all users of the Hall.

The core funding secured from the Building Communities Trust, as acknowledged by our Chair, represents a significant vote of confidence and provides essential longer-term financial support. This funding will alleviate some of the daily operational pressures, allowing us to focus on the larger-scale projects necessary to protect the building's structural integrity and bring the facilities up to modern-day standards.

The longer the recurrent flooding remains unaddressed, the more severe the resulting structural damage and remediation costs will become.

The Hall's ongoing success and resilience wouldn't be possible without a huge team effort. My sincere thanks go out to the Board of Directors for their vital support, dedication and commitment to the organisation and to all our funders and partnerships who help keep our doors open.

A special shout-out must go to our fantastic staff—Leigh, Pam, and Claire—and all the dedicated volunteers running key activities, including the Gwynfi ABC, the Senior Citizens Coffee Morning, and the Friends of the Library Book Club. You truly are the heart and soul of this place.

Lastly, thank you to our loyal and resolute community and users. You are the very reason we are here, and your support means absolutely everything.

Simon Matthews (Facility Manager)

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

Achievements & Performance

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee)

The information contained within this section covers the period from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025.

During the reporting period, the Gwynfi Miners Community Hall experienced high engagement, hosting over 17,000 visits from users of all ages. These interactions were critical to accessing key services and participating in structured activities, collectively fostering a culture of community wellbeing that drives positive outcomes across social, mental, and physical health domains.

Health & Wellbeing

GMCH maintains a diverse portfolio of activities aimed at maximising community wellbeing, despite ongoing operational constraints:

Sports Hall/Outdoor Activities: While the main Sports Hall remains unavailable, children’s activities were temporarily relocated to Pen Afan Primary School’s outdoor MUGGA. Activity levels were very limited due to the inclement weather and reduced winter daylight hours.
Weights and Fitness Gymnasium: The Gymnasium remains one of our most vital and popular activities, catering to individuals aged 14 and over. This well-equipped facility is essential for accommodating users with specific health and fitness goals and supporting complex rehabilitation referred to through our health partnership scheme.
Gwynfi Amateur Boxing Club (ABC): Acknowledging the club's significant role in community development, we offer the Gwynfi ABC free use of the Hall. This key partnership facilitates their mission to instill discipline and goal-setting in participants (aged 8 to senior level), providing a consistent home for this highly valued activity.
GP Exercise Referral Scheme: Our successful partnership with local health providers (Gwynfi Health Practice and Afan Cluster) on the GP Exercise Referral Scheme continues to aid patients managing chronic conditions (including obesity, mental health, and cardiovascular diseases). Due to high demand and our commitment to accessibility, the scheme has been expanded to offer two weekly sessions.
Gwynfi Miners Community Hall Walk and Talk Group: Originally created to address post-pandemic vulnerability and anxiety, this group has proven successful in sustaining social connection and promoting mental and physical health. Although adverse weather conditions occasionally affected planned scenic routes (e.g., Maesteg, Rhondda, Afan Valley), its positive community impact remains significant.

Leisure, Recreation and Other Activities

Beyond physical fitness, the Hall served as a central hub for wide-ranging community engagement, reflecting our commitment to well-being and recreation.

Weekly Coffee Morning and Community Groups: This vital, long-running coffee morning, entirely run by local residents, meets weekly at the Hall. It provides enjoyable social activities and excursions for residents in the Afan Valley. The attendees are an inspiration, consistently raising funds to support the Gwynfi Miners Community Hall and other good causes.

Other vital community-led groups utilising the Hall include the Friends of the Library Book Club, Cape Art, Gwynfi Crafters, and the Afan Valley Cinema for All community cinema club. These activities are fun, engaging, and specifically promote social inclusion, particularly among our older residents who are at risk of isolation.

The Gwynfi Miners Community Hall is sincerely grateful for the support received from these community groups and volunteers, whose efforts significantly enhance the Hall's activity program.

In addition to our core activities, we organise popular annual gatherings. Our Annual Remembrance Concert, held in the G2 Function Room, is always a spectacular, capacity-filled highlight supported by the Ogmore Valley Male Voice Choir, Barry Brass Band, and solo artist Josie Gibbons.

This event is a key fixture on people’s social calendar. We were also privileged to host the Cantorion Coity Choir for a St.

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee) David's Day Concert who performed to another full audience.

Youth and Younger People Engagement and Community Safety

The Gwynfi Miners Community Hall places particular emphasis on catering to the needs of our young people. This is demonstrated through successful partnerships with the Neath Port Talbot Youth Service and Children Rights Unit, ensuring the provision of regular meaningful activities for youth and younger children.

Our year included a wide range of activities such as activity clubs, warm space and cinema screenings. We delivered diverse, fun and educational workshops covering craft, music, science, first aid, hair and beauty, and cooking. Popular educational excursions included day trips to St Fagans National Museum of History and the Cymmer Swimming Pool.

All younger people’s activities were provided free of charge so that cost does not become a barrier to accessing our activities.

