AGE CONCERN BERAGH – CHARITY NUMBER NIC103209
Purpose: The Association is established to relieve poverty, to advance education and to promote the preservation and protection of health among people aged 60 or over (hereinafter called the beneficiaries) in Beragh village and rural hinterland in particular: (a) To provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for the education, recreation and leisuretime occupation of the beneficiaries who, by reason of social or economic circumstances have need of such facilities. The direct benefits which flow from this purpose include: members are: hosted in a warm and comfortable facility and are more content than if they stayed home; more informed and knowledgeable about eligibility to benefits, community safety, etc; increased social interaction; better physical health through armchair exercise classes etc; improved mental health through various activities; less socially isolated. These benefits will be evidenced by verbal feedback from members and their families; written evaluation forms; reports to funders where applicable; photographs etc. We do not anticipate any harm leading from the purposes of our charity. The charity’s beneficiaries are people in Beragh and its environs in the Fermanagh & Omagh District Council area. The only private benefit flowing from this purpose is than a trustee may gain skills and knowledge through our education/ information programme. Through this trustees gain skills which are transferable to other settings. These benefits are incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiaries.
The Trustees of Age Concern Beragh have regard to the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit Requirement.
Beragh Age Concern was formed in 1989 and is managed, and its activities delivered, on a voluntary basis. The main function of the group is for its members to meet weekly and have a meal together and exchange news, views and gossip. Easilink Community Transport brings people in from outlying rural areas a nd volunteers serve meals prepared by staff in the local Primary School. During this time members also play bingo, do armchair exercises or play Boccia to name but a few activities. Recent funding has allowed us to hire a bus and get members out walking and go for light refreshments. Occasionally we have trips away as weather and funds allow and we have people in giving talks such as road safety - as many of our members still drive, as well as community safety, benefit entitlements and local geography. We also invite groups to join us in musical nights and in turn we visit other groups. Our activities take place in the Cornerstone, Beragh.
REPORT 1[st ] April 16- 31[st] March 2017
Beragh Age Concern had a busy year. We continued to host our weekly meetings in the Cornerstone, bringing local older people together to take part ion activities, which will benefit their physical and mental health. We are able to provide a nourishing lunch each Thursday also.
We ran several trips through the year also:
Crumlin Road Gaol
Junction 1 Shopping trip
Doagh Famine Village
Spade Mill
We also ran a very successful walking programme in the Summer, we were able to take our members to 5 different local areas of interest to take part in a safe, age friendly walk, followed by a cup of tea and a scone.
We were delighted to host several tea dances through the year, inviting other local groups to join us.
We also hosted 2 parties, our Halloween Party and our Christmas party. This gives many local older people a chance to get out and socialise, reducing isolation and lonliness.
Beragh Age Concern continues to work with South West Age Partnership and is supported by them, with funding and training opportunities.
Patricia O’Loughlin
Beragh Age Concern 01/02/2018