Wednesday 17[th] April 2024
BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP
BANNSIDE WALKERS
Members of the Community continued to make excellent use of the Bann River Tow Path. They find walking is of benefit to their health and wellbeing.
BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP 2023
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 are 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.
CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT 2023
Bannside Community Group has served the community over the last 28 years and continues to improve the quality and conditions of life within local communities in the Corcrain Ward. The invaluable work continues to be transforming through good relations projects, reconciliation, crosscommunity / cross cultural education projects, therapeutic support, homework club, arts and crafts, neighbourhood renewal, computer / community and adult learning, better health solutions/ community hygiene bank/advice clinic, intergenerational project, youth intervention program. . ..
Congratulations to all and thank you. Continued success in the year ahead
Our Annual Report provides an insight into our integrated work and its influence for the good of the Community.
Siobhan Girvan
MG accountants
P£c<wntants & Registered Auditors
Bannside Community Group
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP
We have examined the finarKial 5taternents of Ihe (omparry for Ihe financial year ded 31 December 2023. which
comprise the Stslemenl of Financial Athl1. Ihe Balan(x SheeL the Accounting PoIleS and th8 lated notes.
Respective responsibilitle$ of tmstees and examiner
The coMpanS trustees a responble for the preparaixjn ol th8 fiTranual statements in acrdance wth the
requir8rnellts of tl Charities Acl (Northem Irelandl 2008. The company's trustees consider that an audit is not
r8quir8d for thi5 finanua5 year under th8 Charitie5 Act (Northem Irelandl 2008 antj that an independent examination is
requi.
It is our r8srx)n&bility to-.
examine the finanaal statements under SlOn 65 ofthe Chartbes Act.,
low the procedures laid by the general Direcbons given by Ihe Charity Commi590n for Northem Ireland
under secbon 65(9Xbl of the Charibes A¢t'. and
state whether parti(lar matters have corn8 to ouraitenb"on.
Bas55 of independent examinorfs rewt
We have examined your cotnpany fifiawal stalernents as reqUId under SeCtn 65 of the Charits"es Act and our
examination was e2rri8d out in accordan Trmth th8 gen8ral tk'recb"ons by th8 Charity c0rnrn1ssft for Northem
Ireland un¢Jer section 699Xbl of the Chaiities ACL An 8xarninatiofi indudes a review of the accounts.ng cOrdS kept
by the cofflpany and a compari50n of the financial slatements presented thos8 records. 11 also includes
considerats.on of ary unusual iterns or disdosus in Ihe financial statements and s88king exJanations from the
trustees concemiry any such matte. The pr(tedures undertaken do not provide all Ihe evidence that would be
required in an audit and consequently no opinion is giv8n a5 to whether the nts pres8nt a 'true and fairf wew
and the report Is limited lo Ihose matters set out in the ststsment lOw.
Independent examlnerf$ $t2tsment
Id connection with our examination. no rnatter has oyng to our attention which gNes u$ caus8 to believe that in, any
maierial r8specL
accounting recor
BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP REPORT 2023
Officers:
Chairperson: Siobhan Girvan Secretary: Carol Litter Treasurer: Anna Kelly Assistant Treasurer: Ann Dunbar
Committee Members: Sandra Keeley Siobhan Hamill Mary Tennyson Janette McCanney Eleanor Cornett Roisin Dunbar Irene Hamill Gabrielle Baird Lilly McConville Joanne Girvan Gloria Anderson Ita Hendron Philomena Gallagher Helena Stuart Rita Morgan
Administrative Co-Ordinator:
Phyllis Millington
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP Wednesday 17[th] April 2024
AGENDA
-
Apologies
-
Welcome
-
Previous Minutes
-
Financial Report
-
Election of Committee
-
Election of Officers
-
New Members
-
Re-appointment Of Accountant & Solicitors
-
Reports
-
Any other Business
Bannside Community Group Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 24[th] May 2023
Present: Anna Kelly Carol Litter Eleanor Cornett Gloria Anderson Joanne Girvan
Lily McConville Catherine McCooe Jeanette McCanney Helena Stuart Roisin Dunbar Rita Morgan Siobhan Girvan Ann Dunbar Mary Tennyson
Apologies: Sandra Keeley Phyllis Millington Philomena Gallagher Mary Fearon Gabriel Baird
In Attendance: Sr Mary Turley; Shiela McGrane; Sr Eveleen Conlon; Jenny Sally; Ita Hendron
-
Welcome was extended to all who could attend this year AGM and were thanked for their continued support.
