## **COISTE GHAELOIDEACHAS CHROMGHLINNE (CGC)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**_ The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023. The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st August 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1st January 2015) ## **Objectives and activities** Coiste Ghaeloideachais Chromghlinne (CGC) promotes the use of the Irish language and Irish culture in the Crumlin area, this area has high levels of social isolation and is affected by a widespread shortage of community facilities. CGC seeks to provide services focused on the Irish language in order to benefit children, families and extended families in consolidating the learning and development of the Irish language and the development of sensitivity and insight into other cultural traditions. ## **Significant activities** CGC benefits the local community through the activities promoted in its management of Naíonra/Naíscoil Ghleann Darach and in its support to Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach. Naíonra/Naíscoil Ghleann Darach provides a much needed, voluntary non-denominational pre-school playgroup facility for 3-4 year old children through the medium of the Irish language. We welcome children from all communities and are the only voluntary provider for children in their penultimate school year in the local area. The Naiscoil, which is hosted in the family centre (Ionad Teaghlaigh Ghleann Darach) continues to flourish, catering for the educational and developmental needs of 24 children, and employing 2 staff (Bernie Reid and Seana McCabe). CGC oversee the day to day running of the Family Centre, Ionad Teaghlaigh Ghleann Darach. This caters for the needs of the community in Crumlin and the surrounding areas. The overall aim of the centre is to deliver a range of educational and community programmes throughout the year. These activities play an integral part in the maintenance of a community spirit within Crumlin and include Irish language and music classes, youth facilities, conference facilities, drama activities, educational attainment and employability sessions. The CGC continue to work closely with other local groups within the wider Crumlin area to organise events to raise the profile of the Irish language within the local community and fundraise. Thanks to all those who have supported these events and we would also like to acknowledge those who have worked very hard to ensure all these events were successful and enjoyable. ## **Public benefit** The trustees believe that the organisation provides a public benefit through its efforts to promote community development and the Irish language. This is achieved by undertaking a range of projects within its local community. The trustees are fully aware of the guidelines from the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland to comply with the Charities Act (NI) 2008, and believe they are operating entirely within those guidelines. - 1 - ## **COISTE GHAELOIDEACHAS CHROMGHLINNE (CGC)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**_ ## **Financial review** COISTE GHAELOIDEACHAS CHROMGHLINNE IONAD TEAGHLAIGH GHLEANN DARACH ## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR ACTIVITIES SEPTEMBER 2022– AUGUST 2023** ## ACHOIMRE/SUMMARY In line with the ethos of Ionad Teaghlaigh Ghleann Darach and Coiste Ghaeloideachas Chromghlinne, our focus continues to be on the promotion of Irish language and culture and on forging links and working relationships with other community groups and key stakeholders in the area. At present we work closely with Naomh Séamas CLG, Crumlin United and Crumlin Men’s Shed. We have also now secured working relationships with Crumlin Angling Association, Lough Neagh Boating Heritage Boating Association and The Whins Sheltered Housing. This helps us further the objectives as defined in our constitution and also enables us to score higher points when applying for community grants. IMEACHTAÍ & GNÍOMHAÍOCHTAÍ: MEÁN FÓMHAIR 2022 – LÚNASA 2023 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES: SEPTEMBER 2022- AUGUST 2023 ## **MEÁN FÓMHAIR/SEPTEMBER 2022** - RANGANNA GAEILGE/Irish Classes Resumed after the summer break. - TRAENÁIL DON FHOIREANN. Staff attended several training courses between July and September including: - Introduction to Conflict Resolution and Mediation - Vulnerable Adult Training - Cosaint Leanaí/Child Protection Training - Oifigeach Ainmnithe/Designated Officer Training - CLUB ÓIGE **/** Youth Club. The Youth Club ran throughout the year including the summer months (around 30 young people per week). ## **DEIREADH FÓMHAIR/OCTOBER 2022** - SRAITH CAINTEANNA/Shared Dialogue Talks: A series of talks on our common history & shared cultural heritage, funded by ANBC/PEACE IV as part of our Féile Lughnasadh programme: - Letters in a Suitcase – A WWII Survivor’s Story Told by a Son (Caint dháthangach/bilingual talk) - People & Place: Ár Logainmneacha Comhroinnte (Ceardlann dhátheangach/bilingual workshop on placenames) - Beirt Scéalaithe, Beirt Phíobairí (Ceol & scéalaíocht dhátheangach do dhaoine fásta/bilingual music & storytelling) - DIOSCÓ NA SAMHNA/Halloween Disco - 2 - ## **COISTE GHAELOIDEACHAS CHROMGHLINNE (CGC)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**_ ## **MÍ NA SAMHNA & MÍ NA NOLLAG/NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2022** - AONACH NA NOLLAG/Christmas Fayre - COISIR NA NOLLAG **/** Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party ## **EANAIR/JANUARY 2023** - RANGANNA GAEILE/Irish Classes -New term commenced - CLUB ÓIGE/Youth Club. Resumed. Every Thursday with around 20 children per week ## **FEABHRA/FEBRUARY 2023** - GRÚPA TUISTÍ & TACHRÁN **/** Parent & Toddler Group - Every Wednesday in Caifé Gaelach from 9.0011.00. - CROSÓGA BRÍDE workshop - DIOSCÓ LÁ FHÉILE VAILINTÍN **/** Valentine’s Disco for kids - CAINT **/** Historical talk: ‘Remembering the United Irishmen’ by John Gray (Caifé Gaelach open) - CEARDLANN/Craft workshop - Creative workshop for adults during the day in the caifé. ## **MÁRTA/MARCH 2023** - Dianchúrsa Gaeilge/Irish language intensive one-day course - “Cúpla Focal” badges awarded to Ranganna Gaeilge learners - Creative arts workshop with “Carnival Chaos” (“Green Man” masks & decorations made for St.Patrick’s Day celebrations) - World Book Day in the Naíscoil - Tura Arutura – music & dance session attended by pupils from Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach - Lá Fhéile Pádraig/St.Patrick’s Day – large turnout for family fun day with music, dancing and other entertainment ## **AIBREÁN/APRIL 2023** - Céiliúradh Spóirt/Sport’s Day in memory of Jennifer Magee. Pupils from St Joseph's, Crumlin Integrated College and Crumlin Integrated Primary joined Gaelscoil Ghleann Darach, Ionad Teaghlaigh Ghleann Darach, Naomh Séamas and other members of the Crumlin community to commemorate Jennifer’s legacy and a cherry tree was planted in her honour. Efforts will be made to maintain the links made with these local schools. - Commencement of polytunnel (‘Síolta Beaga/Little Seeds’) project, funded by The Community Foundation. Beds and composting facilities were built and plans made to involve Gaelscoil and Naíscoil pupils on a regular basis as part of their curriculum. Volunteers from Crumlin Men’s Shed have been enlisted to help out. - 3 - ## **COISTE GHAELOIDEACHAS CHROMGHLINNE (CGC)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**_ ## **BEALTAINE/MAY 2023** - An Chéad Chomaoineach (First Communion) – Ionad Teaghlaigh Ghleann Darach provided refreshments for children & parents - Talk by Claire Mitchell on ‘Alternative Protestants and the Spirit of 1798’ Carnival Chaos arts project with Club Óige/Youth Club in collaboration with Naomh Séamas CLG local GAA club ## **MEITHEAMH/JUNE 2023** - Silver Fáinne awarded to learners at Ranganna Gaeilge - Commencement of new project –cross-community workshops to create a tapestry commemorating the United Irishmen & Women and their non-sectarian, progressive agenda. Funding from the Arts Council secured from September to help make it a long-term project - Bronnadh Céime Naíscoil Ghleann Darach /Naíscoil graduation ceremony ## **IÚIL/JULY 2023** - Scéim Samhraidh/Summer Scheme attended by 60 children ## **LÚNASA/AUGUST 2023** - Talk by Stephen McCracken on ‘Crumlin and the United Irishmen & Women’ - Dianchúrsa Gaeilge/Irish language intensive one-day course - Cairde Ghleann Darach volunteers started a uniform swap for Gaelscoil and Naíscoil parents, to help alleviate cost of living crisis and to promote environmental sustainability - For the first time in its history, Coiste/Ionad Teaghlaigh Ghleann Darach took part in Féile an Phobail and won an award for best newcomer at the main parade. ## POIBLÍOCHT/PUBLICITY See our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. ## PLEAN GNÓ/BUSINESS