ULL4NS SPEAKERS ASSOGIATION inging Langua9e To Lile Annual Report 2022
CONTENTS
1. Chair’s Report
2. School Outreach
3. Fuse Fm Overview
4. Other Projects
5. Management and Community Training
6. Working with Others
1. Chair’s Report
2022 proved to be a challenging year for the Association, with covid19 continuing to impact a lot of the activities which we normally do.
We were fortunate to receive funding from a number of organisations including Co-Operation Ireland, Dept of Foreign Affairs, Causeway Coast and Glen Council and Children In Need during the year.
The radio station continued to perform well, and we have seen renewed volunteering taking place, while increasing our public benefits by focusing on community events and helping train more people alongside providing vital covid-19 information during the lockdown period.
Annual returns to Companies House, Of-com and the Charity Commission have been completed and the board continues to address funding as best we can to ensure that we move to a more secure future.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge the help and support of Mervyn Storey MLA and local Councillors during the year as they have been invaluable to our Association. I also wish to step down as Chairperson and wish my successor all the best.
Louise Morrow
2. School Outreach
These started on a reduced bases due to Covid-19 restrictions in September 2022 and we have been involved in a number of schools.
3. Fuse Fm Overview
FUSE FM Ballymoney has yet again had another successful year in broadcasting of the community radio station. The station continues to grow in volunteers, experience and listenership both across FM and via our online stream which allows listeners outside the Ballymoney broadcast to tune into the stations output.
During 2022 listeners have tuned into the station from as far as the US and Australia and we are planning on DAB broadcasting in the future with discussions already taking place, we are awaiting ofcom call for the area..
The radio station continued to provide vital community information.
VOLUNTEERS
One of the most important aspects of FUSE FM Ballymoney is our volunteers and we are continually looking and recruiting new volunteers to keep a full time radio station. The majority of the volunteers on the station are from within the broadcast area in line with our 'local requirement' as per OFCOM.
We also have 4 presenters within other parts of Northern Ireland' one of which travels weekly, the other providing a pre-recorded show. Several off peak shows are covered by pre-recorded material from various individuals around the UK.
Volunteers provide a range of roles including, but not exclusively presenting, admin, fundraising and social media just to name a few. Our volunteers are recruited on an equal opportunities basis with those from different religions, in and out of work, disabled and ages range currently from 18-70.
Over the course of 2022, we have welcomed 3 new work experience
students who have been given various broadcast and media training ranging from presenting, show production and audio editing. As well as work experience, we have had links with local schools who have used the medium of radio broadcast to promote their activities.
ON AIR
On average we continue to maintain a 'live' or 'as live' output of original material weekly from 9am - 5pm with a slightly reduced service at the weekend. A range of most types of music keeps the station fresh and provides a broadcast that attracts listeners from a range of age groups. Studio 2 has continued to increase our productivity in show production and in our OFF air training abilities.
Text messaging remains the main point of contact between the listeners and the studio, however, we do continue to build our social media output with local news, community event promotions and exclusive content output which has seen an increase in engagements over the year. Our website continues to attract visitors as this is the main way to listen online when listeners are outside the broadcast area. We have over 16000 followers and our social media continues to grow with excellent responses.
FINANCES
2022 made a very small loss, with all activities function and the loss was offset from previous profits. Accounts are provided for everyone to examine.
LOOKING AHEAD 2023
We continue our strategy of growth in the local radio.
We hope to continue to grow revenue and output as we examine moving to digital broadcasting once the licence becomes available in the local area. We continue to operate within government Covid19 rules and regulations.
Other Projects
a) Culture, Arts and Heritage Projects
This project was delivered via zoom and in person during the year and when allowed by one to one tuition.
b) Festival
We ran a successful Halloween Festival in 2022, numbers haven’t returned to pre pandemic but they were moving that way. . We also delivered Festival activities for other community groups in the area, helping to generate income into the organisation.
4. Management and Community Training
All training completed was done via zooms/teams as we had no face to face training. During the timeframe, Basic Hygiene was completed and First Aid at Work.
5. Working with Others
During the year, our organisation has worked with a large number of groups, the main ones are shown below :-
Community
Bann Valley Community Association Leaney Liaison Committee North Antrim Bands Forum Castle Community Association Kingdom of Dalriada Ulster-Scots Society Ballymoney United Football Club Evergreen Club U3A Compass Advocacy Network Ltd Limavady Residents Association
Organisations
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Limavady Community Development Initiative PSNI NIFRS Dept of Health Dept for Communities Dept of Infrastructure Dept of Economies Dept of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Dept of Foreign Affair Community Foundation NI Building Community Resource Centre North Antrim Community Network Causeway Museum Mid Antrim Museum Volunteer Now Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce