tF&rt. 2rnS Chairman's Annual Re rt for Lisanell Re eneration Grou GK House Trustees (Committee Members), experience(L.the new nornial after Covid 19, durino the period June 2022-2023. Some new Faces had joined the Committee and had expressed ideas for future routes LRG could take GK House. Makino use of the entire buildiniT would be beneficial to those in our catchment are4 even more so after Covid 19. Recommendations were then Tnade to access fu ding for various aspects. including new folding chairs, fst aid, commillee training, youth group, core costs. safe-ouarding and flower arrangino Plans towards updating equipment and establishino varked prograrns. to encourage further enaagement within the arva are currently being looked into. However, more interaction is required within the community, to build upon what is provided in future. Covid had prevented door-to-door contact with a lot of non-tech individuals, struooling famÈlies and the a4> housebound. People are thankfully beginlling to accept outdoor communication again and are looking toNvards GK House as it's communal hub once more. As restrictions ended, a successful GK Youth Summer 2022 Scheme took place. with an amazino Youth Club 20?2-2023 followinir suit. The children were able to re-connect with friends in the building and regain a feeling of norniality after previous Ye'S lirnitations. The children needed to experience life beyond Covid 19. which had taken a toll on them and their families. Focusino on their mental Health encouraged them to open up and express their rStratiOnS. Certificates were also awarded to those who took part a well-being progranL with a visit to the local council offices in Omaoh, for their presentations. To further enhance what we provide teenarTers. the TBUC project came to light. with its varying aspects of enablinrr youth to attain new skills and cross-cotnmunity work. TBUC was acknowled(Fed as an ideal program to support the needs of the local teens, sadly, as with many charities funding h&s seen decreases or cuts and unfortunately, it was cut for 2023. With high hopes, TBUC will be up and runnino in 2024. Our older generation had seen restrictions" beyond an}Tthing they'd witnessed before. It was vital for LRG to ty and brino them out of their homes and back to socialisation. In November 2022, LRG members spoke to SWAP. about bringing these individuals to GK House for a Christmas lunch with music. The event proved to be successful and led to more lunches beintr organised at GK House durino February. March and June 2023. It b&s enabled the elderly community to be actively involved with others once aoain. On 23 November 20?2, representatives from community wups in Omagh. were invited to a workin(F lunch with councillors from Femianagh and OmaJo District Council. Discussions about issues within our con)munities and the town itself were hiJlighted. The council members were extremely interested in workino with us and even visited community centres, including GK House. It was a posÉtive experience which may lead to future endeavour.s. Anything that benefits the people is a welcomed addition. A request to Omagh Volunteer Centre. for assistance in addressin(y GK House's community garden, led to LRG beino referred onto the Business in the Community Northern Ireland. The organisation then sent a volunteer team from Nl Water in April 2023, to help improve the garden and re-establish plantin2 beds. The end result has created an enrichment to the garden alongside the existing poly tunnel and its wide array of delicious vegetables. The
planting beds are open for use by the community and guidance is always available upon requesL As members of LRG. we voluntarily commit our spare time to helpino th08e who ask for understanding and support. It is essentia] that we work together to provide this to ei'eryone we represent. Returnino to normal. but with respect to a different type. LRG is hopeful in remaining a steadfast in the local community. Times have changed since Covid and more stresses are befallin(v those around us. Financial problems. foodlfuel poverty, family dynamics and health are among the leading issues affecting the local people. Being committed to providing a service to those who seek IL is a fundamental part of LRG. It is hoped that new Volunteers can be enticed into GK House to further this and enable a Iger support group for the area. This can lead to new skills being added to LRG, which enhances the committee as a whole. On a personal note, I'd like to thank all of tbe out_ooino coinmittee members for their work throughout the Y 2022-2023. Without your invaluable time and efforts LRG ivouldn't be possible. 2£106/ 25 Louise Camac Chainnan