## **HARROGATE AND DISTRICT MENCAP SOCIETY** ## **Affiliated to:** ## **The Royal Mencap Society.** ## **Registered with the Charity Commissioners** **Under the Charities Act 1960** ## **Registration Number 234402** *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** **CHAIRPERSON Ms A McHugh VICE CHAIRPERSON Mr D Parker MANAGER Mrs E Newby HON SECRETARY Mrs M Gibson HON TREASURER Mr M Summers INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS Charles Best Limited** **A N N U A L R E P O R T** **For the twelve months ended 30[th] September 2024 The Society’s 68th Annual General Meeting held at Community House, 46-50 East Parade, Harrogate HG1 5RR on 28[th] November 2024.** ## **CHAIRMANS REPORT** ## Chair of Trustees Report 2024 Harrogate and District Mencap was registered as a charity in June 1964, its activities today only made possible through the commitment and dedication of volunteers for over six decades. These activities rely on the financial base established over the years. The Charity continues to run two leisure clubs, The Harrogate Gateway Club and The Harrogate Gateway Football Club. The Gateway Club is thriving, with an increased weekly attendance, and a full dance floor on a Monday night. Not every Monday is for dancing, some nights are themed evenings, Halloween being the most recent. The volunteers go all out with decorations and costumes, with many members also dressing for the occasion, and activities that all can join in. Thanks are due to our club leader, Michelle, and her team of volunteers for enabling such a vibrant club with a great atmosphere. The Gateway Club Christmas party and other festive activities are planned for December. The annual day trip to Blackpool for the Lights, and the annual summer holiday have continued, with Club members keen to be included. The success of the additional activities (including the Annual Holiday, Blackpool Trip, Christmas Events) are due to Michelle's diligence and planning, knowing the Club members well, so making the activities accessible and enjoyable for all, as well as volunteering her time for these activities. Joanne, the Club's Deputy Leader, has moved on to pastures new, but I'd like to acknowledge and thank her for her 20+ years commitment to the Gateway Club, first as a volunteer, then as Deputy Leader. . With no Deputy Leader in place at the moment, Club leader, Michelle, has been undertaking both roles, in addition to her increased workload due to rising attendance. We're very grateful she's been prepared to do this. The Gateway Football Club continues to attract new members, teams play in the West Riding Ability Counts league, as well as at regional tournaments. The Football Club will celebrate its 30th Anniversary next year and enjoys sponsorships from local businesses. Harrogate & District Mencap is an independent charity affiliated to the Royal Mencap Society, meaning we can draw on their services and expertise, such as when reviewing policy and procedures. Our Manager, Liz, ensures we meet our obligations to the Charity Commission, as well as liaising with other local Mencap groups running similar activities, drawing on their knowledge. At present, the position of Deputy Leader remains vacant. We've recently reviewed staff remuneration, aiming to offer competitive rates of pay in line with similar organisations, and will review employment contracts, as well as policies and procedures in the coming year. Neither of our leisure Clubs could operate without the support and dedication of all the volunteers, coaches and the club leaders, we are grateful for all they do. I'd also like to thank our Independent Examiners, Charles Best Ltd, for giving their time and expertise free of charge. Anne Mchugh ## **MANAGERS REPORT 2024** Harrogate & District Mencap Society continues to provide a safe environment for people with a learning disability to enjoy leisure activities. With interest rates on the societies funds increasing, we have been able to continue to offer a much-needed service in Harrogate and the surrounding area. With no liabilities or capital expenditure envisaged in the foreseeable future the Society remains financially secure. The Gateway club continues to meet on a Monday evening and numbers have increased dramatically which highlights that we are meeting the needs of many individuals both new and those who have been attending club for many years. This growth in attendance confirms that the society is focusing its efforts in the right area. My thanks go to Michelle & her team of volunteers who continue to provide this quality service. Sadly, we saw Joanne our longest serving deputy leader move on due to work and family commitments and my sincere thanks go to her. The football club as ever continues to go from strength to strength and my thanks go to Mark and his team for their continued enthusiasm. Once again, I feel we are providing a leisure provision which is needed and enjoyed. The new kit purchased this year will also ensure that our players are protected from the unpredictable weather, and they will look the part on the field. Next years is the club’s 