-
Previous Minutes: - As everyone had a copy of the minutes they had been read and agreed and passed as a true record. Proposed by Jeanette McCanney Seconded by Siobhan Girvan
-
Financial Report: - Brief report was presented by Anna Kelly which was prepared from accounts by MG Accountants Annual Report. Proposed by Carol Litter. Seconded by Eleanor Cornett
-
Election of Committee: - Committee members agreed to be re-elected with the exception of Catherine McCooe who was retiring from much of her committee work. We wished her all the best in her future plans and thanked her for her commitment to Bannside Committee Group. Proposed by Lily McConville. Seconded by Helena Stuart
-
Election of Officers: - Siobhan agreed to remain as Chairperson for another term, Carol as secretary and Anna Kelly as `treasurer and Ann as assistant treasurer. Proposed by Joanne Girvan Seconded by Gloria Anderson
-
New Members: - There were no names submitted for membership.
-
Re-appointment of Accountants and Solicitors: - It was agreed to reappoint MG Accountants and RM Cullen Solicitors. Proposed by Anna Kelly. Seconded by Mary Tennyson
-
Co-ordinator Report: - In the absence of the coordinator Phyllis Millington report was presented by Carol Litter on her behalf where she thanked the members of the committee the group participants and funders.
-
Group Reports: - Arts & Crafts – Jeanette McCanney gave a brief description of the work carried by the group and how it had been enjoyed by all participants. Catherine McCoo presented the end of year achievement awards to the Arts and Crafts group IT – Jenny Sally and Gloria Anderson gave brief reports of the many new and reinforced lessons within the IT Class and how this has had a positive impact on all the participants. Jenny also presented the members of the IT group with end of year achievement certificates.
-
After Schools Homework Group – Mary Tennyson gave an insight into the work of the group and how it had positively impacted on these young people’s lives. Therapeutic Sessions – Helena Stuart related information concerning sessions of supervision she offered to other counsellors working throughout Northern Ireland. The group acknowledged and thanked Helena for her 25 years with the Therapeutic Project. Sr Mary Turley presented her with a gift and a bouquet of flowers
Youth Intervention - An update prepared by Phyllis Millington was given on the youth intervention group indicating how this has seen the older members leaving and sibling and younger members coming through the doors. This group has been a positive influence in these young people lives and a support and guide to positive behaviour and actions
-
Any other business – There was no other business or issues put forward
-
Meeting closed at 7.45pm
Signed
Date 24[th] May 2023
BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP 2023
Co-Ordinator’s Report – Phyllis Millington
This was a harder year to get funding as many organistions had their funding cut, resulting in more applications for the funding that is available.
Drop In
‘Drop In’ continues to attract people to pop in for a cup of tea and a chat. People who normally don’t use the facility for other projects tend to find this activity enjoyable. People have a chat and relax enjoying the company in a warm safe place. This facility is particularly useful to those who live alone and may feel lonely.
Community Fridge
Continuation of the Community Hyenine Bank proved to be much needed due to there being enough Fridges and Food Banks in the locality whilst there was a proven gap in this area. People were very appreciative of the personal, household and baby hyenine products offered to them free of charge. We continue to work with the Moira Hyenine Bank which enabled us to supply the variety of items needed.
