Chairman’s Report – 2023
We held 10 meetings in total this year with no meetings held in April (Children’s Centre Staff training day) and December.
During 2023 we have been trying to find new Trustees to replace those that resigned recently. We are hopeful that Christine Cooper will become a Trustee in the near future. If she does agree to become a Trustee, then that would leave us with one further vacancy.
Our Treasurer, will report on the income and expenditure in detail, in her annual report, but it is particularly pleasing to note that donations from individuals in our community, Lions Clubs, the local Labour Party, and local businesses made up a substantial part of our income during the last year.
The ongoing use of our Priority List, which is compiled and monitored by the Secretary, has proven to be a useful tool to keep us focussed on projects and their progress, which have been identified by the Children’s Centre, and agreed by the Trustees.
One of our big successes last year was the Toy Library, which is now up and running, thanks to the award of a grant from the St George Martin Trust, and the implementation by Trustees and Children’s Centre staff. Feedback received from the users of the Library is very positive, and use of this facility is increasing.
Another success was as the development of outdoor space, and internal decoration at Queensway School. This project has been under discussion for some time but, was put on hold due to political and funding issues. However, with all that behind us, the project has now been completed and will greatly enhance the facilities for the benefit of the children in our area. Funding for this project was mainly through a donation from the family of Mary Binks, and the garden will be named the ‘Mary’s Garden’ in her memory.
Once again, we funded a holiday for a needy family at Primrose Valley near Filey. This was organised through the Mother’s Union who have a caravan there, and paid for by funding provided by Otley Lions Club (in 2022) specifically for the purpose.
We also contributed to trips organised by the Children’s Centre which included a summer coach trip to the coast, and a visit to Gulliver’s World during the Christmas period.
We paid for a member of the Children’s Centre staff to undertake a training course in Jabadao, which is physical development and wellbeing process achieved through play.
The Family Emergency Support Fund, has now been running for a couple of years and it was used in the past year for some very specific needs in our community. This will be an ongoing fund that will remain on a permanent basis
A large project that is currently being developed to fund a Trauma Play Therapist. The Childrens Centre staff have been working on the Project brief, and next year we will hopefully investigate potential funding sources which will enable us to implement it.
A.C.T.I.O.N. now has a Facebook account thanks to the efforts of Jess Ward of the Children’s Centre who set it all up for us. Three of the Trustees have taken on responsibility for maintaining it.
Many of the larger charities are no longer accepting bids for grants, and although we have been successful with smaller grants, we need to look into ways of increasing our income. We have therefore started a ‘Friends of A.C.T.I.O.N.’ project which is due to be implemented in the near future. The project involves local businesses and individuals being asked to make donations to the charity. In conjunction with this project, we have also registered for Gift Aid, which could mean that individual donations to the charity could be increased significantly if the donor gives permission for gift aid.
Thanks are due to those who did contribute to our funding 2023. Contributions to projects and our links with Aireborough Rotary Club and the Guisley Community Foundation are also appreciated
Thanks, are again due to:-
David Ball and the staff of Community Matters for their help and general support to our group.
The staff of Aireborough Children’s Centre for their continued support, input, and help.
The Trustees of ACTION without whom, none of our activities would happen.
R I Banks Chairman
A.C.T.I.O.N. (Aireborough Children’s Trust In Our Neighbourhood)
Financial Year 12/12/22 - 11/12/23
Income 2023
Opening balance £ 3,032.67 Guiseley Community 20 Jan 2023 £ 250.00 George Martin Trust 21 Mar 2023 £ 1,250.00 TK Maxx donation 21 Aug 2023 £ 500.00 Guiseley Labour Party 7 Sep 2023 £ 261.67 Jonathan Mcgregor donation £ 2,100.00 Total £ 7,394.34 Income
Expenditure 2023
| chq | 055 | family support | £ 350.00 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| chq | 056 | Toy library resources | £ 937.66 | |
| chq | 057 | MU Caravan hol | £ 500.00 | |
| chq | 058 | Toy lib pay to BBanks | £ 373.02 | |
| chq | 059 | missing to cancel | £ - | |
| chq | 060 | Skip emergency fund | £ 175.00 | |
| Total | £ 2,335.68 | |||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Balance | £ 5,058.66 |