2024-03-31-annual-report - The Mae Murray Foundation

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Mae Murray Foundation Annual Report Creating ChLznge Together 2023-24 /r i)

Annual Report 2023-24 •1

Mae Murray Foundation

Welcome to our Annual Report – our 8th year of operations and a very busy year indeed!

Sharing our knowledge and members’ lived experiences has always been a key objective for Mae Murray Foundation in the hope that more inclusive environments can be created by others, as a result of our learning. 2023 was a monumental step towards that goal with the publication of two guides on building and sustaining inclusive environments. Our membership, as ever, was at the heart of this co-design and it was a proud moment to watch our Youth Panel launch ADAPT my Play at Stormont Parliament Buildings with confidence and flare. Special thanks to Alan Herron and the team at Playboard who have been working in partnership with us for several years on this project and whose vision to deliver on the right to play for every child knows no bounds.

Our ambition and ability to create change is only possible due to the dedication of our amazing but small staff team, our volunteers, board of directors, member committees, partners, and of course our fabulous funders and supporters. Thank you all for your combined efforts and for your belief in our vision of a society where everyone can take part and be recognised to be of equal and inseparable value.

Alix Crawford Chairperson

2023-24 Annual Report

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Background Information
8 staff Operating
(5 part-time, regionally
3 full-time), across
based in Larne Northern
Ireland
Over
40
80
sessional
volunteers
staff
working at
events
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We at Mae Murray Foundation are proud to be a lived-experience, membership led organisation which strives to make it possible for people of all ages and abilities to experience the world together, take part in activities and build friendships in environments which are genuinely inclusive.

We recognise one another to be of equal and inseparable value, regardless of physical or learning ability, sensory, medical or undiagnosed condition, age or caring role. We are particularly focused on making sure that people with more complex needs, whose requirements are often overlooked, are able to participate fully.

We run a comprehensive range of innovative and inclusive projects for children, teenagers and adults. Crucially, we draw on our members’ lived experiences to work together to design and implement permanent changes in everyday environments, like beaches and play parks, so that everyone can participate together.

Mae Murray Foundation

Vision, Mission and Values

Our vision at Mae Murray Foundation is to create an inclusive society with true participation for ALL in leisure and social settings, regardless of age or ability.

Our mission is to improve quality of life, through participation of all-abilities, together.

Our core values define, guide, and underpin our work.

We will always:

Listen

The voice of lived-experience leads our work and we support the rights of everyone, including those who are nonverbal, to be heard.

Include

We are committed to constantly learning, adapting and improving, to ensure we deliver true inclusion for all and to empower each individual’s potential.

Partner

We are committed to working in partnership with other organisations and stakeholders.

Influence

We strive to influence others and create fundamental change together.

Deliver

We aim to deliver sustainable solutions and best practice models for a better, inclusive, shared society.

2023-24 Annual Report

Participation, Opportunity and Resources

We support people of all ages and abilities to take part in social and leisure settings throughout Northern Ireland. Here are some of the highlights from the past year.

[5 Summer Schemes][ – 90 children ] attended independently.
[Teenage Kicks (age 13-19)][ – ] 24 events in which 65 young people took part.
[The Overs (a social group ] –
for young adults) 20 events in which 35 young adults took part.
[5 Inclusive Beaches][ – ] 2800 people participated during Summer 2023.
[Music and Drama Workshops][ – ] 24 events in which 40 families took part.
[Surfing][ – 2 locations where 200 people ] participated.
[Family Events ][– Over 1000 people were ] supported to take part in various outdoor activities in different locations.
[Early Years Powered Mobility ] 8 chairs were provided to young children.

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[Gym Programme][ – 24 sessions across 2 locations at which 20 adults ] got active.
[Resource Library][ – over 300 loans of equipment to members, to date.]

Mae Murray Foundation

Our members’ lived-experience is driving change

All Mae Murray Foundation projects are co-designed with members who share their lived experience to help develop solutions to the barriers they face.

Our Board of Directors is made up of 8 people with varied skillsets, the majority of whom have personal experience of being socially isolated or excluded due to disabling or unwelcoming environments. All members have the opportunity to provide feedback through surveys, focus groups and at our Annual General Meeting and we are especially focused on listening to children and young people. We are delighted that more than 40 members also volunteer their time on Advisory Committees to our Board and as part of our Youth Panel.

This collective effort, which resulted in the development of the ADAPT Framework last year, has now progressed to the publication of two important guides. ADAPT my Beach was launched in May 2023 and ADAPT my Play followed in March 2024.

