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