Trustees’ Report for Friends of Harberton
Address: Harberton Park, Belfast, BT9 6TX Northern Ireland Charity Number:100215
Report for the year 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025
Friends of Harberton was set up to support pupils of Harberton Special School aged3 - 19. It is our aim to advance the education ofthe pupils in Harberton School and Outreach Services and in particular to:
i) Provide appropriate play, education, and care facilities for children of primary school age with special educational needs who attend Harberton School and Outreach Services. ii) Provide and assist in the provision of services for children of primary and post primary school age with special educational needs who attend Harberton School and Outreach Services, that enables the development of skills in communication, reasoning, aesthetic appreciation, and environmental awareness. iii) Provide and assist in the provision of[facilities][in][ the][interests][of][ education,][social] welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the quality of life for the parents and their children with special educational needs who . attend Harberton School and Outreach Services. iv) Promote all or any purposes for the benefit of the children with special educational needs in the area of benefit, which now or hereafter may be deemed by law to be charitable under the law of Northern Ireland.
The committee believe that the fundraising efforts and the contribution made to Harberton Special School by Friends ofHarberton have met all these objectives.
Friends of Harberton is governed by a constitution, formally registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 28 May 2014. The constitution follows the Model Constitution for charities in Northern Ireland adopted on 29% February 2024.
Total fundraising in 2024-25 amounted to £83,567.06. This included a project to renovate the shared playground with Taughmonagh Primary School, funded by
Kingsbridge Community Grant, and a complete refurbishment of Harberton South’s sensory room, supported by The Wooden Spoon charity. The Fence Club provided funds to pay for a school trip to the Christmas panto and we received approximately £18,000 from private fundraising and events in school.
Following our widely publicised fundraising Project Playground campaign in 2024, the Education Authority stepped in and provided much needed funds to renovate the playground spaces in Harberton South. It was agreed to use some of our Project Playground money to purchase two Cubbies, one for each campus. These are smart ~ sensory pods which allow our children to regulate their emotions and offer an alternative space to outside play spaces. The Cubbie can provide either a stimulating or calming environment, based on the child’s needs. They have been an invaluable addition to each campus. . .
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General funds supported smaller purchases including selection boxes and Easter eggs for the children, attention autism and ICT packs, digital keyboard for the school pianist, expenses relating to the school therapy dogs, school mini bus running costs, Colour run, and endofyear party, along with adhoc requests from staff across both campuses.
Total expenditure in the year amounted to £99,514.44,
The committee have reviewed the financial position of Friends of Harberton and are satisfied with the current position going forward into the year 2024-25. There were no material deficits or shortfalls in any account held by Friends of Harberton.
Trustees Rosemary Mack Aine McGrath Leeann Matchett (Chairman) Venkata Velpuri Cliodhna Kernohan
Signed: LQ Q2An A PAARL EN
Dated: 16 December 2025