A Social Group
for Young Adults
with Learning
Disabilities
THEACTIVEGROUP
Annual General Meeting Report
Held in
Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church Hall
On
th
20 September 2023
Registered Charity Number NIC101901

TAG'S Mission
To diminish social inclusion for adults with learning disabilities
To help members feel more integrated in their own community
To improve self confidence & self esteem
To enhance their social skills
•• To bring new opportunities - including participating in courses,
promoting physical activity, make new friends and use their
local facilities without fear or prejudice.
TAG Members
TAG has 24 members at present. Members have disabilities such as
Downs Syndrome, Autism, Dyspraxia, Aspergers Syndrome, Sotos
Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
TAG activities have increased the self confidence and self esteem of
its members. Our members have formed good friendships with one
another and this has encouraged members to meet one another in
their own time within their community outside of TAG activities.
TAG Volunteers
Members are supported by a group of dedicated, trustworthy
volunteers who ensure their enjoyment and safety during the
activities and outings.
TAG volunteers were awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary
Service in 2013, which is the equivalent of an MBE (the highest award
which can be given).
TAG is a member led organisation with two members and two
volunteers who sit on committee and is registered with The Charity
Commission for Northern Ireland.

Benefits of TAG
Builds social skills, self esteem and self confidence.
•• Builds friendships
Cross community / cross border
Integrates members into community
Raises awareness of disabled young adults in the community by
using public facilities and amenities
Provides opportunities to become involved with other groups
for young adults with learning disabilities such as Special
Olympic City Strikers
Provides support and respite for parents/carers
IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS
MILD/MODERATE LEARNING DISABILITY WHO WOULD
BENEFIT FROM TAG OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
VOLUNTEER FOR A FEW HOUR EVERY ALTERNATE
WEDNESDAY EVENING PLEASE CONTACT:
TAG Co-ordinator
John Mitchel Place,
NEWRY,
BT34 2BU
Phone: 07818418486
E-mail= theactivegroup@holmail.co.uk
Website.. www.ta
new
.or
Facebook: tagnewry

AGENDA
> Chairpersons Welcome
> Minutes of previous Annual General Meeting
> Secretary's Report
> Treasurers Report
> Committee Steps Down
> Election of Committee for 2023/2024
> Any Other Business

Minutes ofAGM on 22June 2022
In St Peters Pastoral Centre Warren
oint
Present
Carmel Fee (Treasurer)
Dympna Rafferty (Chairperson)
Hazel Glenny Isecretary)
Marie & John Mc Cann
Majella Savage
Michael & Barry Rafferty
Ann Hollywood
Michael & Gary Hanratty
Fiona Redmond
Marie & Neidin Morgan
Siobhan Hollywood
Wendy & Shannon Laffin
Chris Savage
Declan Hazzard
Paul Fee
Damien & Johnny Flynn
Andrew Skillen
Marie & Katrina Magee
Rebecca Glenny
Niall Cunningham
Ciaran Mallon
Marie Quinn
Niamh Quinn
William Wills
Philomena Quinn
Alfie Lonergan
Ronan & Donall Lonergan
Catherine opened the meeting by giving Dympna Rafferty's apologies as due to
unforeseen circumstances, she was unable to attend.
Catherine welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming and proceeded to
read the minutes from the previous meeting in 2019 and asked Hazel to read
her Secretary's Report. Hazel reported on the postponement of TAG activities
during the lockdown and how the volunteers helped members by keeping in
touch to have a chat especially with those who were finding the lockdown very
stressful.

Following Hazels report Carmel gave the Treasurers Report and outlined the
financial situation with TAG and advised that The Big Lottery Award was close
to an end and we seriously needed to look at the sustainability of TAG
financially.
Mrs Philomena Quinn asked to say a few words and thanked Committee,
volunteers and the co-ordinator for keeping in touch with phone calls and
newsletters with photographs from members keeping them in touch with one
another.
She commended Committee, volunteers and the co-ordinator
Catherine, on their efficiency at keeping the group going regardless of the
difficult climate.
Committee stood down and Mrs Quinn was asked to facilitate the election of
the new committee, however, as there was to be no change in Committee,
there was a block vote voting in the return of the previous committee.
Position
Name
Proposed by
Block Vote
Anne O'Hagan
Seconded By
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Committee
Dympna Rafferty
Hazel Glenny
Carmel Fee
Majella Savage
Ann Hollywood
Fiona Redmond
Marie Morgan
Catherine thanked Mrs Quinn and advised everyone present to avail of the
refreshments and to view the photograph albums on display.
The meeting closed at 8.15pm

Secretary's Report
It has been another fun filled year of activities and trips for TAG which we are
very thankful for.
We got to spend a lol more quality time together as a group this year without the
dreaded Covid putting a stop to things. Lateral flows are helping to prevent any
spread of Covid within the group to ensure we can continue our fortnightly get
togethers.
We have been able to resume our Saturday trips this year which has been ￿n,
the members really enjoy our days away. We went to Mobile Team Adventure in
Belfast to canoe and play team bonding activities last month and Snow Tubing
and Foot Golf at Craigavon Ski Slope in June. As a group we also had the
pleasure of making Christmas Wreaths, doing some cookery) archery, Line
Dancing and Yoga. We had a movie and games night and played Bingo, darts
and board games. We had a get together with Newry Gateway Club for some
Line Dancing to mark Learning Disability Week, which everyone loved. There
was a treasure hunt followed by a social evening in the Whistledown and we did
outdoor bowls in Warrenpoint also. Suffice to say we are never short of
activities to take part in.
TAG would like to thank the volunteers for their dedication to TAG whether it
be day trips or evening sessions with the members to help with the smooth
running of things.
We are all looking forward to another successful year with TAG and hope
everyone stays safe and well until we meet again.
Secretary

Treasurers Report
Unfortunately our funds are not as healthy as we would like them to be.
However, at the moment Catherine is working very hard in seeking funds from
other resources.
Fundraising itself is also a priority ie: Christmas Raffle
Moonlight Walk
Support from local Businesses
Donations
Ideas from families and friends
Many thanks to all who have supported TAG throughout the years and
especially our volunteers.
C6wJxdFee
Treasurer