TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR END 31[ST] MARCH 2024
DETAILS
During the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 Benbradagh Community Support’s principal address was;
Office 1A 116 Main Street Dungiven Co.Derry BT47 4LG
PURPOSE
Benbradagh Community Support is a registered charity (NIC101939) with purposes set out in Section 2 (Objects) of our Constitution. Our governing document was most recently updated on 14[th] October 2015 and declares the following charitable purposes;
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To relieve poverty, sickness and the aged,
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to advance education,
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to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants,
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provide or secure the provision of social services, educational, environmental and recreational facilities for youth and adults.
PUBLIC BENEFIT REPORT
During this period our services were mainly used by young people aged 8 to 16 and older ladies aged over 50. The majority of our services were based at our own premises with activities occurring weekly excluding Easter and Christmas Holidays.
Óg Ógras
Óg Ógras youth club every Thursday evening in Glor Dungiven for Primary 4- Primary 7. A safe supervised space is provided for young people, with various engaging activities planned weekly.
BCS
Primary 7– A facility for young people in Primary 7 to socialise with friends in a safe, warm and welcoming environment with access to sports and games equipment. This was open for a 1 hour session one night per week.
Year 8- A facility for young people in Year 8 and Year 9 to socialise with friends in a safe, warm and welcoming environment with access to sports and games equipment. This was open for a 1 hour session one night per week.
Year 9- Year 12 - A facility for young people in Year 10, 11 and Year 12 to socialise with friends in a safe, warm and welcoming environment with access to sports and games equipment. This was open for a 1 hour session one night per week.
YOUTH PROJECTS – Educational and well-being projects took place monthly between age groups to develop skills and learning in areas which ranged from mental health workshops, Risk Taking Intervention, Arts & Crafts, Relaxation and sports.
SUMMER SCHEME – The young people engaged in a number of social and educational workshops and outings over the course of the summer in an effort to boost engagement, improve good relations, reduce anti-social behaviour and improve health and learning. These included involvement in partnership programme TBUC Roe Valley Residents Association, Glack Community Group, Greysteel Youth Group and Burnfoot Youth Club.
WALKING CLUB – The walkers met weekly to take part in walks along a variety of walk routes both in the locality and further afield with transport provided for walks outside the local area. Walks were followed by tea/coffee & scones and the opportunity to socialise and signpost. Walks continue to run every Tuesday and the sessions last between 2 and 3 hours.
WOMEN’S NETWORK– During the 12 month period members of our women’s network engaged in variety of four week programmes every month usually taking place on Monday and Friday mornings. Various classes were arranged including yoga, meditation, Pilates, and circuits. Members also engaged in workshops focusing on nutrition, mental health, and safety.
TAI CHI – The Tai Chi Group continued to run weekly on Monday nights with attendance of between 10 and 15 per sessions with each class running for 60-90 minutes.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Activities were well attended with our youth registration over 100 and our women’s network over 70.
We secured more funding in the past 12 months than in the year previous to this enabling us to run a varied and structured schedule of events for all age groups. Notably we partnered with Óg Ógras to source funding for youth programmes in Dungiven the funding for this programme will continue until March 2026.
Membership fee of £5 is charged to all and nominal fees were charged for walking club and outings to sustain these activities. The charity has no private gain in relation to its activities. At year end 31[st] March 2024 the organisation had no debts and reserves of just over 16,500.
TRUSTEES
The charity’s trustees are members of our management committee, elected or re-elected each year at our Annual General Meeting as declared in Section4 (Management Committee) of the Constitution. Their election must be proposed and seconded by attendees at said public meeting.
Upon appointment trustees are briefed on their legal obligations, provided with guidance from the Charity Commission NI which they must adhere to and given an up to date copy of the Constitution. The duties of office bearer roles are discussed and elections made based on skills and experience. This is completed during the first committee meeting of the new board at which point the new Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer sign the Constitution on behalf of all the trustees.
At year end 31[st] March 2024 there were 7 trustees of Benbradagh Community Support:
Jackie O’Neill Chairperson Jeanette Kelly Secretary Caroline Cassidy Staff Supervisor& Designated Child Protection Officer Maria McLaughlin Treasurer Mary Cooke Woman’s Network Representative Tamara Deeney Geraldine Henry
Signed : Jackie O’Neill Date: 24.03.2025