CARLISLE HALL PLAYGROUP C.ARRICKFF.RGUS CARLISLE HALL PLAYGROUP CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NIC100137 TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT ST ST FOR THE PERIOD I JANUARY 2022- 31 DECEMBER 2022 Carlisle Hall Pre-school Playgroup (Carlisle Hall Playgroup) is based at Carlisle Hall, Downshire Presbyterian Church, Victoria Road, Carrickfergus. Governed by our Constitution, we are community based and self-funding with a parent Management Committee who are the Trustees of the Charity. The Trustees during the reporting period were: Lauren Rea; Lesley Burnside: Teresa Connor; Lucy Dougan; Louise Craig; Kathryn Wilson- Stewart; Lauren Keith; Cathy Black. Throughout the year the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charit$ purposes and provided a benefrt to the beneficiaries. The Charitvs purpose is to provide a safe and satisfying way of learning through play for 3-5- year-old pre-school children In the area (the beneficiarles), without regard to the rellgious affiliation or other bellefs of the families concerned. The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include the preparation of each child for Nursery / Primary Education through mastering the basic ski115 of expression, communication, problem solving and the ability to relate to other children and adults. These benefrts are evidenced through feedback provided to the parents by the Leader for each child throughout the year. An annual inspection is carried out by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, which requests feedback from parents and this forms part of the report. A private benefrt to Trustees may arise occasionally through attendance at training for management committees, including finance. Through this training Trustees may gain skills and experience which are transferable to other settings. These benefits are incidental and necessary to the provision of the benefrt to our beneficiaries. Throughout the year at each session, the playgroup normally provides activities through which the children can learn through play: table top and floor toys. paintin& art & craft; water playi play dough; physical play {e.g. climbin& trikes}; house corner (role play); books and storytelling,. music. song and rhymes. These activities improve each child's abilities over the course of the
year - hand/eye co-ordination, talkin& listenin& concentration. muscle development, agility and stren8th. The children raised a little money for Children in Need by having a Pyjama Party in November. The management committee {Trustees} normally holds fund-raising activities throughout the year to support the finances required to keep the Playgroup running smoothly and to ensure sufficient funds are in place for the upkeep and replacement of equipment. We were unable to hold a Christmas "concert, and were able to have parents and families attendin8. We were also able to hold a sponsored Trike ride. The parents were extremely supportive of the Playgroup, the staff and our fundraising efforts and the Trustees are very appreciative. The total raised from fundraising was £809, including commission of £128 from Whitehall Studios Photography. The Trustees are grateful for the Sustainability Grant, which helped enable the Playgroup to continue. The Trustees would like to thank the staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. The Trustees would also Ilke to thank the committee of Downshire Presbyterian Church for the use of their premises at Carlisle Hall and for their support throughout the year. Teresa Connor Hon. Treasurer th 20 October 2023