Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report
Charlty Number NIC100619
01 April 2023- 31 March 2024
Our Objectives as stated in the Constitution for Upper Bann a￿.
(i)
To advance the education of the public and in particular the education of
older people no longer in full time gainful employment in the Upper Bann area
and the surrounding localTty.
(li) To provide facilities for leisure time and recreational activities with the
objert of improving the conditions of life for the above persons in the interests
of their social welfare.
This Trustee Report reflects the prevlous year In our organisation and is an opportunity to
highlight our activities, to reflect on our achievements and any challenges we have faced as
an organisation in the pursuit of the above Objects. A copy of the constitution is appended.
In particular we will demonstrate:
How our organisation is managed
How our activities have met the public benefit requirement as a charity
What we have achieved throughout the year and what these achievements have
meant to our members
What challenges we have met
That our organisation is publicly accountable in terms of income and expenditure
History and Organisation Structure of U3A
The U3A originated in France where it was attached to a university. The UK model is different
to the French modes in that U3As are not attached to any university, though may be linked.
The Third Age Trust, based in London, is the National Representative body of the U3A and
provides advi￿ and assistance, subject advisors, workshops. summer schools and a magazine
to members five times a year. There are more than 1000 U3As in the United Kingdom, and
Upper Bann U3A is one of these.
Each U3A is organised by a voluntary committee, whith is elected by the members. and Upper
Bann U3A is organised and run in this way. The voluntary Management Committee and
Executive officers are elected annually at the Annual Generdl Meeting. Upper Bann is bound
by its constitution which, together with its Code of Conduct, Policy Documents and
Membership Application Form, are available on our website: upperbannu3a.com. As Upper
Bann U3A is a charity. its committee members are Trustees. Trustees monitor progress and
activity Within the groups, assist Group Leaders in carrying out their duties and organise
functions for the membership.
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Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report
Charity Number NIC100619
01 April 2023 - 31 March 2024
Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting, but can also be co-opted onto committee
by the eletted Trustees to ensure cohesive management of the organisation. The following
Trustees were elected or co-opted onto the committee of Upper Bann U3A at the AGM held
on the 15th of May 2023:
Alexandra Barr
Madeline Heaney
Heather Louden
Trevor Hutton
Arnold Hatch
Paddy Haughian
Audrey Carroll
Janet Wright
Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership
Group Co-ordirbator
Three new committee members were co-opted on the iith of March 2024 - Paula
McAlindan, Gillian Stevenson and Bryan McLaughlin.
In drawing up this report, the trustees of Upper Bann U3A have had regard to the document
entitled CCNI PBRI The Public Benefit Requirement. which outlines charitable purposes
and the public benefit resulting from these purposes.
As defined by our objectives laid out in our Constitution, Upper Bann U3A purposes fall under
three of the descriptions of charitable purposes in the Charities Act. The relevant charitable
purposes are:
2. The advancement of education
Our following Activity Groups fall within this purpose:
French, Spanish, Genealogyi Bridge, Book Club, Board Games, Chess, Poetry Appreciation,
Genealogy, and Photography.
4. The advancement of health
Our following Activity Groups fall within this purpose:
Walking groups, Cycling groups, Table Tennis, Yoga classes, Health and Well-Being Group.
the annual summer barbecue and Christmas lunch.
6. The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
Our following Activity Groups fall within this purpose:
Art, knitting, sewing, flower arranging, photography, talks at monthly Get-Togethers, twice
monthly Sing Along, poetry, monthly Luncheon Club, occasional Theatre and Cinema
Outlngs, occasional vlsits to Museums or Cycling Trips.
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Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report
Charity Number NIC100619
01 April 2023 - 31 March 2024
Our membership is open to all retlred or seml-retired people within the Upper Bann area, and
our members attend a variety of Activity Groups. These Activity Groups are delivered within
the framework of the objectives of the Upper Bann U3A and provide benefit to our members.
In carrylng out attivlties we make every effort to ensure that our activities are beneficial and
not hamiful.
Most benefits are felt dirertly by members, but some Indirett benefit is gained through
improvement in the health of the population. Any private benefit to individuals within the
organisation is incidental, such as an increased knowledge from participation in group
attivities.
The benefits can be demonstrated by our Facebook page outllning group activitles, reporting
at our AGM, and through our attendance registers taken at group meetings. Our Group
Activities Policy Documents demonstrate that benefits are intended to be delivered in a safe,
pleasant and supportive environment, so that everyone benefits from the activities, whilst
experiencing the companionship of other members.
These benefits are provlded within the framework of our organisation's principles..
The U3A Movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles:
Membership of a U3A is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a
particular age but by a period in life in which full-time employment has ceased.
Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the posltive attributes of
belonging to a U3A.
Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a U3A can do
so.
Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as
they desire; by the members, for the members.
No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment
being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.
There is no distinction between the learners and the teachers; they are all U3A
members.
Each U3A is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent but a member of
The Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the U3A
movement.
No payments are made to members for services rendered to any U3A. Each U3A is
self- funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as possible.
Outslde financial assistance should only be sought If It does not imperll the integrity
of the U3A movement.
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Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report
Charity Number NIC100619
01 Aprll 2023 - 31 March 2024
Upper Bann U3A fornied in 2009 with around 25 members. The founding groups were Walkingi
Bridge, Poetry, Art, Spanish, Monthly Get Togethers, and Luncheon Club, some of which stlll
endure.