30[th] anniversary and I am sure they will be celebrating in style. Once again, we have been able to support the Gateway Club with their annual holiday by funding the accommodation and also supporting the football club with a donation to purchase their new kit. We gratefully received two donations this year; one from a member who opted to donate their birthday funds as opposed to receiving gifts. The other from a charity who wished to support our work. We continue to be affiliated to Royal Society Mencap and take advantage of the insurance cover which they arrange tailored to our needs. We are now responsible for our own payroll scheme. The trustees continue to maximise the return on its capital and all statutory duties have been completed. E Newby Manager – Harrogate & District Mencap Society ## HARROGATE GATEWAY CLUB REPORT It seems like such a long time since I have reported on what we have been up to. The club was affected significantly by covid as most thing were and the numbers attending each week dropped off to as little as around 15 when we first started back. The venue change to the upper hall may have also contributed to this however I am thrilled to report that now the club is going from strength to strength, and we are seeing new faces through the door every couple of weeks. We have approximately 50 members in the club each week, many bring their support staff or family members meaning we have around 80 people which creates what can only be described as a booming atmosphere!! The wonderful work of my volunteer team continues each week, and I express my sincere thanks to them for this as I couldn’t run the club without them. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Joanne in June 2023 who had been my right-hand man or should I say woman volunteering for the club for over 22 years. Personal circumstances meant she could no longer commit to the role however she does still support the club as and when she can. I am still actively working with HADCA to recruit any new bodies however it is a difficult task. If anyone knows anyone who could spare a couple of hours on a Monday evening, please feel free to pass on my details. The traditions of the club have continued each year, our weekly disco and tuckshop, Valentines, Easter, Halloween themed evenings, End of Term BBQ, Christmas Meal, Panto Trip & Christmas Party, Annual Holiday this year was to Bridlington and this year we had record numbers with 7 caravans in total and the Blackpool trip which is coming up on 9th November!! ## Harrogate Gateway Football Club ## **Club Report – October 2024** I want to start by thanking the committee for agreeing to help fund new training kits for all our footballers and coaches. Not only did it mean that we could provide an affordable bundle for everyone, it meant that the three squads could look the part at training and matches, but more importantly had the appropriate gear to keep warm and dry during some pretty miserable match days. The bundle included a training top, shorts, socks, Tracksuit top and bottoms, beanie hat, thermal base layer and thick bench coat. All displaying the football club badge. Football training continues every week with an average of 30 members attending each week. We lost a few players over the Summer, with a two moving out of the area and two retiring, but we’ve also had six new recruits, four of which have move up from Killinghall Nomads Juniors Soccability section. June saw the conclusion of the West Riding Ability Counts League. We had three teams taking part in the league, which involved about 25 of our footballers. Local plumbing & heating engineer MJ Ryder provided new playing kits for our League 4 and 5 teams, so they certainly looked the part when running rings around the opposition. (Maybe a new kit might work for the League Two team! ) Jonn Lynn and Henry Westmoreland were selected was selected for the Mencap National 11-a-side football squad which took part in the Home Internationals in July. They were part of a fifteen-man squad, playing against Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Jersey. The event took place at Pontefract Collieries FC stadium between Fri 26 to Sun 28 July, with the squad staying at the Premier Inn near Castleford. Not quite Geneva, but everyone had a fantastic weekend of football representing their country at an international event. This was the third time that we organised the event. The team finished second in the main event on the Saturday, but went on to win the GB Cup on the Sunday, which was contested between England, Scotland, Wales and Jersey. Our end of season awards took place at the Travellers Rest (Crimple) which gave us the opportunity to look back over another busy year and recognise the achievements and successes of all our members. It was a great venue, fantastic food and good beer. Throw a few medals and trophies in, and it was always going to be a good night. The player of the year awards for each of our teams went to Ben Binstead (League Two), Clinton McIntosh (League Four), Maryam Clarke (League Five). 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