Cross Glebe Community Association – Charity Number – 102962
Trustee Report April 2022-March 2023
About the Charity
Our organisation is made up of a group of local residents committed to improving the area in which they live.
The charity uses a model of community development aimed at enhancing the quality of life of people living within the Cross Glebe Ward. We achieve this by organising projects that tackle environmental issues, delivering youth clubs and programmes for young people, offering the opportunity for residents to take part in programmes to improve their health and well-being and organising community events to encourage good community relations. The group also organises education and training programmes and volunteering opportunities to help improve the skills and build the capacity of local people.
We are based in an NIHE house in the middle of Harpurs Hill estate. The office is open from 9am -1pm week days offering a drop in facility for local people to access information and support.
To manage and plan the work of the charity, the trustees meet monthly on the first Tuesday of every month (excluding July & August) and hold an AGM annually in October.
How the charity is funded
Cross Glebe community association (CGCA) fundraises throughout the year to help meet its charitable aims. The area is classed by the Department for Communities as “an area at risk” and as such received a grant of £32367 this year to support the work of the association. We also received £600 from Power NI and £250 from Causeway council. Fundraising activities throughout the year raised a total of £22331 towards the work of the charity.
Administration Information
During the financial year the charities offices were based at 68 Cuilrath Street, Harpurs Hill, Coleraine, BT52 2ER. The trustees are as follows: Catherine Lee Calvin, Charmaine Bones, Debbie McLelland, Lesley-Anne Gamble, Cara Mullholland, Stacey Hayes, Rhonda Murdock, Naomi Cochrane, Edna McCauley.
Activities undertaken and the furtherance of the charities purposes.
The purposes of the charity are the advancement of citizenship and community development. We include in this purpose all residents of the ward from cradle to grave without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, caring responsibilities, race or political, religious or other opinions.
We ran a very successful Easter “Bunny Bingo” event in the community centre. The hall was packed to bursting with 60 adults and 65 children attending. The Easter bunny made a surprise appearance with a little gift for all the children.
Youth club ran weekly during termtime. 62 children are registered with an average of 45 attending weekly. We have a team of 6 volunteers who give their time on a rota bases to allow the club to run.
Parent and toddler also ran weekly during termtime. We have 22 adults and 25 babies/toddlers attending the club. It provides a much needed social outlet for parents and quite a few grandparents too.
60 senior citizens attended a matinee performance of Matilda in the school and were treated to afternoon tea.
We delivered a funday on 11[th] July. The event was attended by 214 children and approx 220 adults. Jimmy’s chip van provided food on the day and our local band entertained the crowd.
We ran weekly festival activities throughout August which included:
Teddy bears picnic – craft activity for parents and children – 33 children attended with their parents.
Colour run – 60 children attended
Family bingo – a great fun night with approx. 120 in attendance.
Seniors bus trip to Lisburn – 45 pensioners had an enjoyable and social day out including coffee and scones.
Family bus trip to Carnfunnock – a total 75 residents went on the family trip.
We delivered a summer scheme for 3 weeks throughout the summer. A total of 56 children attended.
Halloween activity – 160 children attended a spooky trail, peeking behind doors to win treats. Approximately 120 adults attended and many screamed louder than the children. Everyone was treated to hot chocolate and hot dogs.
Christmas Eve box – 120 children accompanied by parents attended a craft acrivity to make their own Christmas eve box and visit Santa. A great start to the festive season
Santa’s drive around –All homes in Harpurs Hll, New Mills and surrounding area all received a visit from Santa and a selection box.
Youth club – we restarted youth club in November – we currently have 25 new children registered.
Parent and toddler is running weekly – we have 3 new parents registered.
3 parents and 1 grandparent have volunteered weekly, during termtime, to run a growing parent and toddler group.
A team of 6 volunteers are currently delivering a weekly term time youth club for P1-P4 children. This is a vital service that provides a much needed social activity for children too young to access youth service provision. It is local and easy accessible for parents and much appreciated when children’s activities can be expensive.
2 volunteers run the “Happy Hookers” club which runs weekly throughout the year. It provides a welcoming environment for anyone who feels lonely or isolated. The atmosphere is one of support and fun.
Supporting all of the work of the community association is a group of 9 dedicated committee members who meet monthly, but also volunteer additional time throughout the year to help run all of our activities.
All of our summer activity was delivered by volunteers from the community. Along with our dedicated committee, 4 volunteers delivered a week long summer sports programme for the children, a local resident gave her time as our bingo caller and a further 2 helped with set up and organising the event.
10 teenagers volunteered along with our committee to deliver the Halloween event.
Happy hookers have been running weekly throughout April, May and June. 28 women are registered with the club with an average of 20 attending weekly. This club offers support and friendship and supports good mental health.
16 senior citizens went on a trip to Templepatrick Gardens for a gentle stroll and natter. This group were part of our “Hearts of Gold” seniors club that disbanded as a result of the covid pandemic. It was great to get them physically together again and they all thoroughly enjoyed the day.
42 children took part in a week long summer sports programme. The children took part in a range of sporting activities and had a fun week getting fit.
Happy hookers continued to meet during the summer months to provide support and friendship – averaging 20 weekly.
25 senior citizens went on a trip to A garden centre for some gentle exercise and a social over a cuppa and a scone. All attended really appreciated the get together and are looking forward to repeating the activity in warmer weather.
The ”meet and eat cub” ran for 4 weeks running up to Christmas, The school dinner ladies served a total of 105 meals to 27 senior citizens
Signed
Lynne Ballentine Development worker On behalf of the group