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Trustees Report — Financial Year Ended 31* March 2025
Charity Name : Lettershandoney and District Development Group
Charity Number :NIC 106081
Principal Address : 32 Lettershandoney Avenue, Lettershandoney, BT47 SHY
The Management Committee presents this report together with its financial statements for the year ended 31* March 2025
Trustees
The following individuals served as trustees during the financial year 2024/2025:
Martin McCartney (Chairperson), Oliver McGlinchey(Vice-Chairperson), Feidhlim O’Neill (Treasurer), Candice McKinney (Secretary), Kerry Ann Barr
The following individuals were serving trustees on the date the report was approved:
Terence Kirby (Chairperson), Feidhlim O’Neill (Treasurer), Kerry-Anne Barr.
Public Benefit
;
In line with its stated objectives and aims, the trustees affirm that the charity is undertaking activities which provide benefit to those who avail of its services and have due regard for the public benefit requirement.
Objectives and Aims
Lettershandoney and District Development Group is constituted to promote the welfare and well-being of the residents of Lettershandoney and surrounding rural areas though the provision of services and resources that might otherwise be centralised in larger urban communities. It further aims to embed the principles of community development within the area and its provision.
Lettershandoney and District Development Group is governed by a constitution signed 12 February 2024 and containing the following purposes:
The association is established so as to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Lettershandoney and District (hereinafter described as ‘the area’) without any distinction being made for age, sex, race, political, religious or other opinions or beliefs by associating the local authorities, voluntary organisations and the inhabitants of the area ina common purpose to improve the environment, facilities and other matters in the interests of social welfare and generally to improve the standard of life for all the inhabitants within the area.
Main activities and achievements
Throughout the financial year, Lettershandoney and District Development Group continued delivery and coordination of its three-year project ‘Breathe’ funded by The Big Lottery Community Fund. This program was centred on developing capacity and support networks within local communities and reestablishing relationships and community division disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It featured a range of events and activities including exercise classes, youth and early years provision and included luncheon club program for older people. The project was further responsible for seasonal events such as Christmas and community fun days. Through these activities the organization was able to provide vital services to residents across a wider rural area with beneficial outcomes evident across a range of areas such as health, wellbeing, social cohesions and fun.
The relationship created with YMCA Ireland has grown over this last 24 months and we can see an improvement in children attending the youth program ona Thursday. Through our hard work together we managed to provide trips for the kids to go on such as Lake Kilrea, Oak Fire Adventure Centre and the local cinema. This partnership is a great assist for the community, and we hope to continue for the foreseeable future.
We continue to offer Welfare rights advice on Thursday due to our partnership with Advice North West, we feel this is an essential service for the needs of our users and those in the Rural community.
Another year of success was obtained by hosting events such as:
The Foyle Cup where we had over 500 people in the area for matches over 4 days this is a great event for the area and we hope to build upon this in the coming year. Oran Boyd Memorial football event where we hosted the event in the playing field and centre. One of most important achievements for this year was our summer scheme, the summer scheme was funded by Lettershandoney and the feedback we received from parents and children was fantastic. We had 38 kids aged from 5-11 here for 4 days where they carried out
centre-based activities such as cricket, soccer, Gaelic and keep fit classes. The children also had 3 trips out of the area to a Sperrin fun farm, jungle king and limitless adventure area. Without the support of the great team of volunteers we have built over the year we would not have been able to run this event, and we thank them for their continued support.
Thanks
The management committee wish to offer thanks to the following partners and funders who assisted our work throughout this period:
The National Lottery; Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Derry City and Strabane District Council; Rural Area Partnership in Derry; The Education Authority; YMCA Ireland and Community Foundation For Northern Ireland.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our volunteers and staff whose work was instrumental to the success of the organisation
This report was signed 20" January 2025 Chairperson Lou Ss
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