TOOMEBRIDGE AND DISTRICT WOMENS GROUP TRUSTEES REPORT
c/o 36 Gallagh Road, Toomebridge BT41 3QU
Trustees Report – 1[st] April 2022 - 31[st] March 2023
Chairman/ Trustee Martha Grant Secretary/Trustee Lorraine Barry
Trustees: Mairead Bradley, Alice McNeill and Anne Barry
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Group was established to benefit men and women regardless of age, religion, colour or political opinion in the Toome Village and surrounding rural area. We provide a safe venue for members to socialise. learn new skills and rediscover previous hobbies. This in turns improves their health and wellbeing, increases their confidence and social interaction. The classes meet weekly, in Toome House from September to June. The sewing class Tuesday evening and crochet class Thursday morning The AGM is held each year within fifteen months of the preceding AGM. The election of trustees is decided at the AGM and decided by a majority vote. The activities are organised by women and attended by women and the benefits of the classes to the community are defined by the numbers attending and the numbers waiting to enrol.
ACHIEVEMENTS
During the reporting period April 2022 – March 2023 the sewing group had a very successful year, they enjoyed making incubator nests and bonding hearts and squares for the premature baby unit in Altnagelvin Hospital. They also made similar covers and nests for Antrim Area Hospital premature baby unit, the material for all of these was provided by a grant of £3910 from Community Foundation which the group are very grateful. The crochet class decided to crochet a cross in different squares which was displayed in all the local churches during the Easter ceremonies. People attending these classes help to keep traditions and modern crafting alive.
PUBLIC BENEFITS
The benefits to the community are, improvement to health and wellbeing of the women attending these classes and a reduction in the level of stress, anxiety and loneliness. The local Social Prescribing group have been encouraging members to join the group to improve their mental health, and become more active in the community. All our trustees have due regard for the Commission’s Public Benefit requirement and statutory guidance can verify the above Public Benefits.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The group received a grant of £3910 from Big Lottery, which we are very thankful to have received, as it enables the group to continue with the classes and provide the community with a venue to enhance their knowledge of sewing and crocheting. The opening balance on 1[st] April 2022 was £2554.25 with the current balance 31[st] March 2023 is £3069.69.
Martha Grant Chairperson 9/12/23