C.H.I.L.D.
COMMUNITY HELP IN THE LOCAL DISTRICT
TRUSTEE REPORT 2022/2023
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR FROM 1[ST] APRIL 2022 TO 31[ST] MARCH 2023
Reference and administrative information
Charity Name C.H.I.L.D. (Community Help in the Local District)
Registered Charity Number NI00086
Charity Commission Reference Number NIC102473
Registered address 40 Railway Street
Strabane
BT82 8EH Contact Number 07743916428
Trustees at 31/03/22
Rita Wilson
Martina Semple
Monica Mccann Martin French
Paul Gallagher
Accountant: Crudden Dolan Ltd. 36 Railway Street, Strabane. Banker: Bank of Ireland, Abercorn Square, Strabane. BT82 8AH
PUBLIC BENEFITS
The association is established to relieve poverty and support by means of financial assistance any charitable project for the relief of poverty, financial hardship and
Suffering and to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Strabane area and its environs of County Tyrone by associating the statutory authorities, community and voluntary organisations and the inhabitants and in particular: (a) To provide financial or practical assistance to individuals who are in need of such assistance as a result of their social and economic circumstances. The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include affordable clothing, furniture, toys and household goods for those in poverty and cannot purchase new items. Financial assistance is also available to people in times of crisis. These benefits can be demonstrated by people travelling to access medical assistance in time of need, the access to affordable clothing, furniture and household goods. There is no harm flowing from this purpose. (b) To promote or assist in promoting community capacity building programmes and projects for the benefit of the inhabitants within the area of benefit. The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include active citizens with raised community capacity volunteering to enable the organisation in its service provision. The beneficiaries are the organisation itself and the volunteers that participate within it. These benefits can be demonstrated by the creation of a greater awareness of the Social Surroundings. There are no harm flowing from this purpose. (c) To relieve poverty by the promotion, facilitation and organisation of adequate , accessible and quality programmes of vocational and educational training, information and support in an effort to acquire skills and retraining to assist the beneficiaries in obtaining employment. The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include the provision of training and work experience in retail, management committee training and the financial sector. The beneficiaries are residents of Strabane district council area. These benefits can be demonstrated by the number of people upskilling, having greater self-confidence, widening their social circle and moving into employment. The purpose may lead to the following harm of having to continually source new volunteers for carrying out service provision due to the fact that those upskilled or retrained beneficiaries are no longer available to volunteer but this harm is outweighed by the benefit provided to the beneficiaries. (d) To preserve and protect the environment for the public benefit. The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include the reduction of the carbon footprint. The beneficiaries are the residents of the Strabane district council area and the wider environment as a whole. These benefits can be demonstrated by the creation of a greater community awareness of recycling and a greater value placed on it. It also means that less public money is spent on using landfill sites and materials are given a longer life span. There are no harm flowing from this purpose. (e) To advance any other exclusively charitable purpose as the management committee may from time to time decide in organisation and having the ability to adapt to the changing societal needs and the organisation continuing to be in the position to provide required services. There is no private benefit flowing from any of the above purposes.
WHAT C.H.I.L.D. DOES
C.H.I.L.D. raises funds through the sale of donated furniture, clothing and brica-brac. These funds are used to help alleviate poverty in the Strabane area by providing food vouchers or other financial assistance to help those in need of help. We work closely with local community groups in the area who are aware of those people who need this help.
C.H.I.L.D.’S CLASSIFICATIONS
. The prevention or relief of poverty.
. The advancement of citizenship or community development.
. The advancement of environmental protection or improvement.
. The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.
WHO C.H.I.L.D. HELPS
.Addictions(Drug/Solvent/Alcohol abuse)
.Children (5-13 year olds)
.General public
.Men
.Parents
.Unemployed/low income
.Women
.Youth (14-25)
C.H.I.L.D,’S PURPOSES
The association is established to relieve poverty and support by means of financial assistance any charitable project for the relief of poverty, financial hardship and suffering and to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Strabane area and its environs of County Tyrone, without distinction of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, community and effort to improve the conditions of life of those in need.
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity C.H.I.L.D. was constituted on the 01/04/12 and is managed by the named committee in accordance with its adopted constitution.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Income for the year 2022/2023 was £21,217 and expenditure was £22,478.
Bank balance at the 01/04/22 was £8,153 and closing bank balance at 31/03/23 was £6892.
The charity Warehouse at Railway Street is the main revenue source for C.H.I.L.D. All goods sold were donated by the general public. Local businesses and schools in the area have also donated items to be sold in the warehouse. Income is also generated through recycling of items we are unable to use. The trustees have agreed that while the warehouse is the main source of income for our charity it is also very important that it provides a service to the poor and strives to keep prices at levels which are affordable to anyone in financial poverty. The trustees also agreed to close the warehouse on several weeks when there were rising covid infections in the local community to protect our volunteers. Several donations were also received from local business and individuals. This year we have noticed an increase in the need for food vouchers from families and those in need due to increased fuel and food prices and were able to provide food vouchers for 110 families and individuals in need. We noted an increase in demand from those who are working and not on benefits who have been impacted by the increasing cost of daily living. We again organised a very successful school uniform appeal where the public donated good quality used school uniforms which we were able to provide to 26 families. We also organised a Christmas Toy Appeal to help provide toys for 31 families struggling to meet the cost of Christmas gifts for their children. We also organised an appeal for good quality Holy Communion outfits and provide these to 8 families in need. Five families were helped with funeral expenses. Twenty one families were helped with expenses incurred with serious illness or while having to travel to hospitals by food vouchers, heating, clothing and/or cash assistance. Five families were helped with educational needs. We have also assisted in the provision of counselling for young people and families where drug and/or alcohol misuse were impacting negatively in their lives. We work very closely with the local community groups to ensure that those who need help can be identified and ensure that help is given to those in need. We note that demand has increased for household goods and furniture and we sincerely thank all those who donate their unwanted items to CHILD so that we are able to continue to provide help for those who find themselves in need.