AGM Rosemount Resource Centre 2[nd] November 2017
Apologies: Marie Mooney and Seamus Harkin
Attendance:
The meeting was opened by Eileen Kivlehan Chairperson as the Secretary Seamus Harkin was ill and unable to the meeting the minutes were not able to be read. Sean Boyle assistant secretary to minute the meeting.
The managers’ report: Tommy McCourt the resource centre’s manager gave a verbal report.
(See attached written report)
1 Thanking staff for their dedication and hard work they carried out over the past year especially those staff who carried on working even though funding had ceased for their projects.
2 Time to Choose it was hope to get the project supported financially by the statuary services and no longer depend applying for funding as a voluntary project. Time to choose has been praised by the Social Services, Base 2 and the NIHE for the work they carry out on behalf of their clients and interventions and bringing about some stability to those they work with. John Donnelly has continued to head up the work though presently without funding or pay since June. John gave a brief account of the work with schools, young people and the issue of drugs and his work with statuary agencies’
3 Play Group Based in the centre is self -sustaining and able pay it’s staff and meet the day to day running costs. Jackie and staff were thanked by the manager for the excellent service they provide.
4 Blue Grass play group again are able to be self -sustaining paying staff and meeting the day to day running of the project.
5 Gym. The gym is being well used and the numbers using it is growing it is also self-sustaining.
6 Extension and Refurbishment. The DSD is funding the refurbishment with
£900,000. The building plan will be L shaped but the floor space will not be
increased in size but the new layout will be an improvement making better use of the floor space (layout of present rooms and offices).
6 DSD. The DSD will fund the architect and have requested additional funding maybe sought from the Derry City council as they were presently funding refurbishing of council centres and 2 non council properties/community agencies. (Ballymagroarty and the Glenn) The council have refused the request for funding on the grounds Rosemount Resource Centre was not council property. It would appear they have already broke with this and set a precedent in regards to the 2 projects above. There is still ongoing discussions with the centre manager and council.
7 Welfare Rights. The centre has been operating its welfare rights service with no funding since the city council withdrew this. This has been a cause for great concern as the centre has been inundated with request for help due welfare reform and the austerity people are now facing. With the soon introduction of Universal Credit in Derry there is real concerns for the service meeting the needs of the people.
8 John Donnelly was congratulated in his new role as chairman of the Outer West.
9 Dalton brought up two issues:
A Play centre in Brooke Park play facilities such as swings still not accessible for children with disability to enjoy.
B Rental of premises. Several times per year the Rosemount Recourse Centre request the use of the Brooke Park Centre. It seems unfair that the council is charging the Resource Centre when the events they organise at Brooke Park are serving the local community. This should be viewed as enhancing Brooke Park and the councils work with the local community and being accessible to all.
10 Halloween. Great success with families visiting the Halloween display in the ground of the Recourse Centre. The display was well done and attacked many visitors and was shared between two venues Rosemount and Creggan Collective.
11 Treasures Report. The centres accountant (Sean McGinty) read the
accounts and expressed thanks to Sandra and Jackie who manage the centre finances for a well done job.
12 Election of Committee : After this report the committee stood down to while an election took place to either re-elect or elect members to the vacant positions. It was agreed unanimously to re-elect the committee for another term.
13 AOB New committee member proposed Dee Dunne
Proposed by Dalton
Seconded by Gavin
This was carried unanimously.
The chairperson Thanked Tommy and the Staff for the work being carried out on behalf of the Rosemount Community and all who have used the centre from other areas. Thanks was also given to the committee for their support.
At this the meeting was brought to an end.
