Ar BANNSIDE commu GROUP ANNUAL REPORT 2022 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday 24 May 2023 20-29 Obins AV Portadovn4 Co. Arnath BT62 IDF Telephone: (028)38339916 Facebook. www.facebookcomlknde.wtadown Clty No. NIC102439
11 BANNSIDE cOmTy GROUP
BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP 2022 Background / Activity / Objectives
Bannside Community Group was founded in 1995 to assist in addressing multi-social and economic deprivation of the Obin’s / Corcrain interface in Portadown whilst bridging the religious divide and promoting mutual understanding. A voluntary and community development organisation was seen as the catalyst to drive these issues forward to gain a favourable resolution.
Improving the quality and conditions of life for the community together with the assistance of statutory authorities, voluntary organisations is the main objective of Bannside Community Group.
Facilities are provided in Bannside Development Centre by Bannside Community Group delivering community based, tailored projects designed to improve education in the interest of social welfare, the protection of health and recreation for everyone in the local and surrounding communities, regardless of age, gender, race, political or religious opinion.
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BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP REPORT 2022
Officers:
Chairperson: Siobhan Girvan Secretary: Carol Litter Treasurer: Anna Kelly Assistant Treasurer: Ann Dunbar
Committee Members: Sandra Keeley Siobhan Hamill Mary Tennyson Catherine McCooe Eleanor Cornett Roisin Dunbar Irene Hamill Janette McCanney Lilly McConville Joanne Girvan Gloria Anderson Gabrielle Baird Philomena Gallagher Helena Stuart Rita Morgan Ita Hendron Mary Fearon
Administrative Co-Ordinator:
Phyllis Millington
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 2022
Bannside Community Group has served the community over the last 27 years and continues to improve the quality and conditions of life within local communities in the Corcrain Ward. Thank you all for the tremendous work carried out whether through good relations projects, reconciliation, cross-community / cross cultural education projects, therapeutic support, homework club, arts and crafts, neighbourhood renewal, computer / community and adult learning, Chair yoga, Chi Me and better health solutions as well as a youth intervention program. Our intergenerational project includes painting in our outdoor enclosed area.
During the year Bannside operated a community fridge where we supplied food, personal and household hygiene products to support those who needed them. We now concentrate on the hygiene area as there is a gap in supply to people.
Congratulations to our Arts & Crafts group who took part in a Craft Fayre as a means to raise funds in both Brownlow House and Kilicomaine Jubilee Centre.
This Annual Report provides a brief insight into our integrated work and its influence for the good of the Community.
Siobhan Girvan
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP Wednesday 24[th] May 2023
AGENDA
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Apologies
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Welcome
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Previous Minutes
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Financial Report
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Election of Committee
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Election of Officers
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New Members
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Re-appointment Of Accountant & Solicitors
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Reports
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Any other Business
Bannside Community Group Minutes of the Bannside Community Group Annual General Meeting Thursday 7[th] April 2022
(This meeting was held partly remotely and in person due to Covid Restrictions)
Present Siobhan Girvan Rita Morgan Janette McCanney Carol Litter. Eleanor Cornet. Kerry Millington Lily McConville Olyvia Millington Helena Stuart Anna Kelly. Joanne Girvan. Mary Tennyson Gloria Anderson. Mary Fearon Ita Hendron In Attendance . Phyllis Millington. Sr Mary Turley
Apologies: Ann Dunbar, Catherine McCooe, Irene Hamill, Siobhan Hamill, Philomena Gallagher, Sandra Keely, Gabrielle Baird
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Welcome: Siobhan welcomed everyone, and thanked them for their continued support
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Previous Minutes: As everyone had a copy of the previous year’s minutes they were agreed and passed as a true record. Proposed: Anna Kelly and seconded: Janette McCanney
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Financial Report: Phyllis Millington gave a brief overview of the accounts prepared by M.G. Accountants. Proposed: Helena Stuart and Seconded: Carol Litter
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Election of Committee - All members agreed to be re-elected to the committee. All were thanked for their continued support and dedication. Proposed: Eleanor Cornet, seconded: Lily McConville
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Election of Officers - All officers agreed to be re-elected. Anna Kelly agreed to take over as Treasurer from Helena Stuart.
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Siobhan Girvan to remain as Chairperson,
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Carol Litter to remain as Secretary
Anna Kelly, as Treasurer.
Ann Dunbar Assistant Treasurer - Proposed: Joanne Girvan, seconded: Gloria Anderson
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New Members – No new names were submitted for membership.