PLAN ## **THREE-YEAR BUSINESS PLAN IN PLACE** Our Three-Year Business Plan outlines our business aims, key performance indicators and target dates, cash flow forecasts and projections. The plan will help the organisation concentrate on running as a business and generating an income, rather than relying heavily on grants. It has become apparent that grant applications continue to become more time consuming for admin and extremely difficult in accessing the funds in a reasonable amount of time. Therefore, although staff will continue to apply for grants it is important that we are selective in our approach and as an organisation decide which are more viable. The aim of the business plan is to help us work towards becoming a fully sustainable organisation. Our Business Development Officer is due to complete an MSc in Digital Business Management in in August 2024. - 4 - ## **COISTE GHAELOIDEACHAS CHROMGHLINNE (CGC)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**_ PLEAN STRAITÉISEACH/STRATEGIC PLAN ## **FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FINALISED** Our Five-Year Strategic Plan is to act as a delivery pathway for 2024 – 2029. It outlines our Vision and long-term aims for the organisation which will enable us to: - Promote the Irish Language and Culture - Build Cohesion and Inclusion - Empower the Community - Create Change - Promote Growth and Stability ## **Governing document** The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. ## **Induction and training of new trustees** During the period under review the committee met monthly. New members are appointed by nominations made in writing by any existing members. At the General Meeting members are appointed by election. ## **Risk management** The principles of good governance are embedded within all aspects of Coiste Ghaeloideachas Chromghlinne's operations with management and staff being keenly aware of the Boards responsibility of ensuring that the organisation protects itself from financial exposure and reputational damage, A close working relationship is maintained between the Board and managements to ensure that operationally staff are aware of the standards required of them by the Board and the Board are always in a position to provide guidance and support to management in the discharge of their duties. This two way relationship is the key feature of Coiste Ghaeloideachas Chromghlinne governance arrangements and is a key strength in the company. A conscientious approach to ensuring that contractual project requirements are achieved has been maintained at all times both in the accounting period being reported on and since Coiste Ghaeloideachas Chromghlinne establishment. Very tight financial controls on expenditure and all financial commitments are maintained at all times and project staff have been trained and have become experienced in budgetary controls. In both these areas ie Project delivery and financial controls management all staff have established close working relationships with funding organisations to ensure all mandatory standards are consistently achieved. Board representatives also actively engage with funding bodies. The Board, management and staff are fully aware that the nature of the work in which Coiste Ghaeloideachas Chromghlinne is involved can bring with it a high level of scrutiny to ensure all activities are fully compliant with funding requirements and, therefore, beyond reproach. The Board of Coiste Ghaeloideachas Chromghlinneis, therefore, greatly reassured of the company's compliance with the highest standards of governance on the basis that all monitoring and evaluation of project delivery demonstrates achievement of all funders objectives and that funders' audits and vouching of financial expenditure and the Independent Examination confirms compliance with both probity and regularity in the use of monies received. - 5 - ## **COISTE GHAELOIDEACHAS CHROMGHLINNE (CGC)** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**_ ## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities** The trustees (who are also the directors of Coiste Ghaeloideachas Chromghlinne (CGC) for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which gave a true and fair view of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of he charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees. ## **STEPHEN WALLACE** Trustee Dated: 24 May 2024 ## **DAVID KENNEDY** Trustee Dated:24 May 2024 - 6 -