Rosemount Resource Centre
(ROSEMOUNT & DISTRICT WELFARE RIGHTS GROUP)
Staff & Funding
Manager DSD Development DSD Administrator DSD 1 fulltime youth worker Funded Children in Need
2 part time youth workers
1 receptionist
2 welfare Rights officer
1 part time training coordinator
1 in house solicitor 1 part time councillor
1 part time mediator
1 Youth co coordinator (Funded by International Red Cross
7 youth workers Time2choose project funded National Lottery & International fund for Ireland I clerical funded international Fund for Ireland 3 full time and 9 part time childcare workers
1 Fitness co coordinator for community GYM
Training
Childcare placement for NWIFHE Placements Derry Youth Community Work shop Strengthening Families qualification & Training Placements foreign students Foyle language on hands training CSR card Child Protection Welfare Rights First Aid Mediation Law
Childcare
We are sustaining and creating childcare places 83/72 children per sessions have been created and sustained in both of our Childcare providers, Treehouse Crèche which caters for 48 children age 2-4yrs and the Bluegrass After school Club which caters for 24 children 4-12 yrs. at each session, but have 34 children on their registrar. Both of our childcare provides offer an affordable professional services in an area of disadvantage. Both childcare services are part of the mapping exercise being carried out in the Outerwest NRA As a result of sustaining 84 childcare places we are able to sustain 3fulltime posts and 9 part time posts.
Both of the childcare providers have a waiting list
Drugs & Alcohol Support
This project has to offer support for all participants along as they require it, our support group regularly meets and is always there when any need arises, either with a listening ear or to signpost.
In this period 7people have used this service. People misuse of drugs that needed medical assistance Referrals for alcohol abuse Receiving counselling funded by us
We are only able to provide this service due to the commitment of our volunteers
Community safety
All of the below have been carried over from the previous years and will continue as Community safety is a high priority within the OW action plan.
1 community safety initiative in conjunction with the PSNI & NIHE (installation of security cameras)
2 . We have been instrumental in implementing warden scheme in conjunction with the CSP/CRJ
3 . We have developed actions against anti-social behaviour involving youth, residence councillors and PSNI. And secured funding for 3 posts.(on the streets at the week end)
- We are still heavily involved in the project alley gating securing fencing in residential alley ways and lanes working with DCC, NIHE, DSD,PSNI and community
5. Community safety clinic in operating out of our premises once a week,
We have taking action along with the relevant bodies to address anti-social behaviour. We are now establishing an neighbourhood watch with both older and younger residents in conjunction with the PSNI with the aim to tackle anti-social behaviour
Citywide community safety initiative has now been implanted in our area, Community safety clinic in operating out of our premises once a week, this allows the local community to speak directly to the wardens with concerns re anti-social behaviour or criminal acts. The community also report their concerns of Anti-social behaviour to the RRC and we the act as an intermediator and speak to the appropriate political, statutory and community organisation.
We are now in negotiation with DCC, NIHE, CRJ and many community safety initiatives across all NRA to come up with solution to make our community safer. The Outerwest Community Safety forum meets once a month, and addresses all aspects of community safety.
We are now in the process of designing and planning a application that with all relevant community and political groups, the private sector and the public sector to develop a programme that will target all areas of anti-social behaviour
Our Application to the national Lottery has been successful and so has are application to the international fund for Ireland, One of the objectives of the project Time2choose is to tackle antis social behaviour.
As part of the research on what we aim to do with have been communicated and discussing the project with various groups and organisation and as a result of these meetings we have now secured a partnership with the committee of the International Red Cross.
Programmes & Activities
Personal and Social development projects are ongoing within our organisation as we see these as a need of our beneficiaries to enable then to take an active involvement in their community. Have people have benefited from our projects that promote personal and social development. The Projects range from capacity building/personal/social development classes, to educational to Health to dance , painting/arts and crafts, stress management Welfare rights, and Music
Our welfare rights programme has now 4 outreach workers operating in the OUTERWEST NR, and City Wide
The demands in our service are continually increasing. Activities and Beneficiaries/Participants Due to the increase on outer services and the development of new project we now rent premise at Rathmore Business Park. This space hosts 5 new projects.