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Appointment of Accountants and Solicitors - It was unanimously agreed to re-appoint M.G. Accountants and R.M. Cullen Solicitors. - Proposed by: Carol Litter, seconded by: Jeanette McCanney
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Coordinators Report - Phyllis Millington gave a brief outline of the groups work and meetings she attended - via zoom - on behalf of the group. She explained how these meetings maintained a good working relationship between the group and outside bodies, as well as direct contact for all types of issues concerning the community. She looked forward to face-to-face meeting in 2023. Phyllis stated that a full report on projects was contained in the annual report.
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Arts & Crafts - Janette McCanney gave a brief report on activities that had taken place in the group - how the many new crafts were enjoyed and how when we had to close/or be restricted it was a down point in everyone’s lives.
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I.T. Gloria Anderson talked about the many new and reinforced lessons in the I.T. class and how it has lad a major positive impact on the participants.
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After-schools Homework Group – Mary Tennyson gave an insight into the work carried out making a positive impact whilst transforming the children’s lives. She also spoke of how the restrictions had impacted on the work of the group.
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Therapeutic Centre – Helena Stuart spoke of the sessions she had offered in the past year. Referrals came from the local community, health boards and carried out support sessions to other council areas.
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Healthy Living - Phyllis Millington spoke about the healthy living programmes - chair yoga, Chi me as well as sessions on Cancer awareness
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Youth Intervention - Phyllis Millington give an update on the youth intervention group which has greatly impacted on the lives of young individuals. All were immensely glad that we could now meet indoors again.
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Any Other Business –Mary Fearon retired from the group; she was thanked for her service.
Signed Date 7[th] April 2022
BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP 2022
Co-Ordinator’s Report – Phyllis Millington
Here we find ourselves having to recap on what was lost during covered lockdown. However! The ladies in both the IT and the arts and crafts sessions have been very supportive and were very glad to see the classes restarting. The continuation of these groups is very important to those who participate not only a way of learning new things but also the social interaction.
Advice Clinic
We still offer support to those who require our help. This will remain an aspect of our work as long as it is required. We will hopefully have budgeting and early action classes in the coming year to help individuals before the issue becomes too big it causes negative mental health issues.
Healthy Body & Mind – Chair Yoga / Chi Me
Chi Me – This was one of our newer classes. When restrictions permitted it continued this was very much appreciated by the participants and helped them cope with multiple pains and aches.
Chair Yoga – This class was a great addition to our healthy body and mind program. This program will be a long-term project and will add other programs such as reflexology in the coming year. This was another ran much appreciated by the participants and helped them deal with multiple pains and aches
Drop In
Drop In has allowed people to pop in just for a cup of tea and a chat, this is used by none group participants as well as participants. This allows people to meet for a chat and relax in each other’s company in a warm safe place. Drop In is a means to help dispel the feeling of isolation and fear felt by many of the residents
BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP
Community Fridge
We were able to supply families with food and hyenine products which were much needed especially within the winter months. This mantle was much used and by January we seen there was a gap in household and personal hygiene products. We intend to keep this aspect of the community fridge going as long as funding permits.
Meetings attended:
Housing Community Forum
These meetings are with other community groups across Portadown where NIHE (Social Housing) properties are situated. This allows for cross community work and to enhance the areas in a collaborative manner. It also ensures that the NIHE is answerable to their customers. We can also put forward issues which can be worked on and resolved together.
Interagency
The group attend and represent the area at Interagency Meetings where members of relevant Housing and council departments meet on a bi-monthly basis. The reinstating of these meetings has helped to rebuild relationships as well as form new ones with local like-minded groups as well as relevant statuary bodies. Direct working together has been of benefit and expediated the resolution of issues which are of negative affect to the residents and the area. A basic issue was “no” or “ruined” street signs. We had new ones installed where needed throughout the area.
North West Portadown Neighbourhood Renewal
Any meetings from before lockdown that remained were held face to face again, although there was a reduction in the number held.
BANNSIDE THERAPUTIC CENTRE
It was great to leave the challenging years of lock-down due to Covid behind, when I had to conduct my work through Zoom and other online media. This enabled the centre to provide some of the sessions via technical equipment. Supervision and mentoring support continued to be offered to trainee therapists. This allowed therapists from further afield to avail of our clinical supervisory support. Clinical supervision is a compulsory part of the professional practice of any counsellor or therapist. The requirement that a therapist attends a meeting with their supervisor at least once a month (Usually for 1.5 hours) to discuss their case load, gain support and receive advice and guidance on any practice issues that may arise during a treatment, could be maintained through internet provision.
The therapeutic service at Bannside has forged strong supportive links with both statutory and voluntary agencies over the years, and offers its supervisory support to others in the field. This now includes mentoring, and teaching, as well as supervision.
Over this past year, approximately 20 trainee and qualified therapists have received regular supervision and support from Bannside Therapeutic Centre. Supervisors come from other Therapeutic services throughout Northern Ireland, including New Life Counselling - Belfast, Family Works - Belfast, Links- Lurgan, Dry Arch Centre – Dungiven, Family Works – East Belfast Play Therapies Centre – Derry as well some from the South of Ireland.
