2021-03-31-annual-report

Ballybot Community Association

Trustees Annual Report 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2022

NIC 103508

Ballybot Community Association C/O 21 Barcroft Park Newry Co. Down BT35 8EW

Charity Details

Charity Name: Ballybot Community Association

Charity Number: Registered Charity in Northern Ireland – NIC 103508

Purpose: The (Ballybot Community) Association is established to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Cleary Crescent, Thomas Street, Pool Lane, Dominic Street, Francis Street, Cornmarket, Kiln Street, Dominican Court, Peter’s Place, Patrick Street, Kilmorey Terrace, James Connolly Park, John Martin Street, John Martin Gardens, Michael Mallin Park, Pound Road, Aileen Terrace, Glenside Terrace, Gleann Rí & immediate environs, (hereinafter called the “area of benefit”). Without distinction of age, gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnic origin, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to relieve poverty, advance education, and to provide or assist in providing facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life of the said inhabitants.

Charity Trustees as of March 31[st] 2021

Mrs Geraldine Merendino (Chairperson) Ms Barbara O’Hare (Secretary) Mrs Sinead Jennings (Treasurer) Mr Jimmy Merendino Mrs Josephine Woods Mr Kevin Woods Ms Mary Mc Kenna Mrs Rosaleen Murphy Mr Joseph Barr Mr Patrick Murphy Mr Malachy Maguire Note: No other Charity Trustees in the Year to 31[st] March 2021

Accountant/Independent Examiner

Steven Mc Cann Mc Cann Teggart Ltd Accountancy Services 2 Patrick Street Newry

Insurance Broker & Underwriter:

Marsh Insurance Ltd (Ecclesiastical Brokers) Bedford House, 16-22 Bedford Street Belfast

Bank

Ulster Bank, 86 Hill Street, Newry, Co. Down, BT34 1BT

Charity No: NIC103508

Chairpersons Report

Good evening everyone, I would like to take a moment to welcome you all to our Annual General Meeting; we will be reporting on the year 1[st] April 2020 to 31 March 2021.

This year presented many challenges, not least the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic which forced everyone into an unprecedented lockdowns. The work of Ballybot Community Association faltered during this period; without access to premises it was difficult for our Trustees to meet as normal, the older age profile of our Trustees also resulted in more being advised to shield during this period. It was sometimes really difficult to see a clear path forward so we paused a lot of our proposed plans to allow people the space and time to get their own heads around the impact of the global pandemic.

Whilst the ‘normal’ activities of our group were halted we were still busy behind the scenes. We supported Newry, Mourne & Down District Council with the distribution of emergency food parcels, working closely with the Confederation of Community Groups to coordinate referrals and deliveries required. We kept in contact with our local community, especially those members who were more isolated and vulnerable – garden gate visits and social check ins. Volunteers distributed donations of food from many local businesses and registered to collect prescriptions and other essential items for those struggling most due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are grateful for the continued support of the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and I would like to thank the Department for Communities for the funding made available through the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme & the NR Outdoor Education Fund; Newry, Mourne & Down District Council for their management of the Programme; and the Confederation of Community Groups for the ongoing community development support. The funding available from the Neighbourhood Renewal Programmes covers the basic running costs for the Community Association, such as insurance, venue hire, stationery and printing. Through the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and the associated Neighbourhood Renewal sub-groups, we have been able to access valuable resources for our community over the past number of years. We were heartened that the Department adopted a flexible approach to local Covid community response initiatives and allowed funding to be redirected into more practical support for those households most adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Charity No: NIC103508

Sincere thanks to our partners on the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Board, the Education Authority, the Southern Health & Social Care Trust, Newry, Mourne & Down District Councils DEA Forum. I would also like to offer special word of thanks to Sean Mc Kevitt, the Neighbourhood Renewal Coordinator with Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, and to Cathy Mc Mahon, Community Development worker at the Confederation of Community Groups for their continued help and support over the past number of years.

I’d like to take a moment to thank our Charity Trustees, volunteers, our community of friends and neighbours – you are all what makes the Ballybot community such an amazing place to live.

Geraldine Merendino Chairperson

Charity No: NIC103508

Financial Review

Financial Performance

Income 2020 to 2021

Income receipts for the year totalled at just £2,899– see independently examined accounts for full breakdown on the figures. This was a significant decrease when compared to the previous year but it accurately reflects the position of the Charity as we did not apply for any external funding and, due to the Covid-19 pandemic we were not able to carry out any fundraising activities.