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CCESS
accessible design
and development IGNITY Framework
facilities and
amenities for all
LL-ABILITY
resources for all abilities
ARTICIPATION
opportunities for
everyone to take part
RANSFORMATION
bringing about
long-term change
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2023-24 Annual Report

ADAPT my Beach is a guide and toolkit to support others throughout the UK and further afield to benefit from our learning and develop their own inclusive beach. We highlight the challenges and benefits we have faced in our journey with our beach operating partners and share our documentation and training resources. We are delighted to say the guide has already benefited organisations from England to Australia! The launch took place on East Strand Beach in Portrush.

ADAPT my Play , which was jointly produced by PlayboardNI, was launched at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. The aim of this guide and toolkit is to support play park providers in the development of genuinely inclusive play parks across Northern Ireland.

Mae Murray Foundation

Creating Change in the Community

Everyone has the right to participate in their own community. The UK ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009. Mae Murray Foundation, together with our partners, aim to progress these rights, creating long term solutions and creating change within communities. We are proud of what we have achieved so far.

1999

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2015
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2016
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2017

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2018
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2019
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Talia McDowell is born, the daughter of our chairperson and founder, Alix Crawford. Diagnosed with quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, both Talia and Alix found themselves socially excluded and isolated as a result of Talia’s complex needs.

Determined to make a difference to others facing the same barriers, Alix established Mae Murray Foundation in 2015,named after her late mother, Mae Murray, who embodied a positive, cando attitude and a passionate commitment to inclusivity.

Mae Murray Foundation embark on the first project; supporting 30 teenagers to enjoy a short break, many staying away from home for the first time.

First Inclusive Beach in Northern Ireland is launched, in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Mae Murray Foundation establish Water Safety Forum in partnership with RNLI, beach operators and water activity facilitators, to lead the way in water safety at Inclusive Beaches.

Cranfield Inclusive Beach launched in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Early Years Powered Mobility Loan Scheme introduced to Northern Ireland for the first time in partnership with Meru.

Mae Murray Foundation supports local councils – Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, to pilot the first council-led All-ability Summer Schemes, supporting children with complex needs to attend independently.

2023-24 Annual Report

2019

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2020
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2021
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2022
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2022

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2022
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2023
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2023

Wizzybug Loan Scheme introduced to Northern Ireland, an outdoor wheelchair loan scheme for infants.

Mae Murray Foundation lead the way in getting back to providing support throughout the pandemic, supporting other organisations to return to providing support safely.

Inclusive Beach in Groomsport is launched, in partnership with Ards and North Down Borough Council.

Let me Play is published in partnership with Playboard NI, a study to evidence unmet need in outdoor fixed play environments.

Play leaders, UK Play Safety Forum and Children’s Play Policy Forum, support Let me Play findings.

Ulster University, together with Mae Murray Foundation, take part in research programme Neurofit, a study which highlighted the need for wheelchair users to get active in a community gym.

Community Resource Service established in Newcastle in partnership with YMCA Greenhill.

Mae Murray Foundation supports 2 community-led Summer Schemes in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

2 new Inclusive Beaches created at Portrush East Strand in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Portstewart Strand in partnership with National Trust.

Collaborative PhD in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast commences.

ADAPT my Beach, a guide to create, sustain and improve an Inclusive Beach is launched.

2023 Mae Murray Foundation increases provision to support 4 Community-led Summer Schemes in Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

2023 Mae Murray Foundation Youth Panel launch their lived experience podcast.

2024 Mae Murray Foundation and Playboard NI launch ADAPT my Play.

Mae Murray Foundation

Financial Review

In this section, we provide a summary of principal funding sources, for the year ending March 2024. Everything we spend aligns with our mission, charitable objectives and strategic priorities for the period.

Income and Expenditure

Our total income for 2023/24 was £331,444. £185,006 of this was restricted funds, which means they are pre allocated for a specific project or purpose. Total expenditure for 2023/24 was £361,658. For further information, our full see accounts can be provided upon request.

Thank you to our Funders and Supporters

We are very grateful to all our funders. The support we have provided would not have been possible, but for the generosity of our funders over the past year. We would also like to thank our supporters and members who help in so many ways by raising funds, boosting awareness and volunteering their time to bring about change.

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Causeway Coast & Glens BC Hospital Saturday Fund AIB Bank Rank Foundation Garfield Western Foundation Public Health Agency The Community Foundation Northern Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council Ireland Lottery Community Fund BC & P Department of Health Northern Health and Social Care Trust Halifax

If you require this document in a different format, please get in touch.

For further information please contact Mae Murray Foundation

A charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100842. A company limited by guarantee. Registered with Companies House NI622302.