ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24
Ballee Community Association
Ballee Community Tel: 028 2563 1350 Centre, Ballee Drive. BT42 3EX
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024
The Committee of Ballee Community Association present their Annual Report for the year 2023-24 and Accounts for the year 01.04.23 to 31.03.2024 and confirm that they comply with requirements of The Charities Commission for Northern Ireland.
This report has been prepared in line with the Objectives and Constitution of the Association by the Committee with the assistance of Ballymena South Cluster.
Registered Association Address: Ballee Community Centre
3 Ballee Way Ballymena BT42 3EX
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MEMBERS 2023 – 24
Committee Office Bearers
List of Committee Members
Stephen Johnston (Victory Praise) Leann Graham
Chairperson – Stephen Johnston Secretary – Leann Graham Treasurer – Iris Smyth
Iris Smyth
Margaret McKeown Diane Young Maureen Waring Joyce McKeown Lorraine Graham Cllr. Elizabeth Adger (MEABC) Richard Hastings (Green Pastures)
Professional Advisors
Bankers Ulster Bank
Insurance Brokers AJ Gallagher
Support Services:
Ballymena South Community Cluster Ballee Community Centre, Ballymena,
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OUR OBJECTIVES
Ballee Community Association is an Unincorporated Association governed by an adopted Constitution. Application has been successfully made to the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland and is now recognised as a Charity.
Charity Registration Number: NIC100100 Charity Name: Ballee Community Association
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CHAIRMANS SUMMARY
Strategic Highlights (April 2023 – March 2024)
With the prospect of covid lockdowns well and truly behind us, once again this past year, continued to see a further increase in activity within the Ballee Community Association.
This was reflected in Ballee over-60’s Club - now renamed Recycled Teenagers. It is encouraging to see numbers jumping up from around 24 to approximately 32 attending the Wednesday lunches each week. During the year, the club has been entertained with live-music, bingo, quizzes, crosswords, and armchair-aerobics amongst various other activities.
They enjoyed various day trips, one trip included joining with Blue Box Community Group arranged by Triangle Housing Association when they attended Christmas Craft Fair.
The club has also been able to secure £20,000 funding over the next 2 years from The National Lottery Community Fund, which will include the continuation of lunches along with 4 day-trips per year. We want to acknowledge Diane Young’s contribution to the club in preparing and serving the 2-course lunch every week. Not forgetting to mention Billy and Pearl McDowell for their fundraising activities. And also Audrey Price and Maureen Waring for their “find the joker” initiative which has also brought further funds.
Hall Booking for the Community Centre has been steady with Line Dancing and Zumba Groups booked all year round on Tuesday evenings. Many thanks goes to Alex Stewart in her administrative role and particularly her flare for poster creation which has attracted other user to hire the community building.
The committee continues to support Ballee Community Childcare, with Kim Rodgers as the Manager in Charge. The childcare has full attendance rates with 33 attending preschool and 42 attending pre-preschool. The outdoor equipment project funding was awarded and has been purchased but they are waiting for the completion of the planned canopy upon the resolution of the planning permission issue. Activities throughout the year included a Sportsday, a Funday
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with bouncy castle, the Annual Christmas Party and Graduation. Kim is supported by her team of hardworking and dedicated staff which contribute to the success of the school.
This year, saw Karen Brownlow started in her role as Ballymena South Cluster Community Development Officer, and we thank her for the support she has provided and particular with funding application in many other areas.
With the association being part of Ballee and Harryville Community Enterprises, and with the Wind Turbine project sale completed, the Community Association will soon be able to apply for grants to assist with various projects.
We also appreciate the valuable input and support of Alderman Beth Adger as our local councilor on the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Also bearing in mind, our Honorary President, Margaret McKeown, who is unable to attend the meetings.
Finally, it has been my privilege to serve as Chairperson of the Committee. I would like to thank all the committee members for all their work on the various aspects of the Association, and particularly the Office Bearers. To Leann Graham for her invaluable assistance and to Iris Smyth for the many ways that she serves, which have not gone unnoticed, are very much appreciated – thank you again.
Stephen Johnston Chairperson
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REPORT ON ACTIVITIES
Luncheon Club
The Luncheon Club has attracted a few new members this year and each week up to 32 older people are supported with a hot meal and an activity. During the past year the Club has received talks from MEAPP and PSNI as well as several wellbeing based sessions such as Mindful Movement and another visit from Wee Critters.
Community Centre
Ballee Community Centre has been utlised for the Ballee 60+ Club, Linedancing classes, and training sessions. Later in the year the Committee has also taken over full control of the running of the Community Centre with a yearly stipend of £10,000 to pay for cleaning hours and supplies.
Childcare Centre
Ballee Community Childcare has continued to deliver first class childcare services to the community. The Pre-preschool and Pre-School continue to have healthy waiting lists and K. Rodgers continues to run the childcare centre smoothly and efficiently.
Ballee and Harryville Community Enterprises
The letting of the workspace units (beside the Childcare Centre) continue to generate much needed revenue for the community. Currently the units are at 100% capacity.
Ballee Community Association