We assert that the Hall’s sustained commitment to youth activity is instrumental in maintaining the low level of antisocial behavior and crime in our village. This positive community outcome is further underscored by the fact that South Wales Police now deploy our dedicated Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) to other duties for most of their working week, signaling a strong return on investment in preventative community programs.

Training, Learning, and Essential Support Services

The Gwynfi Miners Community Hall functions as a local anchor for critical support, learning, and advice services, directly mitigating the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and ensuring accessibility for residents who face difficulties accessing services in the towns or cities.

Celtic Credit Union Collections Point

Addressing the financial service gap caused by high street bank closures and the ongoing transition to online services, the GMCH staff operate a Celtic Credit Union collection point. This facility provides residents with a secure local savings point and vital signposting to broader financial support.

Citizens Advice:

This partnership delivers invaluable, free, confidential, and impartial advice across a comprehensive range of issues, supporting community stability.

Skill Development

The GMCH invested in key community training programs, including certified courses in First Aid, Food Hygiene, Fire Awareness, and Manual Handling. This initiative successfully equipped residents with new skillsets, fostering personal development and significantly boosting confidence for volunteer engagement within local organisations and sports clubs.

Family Support and Early Years

Our facility serves as a key base, hosting the Welsh Government’s Early Years Flying Start Scheme two to three times per week. This sustained partnership delivers crucial training and developmental support, empowering local families from the earliest stages of their children's lives.

Financial Review

We maintain stringent financial discipline, prudently managing funds and rigorously scrutinising all expenditure, including obtaining multiple quotes for services and utilities.

Despite securing favorable revenue grants—a recognition of the Gwynfi Miners' Community Hall's importance—current

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee)

economic conditions have led to higher operational costs.

Crucially, while our financial accounts show an overall surplus, the majority of funds received are restricted for specific projects. Given our commitment to providing free and subsidised services, the Hall continues to operate under a very tight budget for core, day-to-day operations.

We therefore remain highly reliant on external grant funding and donations to deliver our full range of support annually.

The financial period of 2024–2025 ended with a surplus of £16,737.00, compared with a surplus of £12,887.00 for the previous financial O(2023–2024).

Principal Funding Streams

Building Communities Trust (BCT): We were awarded a significant, unrestricted four-year funding package totaling £146,096. This vital investment will be strategically used to cover core support costs, maintenance, activities, and training, directly enabling the Hall's growth and operational sustainability.

Llynfi Afan Renewable Energy Park (LAREP): Provides critical, unrestricted, and index-linked annual funding, averaging approximately £25,000 per annum. We are constantly grateful for this loyal and highly valued support.

The Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC) Third Sector Grant Scheme: Awarded a larger grant this year than in previous years. As a consistent supporter, this funding was crucial for underpinning operational costs, launching new activities, and establishing a dedicated Warm Space in direct response to the Cost of Living and Fuel Poverty Crisis.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Securing £25,000 from the Facilities Improvement Fund: Enabled the Gwynfi Miners Community Hall to improve access. The funds were used to install a chair lift and build new accessible disabled toilets. This essential work ensures that all residents can now access our services and activities on the ground floor, eliminating physical barriers to participation.

Other Income

Fundraising constitutes an integral component of our charity’s financial strategy. We express our profound gratitude for the unwavering generosity and resolute support received through donations from our valued residents and community groups.

While income is generated through core activities and facility hire, these revenue streams account for only 10–15% of our annual operational costs. Consequently, the organisation remains highly dependent on external grant funding.

This dependency is necessary, as we must continually balance service provision costs to ensure inclusive access and affordability for residents within this area of high deprivation.

Plans for The Year Ahead

Continue fundraising to provide quality services, activities and a facility that reflects diversity and meets the needs of the Afan Valley Communities.
Sustain and develop our activities that will connect and engage with people in our community to promote equality, health and well-being through tackling social exclusion, isolation and loneliness.

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall

(A company limited by guarantee)

Develop a business plan that includes projects to tie in with local developments and tourism that could potentially generate more revenue streams to improve the organisations financial viability.
Retain our high profile and relevance to local needs through our social media, publicity, marketing and collaborative partnership working.
To mitigate the impact of austerity and the cost-of-living crisis as best we can and try to keep costs to a minimum.
Recruit and develop our team of directors and volunteer base so that they can help to shape and deliver the Gwynfi Miners Community Halls Strategy.
Sought funding to waterproof and comprehensively refurbish the building and external grounds. This investment is crucial to ensuring the facilities meet modern standards to serve future generations.

Given the level of reserves and negotiations with other funding bodies, the Directors are confident that the charity can continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months.

Investment Policy

Most of the charity’s funds are to be spent on immediate service provision so there are no funds available for longerterm investment.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the Organisation. We recognise the importance of holding a reserve fund equivalent to six to twelve months of running costs.

However, achieving this target remains a significant challenge, as our primary financial focus must necessarily be yearto-year operational survival.

Gwynfi Miners Community Hall (A company limited by guarantee)