The majority of funding received was related to our local Covid community response: Confederation of Community Groups - £1000

Newry, Mourne & Down District Council - £1699

Expenditure 2020 to 2021

Expenditure for the year totalled £4,536, with the major items of spending restricted to the purchase of equipment and provision of food vouchers – full details included in accounts.

Funds Materially in Deficit

As of the 31[st] March 2021 the Ballybot Community Association had no funds materially in deficit.

Major Risks

The only risks noted by the Trustees moving forward is regarding securing additional project grant funding to allow for the continued development of the work of the Ballybot Community Association; and the uncertainty regarding the re-emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic as we approach the autumn / winter period.

Assets & Liabilities

The Trustees of the Ballybot Community Association can confirm that the Association currently hold no assets and have identified no liabilities moving forward.

Financial Management

The Community Association maintain robust financial systems and have good financial management systems in place; all cheques must be signed by two out of our three cheque signatories; we have successfully held a number of grants and have always fulfilled all accounting, reporting and monitoring requirements; our annual accounts are always independently examined.

Charity No: NIC103508

Public Benefit Statement

The Trustees of the Ballybot Community Association confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 4 (b) of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed the activities of the Ballybot Community Association in the year ended 31 March 2021.

In evaluating public benefit, the Trustees note that membership is open to all residents in the ‘area of benefit’ – (Full members aged 18 and over, Junior members under 18) – and we strive to provide a range of activities that will cater for all ages but some necessary and reasonable restrictions have been put in place for example, personal development programmes for the older youth would not be age appropriate for primary school children. However, many events, activities, seasonal events and fun days are open to all ages in the community.

Summary of Main Activities

The last two years have been difficult for many people, for many reasons and we have been struggling to get our usual community-based activities back up and running. It has been challenging to recruit and retain volunteers and Charity Trustees, especially over the course of the pandemic.

Notwithstanding those difficulties we were still delighted to be able to support our community over the past year with a range of different initiatives.

• We supported the local Council and Confederation of Community Groups to deal with local referrals received via the Advice NI Helpline – this allowed people who were shielding and experiencing financial difficulties to receive emergency food parcels. Our Trustees and volunteers assisted with the local distribution of the same parcels; this meant that a friendly, known, face was the point of contact for local delivery, and this helped reassure local residents that they were not alone and that support was available.

• Our Trustees and volunteers also worked with local businesses to distribute additional food supplies to vulnerable and isolated members of the community; the social contact provided through these distributions was as important at the physical supplies.

• We applied for Covid response & recovery funding from Newry, Mourne & Down District Council and the Confederation of Community Groups. This vital funding allowed us to provide essential support in the form of food parcels, food vouchers, utilities assistance in the form of vouchers/top ups.

• Thanks to the Neighbourhood Renewal Health subgroup, which is chaired by the Southern Health & Social Care Trust we were able to get access to Mindfulness Packs to distribute to older people; we received Activity Packs which were distributed to children and young people; and we also availed of

Charity No: NIC103508

• an innovative Slow Cooker Programme which allowed us to distribute slow cookers and a £10 food voucher to a number of struggling households.

• We also tried to facilitate an outdoor activity week in the local playpark but it unfortunately had to be postponed due to covid restrictions and local concerns.

Partnerships and Networking

The Trustees of the Ballybot Community Association have also been representing the area on a number of different partnerships and networks, these include; the Newry Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, Newry Mourne & Down District Council DEA Forum, Confederation of Community Groups, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Housing Community Network, and inter-agency meetings.

Governance & Learning

With support from the Confederation of Community Groups, we have continued to support the work of all our volunteers and are always looking at ways to attract new volunteers to our Association.

Safeguarding

The Trustees of the Ballybot Community Association can confirm that there were no incidents or concerns regarding safeguarding of children, young people and/or adults at risk during this reporting period.

Communication

Trustees continue to make use of a variety of different mediums to ensure that they keep in touch with their community and ensure that all relevant information is circulated as widely as possible. Community Newsletters and/or Flyers are used to update and advertise on upcoming opportunities along with social media.

Charity No: NIC103508

Funded & Supported By: Departmentfvr Communities Comha'rle Ceantair an luir. Mhurn agus an Duin Newry. Mourne and Down District Council HSC Southern Health J and Social Care Trust Quality Care - for you, with you Ilea Education Authority Udarfa5 Oideachais Lear ower8￿8 CONFEDERATION OF COMMUNITY GROUPS Charit No: NIC103508