Donegall Pass Community Forum Trustees’ Annual Report 2024-2025 


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## Introduction 

Donegall Pass Community Forum (DPCF) is a beacon of hope and resilience in the heart of inner South Belfast. Operating in one of the most deprived areas of the city, our mission is to empower individuals, strengthen community bonds, and create opportunities for growth, learning, and wellbeing. This year’s report reflects the incredible work carried out by our staff, volunteers, and partner ~~s—w~~ ork that has transformed lives, uplifted families, and brought people together across divides. From tackling food poverty to delivering accredited training, from supporting mental health to enhancing our shared spaces, DPCF continues to be a vital force for good in the community we proudly serve. 

## Structure, Governance and Management 

Donegall Pass Community Forum (DPCF) is led by a dedicated voluntary Board of Trustees who give their time, expertise, and commitment to improving life in one of Belfast’s most deprived inner ~~-c~~ ity communities. The Forum delivers its work through three core pillars: 

- Community Education & Training 

- Physical Regeneration 

- Community Relations 

Across all three areas, health and wellbeing remain at the heart of everything we do. Trustees meet regularly to ensure strong governance, financial oversight, and strategic direction, ensuring the organisation continues to respond to the evolving needs of local residents. 

## Objectives and Activities 

DPCF exists to support, empower, and uplift the people of Donegall Pass. Our objectives reflect the challenges and strengths of this diverse and resilient community: 

- Expanding access to education, training, and lifelong learning 

- Building stronger, safer, and more connected neighbourhoods 

- Improving the physical environment and advocating for community ~~-l~~ ed regeneration 

- Tackling poverty, inequality, and the ongoing cost ~~-o~~ f ~~-l~~ iving crisis 

- Enhancing wellbeing through social, cultural, and healt ~~h-~~ focused programmes 

Our work is shaped by listening to residents, responding to need, and creating opportunities for people to thrive. 

## Public Benefit Statement 

The Trustees confirm that all activities undertaken by DPCF deliver clear public benefit. Our programmes are designed to support individuals and families experiencing 

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disadvantage, isolation, or financial hardship, ensuring that the people of Donegall Pass have access to the support, skills, and services they need to improve their quality of life. 

## Achievements and Performance 

## Community Relations & Community Development 

This year, DPCF strengthened community cohesion by supporting nine local community groups. These partnerships helped create shared spaces, shared experiences, and shared understanding across a diverse population. 

- e 9 local community groups supported: 

- e ~~-~~ Donegall Pass Residents Association 

- e ~~-~~ Elm Court Sheltered Housing 

- e = ~~-~~ Forward South Partnership / QUB 

- e ~~-~~ Inner South Belfast Partnership Board 

- e ~~-~~ CRI Board e ~~-~~ Community Centre Summer Scheme 

- e ~~-~~ SOLAS toddlers group 

- e ~~-~~ Princes Trust Access to Media e ~~-~~ Eden Project 'Growing Local Connections' workshops 

- e 151 beneficiaries of community bonding/relations projects 

- e 4staff/volunteers trained in community development skills e 14 volunteers contributed 295 hours 

- e 100% of participants reported feeling more comfortable engaging across community backgrounds 

- e Projects included garden volunteers, ESOL teachers, summer event volunteers, and community garden activities 

## Education, Training & Employability 

DPCF’s education and training programmes continue to transform lives by building confidence, improving employability, and helping people take meaningful steps toward work, further education, or sel ~~f~~ -employment. In a community where many adults have been out of learning for years, these programmes offer a vital pathway back into skills development and opportunity. Participants consistently reported increased confidence, new friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Key achievements: 

- e 157 people received job ~~-~~ specific or employability training ¢ 20 people completed Level 1 & Level 2 Essential Skills ICT e 20 people commenced Essential Skills ICT: 

   - 10 completed 

   - 4 achieved Level 2 

   - 6 achieved Level 1 

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- ¢ 6 people completed Beginners ICT (first period) 

- e 11 people completed Beginners ICT (second period) e 12 people completed a 6 ~~-~~ week Beginners British Sign Language course e 14 people gained Level 2 Beauty Qualifications 

- e 8women completed a Level 2 ABT Waxing course 

- e 23 people completed a 4 ~~-~~ week Air Fryer Course (non ~~-a~~ ccredited) e 12 people gained an accredited CPR & Defibrillator First Aid certificate ¢ 6 women completed a 16 ~~-~~ week WRAP Programme funded by Gems NI 

## ESOL achievements: 

- e Weekly ESOL classes delivered by volunteer teachers, with DPCF providing the venue and resources 

- e ESOL supported learners to: o Improve spoken and written English 

   - Prepare for citizenship interviews 

   - o Communicate more confidently in workplaces 

- e One ESOL student completed a Translation qualification and is now working as a freelance translator 

- e Another student received 1 ~~-~~ to ~~-1~~ support, passed her citizenship conversational test, and became a British Citizen 

## Enterprise support: 

- e A local resident was supported to start a kinesiology business 

   - Provided with a Complementary Therapies Suite free during the incubation period 

   - DPCF recruited local residents as clients 

   - o Guidance offered on funding streams and supportive organisations 

## Health & Wellbeing 

Health and wellbeing remained central to DPCF’s mission, especially as the cost ~~-o~~ f ~~-l~~ iving crisis continued to impact mental health, physical health, and social connection. Our programmes offered safe spaces for relaxation, learning, and community support. Participants consistently reported improved wellbeing, reduced stress, and increased confidence. 

