Rathgill Community Association Trustees Report - Year Ending 31 March 2024
NIC 102028
Rathgill Community Association is established to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Rathgill area and its environs (hereinafter described as "the area of benefit"), without distinction of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnic identity, nationality, disability, or political, religious or other opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to:
(a) promote education and training;
(b) relieve those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage;
(c) promote health and well-being and healthy recreation;
(d) 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;
(e) promote environmental improvement and otherwise improve the appearance of the area of benefit;
(f) promote, for the general benefit of the community, good citizenship and harmony within the community between persons of different religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds;
(g) establish, or secure the establishment, of a Community Resource Centre and to maintain and manage the same (whether alone or in co-operation with any local authority or other person or body) in furtherance of these objects;
(h) promote all or any objects for the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit which now or hereafter may be deemed by law to be charitable.
Trustees 2023 - 2024
Mr Michael Heatley
Ms Dionne Worrall
Ms Sonya Leslie
Ms Liz McClure
Ms Jeanette Campbell
Financial Year 1" April 2023 - 31” March 2024
Ulster Bank LTD Springhill Bangor Unit 28 Springhill Shopping Centre Bangor Co Down BT1 91N
Activities for 2023 – 2024
Rathgill Community Association has been again funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive under their SPOD funding programme (Small Pockets of Deprivation). We also receive funding from the Local Council and Statutory providers. Rathgill Community Association continues to deliver programmes and projects designed to meet the needs of our members and residents. Through funding from NIHE, the association has been able to sustain the staff who have been responsible for the management and daily operations of the organisation and the groups. We continue to support and mentor our groups offering guidance on community development practice and principals. Staff continue to participate in training relating to their positions. The organisation is represented on many networks, making connections within the community to share experiences and promote partnership working. We have been involved in supporting and delivering community capacity building programmes, cultural awareness, community safety and community engagement activities.
Rathgill Community association continues to play a vital role within the Rathgill area of Bangor were we continue to use the community resource centre to deliver programmes and services to residents, with our staff, volunteers and the many external partnerships developing detached work throughout the local and surrounding area. Programmes have included many historical trips to other areas meeting new people and developing new friendships and the popular arts and crafts sessions including wreath making, knitting clubs etc.
As the cost of living continues to have an effect on local people the association has continued to work in partnership with the local foodbank offering food to those in need in the local community and signposting people to services that may be able to assist them. This services has proven to be a lifeline to many residents and a service that is utilised on a daily basis. Our Foodshare programme which has supported so many people from our community continues to assisting with the reduction of poverty in the area. This programme is made possible through the partnership working with local supermarkets, traders and local churches and the foodshare organisation. Not only does it provide much needed assistance but helps in the reduction in waste and the continuous punishment of food and natural resources.
The counselling service which operates through ALPS (All Lives are Precious) and out of the community resource centre has grown considerably over the past year with demand being at a premium. We will continue to support this project and will be seeking additional finding to enhance the service.
Our partnership working with Bangor Alternatives have also allowed the project to develop their services especially through their unique programmes with our local young people. Young people are an integrate part of our community and therefore need to have the respect and services through the organisation. We have through this partnership been able to organise and participate in intergenerational programmes and offered both accredited and non-accredited training and cultural awareness courses.
Drop-in surgeries with statutory organisations such as Radius Housing, PSNI and housing executive continue on a regular basis allowing residents to have their issues dealt with effectively.
None of this work would be completed without the dedication and hard work of all our volunteers, staff and supporters which the community association is eternally grateful to. Our volunteers work tirelessly to provide these vital services.
We are thankful to all our funders who continued to support our work this year including: Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Department for communities. We are also extremely thankful to our supporters including North Down Alternatives, Elim Church, PSNI
and local Housing Associations as well ALPS All Lives are Precious. We will continue to secure core funding for the forthcoming financial year through the NIHE SPOD (Small Pockets of Deprivation) funding package in the region of £75,000 and are gratefully thankful as well as the other donations we receive from well wishers and supporters.
Approved by the trustees on the 18th November 2024 and signed on their behalf
P.P Dionne Worrell Trustee