Over this past year, 6 trainee play therapists have successfully qualified with the support and guidance of the supervision received at Bannside. New trainees have already enrolled for next year. The clinical supervision will continue to be offered by Bannside Therapeutic Centre.
I wish to express my continuing gratitude to Sr Mary Turley, Phyllis Millington and the Committee at Bannside for all their support to enable the work of the Therapeutic Centre to continue and flourish.
Helena Stuart
BANNSIDE COMPUTER CLASS
IT to suit YOU – classes to suit your needs
The computer class is now a regular fixture in Bannside Development centre. We have had a core group of ladies in attendance for several years, but our doors are always open to new members.
The majority of the group worked on laptops, using Microsoft Office, in particular Microsoft Word and Publisher. The annual calendar has remained a popular choice in our first term.
We worked on an eclectic range of projects producing documents and posters and learning more about manipulating images and text boxes, whilst having lots of chat and cups of tea along the way.
Other members of the class not using laptops worked away on features of their mobile phone, learning the finer aspects of Whatsapp, Outlook and Messaging, not to forget using the internet to shop and do research.
Genevieve Sally Tutor
AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK GROUP
The homework club still operates Monday and Tuesday of each week from 3.10 pm to 4.30 pm during the academic year. The children attending come from different faiths and some are from immigrant families whose first language is not English.
Our homework club offers a place for all the children to work in a supervised and supportive environment out of school hours.
Attending homework club has benefits that cannot be easily measured such as developing responsibility and independent problem solving. It could also develop habits that will be useful in later school life.
Homework club takes the burden off families and allows the opportunity to have fun-family - time, without stressing if homework is done or wondering if the child understood work they completed. Parents whose first language isn’t English are particularly appreciative of the homework club especially if the parent is not very proficient in English and finds it difficult to help their child to complete homework tasks.
We do offer incentives for homework. The simplest incentive system is reminding the child of fun activity to do when homework is completed. It may be playing a game e.g Snakes and Ladders, Tray Memory Game, Operation etc.
Mary Tennyson Tutor
BANNSIDE WALKERS
Members of Bannside Community joined the local walking group to address health issues. The members of the club walk in the People’s Park and along the Bann River Toe Path. This has proved to be a wonderful project and has helped with both the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals during lockdown and continues whilst the restrictions have been in place.
ARTS & CRAFTS
This group continued to go from strength to strength. There was a good mix of cross community participation. We have worked with tutors and have covered areas such as paper, button, quilting, diamond, painting and floral craft. The classes continued to have high attendance and were greatly enjoyed by all with great delight in the finished articles.
The group enjoyed going for afternoon tea to celebrate the success of the class.
Once again Christmas provided an excellent opportunity to really get creative.
Imelda Trusdale & Roberta Orr Tutors
AN EVENING AT THE THEATRE
Bannside family and friends enjoyed an evening at the Mac Theatre Belfast - Flax Trust Arts production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’.
Book by Joesph Stein
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Music by Jerry Bock
YOUTH INTERVENTION PROGRAMME
Youth Intervention programs remain an integral part of these young people, making positive impacts on their young lives. This program was initially set up for a six-month trial period but due to its success, has remained running. The need had proved greater than we anticipated. The participants ranged from 14 to 18 years old. Now the younger siblings of the group we worked with for the past two / three years are taking part in the programme. Dramatic changes have already been observed in these young people through their engagement.
We have been through some hard times with these young people ranging from bereavement to family breakups and provide a support network to help them.
The group continues to meet weekly which permits the young people to learn how to make positive and educated decisions. They are aware that we are always available for support, outside the group by messaging, so they are never truly alone.
We look forward to another year of positiveness, confidence building and of course having fun.
Campbell, Gail, Lauren & Phyllis
Funding Sources Include:
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; Southern Health and Social Services Trust; NIHE Safety, Community, Cohesion Funds; Bannside Development Agency; Intergenerational PCSP; New Life Counselling; Wave Trauma Centre; North Down Enterprise; Eastern Education Board; Presentation Sisters; Local Businesses; Community Fund Raising; The National Lottery Fund.
We encourage ownership with the Community through locally organised fund raising events. We wholeheartly thank all of the above for their support to allow these groups to be maintained and grow.
Opening Times Monday 9:30 am – 1:00 pm & 3:00 – 4:30 pm Tuesday 10:00 – 1:00 pm. & 3:00 – 4:30 pm Thursday 9.30 – 12.30 & 5.00 – 7.30pm Friday 9:30 am – 12:30 am Therapeutic & Advice by appointment