Greencastle Community Association
Trustee Report 1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022
Email: greencastlecommunity@gmail.com
Registered With The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC102772
Names of trustees from Jan 22 - Dec 22
Michael Coyle Seán Teague Una Tuohey Fiona Teague Francis Bradley Leona Teague Caroline Coyle Kieran Coyle
The above trustees were appointed by members to manage the organisation in 2022. They were voted in at the 2022 AGM by ballot paper.
The purpose of the charity
As a NI Charities Commission registered charity the Greencastle Community Association’s agreed purpose is to:
“promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Greencastle and its environs of County Tyrone (hereinafter called "the area of benefit") without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions, by associating together the said inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for our inhabitants and to promote such other charitable purposes”.
What charity has done during 2022 (summary)
In 2022 we worked with various local groups and agencies including:
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Fermanagh and Omagh District Council including continue to contribute to the area wide covid community response. The council have also contributed to the running costs of the community centre through revenue and programme resources.
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The community centre hosted a vaccine clinic obo Western Health and Social Care Trust in March 22.
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Substantial community engagement as part of the development of a Greencastle Community Plan which was finalised 2022.
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Delivered numerous fundraising events.
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Implemented a reviewed booking process for the centre.
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Worked in partnership with the local primary school ‘Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School’, local church and businesses on defibrillator replacement programme.
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Worked with our local retirement group to ensure the venue was available for their weekly programme.
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Delivered numerous health and wellbeing programmes for the local community including a 6 week ‘Couch to 5k’ programme.
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Made numerous funding applications for programme and resource developments.
Difference made to beneficiaries and wider society
As COVID began to leave the lives of locals, our group worked hard to ensure the facilities were reopened and accessible to everyone within our local community. We held 6 meetings throughout 2022. Through the groups work we have provided opportunities for over 350 local citizens from 7 local groups to take part in recreational, sporting, educational, and social programmes over the last year. The group worked hard to provide an opportunity for people to look after their health and wellbeing as well as the opportunity to improve their social wellbeing through the provision of programmes at our community centre. This has included the provision of an exercise programme including Pilates and exercise classes as well as a ‘Couch to 5k’ programme that engaged over 25 people who hadn’t ran before. As with all our programmes and events these were evaluated and are used to improve and influence planning for the future.
As part of the COVID response and roll out of the ‘Department of Health Vaccine Programme’, the community centre hosted a covid vaccine clinic which allowed over 65 people to access a vaccine they would have otherwise been unable to access locally.
We have secured a grant this year from Fermanagh Omagh District Council for running costs for the centre. We continued to fund raise where possible and worked with our ‘Lady of Lourdes’, local church and businesses on a defibrillator replacement programme. We also held a community coffee morning that was successful in providing a social opportunity for local people to come together while also raise vital funds for the overheads of the centre.
A major outcome from 2022 has been the development of the first ever ‘Greencastle Community Plan’. This plan has been developed through extensive engagement with over 200 local people who through having their views heard have now developed a pathway for development for the local area for the next 5 -10 years. This plan will be used to engage and lobby local and regional funders and policy makers to ensure the voice of the people of Greencastle are heard and inward investment into the area is secured.
Financial Review
Total income generated in the year to 31[st] December 2022 was £15,686, of which £3,923 was restricted funds and £11,763 was unrestricted funds. Total expenditure in the year to 31[st] December 2022 was £19,971 of which £6,380 was restricted funds and £13,591 was unrestricted funds.
The bank and cash balance at the 31[st] December 2022 was £7,532.
We continue to seek other funding sources including fundraising to help us to continue to be sustainable.
Reserves Policy
In line with recommended practice from The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, Greencastle Community Association has a reserves policy to ensure the stability of the charity. The target reserves level was set at £12,000 sufficient to cover approximately 6 months running costs.
How the charity has mitigated any harm flowing from its purposes
Throughout the year we have implemented a fire training programme to ensure our trustees are aware of how the fire system works in the centre and evaluation procedures are put in place. This ensured that we could anticipate and prevent accidents with fires and helped local groups use the centre safely. We also adopt good governance practices for trustees through providing information on local training opportunities available and reviewed the constitution of the organisation to ensure it is up to date and fit for purpose. We also have trustees who have participated in children’ safeguarding training, in the year ahead we have first aid and defibrillator training planned.
How the charity has ensured that any private benefit has been incidental to the public benefit.
There has been no private benefit and the trustees have a conflict of interest policy in place.
A statement of compliance with the duty to have regard to the commissions guidance.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees of Greencastle Community Association have given consideration to the Charity Commission for NI’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purpose and provide a benefit to beneficiaries.
Charity Structure and Management
Greencastle Community Association is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under charity number 102772. The group was set up on 8th May 2007 with a formally adopted constitution outlining the objects and powers of the group.
This report was approved by the trustees on 15[th] May 2023 and signed on their behalf by:-
Francis Bradley Trustee (CHAIRPERSON)