Crossings Community Group Annual Report
From : 01/01/22 To: 31/12/23
Reference and Administration Information
Charity name : Crossings Community Group
Charity Registration Numbe r: 1187739
Principal address : 139 Durham Place, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, DH3 2AJ
Foundation Constitution registered with the Charity Commission 4 February 2020
Registered Charity Number 1887739. CIO.
Organizational Structure
The Board consists of a chair, secretary and treasurer, plus three other trustees who are responsible for the management of the charity. The Chair liaises between the trustees, paid staff (who are responsible to the Board) and volunteers. The board meets approximately 6 times a year, usually bi-monthly, to make decisions regarding management and future strategies.
The chair is elected at the AGM, and chair for a period of five years. Secretary and Treasurer are elected or co-opted at a committee meeting. Trustees are elected for a period of three years. At present, they have been recruited from our members and attend sessions on a regular basis. We are currently advertising for additional and trustees with specific skills to compliment the Board.
Names of the Trustees who manage the charity
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Isabelle Okongwu Scicluna [Chair]
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Rosemary Louise Wellington
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James Robertson
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Jade Dinsdale
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Kemi Ahmed
Crossings Community Group : Purpose is to bring together immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and local people together. To develop a sense of community through creative activities. To give creative people the opportunity to work with displaced people. To make creative arts and music to share the stories of individuals to enhance understanding and involvement in the community. Crossings Community Group provides opportunities for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers to interrelate into the communities in which they live. We use music, song writing and team activities to build relationships within the group and with the wider
community of the Newcastle and Gateshead area. We aim to improve relationships and understanding through shared positive experiences.
Activities
Crossings Community Group delivers weekly drop-in music sessions where participants can learn a variety of instruments, from guitar to drumming, keyboard to violin, as well as participate in our choir. Our tutors facilitate both adults and children's sessions, as well as providing space for children to play whilst parents or carers are participating in the sessions. As many of our members are on low incomes, attendance is free, instruments provided and travel expenses to a certain level are refunded. We also provide light refreshments.
Positive and Creative Learning Experience : The cross-cultural language of music promotes genuine engagement between tutors, participants, and volunteers. The exchange of multicultural song and music happens across the sessions in spontaneous ways leading to a welcoming and interesting environment. Public performances within the wider community are a way of showcasing the different cultures of our membership and support the integration of displaced people into the local community. We do not put pressure on members to perform or sit music exams but support their wellbeing by providing a creative output and community environment.
Main Venues and Volunteers: The Comfrey Project in Gateshead and Brunswick Methodist Church in Newcastle. Members are always keen to support the sessions in an informal manner, from preparing refreshments, supervising young children, or helping clear up at the end of an evening.
Financial review – Income and Expenditure:
The gross income was £29,239 comprising £29,239 Grant income, £0 donations. From this Budget £21,664 was used for paying our tutors, project coordinator, and playworker. Project costs were £2,477 and other costs £5,098.
Principal funding sources: Grants are our principal source of income. The principal funder for this financial period was The People’s Health Trust , and the Community Fund both which recognises and acknowledges the benefits of our project for improving the mental and emotional health of our participants.
At the end of the financial period 31.12.23 we had a restricted reserve of £6,134. This money is restricted as the funding grants we have been given are to cover specific costs outlined in the funding application and as such can only be spent in the manner stated.
Declaration: The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity trustees by
Oluwakemi Ahmed Trustee