Sunnylands Youth Centre Hawthorne Avenue Carrickfergus BT38 8ED
www.carrickjuniorgateway.org.uk www.facebook.com/CarrickJuniorGateway
Carrickfergus Junior Gateway
Trustee’s report: 1[st] January 2018 – 31[st] December 2018
Queens Award for Voluntary Service
On Sunday 29th July 2018 Carrickfergus Junior Gateway was presented with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service by Joan Christie CVO OBE, Her Majesty's LordLieutenant for the County of Antrim in a ceremony that included both the Mayor Lindsay Millar and Deputy Mayor Cheryl Johnston held at Carrickfergus Castle.
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK and acknowledges the work that the volunteers provide in their local community. The award consists of a certificate signed by Her Majesty The Queen and a domed glass crystal etched with the year the award was presented.
On receiving the award Jackie Pollock, Chairperson, said that receiving the award brought external validation to the work carried out by the charity. “Being completely voluntary we could not support our members if it was not for our fantastic leaders who give up their time week after week. Our members’ families provide tremendous encouragement and support to us but having received this external validation is incredible and honours the work that goes into making the group successful”.
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100493
Summary of Activities and Achievements
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Awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service to honour the work our volunteers carry out for the local community
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Spoke at Inclusion International’s conference in Birmingham on using technology to make your voice heard
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Volunteer residential covering club identity, learning disability awareness, Makaton and safeguarding
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Public transport trip to Belfast restaurant celebrating Chinese New Year
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Multi club pool competition with representation from across Northern Ireland
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Walked in Learning Disability Pride
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Walked in Belfast Pride Parade
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Christmas dinners for both volunteers and members
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Various member led activities within our centre allowing for peer relationships to develop and self-confidence to be increased.
Public Benefit Statement
The purposes of the charity are to support young people with learning disabilities to grow in confidence and provide respite to their families through the provision of social activities. We believe that the programme of activities carried out this year satisfies these purposes catering for a wide range of interests and providing much needed support for families. Our private benefit to volunteers to increase their skills to support our volunteers has also been met through various training courses and a residential weekend and has been reflected in increased support for our beneficiaries.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries
Financial Review
Our financial outlook is a stable one with one off events such the celebration event for the Queen’s Award contributing to a small deficit within the overall accounts. Fundraising within the local community and online remains healthy and the support of Carrickfergus Mencap is invaluable to the continuing success of the charity. The charity has no debt or depreciating assets and retains a reserve of six months expenditure.
Charity Trustees and methods of appointment
Trustees are appointed at an annual AGM that takes place around June every year. The Trustees for 2018 are as follows:
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Mrs Julie Stirling
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Miss Jackie Pollock
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Lauren Sherwood-Bowes
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Mr Jonny Sherwood-Bowes
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100493
Charity Constitution and Governing Document
The charity is affiliated with the Royal Mencap Society and is registered with the Education Authority. The charities governing document is its constitution which was last revised in 2014.
Charity Purposes
The objects of the Club are: a) The relief of people with a learning disability in particular by the provision of help and support for them and for their families, dependants and carers, and to prevent learning disabilities for the public benefit; and b) To provide or assist in the provision of facilities for the recreation or other leisure time occupation for people who have need thereof by reason of learning disability with the object of improving their conditions of life. "learning disability" means any developmental disability of the mind and any associated condition howsoever caused and whether mild, moderate or severe.
Signed for and on behalf of the Trustees:
Jackie Pollock (Chairperson)
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100493