Riseley Children’s Centre and Community Hub
Annual Report and Accounts 2023
Chairman’s Annual Report to AGM on 17th April 2024
A massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to the successful launch of the Hub over the last year. Life at the Hub has developed, built on the foundations laid in the previous year when we were able to - lease premises; introduce necessary policies and procedures; and obtain insurance. Most importantly the team of Trustees has transitioned to an effective management team, with individuals taking on specific responsibilities to ensure the smooth running of the Hub.
During the last year we have moved forward in several different ways:
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e Improving the premises — with investment in a new heating system; more furniture and equipment; attractive signage; and starting work on a kitchen area and better storage facilities
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e Providing the home fora weekly programme of different activities, including the launch of a Riseley Slimming World group, and helping new start-up initiatives
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e Introducing Saturday at the Hub as an open family space with activities for all ages on Saturday mornings, including special events e.g. Julia Jarman reading one of her books to children; community barber
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e Establishing a community library, and a larder/food drop-off box with provisions donated to foodbanks
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e Hosting special events, including seasonal Fayres run by the Giddy Goat; community feasts; a book launch; Mencap fund-raising tea
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e Continuing to run Bus Stop Cafe and Hatman’s Hangout for the youth in the area
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e Providing something for young people at major events in the village e.g. free BBQ food for them at the coronation celebration and Riseley Village Show
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e Supporting the Community Kindness initiative, particularly helping the elderly with transport to appointments and collecting prescriptions
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e Communicating our programme effectively through different media
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e Ensuring all volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults have been cleared through DBS checks
This has all been achieved thanks to generous donations of time, money and equipment froma large number of people; and a significant grant from Riseley Parish Council. These have ensured that we are financially viable and has demonstrated the success of the financial model adopted, which aims to cover costs in equal measure from hires; grants; and donations/fund-raising activities. During the year we have also established strong working relationships with other key organisations in the village, notably Riseley Parish Council, All Saints Church, The Village Hall and the Giddy Goat
There are many opportunities to develop the Hub to meet a wider range of community needs as resources, particularly input from volunteers, become available. These might include;
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e New regular groups/activities
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e Themed activities and competitions in Saturday at the Hub e.g. pool, Scalextric, chess
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e Afterschool or holiday clubs/activities for children
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e Hosting community training events and healthcare/wellbeing clinics
The Hub is now operating successfully. our aim is to ensure that it provides benefits for the whole community by increasing engagement with all the interest groups and families to sustain and grow this valuable asset
Keith Williams
Annual Accounts to 31st August 2023
£ £ Notes: Opening balance (01/09/2022) 883 Income Parish Council (RPC) grant 4.000 Donations 3,300 Hub hire 1,915 Bus Stop Cafe funding 500 (RPC £250; All Saints Church £250) Bank (goodwill gesture) 40 9,755 Expenditure Hub rent 4,250 Hub maintenance/equipment 1,556 Hub cleaning 252 Insurance 287 Bus Stop Cafe 408 (Hall hire £264; Food/games £144) DBS 292 (Bus Stop Cafe volunteers £86) 7,044 Closing balance — 31/08/2023 31/08/2023 3,594