Greencastle Community Association
Trustee Report 1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023
Email: greencastlecommunity@gmail.com
Registered With The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: NIC102772
Names of trustees from Jan 23 - Dec 23
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 2023. They were voted in at the 2023 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 2023 (summary)
In 2023 we worked with various local groups and agencies including:
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Fermanagh and Omagh District Council including working with their community services staff to develop the Greencastle Health and Wellbeing Action plan. This involved extensive community engagement. 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 number of key community events including educational and information sessions for various age groups.
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Delivered numerous fundraising events.
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Implemented a reviewed booking process for the centre.
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Secured additional resources from various funders including:
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The Community Fund for a reviewed Defib Programme
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Fibrus for an upgrade in Wifi in the community centre
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Worked with our local retirement group to ensure the venue was available for their weekly programme.
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Contributed to the major capital development project plan and launch of the Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais | St. Patricks GFC Greencastle (gaa.ie)
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Secured £25k towards this from Garfield Weston for the new Capital Development Project
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Delivered numerous health and wellbeing programmes for the local community including fitness classes
Difference made to beneficiaries and wider society
In the last year Greencastle Community has put in place a significant development for a future capital development project that will see the local community benefit from a new facility in the future. The launch of Croí an Chaisleáin Ghlais has seen local clubs, community association, and school come together on an ambitious plan to build a new community hub onsite at Greencastle Community Centre. We have been successful in an application to Garfield Weston for the new capital development to a total of £25k.
As a group we held 6 meetings throughout 2023. Through the groups work we have provided opportunities for over 350 local citizens from 8 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 programmes including pilates, spinning, dance classes, boot camps and men’s social group and educational programmes. As with all our programmes and events these were evaluated and are used to improve and influence planning for the future.
In the last year we have engaged significantly with Fermanagh Omagh District Council and have worked extensively with their council officers to put in place a health and wellbeing plan for the community, this was developed based on needs identified by members of the local community. This has resulted in various programmes being put in place locally which has benefited local community members.
We have secured a grant this year from Fermanagh Omagh District Council for running costs for the centre. 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.
Financial Review
Total income generated in the year to 31[st] December 2023 was £18,642, of which £11,568 was restricted funds and £7,074 was unrestricted funds.
Total expenditure in the year to 31[st] December 2023 was £14,659 of which £3,044 was restricted funds and £11,615 was unrestricted funds.
The bank and cash balance at the 31[st] December 2023 was £11,515.
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 19[th] June 2024 and signed on their behalf by:-
Francis Bradley Trustee (CHAIRPERSON)