Trustee Annual Report 22/23– Loughshore Playgroup
1. Reference and Administrative Details
Charity name: Loughshore Playgroup Charity registration number (NIC): 103412
Principal address: 84 Maghery Road Dungannon Co. Tyrone BT71 6PA Trustees: Mairead Laverty, Esther Rafferty, Emma Forker Governing document:
2. Objectives and Activities
The charity’s purposes, as set out in its governing document, are:
a) to promote play based learning environments for all children under statutory school age (hereinafter referred to as the beneficiaries) of the area served, Maghery and its surrounding environs in County Armagh (hereinafter called the “area of benefit”) without distinction of age, gender, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, community and voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance education, and in particular:
b) to advance the education of the beneficiaries by the provision of safe and satisfying group play, with the right of parents/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of the group; and to promote the preservation of health of the beneficiaries; and
c) to support the values and principles of Early Years.
The main activities undertaken during the year to further these purposes were:
- Staff Training
Working closely with local primary school to ensure transition of children to primary was smooth
- Upgrading of play equipment
Trustees have considered CCNI guidance on public benefit when planning and reviewing these activities.
3. Public Benefit Statement
The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit.
The charity provides public benefit by:
Advancing the education and development of pre-school children:
The direct benefit which flows from this purpose includes improved level of development of each child through a tailored pre-school programme; enhanced social integration, emotional wellbeing, language skills and the enhancement of knowledge; encouraged involvement of parents as the child’s first educator in the pre-school experience and involvement of parents in maintaining the level of service provided to their children – the flow of information between parent and staff is vital in identifying the needs and interests of each individual child.
The development of the child can be demonstrated and measured through the use of staff observations, interactions with peers, termly reports and parent/teacher meetings; evaluations of our group by an independent early years specialist and inspection reports from Social Services and the Department of Education (NI).
There are no areas of harm that come from this purpose.
The beneficiaries of this purpose are the individual child whose development is encouraged and monitored by both parents and staff; the parents who benefit from the ability to take an active role in their child’s development; and the staff who benefit from the 2 way flow of information between themselves and parents by enabling them to offer each child the best opportunities of learning through play based on their individual needs.
There is no private benefit derived from this purpose.
Loughshore Playgroup provides a direct benefit to the pre-school children in the Maghery area. Before 2010 there was no pre-school facility available in the community and therefore the children were missing out on this invaluable part of their education. Furthermore, the securing of PEAGs places means that families on low incomes can benefit from a funded place for their child in their final pre-school year.
Indirectly, the playgroup benefits the parents and families of the children attending the facility as it encourages the development of the children within those families attending the setting. It is a vital means for the development of social, personal and educational skills of the pre-school children of our area.
In terms of a wider benefit to the community, Loughshore Playgroup is now an established and highly esteemed group within the small community. The group have worked with other organisations within the small rural area such as the primary school, Community hall and
local football club for the benefit of the whole community. Maghery is ranked in the top 100 areas of rural deprivation in Northern Ireland with poor transport links and a lack of basic services. Loughshore playgroup therefore provides a vital service to the children and families within the area.
4. Achievements and Performance
During the year, the charity:
- Delivered the following key activities:
carried out numerous small fundraisers to ensure the playgroup have additional funds available to support them
Completed staff training
- Achieved the following outcomes:
Staff training ensured staff were up to date with all aspects of their role and were able to fulfill this to full potential
Fundraising enabled play equipment to be repairs/updated
5. Financial Review
Total income for the year: £47,063 Total expenditure for the year: £41,779
Main sources of income:
-SELB Funding
-Fees & Breaks
Main areas of expenditure:
-Staff Costs
6. Plans for the Future
- In the coming year, the trustees intend to support staff to complete all necessary training
required to enable them to carry out their job roles to the best of their ability. We will work along with our primary school to ensure our outdoor resources and playground is inviting and inclusive to all children that attend our playgroup. We will work as a team committee/ trustees and staff to ensure the playgroup works best for all community and children that use it
7. Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is governed by its constitution and managed by its trustees.
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Trustees are appointed in accordance with the governing document
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Trustees meet regularly to manage the affairs of the charity
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All trustees serve on a voluntary basis
8. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The trustees confirm that the accounts have been prepared on a basis consistent with the charity’s status and give a true and fair view of its financial position.
9. Approval
This report was approved by the trustees on:
Date: 03/02/2026 Name of trustee: Emma Forker Signature: Emma Forker