2023-03-31-annual-report

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT ON THE ACTivrrIES OF DOWNE UNIVERsrrY OF THE ST THIRD AGE (NI 102502) FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2023 Introduction This report refers to the operation of Downe University of the Third Age (NI 102503) st (commonly known as Downe u3a) in the financial year I st April 2022 to 31 March 2023. It includes a Receipts and Payments account. The u3a is governed by the attached constitution. It has no fixed address, but correspondence can go to The Treasurer, Downe u3ffj 15 Saul Rd, Downpatrick, BT30 6NN Purposes of the Charity The objective of this organisation, in operation since 2007, is to advance the education of the public and in particular the education of older people in Downpatrick and its surrounding locality and to promote the education and well-being of its members. Main Activities It provides learning activities in a social environment for older people in Downpatrick and the surrounding are4 mainly through over 20 interest groups and a monthly meeting with a guest speaker. Main Achievements in 2022-23 At the beginning of that year we were just coming out of Covid restrictions and, recognising the breakdown of many social relations, the u3a made particular efforts to get members back into meeting people and to encouraging new members to join. During the year we recruited 83 new members, ending with a totsl of 264, helped by funding from the Lottery Fund and the Public Health Agency. Public Benefit The trustees of Downe u3a have had regard to the Commission's Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. Financial Position at the End of the Year In 2023134 there was a surplus of £1,138 on unrestricted funds compared with a loss of £1,269 the previous year when, since there were no face to face no membership fees were charged except for new members. Consequently receipts from gift aid were low in 2022123. Income in 2022123 was boosted by an unrestricted award of £400 was received from ASDA. Restricted funds were received from the Lottery Fund (all used in 2022123), Health Promotion Agency (all used in 2022123 but the final money was not received until April 2023) and the Arts Council (partly used in 2022123). Signed: Date: Trustees at the end of 2022123 were: Curran, Hubert; Killen. Patrick. Magee, Sheila. Marr, Douglas" Mcmanus, Helen. Mulhall, Brendan" Teggart, Carrie. Marr, Edwina. RegiSte￿d Charity Nl 102502