2023-04-30-annual-report

Trustees Report

Barnlee Crafts and Activities

Reporting Period 1/5/22 - 30/4/23

Our Purpose and Activities

The objects of the charity are: for the advancement of education and the relief and promotion of the benefit of people with learning disabilities and associated problems aged 18 years and over and their carers (hereinafter referred to the beneficiaries) in the Lisnaskea area and its environs of Co Fermanagh (hereinafter called the areas of Benefit) without distinction of age, gender. disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion, by associating people with learning disabilities, carers, health care providers and community and voluntary organisations in a common effort to advance education, relieve suffering and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said beneficiaries and in particular:

• (A) To advance the education of people with learning disabilities and associated problems aged 18 years and over in the area through the provision of (creative arts, crafts and allied skills, facilities, instruction and classes) so as to develop their physical, mental and emotional capacities and self confidence:

• (B) To relieve, promote and protect the mental and physical health of people with a learning disabilities and associated problems through the provision of care support and training:

• (C) To promote social inclusion and integration for the public benefit by raising the awareness of the issues affecting those suffering from learning disabilities and their carers and to promote participation in disability arts:

• (D) To advance any other exclusively charitable purpose for the health and wellbeing of adults aged 18 years old and over with a learning disability as the committee may from time to time, decide in accordance with the law of Charity.

The Charity’s Constitution

Barnlee Crafts and Activities operates under the Charity’s constitution dated 17[Th] July 2012

Financial Review

Barnlee Crafts and Activities are in a strong financial position. The cash funds at the 30[Th] April 2023 is £31,026.46

Administrative Details

The Charity engages with the following professional Bodies:

Bankers: Ulster Bank Main Street, Lisnaskea

Solicitors: W Neil Ferguson LLB, Main Street, Lisnaskea

Independent Examiners: MacNeary, Rasdale & Co. 30 Darling Street, Enniskillen

Registered Office: Barnlee, 37 Lisnaskea Road, Lisnaskea

Business Partner: Landlord (Charity shop) Patrick Blake Group

Trustees

The Trustees of the charity for the year were as follows

Mrs Eilish Reihill, Mrs Ruth Hill, Mr Jurgen Hoogerboord, Miss Mary Burke, Mrs Carmel Maguire, Miss Siobhan Maguire, Mrs Una Lindsay (Chairperson) Linda Hall and Margaret Carey resigned from the Charity post financial year (22/6/2023).

Public benefit

The trustees believe that our purpose satisfies both elements of the public benefit requirement. The benefits which flow from our purpose include the feeling of social inclusion, the learning of new skills through the provision of equipment so to advance and develop physical, mental and emotional capacities and self-confidence and the health and wellbeing of the members and enables residents to realise their full potential.

These benefits can be demonstrated through feedback from the members obtained for discussion at each meeting of the Trustees. There is no private benefit or harm.

Benefits are assessed at the following levels: A monthly Trustees meeting where activity and project updates are discussed, an annual community meeting to include volunteers and the AGM, which is open to the public, and encouragement given for all to attend,

What our organisation does

Barnlee Crafts and Activities directly provide the benefit of educational aids equipment activities and facilities for adults with a learning disability.

This is achieved by meeting with the beneficiaries on a regular basis and engaging in activities and functions and outings. The Barnlee Crafts and activities Charity shop located in Derrylin financially supports the activities and outings and assists in the purchase of items to enhance the lives of its beneficiaries. The Charity shop operates with 20 volunteers and opens five days a week. This is demonstrated through the provision of a people Carrier to facilitate trips and outings donated in the first year of trading. In July 2017 a portable clothes line was purchased to enable the residents to participate in their laundry as an activity to promote education and In August 2017 two Queen Anne chairs were purchased for the residents to create a foyer area to enhance quiet moments and visits from family members. In

January 2018 an additional two-seater queen Anne chair was purchased to extend the foyer type experience. A therapy/ease room upgrade took take place in late 2019 and the trustees worked towards a planned donation of ten thousand pounds towards this. The work included a heated waterbed, bubble tubes and a sensory magic entertainment system. This is a great asset to the activities of the residents.

The purchase of recycled plastic garden furniture was a welcome addition to assist in our garden for visiting. These chairs are colourful and are able to be sanitised and create a cheerful outdoor area.

The Project discussed last year for an upgraded outdoor space and enhancement of the garden area did not complete due to rising costs of materials and a reduced availability of specialised suppliers, the proposal for this year is to continue to pursue this as we continue to believe that it will be very beneficial to the residents their families staff and will enable community events to take place. The overall project has been revisited and redesigned and is now quoted at £139,000.00 funding is being sought through other channels in addition to Barnlee Crafts and activities. This project is due to commence in April 2024.

Functions were able to commence again and be arranged in the community to enhance social skills and provide the opportunity for social, recreation and leisure, an annual dinner shared with beneficiaries celebrates the anniversary and entertainment and fun is provided for all went ahead on October the 12[th] 2023 and celebrated the 10[th] anniversary of the shop opening. This event was a dinner held at the Share centre and the Residents met with the volunteers and the Barnlee Crafts and activities board members. A photo opportunity was arranged at the Charity shop to commemorate the anniversary and a huge congratulations to all the volunteers for their 10 years of commitment. The Wider community usually congregates together with Family members and residents during the month of August for a BBQ and an evening of dancing and song again this had to be reviewed and postponed.

Fortunately, the shop was able to avoid closure during this financial period. A ring and collect service was put in place during the past closure period and remains as a contingency plan should the shop be required to close again. The volunteers welcomed the return to their volunteering role and complied with PPE guidelines.

The Crafts and Activities shop Volunteers were nominated for the Fermanagh Rural community network group award in 2021 and won this award, noting their substantial contribution to the quality of life in our local communities and work much appreciated.

The income for the charity comes from sales in the charity shop, recycling income, donations and sales of arts and crafts.

Rent and utilities for the charity shop are paid from the income from the shop sales.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Volunteers for their many hours worked to help us achieve and deliver the objects of Barnlee Crafts and Activities we would also like to extend our gratitude to all who donate items to the shop.

Plans for Future Periods

Barnlee Crafts and Activities are committed to securing longevity for the objects of the charity and are excited about the contribution to the Sensory Garden project continuing in 2024. This is an extensive reworking of the existing garden at Barnlee, and plans have been initially drawn up by a local architect who has donated his time free of charge to the charity and then a rework of the requirements necessitated this project to be rescoped by a company who specialise in design and installation of playpark surfaces and equipment.

To achieve these commitments. Barnlee Crafts and Activities continue to review current educational needs and beneficial equipment and activities for the advancement of education and the relief and promotion of the benefit of people with learning disabilities and associated problems aged 18 years and over and their carers. Barnlee Crafts and activities will encourage volunteer participation and recruitment to sustain the shop rota needs.

Northern Ireland Charity Number 103360