## _Ligoniel Family Centre_ # Annual Report 2024 ## **LIGONIEL FAMILY CENTRE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES** The aim of the Centre is: to improve the quality of life for families in the local area by providing a setting where families can enjoy the opportunity of social exchange, help with support and guidance with their everyday lives. To tackle social fabric, enhance capacities for community development and provide a range of health and social service programs responsive to local need. ## **CHAIRPERSON** I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers that have helped the Ligoniel Family Centre and thank them for the dedication that they have given to this community over the past year. The Centre has been a lifeline for many, we have offered help, support and guidance to all people within this community and I have witnessed what a small organisation can achieve and the huge impact on the people within our community that need us the most. ## Marie Corbett ## **CO-ORDINATOR** This past year we have developed more structured networking between local groups in attempts to address the needs of the people within this community here are some details of what’s going on and our plans for the future. ## **Staff:** No Change in staff this year. At present the paid staff are Catherine Rock - Co-ordinator. Emma Rock - Childcare Leader and Nicola Monaghan - Childcare Supervisor. ## **Funding** We have received Pathway’s funding, and this brought us through to March 2024 and another application for 2025 has been submitted. An application has been sent to Belfast City Council to continue our revenue funding that will run out on 31[st] March 2025. ## **Forward Planning and Budgets** Please see Management Accounts and Forward Budget. ## **Policies** / **Training** All policies and procedures are up to date. Training has been booked through the childcare partnership and is up to date. ## **Accounts** Completed and enclosed. ## **Irish Classes** Still running strong with participants at all stages of learning. Many thanks to Davie Gorman (BA Hons) our Irish teacher. ## **Advice Clinic** The Advice Clinic resumed on Mondays and will continue with the help of local councillor Ryan Murphy. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the people who are involved in the Ligoniel Family Centre, management committee, users, staff, volunteers, and funders. Catherine Rock ## **Training** - Governance & Leadership Training. - Designated officer. - Child Protection. - Health & Safety. - Food Safety - Pediatric First aid. Training has helped us with new knowledge and understanding of the environment in which we work, the job we do and how we can do it better. Regularly updating and continuous training is incredibly important within our Centre and should never be overlooked. Staff attend regular training sessions to meet existing and new requirements. We need to continuously refresh our training and skills to ensure good practice is achieved and demonstrated. Good quality training has helped our staff develop, staff are more confident, their morale is boosted, and they are more likely to want to introduce new ideas and concepts within the setting after they have received training. Overall, I feel training has helped to enhance the service, care and education that we provide to children and their families within our setting. ## Catherine Rock ## **Childcare Leader** The provision and high-quality childcare facilities for children ages 2-4 by the Ligoniel Family Centre has become an essential part of community life for parents in the area. We believe passionately that each child with differing needs and interests should be loved and supported as they grow. We know that children will thrive best in their learning if they feel emotionally secure, so we work extremely hard to promote warm friendships with other staff, children and parents and to offer plenty of creative opportunities. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff, volunteers, parents, community groups and funders that make our project possible. ## Emma Rock ## Ligoniel Family Centre Summer Scheme 2024 ## **Monday 19[th] August 2024 STORMONT PARK** Bus Leaving Centre at 10.00 am Drop Off at Centre at 2.00 pm. Your Child Will Need to Bring a Packed Lunch ## **Tuesday 20[th] August 2024 ARK OPEN FARM** Bus leaving Centre at 10.00 am. Drop Off at Centre at 2.00 pm. Your Child Will Need to Bring a Packed Lunch ## **Wednesday 21[st] August 2024 BELFAST ZOO** Arrive at Centre at 10.00 am. Leave Centre at 2.00 pm Your Child Will Need to Bring a Packed Lunch ## **Thursday 22[nd] August 2024 ULSTER FOLK MUSEUM** Bus leaving Centre at 10.00 am. Drop Off at Centre at 2.00 pm. Your Child Will Need to Bring a Packed Lunch ## **Friday 23[rd] August 2024** **NEWCASTLE** Family Day Out Bus Leaving Centre at 10.00 am Drop Off at Centre at 6.00 pm **Your Child Can Only Attend This Event, if a Parent or Guardian accompanies them.** ## Irish Classes ## Would you like to learn to speak Irish? Ligoniel Family Centre will be running Irish classes every Wednesday evening. Our Teacher Mr. David Gorman (BA Hons) will be teaching the class each week. 6pm to 9pm. If you would like to find out more or register, please WhatsApp or text on 07976172846 or 07926622258 # _**Ligoniel Family Centre would like to thank the following funders for their help and support throughout the year.**_ _Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Childcare Partnership Belfast City Council Revenue Belfast City Council Community Development Belfast City Council Small Grants Pathways Fund._ ## **Program For September 2024** ## **Daycare** Monday to Thursday 8.00am to 2.00pm ## **Advice Clinic** Monday 2.00pm to 5.00pm ## **Irish Classes** Wednesday from 6.00pm to 9.00pm ## **Drop in** Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 2.00pm ## **Job club** Fridays 9.00am to 5.00pm ## **Summer Scheme** August 2024 **If you are interested in any of our programs, please contact the office on 02890 721008**