When a member has an Interest or sklll that they wish to share they organlse an interest
group and invite other members to participate. The Committee help new groups if needed,
but many groups have evolved organically wlthout help. The key principle within the
organisation is that all members are equal. Activities are carried out by members for the
benefit of members. We come together in large and small groups for social interaction ar)d
learning. Many members join U3A because of a desire to learn a new skill, or to take more
exercise, but often become more involved as there Is great satisfaction In sharing knowledge
and skills with likeminded people. Group Leaders give their services voluntarily, and members
are only asked to Jointly cover any cost In renting the venue and any refreshments.
Occasionally a specialist speaker or tutor may be required, and we have adopted a policy to
cover the process of first seeklng unpald expertise withln the organlsation, followed by a
procedure for appointlng paid expertise which is paid for by the members of the group.
Bearing In mlnd the health and welfare of older people, Upper Bann U3A normally presents
an array of activities that are of benefit to its members. Upper Bann nomially has over 20
Attivity Groups, many of whlch would normally meet weekly, some meetlng twlce monthly or
monthly. We also have groups which meet on an ad-hoc basis. Group sizes vary widely from
over 60 to under 10, depending on the level of interest in the activity. Most groups are open
to all members, but some have to limit their numbers for safety reasons, such as yoga and
cling.
At 31 March 2024 there were 256 members in Upper Bann U3A, of which 187 were female
and 67 were male. 176 were individual members, 75 were joint members and 5 were associate
members. Upper Bann uses the Beacon Adminlstration System to contact all members who
have access to email. Those who do not are contacted by telephone or letter. Upper Bann also
has its own website and a Facebook page, advlsing on upcoming activities and outlngs.
Over tlme, the way our groups are led and managed has changed and adapted. A number of
models has evolved, such as sharing the role of Group Leader democratically from one
meeting to the next, or managing a large group with a committee. Both these models
demonstrate the collaborative nature of U3A groups, and how members can leam to take on
new roles within the organisation. Members can benefit from the opportunity to partiapate not
only in the group artivity, but from taking on a leadership or management role within the group.
Where monies are collected for room hlre, refreshments and expenses it is also good practice
to share the accounting within the group. In some groups members have gained sufficient
skllls to be able to pass these on to others, so that learners have become educators.
Upper Bann U3A does not own any premises so therefore rents out local venues, where
necessary, for some of the activitles. The majority of these come under the auspices of
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. The Hub Community Centre is used
for classes in Yoga, French, Poetry and monthly Get-togethers. Portadown Golf Club is the
venue for Bridge and Sing Along. The Jethro Centre, Lurgan is also used for occasional classes.
Our organlsation address is therefore the home address of the serving secretary.
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Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report
Charlty Number NIC100619
01 April 2023- 31 March 2024
The maln challenges faced by the Upper Bann U3A are:
Encouraging members to tske the lead in group actlvltles and to serve on the
Commlttee as Trustees.
Supporting Interest Groups
Recrulting and retalning members
Thls year we have been fortunate In that we have had three volunteers who were wllling to
be co-opted onto the Commlttee and who wlll hopefully be elected In the May AGM. The
Committee also made the decislon to appolnt Audrey Carroll as Group Co-ordlnator. Her role
is to asslst in the start up of new groups, support and advise groups as and when required
and improve communication between groups and the Committee. Group leaders are also
supported through an annual lunch as a way of thanklng them for their contribution but also
allows Information sharlng and exchange of Ideas.
The Committee believes It is important to hold two events In the year which encourages as
many members as possible to attend. A summer BBQ and quiz was held locally in
Tannaghmore Gardens In July 2023 with over 80 people attendlng and Chrlstmas lunch was
also well attended In Lurgan Golf Club in December 2023.
Encouraging recruitment is an issue that the Third Age Trust is currently undertaking and the
Upper Bann U3A is looking at ways that that we might be able to increase our membership.
The Trustees have continued to have face-to-face commlttee meetings in the Brownlow Hub
and Monthly Get Togethers for members are held in the Brownlow Hub. In the past year
topics included Financial Plannlng, Dance, a musical presentation by the Sing Along Group,
Table Tennls.
Several new groups were started these Included Cyclingi Art, Sewlng and Photography.
Several other groups, Tai Chi and Golf are currently at the planning stage.
We have continued to monitor the NIDlrect and Thlrd Age Trust guidellnes to provide advice
our groups and group leaders.
Upper Bann's U3A source of income is the annual membershlp fee paid by each member, whlch
is collected in March for the following year, commencing on 1st April 2022. Upper Bann
members paid £12 membership fees. £8.44 of this is forwarded to the Third Age Trust. The
Trust provides insurance, the Thlrd Age Matters magazlne and any help and assistance as
required, Including natlonal tralnlng workshops. Other expendItU￿ relates to expenses
Incurred in managlng Upper Bann and In organlslng events whlch a￿ open to the full
membershlp, such as monthly Get-Togethers and the summer barbecue and Qulz. Each U3A
activity group Is responslble for Independently ralslng sufflclent funds to carry out Its own
activities, and these funds are levied from the group members.
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Upper Bann U3A Trustee Report
Charlty NuM￿r NIC100619
01 Aprll 2023 - 31 March 2024
In 2023, Paddy Haughlan, group leader for the Monday walking group and the Wednesday and
Friday tour groups was successful in a bid to the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council.
A grant of £IOOO was obtained and this was used to fund an outlng to Malahide for interested
members from the above three groups.
A statement of Income, Expenditure, Assets and Liabilities is attached. No funds held by Upper
Bann U3A are materially in deficit.
Alexandra Barr
Chair Upper Bann u3A
Signed:
Dated:
/s
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