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@atewoyBALLYMENA
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Annual Report of the trustees for the year ending 31 December 2018
For Ballymena and District Gateway Club
Charity Number NIC 101052
Address:
Broughshane Community Centre
1a Knockan Road
Broughshane
Ballymena BT42 4JY
Club Aims and Objectives
Ballymena and District Gateway Club is run entirely by volunteers and has been established for over forty years. We are a valuable social club open to adult members of our community who have learning disabilities. We currently have over sixty members and throughout the year we offer a varied programme of interesting, fun and accessible activities and events such as games nights, bowling and movie nights as well annual trips to the pantomime, a Christmas dinner and a Summer outing.
The aims of the group include providing these social activities whilst promoting and supporting independence and social inclusion to members of the community who can often be very isolated.
We recognise our members have differing needs and are mindful to offer inclusive opportunities across the year, to ensure individual needs are appropriately met, to provide a warm and friendly environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
In addition we also offer an opportunity to people to volunteer with the group which is both rewarding and enjoyable.
Achievements and Performance
The Club has continued to meet on the first and third Monday of each month and the programme for the 2017/2018 club year was as follows:
| Date | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 4 September | Welcome Back Party | Community Centre |
| 18 September | Games Night | Community Centre |
| 2 October | Gateways Got Talent Let us know if you want to perform |
Community Centre |
| 16 October | Halloween Party | Rugby Club |
| 6 November | Line Dancing | Community Centre |
| 20 November | Christmas Dinner and Disco | Adair Arms Hotel |
| 4 December | Pantomime | Grand Opera House |
| 18 December | Christmas Party | Community Centre |
| 15 January | Chippy Night and Games | Community Centre |
| 29 January | Film Night | To be confirmed |
| 5 February | Valentines Disco | Rugby Club |
| 19 February | Pancakes and Irish Dancing | Community Centre |
| 5 March | Silver Band | Community Centre |
| 26 March | Easter Party | Community Centre |
| 16 April | Baking/Pampering/Games | Community Centre |
| 30 April | Animal/Reptile Night | Community Centre |
| 14 May | Linedancing and Cowboy Supper |
Michelin Club |
| 21 May | BBQ Party | Rugby Club |
| 2 June | Summer Outing |
The programme was developed with the contribution of members and with consideration of their feedback into what they have enjoyed previously. The programme demonstrates how the Club has sought to meet its purpose in benefitting the members by promoting opportunity, inclusion and therefore improving well-being.
Consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit ensured that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purpose and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
The Club also held a number of fundraising events during the year to support the funding of the events for the members.
Structure
The Club holds an Annual General Meeting each year, the last being 22 May 2019. There were additionally three further committee meetings held throughout the year to plan the programme of activities and review the on-going position of the Club.
The Club executive committee positions are:
| Chairperson | Brian Boyd | |
|---|---|---|
| Treasurer | Alexandra Perry | |
| Assistant Treasure | Nicola Wallace | |
| Secretary | Kerry O’Hara | |
| Club Leader | Patrina Dalrymple |
The Club has a number of other volunteers who are highly committed to supporting the executive committee and engage in planning and organisation of fund raising events for example and without whom, the executive committee would like to acknowledge, the Club could not continue to function as highly as it does.
The Club continues to be administered in accordance with the Club Constitution.
Financial review
The Club is in a positive financial position although as a result of higher expenditure on Christmas gifts and transport outgoings were bigger than income which is not sustainable.
The membership fee, grants applications, sponsorship of Easter eggs and fund-raising activities have supported financial income.
The income over the year 2018 was £8761.97 and out-going was £9930.69.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 requires charity trustees to ensure that accounting records are kept which are sufficient to show and explain all the charity’s transactions, which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and enable them to prepare statement of accounts which complies with regulations in the Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In preparing those financial statement, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
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Make judgement and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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State whether applicable accounting standards and statement of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements and
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operational existence.
In accordance with this a Financial Statement and Independent Examiners Statements have been presented to the commission along with this report.
Above report is approved by the charity trustees and signed on their behalf.
Ms Kerry O’Hara
Ballymena and District Gateway Club Secretary
28.10.19