Advice Clinic
The offer of support to those who require our help continues year after year. This service will remain an aspect of Bannside’s work for as long as necessary. We will be targeting budgeting and preventative action classes in the coming year to assist individuals with various problems before the issue becomes so big it causes mental health issues.
BANNSIDE COMMUNITY GROUP
Meetings attended
We remain a member of the Housing Community Network which was previously known as the Housing Community Forum.
Meetings are attended by other community groups from Portadown where NIHE (Social Housing) properties are situated. This allows for all community organisations to keep up-to-date with any work or issues within the Portadown area involving social housing These meetings provide opportunities for all community organisations within the locality to work in a collaborative manner. Involvement of community organisations ensures social housing providers, such as NIHE remain answerable to their tenants. We can also put forward issues which can be worked on and resolved together.
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
Bannside Community Group attended Interagency Meetings as representatives of the local community. The interagency meetings consist of agents from the relevant Housing and council departments and occur bi-monthly. After recent restrictions the reinstating these meetings has had a positive effect by helping to rebuild existing relationships and form new ones with other local groups and statuary bodies. Direct contact with the various agencies and groups has benefited the local community by providing the opportunity to discuss local issues and hopefully finding resolutions to these issues which have a negative affect on the residents and the area.
An issue of having “no” or “ruined” street signs was resolved by replacing missing and defaced signs replaced.
North West Portadown Neighborhood Renewal
Though the number of meetings were reduced getting back to seeing everyone face to face was great. The budget was small with reduced numbers attending the various group activities, however, not to miss an opportunity when the offer of having a laptop. The Education classes at Southern Regional College continued and the Oceans programme started for the unemployed who would like to work on the ferries and boats. There was also the Health Houses who held occasional workshops and open Health Days. These workshops were held in the Gavaghy area so with those members with limited mobility we requested workshops be held at Bannside.
BANNSIDE THERAPUTIC CENTRE
Bannside Therapeutic Centre continues to offer clinical supervisory support and training to counsellors, therapists both in the fields of adult and children’s care.
Clinical supervision is a compulsory part of the professional practice of any counsellor or therapist. This requires that a therapist attends at least once a month (Usually for 1.5 hours) with their supervisor to discuss their case load, gain support and receive advice and guidance on any practice issues that arises in their work. Supervision and mentoring support are also offered to those who are training to qualify as therapists. Through Bannside this service has forged strong supportive links with both statutory and voluntary agencies over the years, offering supervisory support to others in the field along with mentoring, and teaching.
Over this past year, approximately 17 trainee and qualified therapists have received regular supervision and training through Bannside Therapeutic Centre. Participants come from other areas throughout Northern Ireland, including New Life Counselling - Belfast, Family Works - Belfast, Links - Lurgan, Family Works – East Belfast, Play Therapies Centre – Derry as well some from the South of Ireland.
Provision of this service has helped 4 Trainee Play Therapists to successfully qualify in the past year.
Training
At the invitation of Action Mental Health, Bloomfield House, Belfast, a training programme was offered to therapists and psychologists who wished to expand their knowledge and use of Sandplay therapy. As a qualified Sandplay therapist, our Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, was able to offer that training. The group included therapists who work with different therapeutic agencies, yet come under the umbrella of Action Mental Health- New Life, New Colin Counselling, Belfast. The training was well received, with plans to extend the training later in the year.
Helena Stuart - Psychotherapist
BANNSIDE COMPUTER CLASS:
A Fun and Friendly Way to Learn New Skills. Are you looking for a way to improve your computer skills and have fun at the same time? If so, you might want to join the Bannside Computer Class, a great group of ladies who meet every week to learn new things and enjoy each other’s company.
What We Do
Every week, we work on a different aspect of the Microsoft suite of applications, such as Word, Publisher, or PowerPoint. We learn how to use these tools to create various documents, such as letters, flyers, posters, or presentations.
For example, in December, we produced the customary calendar for Christmas, which involved manipulating images and entering text in text boxes all through Publisher. It was a lot of fun and we were very proud of our work.