Nearly 5000 people have benefited for our services and have participated in one or more of our activities
Welfare Rights clients seen on this period over 1000 issues Brooke Park Forum - community soccer - Multi skills - Health and Safety at Work - Yoga Classes - Self Defence Handling Stress - Bus Trip Portrush - Conflict Resolution MindCrafts ongoing - Design and Implement Garden Renal Unit - Youth Care - mentoring for Success - Youth Care - mentoring Community Leadership - Positive citizenship - Historical Trip to Dublin - Dance and Movement –
MindCrafts - Challenge For Youth - Head Massage - relaxation - Positive Citizenship - Youth residential WELB 2 Youth residential Outdoor pursuits 14 years and above 4 wks Outdoor pursuits 14 years and under 4 wks 4 week dance Class 5 day soccer school 5 week Bowling Family male tournament Fishing Trip family male Community social outing Community Festival & sports Day Fest In The West 1 Rise & Shine Boot Camp 6.30am -9.45am 2 mornings a week Ladies Circuit Training 8 weeks 23 Male indoor football & Circuit Training Swimming Rosemount Boxing Club 19 new members Job search Advocacy Law centre Belfast Rights of advice worker Employment Debt Advice Teaching Preparation for Working Life youths Green Care Legal Advice 26 Physical Fitness & Nutrition Family conference Bowling Alley Celebration of Youth Photography Pitchers Puppeteers Shows 69 Children Magic Show Handling Stress - Bus Trip Belfast - MindCrafts ongoing - Youth Care - mentoring for Success - 16 people - all female Youth Care - mentoring Community Leadership - 12 people - all male Challenge For Youth - 23 people Head Massage - relaxation - 19 people Rise & Shine Boot Camp 6.30am -9.45am 2 mornings a week 39 Facilitation/Art Project Story of our Murals WELB section 75 Training 12 Derry Youth Teen for Culture (Nigel Gardiner) 24 part residential GSCE revision class 6 200 people (03/10/14) United Community against Drugs Conference Tower Hotel Celebrating youth event 12/12/14 50 attendees Thanks giving dinner catered for over 250 older and vulnerable people Approximately 280 people from the community were involved and participate in a community thanksgiving celebration held in Brooke Park Activity centre November.( The
reasoning behind this is get the community to come together and achieve what truly Matters without the high level costing. Served a 3 course hot meal Protestant people form the waterside who lived in Rosemount attend Younger people hand delivered and gave personal invitation making 2 visits. Women and men cooked and prepared all the food from scratch in their own homes. Young people served the older people their food, Women plated up the food. Irish traditional Music Christ Church Organist & singer Rosemount PS school children for the Winter wonderland This event brought 260 children and their families to celebrate the wonder of Christmas, it gave them an opportunity to see Santa, and all his helpers, to listen to live music blasting out Christmas songs and have fun in the lead up to Christmas. Over 60 volunteers will make this event possible
150 food hampers where delivered to vulnerable people in the community the hampers where donated by local people, Simon Community, Derry Donegal Christion Fellowship, CNP, St Josephs Secondary, Sure Start,
Toy appeal 68 families along with statutory/ charities such as Social services, women’s Aid where helped by the kind generosity of the wider public. 10 winter packs delivered to vulnerable young men 31 vulnerable men received shoe boxes with personal care products. Memorial tree event Outerwest 100
Youth at Risk intervention (Time2Choose Project) individual cases that has been referred to us by either walk-ins or outside agencies. Circumstances surrounding each individual client is different they range from homelessness, anger issues, and welfare rights to paramilitary groups issuing threats due to their anti-social behaviour.
1000 Hours of counselling has been provided to 13 people
Fitness Factory
47 people are participant in the Rise & Shine Boot camp project, 4 session a week Mon & Fri 6.30 am & 9.45 am
23 women doing Circuit Training
22 men are training to compete in a white collar boxing tournament 199 people have completed their induction to the gym I and have signed up as member 26 new members have enrolled with the Rosemount Boxing Club
The Fitness Suite also host groups moved from Sparta due to refurbishing Pop/hip hop Dance Class, Oxford Football Club, Doire Colm Cille, Jiu-jitsu, Karate, and Weight lifters
Volunteers
Over a 180 are now registered with us.
