Chai rsons Re rt Dunl StTO rM2se mber 2023 Good evening everyone. You are all very welcome to our AGM. We especially welcome Damian McGuckian WI has very kindly offered to preside over the election of officers at our meeting tonight. This has been an extremely busy and successful year for Dunloy Stronger Together which is evidenced by the 2023 calendar of events that is attached to this report. However, these brilllant events are just the tip of the iceber8 with a massive amount of work in the background to make It all possible. Every single one of these events/activtties are in support of our mission statement which is "Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Community-. The major developments this year are that Dunloy Stronger Together (thereafter referred to as Dsn have formally taken over responsibility from 1° June 2023 for the running of the local playgroup which has been renamed as Dunloy Wraparound Club Ithereafter referred to as DWC). A new committee has been elected for DWC with a big in¢aSe in enrolments and extended opening hours from I" September 2023. None of thls would be possible without the drive, hardwork and passion of DST'S first full time employee Lauren Elliott who took up post on 1° April 2023. Lauren has been a key part of DST for a number of years but has now taken on the full-tlme roles of Events Manager for DST and Playgroup Manager and Playgroup leader for DWC and has been doing an incredible job over the last 6 months. Lauren recently singlehandedly secured over £20,OLXJ of funding for Dsf to support ongolng activities as well as completely refreshing all policies and procedures so that DWC is now fully regIsted wtth social seNices. DST are also blessed with a fantsstfc committee of dedicated volunteers and helpers. Maire Buckley has taken on the role of Vlce-chair of DWC this year as well as Victrchair of Dsf and dedicates a lot of time and effort in these roles. Jane McFerran is treasurer of DST and brilliantly keeps everybody up to speed on all things financlal throughout the year. Aine Mc Cullough as secretary of DST tsking minutes of all meetings and keeping everything running smoothly. Similarly DSfs other committee members Aldan Clifftird. Johanne Mc Michael and more rentlY Bemle Mcclean who are a great source of help, support and 8uidance throughout the year. It would be wrong here not to acknowledge Sharon Gault who was Instrumental earlier in 2023 In securing grant funding and running the health and well being project in January as well as the cross community youth project with Green Pastures. We wish Sharon every success in her new ventures as youth worker for the Education Authority. Similarly a huge thanks goes to Sardh Jane O'Donnell who has been part of our commtttee overthe last few years but is nowfocussing any of her spare time to establishing a new charity "Causeway Neurodiversity. to provide support for neurodiverse individuals and their families in the Causeway Coast area. What a fantastic and much needed charty!
ThTS year we have had massive support from local businesse& Wrthout this support DST ab501utely would not have been in a position to tsken on resFM)nsibility for the playgroup or to take on our first full-time employee. I hope I don't leave anyone out and if I do then I sincerely apologise. Fibrus, Maine Surface Finishing. Premier Electrics. DB Contracts, Creagh Concrete. Sean & Rosemary Cochrane's Charity have all made signfficant financial contributions alongside other contributors who have asked to remain anonymous. Your help and support has been criii(31 and is very much appreciated by all in the community. Flnally, the SucsS of DST and everything that we do ts a refiection of the brilliant community of Dunloy that we are blessed to live in and to serve. As I said eartier. our mission ststement is simple; "Healthy Minds. Healthy Bodies, Healthy Communtrf. We are passionate to provide whatever services we can to contlnue to support the people and the village of Dunloy and the surroundlng areas. The support we receive througlK>ut the year from the whole community helps to energise and motivate and encourage all involved to keep goin8 from strength to strength and expand the services and activities that we offer. Thank you all for being here tonight and for your support in my role as Chairperson. I will now hand over to Damian forthe election of officers for the new committee. Bobby Carlin Chairperson Dunloy Stronger Together Ih 28 September 2023