Reference and administrative details
| Trustees | Anne Marie Killough |
|---|---|
| Theresa Moore | |
| Amanda Kilpatrick | |
| Brian Higgins | |
| Charity Number | CCNI102933 |
| Office | 62 Lower Mill Street |
| Ballymena | |
| BT43 5AF | |
| Bank | Bank of Ireland |
| Examiner | Tony Clarke |
| 53 Andersonstown Road | |
| Belfast | |
| BT11 9AG |
Objectives and Activities
The You Matter project is an initiative in Turning Point NI to help support individuals presenting with suicidal ideation and mental ill health within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
Having the staff members now in place to run the project day to day has enabled us to focus on ensuring Turning Point’s name was still known across many sectors in the local area. We were chosen by two local companies within Ballymena as their Charity of the year and this has given us the opportunity for funding and running mental health educational events within these organisations.
Our initial focus of delivering mental health talks was successful last year and we continued on this theme allowing us to get Turning Point’s name recognised by networking with local people and organisations, allowing us to get the message of suicide prevention and intervention into the local community and giving us an opportunity to identify needs faced in terms of mental health and how these can be met.
New connections made with both community organisations and businesses with positive working relationships being developed within this time. All of which will continue to be built on throughout the project and beyond.
Growth in referrals from several sources – these are being processed and assessed in a timely manner ensure correct pathway is used to best meet the needs of the individual. Caseloads of all staff being managed and maintained. Continuing to see individuals referred in a timely manner- check in calls and assessments being completed by admin where necessary to ensure safety of each individual.
Families First NI awards – recognition of the work of TPNI and the work completed within and for the community with dedication.
Turning Point NI recognised the need for emotional support during a traumatic event which took place in the Ballymena area which gave the community a sense of togetherness. We organised a vigil to bring everyone together to share collective grief. We continue to support the family and community through this difficult time and will offer one to one counselling and if required a support group will commence.
Inspirational woman awards – further recognition of the work that TPNI is completing in the local community.
Carly Wright local artist has become Turning Point Nis ambassador due to her phenomenal artwork which represents mental health.
On WMHD, radius funded our event in Harryville which enabled us to seek out potential clients in that area, who may not have approached Turning Point otherwise. Radius, Triangle, and choice have partnered together in funding these events, to which we invoice appropriately.
Continuation of partnership working through Darkness into Light in conjunction with Pieta House- this brought 300+ people together in a single event to send a message of hope and togetherness that support is available, and stigma around mental health being challenged. Sense of support from community and businesses as support for event given via donations/sponsorships.
Systems and processes
Systems and processes continue to provide adequate reports for Turning Point. Through the development of this program, we retrieve weekly/ monthly reporting schedules which contain various elements of tracking the counselling process as well as relevant information with regards to DNAs, cancelations and waiting list.
Financial Review
Fundraising activities have continued to thrive since April, and we are humbled at the support from our local community. With this support we can continue to deliver our life saving service within the northern trust area.
Future Plans
Turning Point NI’s main funding stream from the National lottery concludes in March 2025. This project has been hugely successful throughout its time, allowing the organisation to grow strategically and further enhance our growth within the community and across the Northern Trust.
Turning Point NI envisage that the new funding streams that the National lottery will be releasing in Autumn 2024 will be part of our 3 year strategic plan in applying for this grant. We will also be looking at other funding avenues throughout this period, which will include, John Moores, henry smith and other department of health contracts which will be rolling out over 2024/2025.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is governed by memorandum and articles of association. The trustees have had regard to guidance issued by the Charities Commission of Northern Ireland on public benefit in carrying out their statutory duties in the governance of the charity. The charity was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers and governed under its Article of Association.
Risk assessment
The board of trustees conduct, on a regular basis, a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. This review is updated at least annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Significant external risks to funding have led to the development of a rolling strategic plan to allow for alternative funding methods for the charity's activities. Internal control risks are minimised by the projects. Procedures are in place to ensure compliance with health and safety rules for staff, volunteers and visitors. All procedures are periodically reviewed to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the charity.
Organisational Structure
The board of trustees meet bi-monthly but not less than 4 times a year and is responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present, a scheme of delegation is in place and the day to day responsibility for the provision of services rests with the director of clinical services and the director of corporate services. The day-to-day management of the charity is delegated to Mrs T Power, who oversees all operational and financial matters on behalf of the board and reports directly to the board on all such matters.
We started this period with 5 staff, 4 associates and 1 student. During the period, one of the students has qualified and has now progressed to associate counsellor, giving us more flexibility with clients.
Staff have been delivering training programmes to our charity partners throughout the year, allowing us to not only promote TPNI but expand the message of improving mental health to the trainees.
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