## Key achievements: 

- e 559 individuals engaged in health intervention services e 952 total engagements across all health and wellbeing activities e 100% of participants in complementary therapies reported improved mental health (Warwick Edinburgh Scale) 

## Activities and supports: 

- e 79 people accessed Complementary Therapies e 151 people participated in Garden Workshops 

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- e 250 people attended Christmas and Summer Garden Events e 40 individuals supported through Fareshare ¢ 8 participants in Playlist for Life Group e¢ 23 people completed the Air Fryer Course e 34 people accessed the Social Supermarket Larder e 94 seniors received Seniors Vouchers e¢ 66 people received Social Supermarket Vouchers 

- e 10 people received Yoga Vouchers e 121 participants attended 12 wellbeing workshops e 15 volunteers contributed to wellbeing activities e 18 individuals supported through the PHA Mental Health Project 

## Relax and Reconnect Programme: 

- e Participants reported: o Improved sleep o Reduced stress o Healthier eating o Better coping strategies 

- e Sessions included meditation, therapy, reflexology, nutrition, and hands ~~-~~ on activities 

- e Participants described the programme as fun, formative, and li ~~fe~~ -enhancing 

## Cost-of-living support 

- e Fareshare food distribution twice weekly, providing free surplus food e Food and fuel vouchers distributed to families and individuals in need e Hey Girls period poverty products provided free of charge 

## Social Supermarket Project 

The Social Supermarket has becomea lifeline for residents facing financial hardship. It combines practical food support with personal development, wellbeing activities, and tailored action planning to help people build long ~~-~~ term resilience. 

## Key achievements: 

- e 81 individuals completed 1 ~~-~~ to ~~-1~~ Action Plans o Covering education, employment, training, and wellbeing o Helped identify needs and signpost to relevant supports o Informed future training provision 

Support strands included: 

- e Complementary therapies e Health workshops 

- e Beauty courses 

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- e Food vouchers e Larder Store e Yoga vouchers 

The Larder: 

- e Run by a local volunteer 

- e 34 households supported 

- e Feedback consistently excellent 

- e Action Plans highlighted: o Working families, single parents, and people living with cancer are particularly struggling 

   - Rising food and heating costs are major pressures 

## Summer Feed the Nation Project 

This project ensured that children who normally receive free school meals did not go without during the summer holidays. It provided stability, dignity, and essential support to families under pressure. 

## Key achievements: 

- e 1,720 food packs delivered over 8 weeks e Each pack provided 5 days of meals per child 

- e 48 children benefitted e 24 families supported 

## Children and Young People 

DPCF delivered a range of inclusive, creative, and supportive activities for children and young people, including those with additional needs. These programmes helped build confidence, friendships, and emotional wellbeing. 

## Key achievements: 

- e 31 children and young people engaged in projects e 16 children participated in monthly afte ~~r-~~ school activities e 7 young people took part in the Princes Trust Access to Media project e 8children (aged 4 ~~—5~~ ) attended weekly autism ~~-~~ support sessions with SOLAS e Christmas and Summer family events held in the Community Garden 

## Physical Regeneration Projects 

DPCF continued to advocate for community ~~-l~~ ed regeneration, ensuring that local voices are heard in planning processes and that shared spaces are improved for everyone. 

Key achievements and activities: 

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- e CRI Building Improvements: o Working with architects on accessibility, sustainability, maintenance, and a new roof 

- Tendering planned for May 2025 

- e Linen Quarter BID: o Supporting proposals to improve Gasworks open spaces o Ensuring community accessibility 

- e Havelock House: o Supporting DPRA in opposing the development o Attended Planning Committee o Supported judicial review submissions 

- e Elm Court: o Addressing maintenance issues with Choice Housing o Joint VE Day celebration 

- e Public Realm Maintenance: o Supporting DPRA with street trees, pavements, and parking 

## Community Garden: 

- e Improvements included: o More volunteers o Solar power installation o General enhancements 

- e Hosted workshops for: o Princes Trust o SOLAS o Summer Scheme o Lunch Club o Indian Women’s Association 

- e Workshops included: o Biodiversity o Planting and potting o Vegetable growing o Apple pressing o Homemade lemonade o Lavender bundles 

- e Hosted the End of Summer Garden Party e Hosts the Community Christmas Tree e Provides fruit and vegetables to local families e Offers a welcoming space for tea, conversation, and connection 

## Plans for the Future 

Looking ahead, DPCF will continue to champion the needs of the Donegall Pass community by: 

~~-~~ Expanding the Social Supermarket and Larder 

~~-~~ Increasing accredited training opportunities 

~~-~~ Enhancing mental health and wellbeing programmes 

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## Donegall Pass Community Forum Company limited by guarantee 

## Trustees Report for the year ended 30 April 2025 

## Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing those financial statements the directors are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; 

- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures 

- disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is appropriate to presume that the 

- charitable company will continue in operation. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information. 

This report was approved by the Board on the 29th January 2026 

## Nigel ~~Yh~~ (Jan 29, 2026 15:59:32 ~~GMT)~~ 

N McCrum 

Trustee 

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