## **Lisanelly Regeneration Group** ## **Trustees Report 2021 2022** In the last part of 2021 & into 2022 we have developed a Garden Project (Growing Kindness GKCommunity Health Project which allowed a refurb and a lot of maintenance for our Community Garden which had been neglected for almost 2 years which although the physical aspects had to be completed in a specific time, we set Outcomes & Objectives in the longer term. We have Garden tools for all abilities and storage for outside. We also sourced funding from FODC for an Adaptations Project to construct a Lean Too/Canopy to extend our large hall through the patio doors. It was very time consuming but also a great benefit to those not comfortable with closed rooms as it extends the hall and lets in fresh air while also providing shelter. It’s important to remember that C19 is still in transmission so providing a space which is safer means some of our older & more vulnerable residents are more comfortable coming to GK House. In the past 2 years we have had the heating zoned so we only heat the areas in use and we got CCTV i There is clear evidence within the local Community that this Projected increased involvement and enhanced civic pride which was integral to the fight against C19 and will be harnessed to build relationships again but also to be mindful that we aren’t out of it either. We will be ready to respond as a Community because there are some very hard times ahead in this ‘cost of living crisis’ which will hit the poorest hardest. Every one of us have personal commitments that take up our time whether it be work, GK House duties or family responsibilities and sometimes it feels like intruding if you have to ask, especially as a member of Staff. There are a few people that are more vulnerable than others and that’s a gap we will have to fill with the Statutory Agencies and Members/Volunteers, given Ashley won’t be here. We have been availing of the experience and support of Supporting Communities Community Development Officer in trying to source alternative funding for at least 10 months, they have the Funding Search facility which matches need to availability. It isn’t that easy and the Lottery would look favourably on us but only after the other Project Evaluation was complete and it wasn’t until May, as we wanted to include work Ashley had done in the 6-month extension. It also has to be a completely new Project with only minimal objectives of the previous one, but the Evaluation will enhance any future Applications to any Funder. The best way forward is for those who want to carry on as Trustees to put themselves forward at the at this meeting and then the full Roles & Responsibilities can be examined at the next Trustees Meeting and everyone can be clear what they are willing to take on going forward. There will also be opportunity for Training on these Roles from Supporting Communities on a date/time agreed In the past year the Housing Executive has put in place a Project that is focusing on Apprenticeships both through their own organisation and including the Contractors who are tendering for Contracts on things like Ground Maintenance, Repairs and also Environmental Schemes. I have been part of a Working Group that meets directly with the Assets Manager who has responsibility for choosing the successful Tenders. This allows a level of scrutiny on Social Clauses that are mandatory but also to contribute suggestions that will enhance the outcomes & outputs for the Co-design model that the Organisation is striving to achieve. Charity Commission Returns January 2023 – Lisanelly Regeneration Group – Charity Number: NIC 101236 The new Project (ARTES) that is specifically focused on Apprenticeships has made a good start but there are some differences in criteria that my colleagues & I in the Central Housing Forum are insisting on e.g. that the admission criteria take on board the requirement to work on Essential Skills qualifications because some of our brightest hopes may have left school years ago without many academic qualifications or are looking to go down the vocational route when they reach school leaving age. There are Partnerships with Colleges being created and we have opportunities to bring the learning into the hearts of Communities again, which was lost for more than a decade. This can only be helped by contacts within the College that live locally so we thank Zoe for this information that makes it a bit more local. GK House, through Lottery Funding, has enabled many of these same people to do a bit of extra training that got them a ‘foot in the door’ with Manual Handling or CSR certification…..so we will be making sure that the we aim to secure the same opportunity for more involvement in the wider local Community. We will continue to work hard in partnership with local Voluntary and Statutory agencies as well as continue to build on the connections made since the beginning of the Project. Our administration & governance adherence throughout all Programmes rolled out over the past 5 years means that we are considered favourably for Grants in any stream that’s relevant to us that the local Council announces. Governance was monitored by Supporting Communities in order to meet all obligations with the Charity Commission. Every Governance Document is in place for the next year as Supporting Communities do a Monthly support meeting with Ashley so if there’s any Funding that can be found for the Garden Party for end of August, or anything else, it’s all sitting there to attach or print and post. We will continue to engage and create opportunities for participation and encouraging sustainable tenancies which is the heart of where we came from. We will build on the positive work to date in terms of developing and enhancing the level of service to the local and wider community. _**The Trustees of Lisanelly Regeneration Group have awareness and understanding of the Public Benefit for any Organisation recognised as a Charity in Northern Ireland as defined in the Charities Act (NI) 2008**_ _**Lisanelly Regeneration Groups’ financial position at the end of year 31[st] March 2022 had all projected and current spends on target.**_ ## **Secretary** **Dated:** _______ January 2023 Charity Commission Returns January 2023 – Lisanelly Regeneration Group – Charity Number: NIC 101236