Hillstown RURAL COMMUNITY GROUP Trustees, Annual Report 2023124 Charlty Narne: Hillstown Rural Community Group (HRCG) Charlty Reg. No: 102669 Correspondence Addres5: c/0 223 Portglenone Road Randalstown Co. Antrim BT413RP Premlses Addro5S: 130 Glebe Road Randalstown Co. Antrim BT413DT Trustees: The followlng served as Charity Trustees during the year and up to the date of this Report: Alan Nicholl Gary Adalr Sharon Nicholl Alex Wallace Sheldon Murray Hubert Nlcholl The Trustees have regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's Public Benefit requirement Statutory guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the 8uidance is relevant. In the Activities and Achievements section below, HRCG has reported on the actlvitles the group has carried out to further its purposes for the Public Benefit.
Bankers: Ulster Bank 8 Market Square Antrim Co. Antrim BT414AT Governance: Hi11stown Rural Community Group operates under its th Constitutlon dated 12 June 2012. Charlty Purposes: Hillstown Rural Community Group was established to help Improve the lives of the local community by offerlng a variety of activities within the local area that will increase community cohesion and reduce social isolatlon. Charlty Beneficlarles: Residents of Hillstown and surrounding district. Flnanclal Revlew: Throughout the year Hillstown Rural Community Group sourced funding from varlous funders. The Opening Balance at l April 2023 was £9,315.43. Income durlng 2023/24 Flnanclal Year totalled £14,553.29 and Expendlture totalled £4,93S.39, leavlng a Balance at Year End of £18,933.33. Artivltles and Achlevements: In the 2023124 financlal year Hlllstown Rural Comrnunlty Group (HRCG) continued with ranges of activities and events aimed at improvlng the lives of the local community and surroundlng d15trict. The first actlvlty of the year was a celebration event in May for the Coronation of King Charles111 at which entertalnment and food, including a special Coronatlon Cake were provSded. This event was supported by Mid and East Antrim Borough Councll and proved very popular with the local communlty. During the 2023124 year HRCG continued to deliver a number of events aimed at seniors in the local area. These events included information sessions deliveied by the local Pharmacist on various health Issues a5 part of the Community Development & Health Network, Building the Community Pharmacy Programme. The health issues discussed included: Blood Pressure. Home Health Monitorin& Keeping Healthy during the Winter; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Hearin& Pain Relief. Healthy Eatln& Exercise; and Skin Conditlons. These sessions proved popular and resulted In Increased awareness by seniors in the local community regardlng the servlces offered by these organisations.
Throughout the year we organised a number of reminiscence sessions which provided opportunitie5 for the seniors within the local communlty to come together and reminisce. A number of these sessions were deliveied by Nl Screen which proved very popular. These sessions prompted discussion amongst the seniors and helped contribute towards reduced social isolation and promoted positive mental health and well-being. The senlors also enjoyed a visit to Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey where they learned about the history of the Arthur family and where they were also able to sample breads and apple tarts baked over the open fire in the cottage. Durlng the year group members participated in a Discover Ulster Scots Programme during which the group heard from various speakers and musicians from the Ulster Scots culture and tradition. The programme which was funded by the Ulster Scots Agency culminated in visit to the Ulster Scots Dlscovery Centre In Belfast. A better understanding of the historyp culture, music and language of the Ulster Scots tradltlon was achieved. At Christmas we held our Annual Communlty Chrlstmas Dlnner wlth 70 people attendlng. The dinner provided opportunity for the community to come together and important relationship bullding has been achleved which has resulted in new people particlpating in other community events and activltles. We held a very successful Burns Night with Ulster Scots entertainment Including Robert Burns, poetry, Informatlon on the life of Robert Burns, a Piper, and a Ceilidh Band as well as a tradltlonal Burns Supper of Ha88is, Neeps and Tattles. For the first time HRCG hosted a Cushion Cover Block Prlntlng Workshop at Hillstown which proved very popular and a number of new people attended thi5 activity who hadn't previously engaged with our group. Two of our group members contlnued to participate in a PEACE IV funded programme within the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Councll area. The Key Institutions Pro8ramme was deslgned to bring communities from different backgrounds, reli8ious beliefs and cultures together so the participants can increase knowledge and 8ain positive experlences across communitle5 and cultures. Throughout the year members of HRCG played an active role in the committee of Bann Maine West Community Cluster which involves various groups from the villages and rural areas west of Ballymena who work in partnership to organise and deliver various events and activities for the community. The focus this year was activitles for seniors, attivities to break down barriers with minority communitles living in the local area, and the contlnuation of a men's monthly group meeting as well as Other health and information sessions. Throughout the year we shared information with the local community about various other events and activities bein8 organised by other organisations in the wider local area. The
information sessions, activities and visits organised by HRCG throughout the year have resulted in positive relationship building and friendships have been forged wlthin the group re5ultin8 in improved quality of life, mental well-being and reduced social isolation particularly for the older generatlon of Hillstown and the surrounding district. Signed: Chairperson: Hubert Nicholl Date: 27 January 2025