Conway Street Community Enterprise Project Ltd.
Trustees’ Annual Report
From 1[st] Dec 2023 to 3oth Nov 2024
Charity no. 102869 Company no. 18505 Date registered. 04/05/2018
Background
The Conway Street Community Enterprise Project Ltd. was formally registered as a not-for-profit organisation, limited by guarantee in 1985. The founding members’ main objectives were the promotion, support and facilitation of small indigenous economic enterprises, and the development of adult education facilities.
The Mill became an ‘incubator’ for a whole range of new and innovative enterprises and projects. It provided the space, time and support for economic, cultural and community initiatives to be though through and established.
In 1999 the CSCEP oversaw the establishment of Conway Mill Preservation Trust Ltd. Tasked with the preservation, protection and restoration of Conway Mill for the benefit of the inhabitants of Belfast and of West Belfast in particular. The Trust successfully achieved the funding required to restore this historical building. An extensive renovation of the two main blocks was completed in 2011.
Conway Street Community Enterprise Project Ltd is the body responsible for the maintenance and management of the entire complex. The company is currently governed by 6 Directors. A management committee of 8 individuals drawn from tenants and interested persons who meet quarterly or as needed. This cohort provides a valuable service to the management structure and ensures community input and good communication structures. A news bulletin is circulated to all tenants to keep them informed of upcoming events, training opportunities, housekeeping etc.
CSCEPL currently employs 1 Full-time and 6 Part-time staff.
The complex is monitored by CCTV and Security Personnel on-site and out of office hours CCTV monitor use is 24 / 7 at all times.
Our Insurance is always up-to-date as well as licences granting permission for wedding ceremonies to be conducted here in the Mill as well as an entertainments license.
CSCEP Charitable objectives are:
The Charity’s objects (“Objects”) are to benefit the inhabitants of the North of Ireland ( the area of benefit ), with particular recognition of the West Belfast community, without distinction of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, ethnicity, or political, religious or other opinion
A statement of the main purposes as defined by the charity commission are:
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Advance community development
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Promote urban regeneration in an area of social and economic deprivation
The Charity’s objects (“Objects”) are to benefit the inhabitants of the North of Ireland (the area of benefit”), with particular recognition of the West Belfast community, without distinction of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, ethnicity, or political, religious or other opinion and in particular to:-
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(1) Advance community development by:-
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(a) Trading:
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(b) Amenities for community, voluntary and charitable groups.
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(c) Education / Training
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(d) Social inclusivity, equality and diversity.
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(2) Promote urban regeneration in an area of social and economic deprivation by all or any of the following means:
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(a) the creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings and/or land for use on favourable terms;
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(b) the promotion and support of social enterprise, social economic development and sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration;
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(c) the relief of unemployment in such ways as may be thought fit.
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(d) the promotion of education, training and retraining and providing unemployed people with work experience.
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(3) The advancement of heritage and culture by preserving, restoring, maintaining and improving, for the benefit of the public, the Conway Mill Complex, a building of historical, architectural and industrial merit and to stimulate and educate the public interest therein.
Who do we help
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Tenants
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Voluntary and community groups
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Unemployed and low wage
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Students
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Ethnic minorities
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Specific areas of deprivation
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Artists
How do we do this?
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Urban regeneration
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Promoting Entrepreneurship
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Training & Education
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Community Cohesion
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Cultural, Arts, Leisure and Entertainment
HOW DO THESE ACTIVITIES PROVIDE A BENEFIT?
Urban Regeneration:
The Provision of units or other spaces has been provided for Community and Voluntary organisations who have little or no funding and would otherwise have no presence locally have been supported during this reporting period. i.e.: -Tar Anall, CEC, AMPS, SIPS and the John Bosco ABC Boxing club
Promotion of Entrepreneurship
We support and help to development new initiatives to promote and support entrepreneurs locally.
Unique Wedding Venue
We have both Entertainment and Marriages Licenses in place which will increase footfall to the Mill generating employment and income.
Mill Museum / Shop
We are members of the NIMC and work with NIMC receiving advice on the preservation of materials and artefacts etc which are exhibited in the Mill complex / Museum as part of a local history tour promoting the Mill , Museum and shop as a must see tourist attraction . All artefacts, historical documents, linen samples and machinery are exhibited. As is our resident artists’ work / products created with a Mill theme.
Training / Education
Conway Street Community Enterprise Project Limited continue to facilitate Community information sessions, Seminars; Job fairs, Debates; Plays; Exhibitions; Installations as well as fundraisers and festival events. We facilitated local and international students of architecture, engineering, history and international studies via tours of the complex.
Community Cohesion
Conway Street Community Enterprise Project facilitates the building of better relationships across cultural, faith, ethnic and other divides; through Community information sessions, seminars; job fairs, debates; plays; exhibitions; installations as well as fundraisers and festival events. Examples of these include: -
Hosting of Job Fairs in the Atrium by Job Assist, JBOs local offices and an array of business from across the city promoting training and employment opportunities for local youths.
Féile International Food Fares were hosted in the Atrium in March as part of Féile an Earraigh and again in August as part of the main Féile an Phobail events
Syrian Refugee summer scheme managed and delivered by Conway Education Centre held their end of programme celebration in the Atrium
Cultural, Arts, Leisure and Entertainment
The Mill currently has 24 Artists occupying 20 units within the Mill.
Local schools, theatre companies, local artists, heritage bodies and museums have all been provided with space for exhibition, performance, workshops, film, documentary and outreach that attracts visitors to the Mill from across the city and beyond. Film, documentary, drama and local bands creating music videos have all benefited from access to some of the unique spaces within the Mill complex.
Private benefit:
There is no private benefit.
DECLARATION
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature
Full Name(s)
Andrew Donnelly
Position
BOD Member
DATE 7/8/2025