Annual Report of the trustees for the year ending 31 December 2023
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 between September and May and to also have a Summer Trip as per below 2022/23 programme.
| Date | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 4 September | Ice Cream and Catch Up | Community Centre |
| 18 September | Bingo | Community Centre |
| 2 October | Film Night | Ballykeel Church |
| 16 October | Halloween Party | Community Centre |
| 6 November | Dancers | Community Centre |
| 20 November | Crafts Night | Community Centre |
| 4 December | Christmas Dinner & Party | Adair Arms |
| 20 December | Panto | Ballymena Town Hall |
| 15 January | Chips and Games | Community Centre |
| 5 February | Pancakes & Crepes | Community Centre |
| 19 February | Valentines Disco | Community Centre |
| 4 March | Cinema | Community Centre |
| 25 March | Easter Party | Community Centre |
| 15 April | Ukele Group | Community Centre |
| 29 April | Chair Yoga | Community Centre |
| 20 May | Film Night | Ballykeel Church |
| 1 June | Summer Trip |
This programme demonstrates the range of activities and outing that the Club has offered and has met its purpose in benefitting the members by promoting opportunity, inclusion and therefore improving well-being.
It is important to note that the feedback from our members has been very positive about how much they have enjoyed the activities and opportunities.
In setting our objectives and planning these activities the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purpose and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
In addition to the programme of activities for the members the Club has also ran a number of successful fundraising events, a pub quiz, fire side quiz and car boot sale, the proceeds of which have been used entirely for the benefit of the members.
Structure
The Club holds an Annual General Meeting each year, the last being 10 July 2023. In addition three further committee meetings are held thoughout the year to plan the programme of activities and review the on-going position of the Club.
The Club executive committee positions are:
| Chairperson | Patrina Dalrymple |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Kerry O’Hara |
| Secretary | Sian Dunlop |
| Club Leader | Karen Boyle |
The Club has a number of other volunteers who are highly committed to supporting the executive committee and engaging in planning and organisation of fund raising events for example 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 financially strong position.
The current balance is in part sadly a reflection of the deaths of two members whose families have made significant donations to the Club. There were also other generous donations made.
The Club continues to be mindful to ensure the members receive the benefit of their membership in the programme offered.
The balance at the end of the year was £14,988.26
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 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