What We Are Working On
Currently, we are honing our skills on Word, formatting text, tables, and images. We are learning
how to:
Change fonts, colours, and sizes Align and justify text Insert and edit tables Add and resize images Apply styles and themes
Every year, the ladies build on their skills and knowledge and become more competent working with computers. But our door is always open to new members, so if you are interested, please feel free to contact us.
What We Enjoy
It is not all work in the class though. We always have time for lots of chat and cups of tea along the way. We share stories, tips, and advice with each other. We also celebrate birthdays, holidays, and achievements together. We are more than just a class; we are a community. Sadly, we lost one of our class members last year. Mary was a very popular lady and is greatly missed by all of us. We dedicate this blog post to her memory and hope she is smiling down on us.
Genevieve Sally – Tutor
AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK GROUP
Bannside Homework Club provide a quiet, structured and safe environment for the children to complete their homework receiving help and support when needed.
The Homework Club removes the burden from parents/guardians stressing if homework is done or wondering if the child understood work
they completed.
It’s encouraging to witness how the children mix together make new friends across the religious and racial divide. Their confidence grows, and experience working together as a team. Parents/guardians have expressed their gratitude for the support, help and encouragement their children receive at the club .
Mary Tennyson Tutor
ARTS & CRAFTS CELEBRATIONS
ARTS & CRAFTS
The ladies stated they would like to continue with The Arts and Crafts over the summer
so the programme only stopped for two weeks during July. They felt the interaction and crafting would provide positive steps to maintaining good mental health. Staying open seemed of great importance to them it
also provided the opportunity for Bannside – a people led group - to fill the gap other clubs caused as they closed for summer.
Currently the group is a good mix of cross community participants. We have continually tried to attract male participation in our activities, but with little or no success, however, we will continue to attempt to address this issue.
Last year’s craft shows provided an opportunity to show some of our creations and sell some. The group found that it was time consuming and hard work moving the items back and forth. To avoid a repetition of this we approached the Emerald Crafts and requested if we could submit our crafts to the local Pop-Up Shop which lasted 5 weeks. We agreed any money made would be saved towards an outing.
Imelda Truesdale - Tutor
IT & ARTS / CRAFTS PRESENTATIONS
The internal Bannside certificates are a highlight. The ladies all said it gave them a sense of achievement. Recipients: - (from L to R) Norma Madill; Janette McCanny; Carol Cheesman; Roisin Dunbar; Lily McConville; Shiela McGrain; Irene Topping; Sr Eveleen Conlin; Molly Erwin; Eleanor Cornett; Tina Topping; Rita Morgan; Gloria Anderson; Ita Hendron.
Those who were unable to attend the evening had their certificates delivered. Presentations by Catherine McCooe; Jenny Sally and Sr Mary Turley
YOUTH INTERVENTION PROGRAMME
The number of young people taking part in the programme grew in 2023. A number of the new faces are siblings of our original group. Many of these young people having suffered the loss of a parent or sibling are fragile.
Trips to Burger King and snacks in the Centre are a way to ensure that none of these people leave the building hungry. The interaction we have with them on a Thursday evening we feel in very important. Campbell, Gail and Lauren another volunteer from the Y Zone help us with the program. These young people have gained confidence and self -worth and are currently attending college regularly and have a better brighter outlook of what they can achieve - how much they have to gain and give and a chance of a better future.
None of these young people attend regular youth clubs as they feel they do not cater for their specific needs. We feel fortunate to have this interaction with these young people as much as they do with us. It is great and rewarding to see these young people come so far in confidence and selfworth.
In 2024 we would like to maintain our established groups as well as possibly establishing more connections with other groups both North and South of the Border. We believe this would be a great opportunity to learn from each other as to how we overcome the negatives and celebrate the positives. We would also like to engage with other groups in Belfast who are sited near a physical interface and how they have delt with this over the years.
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 2000 Ltd; 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