LkoLI k¢(Lio lott- MMtH Tf)i3 BACKGROUND Newry and Armagh Caring for Victims (NACV) was established in February 2014 to provide support to victims of the Troubles, including ex-service personnel, in the Newry and Armagh area. The vision of the organisation is to ensure that all members are included and supported in society, with improved health outcomes and greater financial security for those who have suffered as a result of violence and conflict in Northern Ireland's recent past. NACV'S mi55ion is to provide a personalised, practical response to the need of individual victims, acting as a strong advocate on their behalf. NACV has three strategic objectives: To provide relevant educational, social and recreational activities. To continue the grovrth and development of the support to members. To ensure best practice is maintained in governance. The organisation not only seeks to deliver relevant and achievable support to members, but to ensure that they are at the heart of decision-making when services are devised. This value. as well as mutual respect and encouragement, rests at the core of all NACV undertakes. GENERAL 2022- 2023 was a much busier year for NACV. The organisation purchased premises in Markethill, namely the former Bingham House and associated buildings. This was a huge step forward for the group. It also meant many long hours by volunteers and community. The key element to Bingham House was the significant and poignant memorial wall located there. This was the main driver for the office holders of NACV in going after the purchase of the building, memorial wall and gardens. Bingham House needed urgent repairs and maintenance having been vacant for 12 years. Several funding stream5 were sought and delivered. This helped negate the large maintenance costs. In tandem with all of the maintenance work during 2022-23 NACV continued to deliver a huge programme of events and social gatherings. These included multiple coffee mornings, day trips, fundraisers, classes, social events, seasonal programmes and a first ever Remembrance service. All of these events were organised and staffed by volunteers. Aside from the large amount of internal fundraising NACV also sought external funding and were successful in obtaining grants toward essential running costs and maintenance. OUTCOME The NACV project continues to target those in the older age profile however many of the NACV events this year brought in a diverse range of age groups many of whom were keen to see the memorial wall for the first time. Those who are widowed and lonely and living in rural isolated areas continue to attend our events in large numbers. Many relate how particularly beneficial all of the events are. Loneliness continues to be a huge issue for people particularly in rural areas of ABC Council where older folk sometimes feel very vulnerable and isolated. Providing social interaction again this year was still very beneficial for all those who were in 8reat need in the area.
NACV request regular feedback by way of questionnaire and focus groups. These provide NACV with vital information for tailoring further events and functions for the members of NACV and their families and the wider community. This information is also used to support and corroborate funding applications. Owning our own building now has enabled NACV to release the function room to numerous other community and charitable groups around Markethill and beyond thus extending the benefits to a much wider cohort. Around 1000 people benefitted directly from the NACV volunteer events programme this year. Approximately 2000 Volunteer hours of work were delivered by the NACV Committee and others in running a very busy 2022-23 Programme of events and maintenance. CONCLUSION NACV continues to drive forward as a small but vibrant local charity- The volume of work undertaken by a small, mainly elderly group of volunteers, this year has been immense. The impact of the various events and trips for this group cannot be underestimated. As well as the cross-community value, these activities have significant social and health values for NACV members and event participants. All of the activities and outcomes referred to could not have been delivered without significant internal fundraising and good will on the part of the volunteers. Independently examined accounts have been provided, as requested by the Charity commission, for NACV. This Annual activity and progress report is provided and signed on behalf of the trustees of Newry and Armagh Caring for Victims {NACVI by: Mr Samuel Courtney BEM Mr Lavelle Mcllwrath Trustee Trustee 5/212024 5/2/2024