2023-04-05-annual-report

ANNUAL TRUSTEES REPORT 2022-23

NIC: 103162

February 2024

FOREWORD

This is the annual report for the financial year 2022-23 summarising the activities of Armoy Community Association.

The report shows the progress made with the Limepark regeneration project, and the re-establishment of our full programme of community activities post-pandemic and highlights the important work being undertaken on community advocacy, empowerment and partnership working.

ACA is deeply grateful for the time, energy and effort so many of our volunteers put into all the activities, events and initiatives supported by the Association over the last year - we deeply appreciate your generosity.

This report includes a summary of our principal activities, as well as a financial report and a statement of compliance with all our legal obligations.

Dated: 19th February 2024.

OUR CHARITABLE PURPOSE

Below are the charitable purposes of Armoy Community Association.

The Association is established for:

• The advancement of community development and active citizenship for the public benefit of the inhabitants of Armoy and its environs in Co. Antrim.

• The relief of those in need. The association seeks to relieve the burden of poverty. It seeks to promote educational, social, and developmental opportunities for the aged and the young alike in Armoy.

• The promotion of the inhabitants of Armoy and surrounding area, without distinction of age, race, political, religious or other opinion, by associating statuary organisations, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort:

• To advance education in Armoy, and provide for social welfare, recreation and leisure-time occupation.

• The improving of conditions, living, working and general life conditions for the inhabitants of Armoy and the surrounding area

• The Association seeks to see advancement in conflict resolution and reconciliation by promoting opportunities for the people of Armoy to mix in a caring, cohesive and united environment.

• The Association seeks the advancement of equality and respect for diversity in the carrying out of its activities.

• As an organisation seeking to bridge together two communities, the principles of equality and diversity are cornerstones for the Association.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

In setting our objectives and planning and carrying out our activities each year, we give careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit. This is important to ensure that we have helped achieve the purposes we set out to achieve and provide a clear and tangible benefit to our beneficiaries.

The following report outlines the highlights of the principal activities for the year of 2022-23.

LIMEPARK REGENERATION

The work and resources invested by the Community Association over the last two years in regenerating Limepark bore significant fruit over the past year. After many months of planning, 2022-23 saw our first community parkrun at the Limepark Playing Fields site.

Dozens of volunteers and hundreds of runners have since gathered in Limepark on Saturday morning at 9.30am to run, walk, jog or push their prams around track - hail, rail or shine. This is a major achievement for our community and is a testament to the hard work of so many volunteers who have given their time to see the development of Limepark happen over the last few years.

Work continued improving the biodiversity and environment in Limepark including a major tree planting day in April 2022 attended by over 50 people and a wildflower seed planting day, attended by over 35 people.

Limepark has become a hub of community activity over the last year from hosting several tractor runs to a colour run between Armoy Primary School and St. Olcan’s Primary School.

Armoy Community Association will continue to support the development of the Limepark Playing Fields site in the years ahead. Photos below are taken from the first parkrun in Limepark in August 2022.

ONGOING COMMUNITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES

With the pandemic fully behind us, the 2022-23 year was an opportunity for community-building activities to thrive in Armoy.

Youth Club : The re-established youth club went from strength to strength over the past year with more than 80 children over the age of 10 years attending weekly on Friday evenings. A special thanks to the ten volunteers who helped re-establish the youth club. The youth club also deserve congratuations for producing the first edition of the Armoy Gazette which saw an initial print run of 100 copies and was available in shops around the villages.

Summer Scheme: The second year of the ‘hybrid’ summer scheme took place between Tilly Molloy’s and Limepark. This year we had two weeks of summer scheme for 140 primary school attendees and then delivered a second teen-specific scheme later in the summer for a smaller group of secondary school children.

Over 55s : The Over 55s club resumed their programme of weekly meetings with an average of 40 people attending and a range of trips, celebrations and classes were enjoyed by all members on a regular basis

Friends Group : The support group for adults with additional needs continued to meet monthly with all pandemic-related restrictions now lifted. One highlight of the year was the Queen’s Jubilee tea party where the friends invited a group of guests from across the village to attend and celebrate the jubilee.

Big sister programme: In conjunction with the Women’s Network, ACA delivered the ‘Big Sister’ programme for 20 women and also expanded our offer to ladies across the village including a new ladies’ fitness class with 25 attendees each week.

Christmas festivities: Around 200 people gathered to see the Christmas lights switch on which had refreshments, crafts, activities and music for all attendees. This year also saw the first pantomime in Armoy organised alongside the Youth Club - see photos - 200 people came to see the pantomime and it was a resounding success.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT, EMPOWERMENT AND ADVOCACY

Ongoing community support: Given the pressures of the cost of living crisis, ACA continued to work with partners to support the needs of people across the villages struggling with rising food and energy bills. ACA worked in partnership with Ballycastle Food Bank to transition on from the Community Larder programme, and partners with others to distribute logs and vouchers for heating homes - 200 bags of logs were distributed to 40 people.

Community empowerment : ACA continued with the various successful approach of participatory budgeting for involving the whole community in decision making about improvements to the place. Over 500 people participated in the participatory budgeting process and in doing so decided what projects/initiatives around the village should be supported.

Partnership working: ACA has become working with a cross-border initiative of community groups including groups across the North Cost and various groups in Donegal as part of a broader programme of work and regeneration in the areas. This has proved a valuable learning experience for those ACA staff/volunteers involved and will be built on in the coming years. ACA has also continued working closely together with the North Antrim Villages Forum.

Continuing advocacy: ACA has continued to advocate about the needs of people in Armoy and what should be done to better meet those needs. This has included direct advocacy to politicians and elected representatives on issues including sewage, housing needs, schools, jobs, economic development and regeneration.

A special thanks to Ruth for her excellent work co-ordinating so many of our community activities throughout the year and advocating on the needs of people from across Armoy and the surrounding area.

TILLY MOLLOY’S CENTRE

ACA has continued to keep the Tilly Molloy’s Centre open all year round and maintained to an excellent standard. The lift upgrade was the major piece of infrastructure improvement carried out over the past 2 years. A special thanks to Josie and all the team who keep the centre safe, clean and tidy for all those who need to use it and rely on it.

FINANCIAL REPORT

This year’s financial report shows an income of £82,202 and an expenditure of £101,682

The major difference in income and expenditure between the financial year end 2022 and financial year end 2023 is explained by one major grant for improvements to the building and the accured income in the last financial year where it has already been reported.

ACA is grateful for the grant support it was able to receive in the financial year 2022/23.

A copy of the receipts and payments and assets and liabilities accounts as well as the Independent Examiner’s Report is available alongside the annual report of Trustees.

ARMOY C O M M U N l T Y A S S O C l A T l O N