Sample of Meetings attended by staff & volunteers
Outerwest Themes Meetings Outerwest Board Meeting Physical Renewal Meeting Community Safety Forum Health Board Meeting Community Renewal Childcare Forum Bon Fire Managers Meeting Management committee CFNI re IFI CNO Tony Doherty anti-social behaviour International Fund for Ireland National Lottery Democracy Belfast inter community consultation CSM & IRSP community issues Welfare rights team CFNI international fund for Ireland Local resident’s development CEL potential hire of premises Garvin O Doherty Networking / investment Youth Forum local residents Staff Meeting National Lottery National Lottery Funding CFNI re IFI grant BHCP winter Programme Drink Think Outerwest drink and drugs awareness week Carol Stewart, community Relations Shared future building. Tommy Mc Callion Calms re services and facilitators for time to choose project Portraits of our city Volunteers meeting re Thanksgiving Joanna Boyd DCC & Katherine Cooke FWIN women’s strategy 20/20 project OFMDFM Childcare strategy women’s Centre Awards for All meeting WRDN/ Women’s Centre Margaret Logue CALMS OFMDFM Community Relations Council Belfast potential funding Rutledge re placements Meeting with play board NWFHE Training Inland Revenue Job Assist
Every Friday placement Job Search (Outerwest
Organisation
This project provides a core management and development team within Rosemount Resource Centre which functions as an umbrella organisation representing the combined community infrastructure within the Rosemount area.
The Project is entitled, ‘The Core Development Unit’ and through this project provides ongoing management, resourcing, co-ordination, liaison with Statutory’s and V&C organisations, support and development of existing programmes and planning new programmes and services.
The project undertakes all the necessary research, co-ordination and development work in partnership with Outer West groups to ensure the continuation of an effective Outer West Neighbourhood Partnership Board and the delivery/implementation of the Outer West NP priorities identified in the NR Action Plan.
Our Core Development Unit complies of a Manger, Development Officer and an Administrator. (currently funded by DSD through the NR Investment Fund).
Rosemount & District Welfare Rights Group (R&DWRG) are based in the Rosemount Community Centre were they employ 33 staff and 40 volunteers t o meet the needs of the residents in this NR Area.
The Centre houses the following staff-
Apart from our Manager, Development Worker and Administrator as detailed above we also have the following - -
5x paid posts- P/T Receptionist, FT 2 Welfare Worker, 1 in house Solicitor (FT) and 1 Training coordinator(PT) Both the Receptionist & Training Coordinator are paid through the organisation themselves by Income Generated through Donations/ Employers Payment Allowance(HMRC) and Fund Raising plus Welfare Worker funded by DCC).
3 x paid posts funded by Children in Need (1FT & 2PT) and 3 volunteers working with youth.
4 x paid staff in the Bluegrass Playschool (After Schools 1FT & 3 PT)) and 7 paid staff in the Treehouse Crèche ( 2FT & 5PT2-4 yr olds) (These staff are paid through Income generated through service charges and fundraising and donations). 72 children in total availing of these services per day. (Waiting list for places).
8 people are employed (7 FT& PT))in our Time2Choose project post funded by International Red Cross, National Lottery and International Fund for Ireland.
2 x paid youth employed under yes programme
2 x volunteers working directly for R&DWRG (P/T Reception and Cleaner).
6 x volunteers working in the Welfare Rights Department (trained in Information and Advice giving).
4 volunteer work with our youth group
3 volunteer work with our history project
15 volunteers are involved in Our Give it back project ( example doing gardens, Christmas hampers, toy appeal)
3 x volunteers working in the Men,s Group
- 5 x volunteers working in the Women’s Group
We are currently waiting on word whether we have been successful in getting a PT ILM post
We also have a 3 year service level counselling agreement costed at £60,000.00 This service level agreement is fund by National Lottery through our time2choose project.The counselling is varied depending on the need of the client.
This service is offered to all our beneficiaries.
As the parent body R&DWRG have overall responsibility for the conditions, rights and discipline of the above staff and volunteers, and are legally responsible for their activities and Health and Safety.
This project will address the key priorities identified from within the OWNP Action Plan aligned to the 4 x NR Strategic Themes. In doing so it will improve the quality of life for residents who live in theRosemount area and through cooperation with other organisations the quality of life of residents in the greater Outer West area.