FRIENDS OF GLENARIFFE TRUSTEES/DIRECTORS REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 28/2/2022
GLENARIFFE COMMUNITY AND RECREATION CENTRE,
208 GARRON ROAD, GLENARIFFE,
CO. ANTRIM, BT44 0RB
CHARITIY COMMISSON REGISTRATION NUMBER - NIC 102467 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER - NI 606288
TRUSTEES/DIRECTORS
Niall Wheeler, Mary R. Murray, Heather Major, Sheila Burns, Margaret McIlwaine, John McIntosh, Stephen Kelly, Padraig McIlwaine.
This report is presented with regards to the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice “SORP” regulations in accordance with FRS102.
The accounts of the charity are prepared in accordance with the SORP.
Friends of Glenariffe was incorporated on 22.2.2011 and is a company limited by guarantee. Friends of Glenariffe governing document is Articles of Association.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The objective and activities of the Charity are administered by a management committee of not less than four members of the charity association. The management committee are elected at the Annual General Meeting of the directors and members. The management committee meet at least six times per year.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Glenariffe area and its environs without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity, political, religious or other opinion by association with voluntary and community organisations, statutory authorities and inhabitants in a common effort to:
(a) Provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupants with the object of improving the conditions of life for the aforementioned inhabitants.
(b) Promote cultural and arts activities.
(c) Advance community development by providing facilities and amenities for community and voluntary groups and organisations.
(d) Advance education and training.
MAIN ACTIVITIES
We provide gym facilities for almost 250 members which is open seven days a week. Our amenities include a function room, The Garron Suite, which offers full kitchen facilities where parties and a wide range of functions can be held. In addition, the centre holds a wide variety of exercise classes for both adults and children, and a range of community activities including arts and crafts, drama, educational
and skills development, sewing, singing and dance classes for people of all ages. The changing rooms and shower facilities are used by gym members, the local GAA clubs in the area and other sports groups who use the pitch and training field outside of the centre.
We hold fund raising events by way of music, family fun events, dancing, competitionsand sports for all.
COVID PANDEMIC
Glenariffe Community and Recreation Centre situated at 208 Garron Road, Glenariffe, has been operating since June 2019 providing a much needed recreational and community space in Glenariffe and the surrounding area. The year from March 2021 to February 2022 was particularly challenging given the continuation of lockdown restrictions across this period.
ACHIEVEMENTS THIS YEAR
Achievements on the operational side of the centre were limited due to the covid restrictions in place. Our income was supported heavily by covid related government grants and the government job retention scheme. We were also in receipt of donations totalling £65,000 which we used to reduce the UCIT loan and eventually redeem in November 2021. We were able to keep our staff on board and ran a considerable number of classes online including exercise classes, personal training sessions, flower arranging, yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and other classes. We also held online classes for children during this time.
In terms of covid positive tests, we had very few reported cases whilst the gym was open, mainly due to our stringent following of the restriction rules and keeping the centre and gym clean. Indeed, our group were complimented several times on the cleanliness of the centre and gym during the pandemic.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
We had no event income as we were unable to hold our annual Summer Marquee Festival or any other fund-raising events during the financial year. Our salaries and wages increased significantly because of increased staffing hours to both undertake cleaning duties between each gym session and ensure the gym was always supervised to ensure the safety of the gym patrons. We had additional utility costs relating to the mechanical air ventilation system operating for 16 hours a day helping minimise the risk of virus transmission.
Benefactor subscriptions for the year ended 28.2.22 totalled £5,670 (43 members). We were in receipt of grant aid totalling £50,276 (comprising of Job Retention Scheme, Covid related grants and other groups i.e., local council). Our gym membership subscriptions were largely sustained as many of our members continued with their subscriptions even when the gym was closed. Our local community helped greatly in ensuring that the centre would remain viable throughout the pandemic and for that we are grateful.
NO FUNDS ARE HELD ON BEHALF OF THE CHARITY BY A CUSTODIAN TRUSTEE.
Signed: Sheila Burns
Assistant Treasurer-------------------------------------------------