DROMARA CONNECT ANNUAL REPORT
1st July 2022 – 30th June 2023
Background
Dromara Connect is a private company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 27 May 2016.
It was registered with the Charity Commission on 5 April 2017.
Objects
The Company’s objects are specifically restricted to the following:
(a) the advancement of the Christian faith within Dromara and its environs of Northern Ireland, in accordance with the Dromara Connect Statement of Faith, in such ways and by such means as the directors from time to time may think fit and, in particular, to reach out and communicate the good news of the Gospel to persons within the community who are not exposed to Christian teaching through regular church-going; and
(b) ancillary to the foregoing, the advancement of any other exclusively charitable purpose or purposes under the law of Northern Ireland, as the directors may from time to time decide.
Directors at 30 June 2023
Ian Biggerstaff, Jacqueline Cromie, Andrew Dawson, Danny Roberts, Louise Skelly
Secretary at 30 June 2023
David Annett
Membership at 30 June 2023
All directors are members.
Other members, known as associate members, are recorded on a register of members.
Accountants
Heanen, Stanfield and McKee Ltd, 30 Bachelors Walk, Lisburn, BT28 1XN were appointed as accountants for Dromara Connect.
Accounts
Accounts for the above period have been completed.
Confirmation statement
Confirmation statement was accepted by Companies House on June 3rd, 2023
Meetings of Steering Group
The Steering Group met on 5 occasions during the period.
Programme during the period
| Activity | Date |
| Updates and Prayer Meetings | These continued, usually on the 3rdMonday of each month, in person, but also with an option of joining in via ‘zoom’ |
| Counselling Service | We continue to provide a free counselling service for those in the area on a ‘as when needed’ basis. |
| 55+ | Speaker Events were held on 1stThursday of each month. Drop-in continued weekly except for July-August |
| Caring for Carers | We ran an eight-week programme during March and April each Thursday from 12 - 2 pm for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, cancer and other issues where a carer was needed. This was started with funding from the Council. |
| Living Room | Drop-In for primary and pre-school children with their parents/carers held once a week during term time. |
| Connect Mission | In June 2023, we conducted a mission for everyone in Dromara and the wider area. This included a week-long event for children, a young people’s event, and two weeks of meetings for all ages who wished to come. We used a tent that was erected in a local field, that was given to us, and we had hundreds of people come along over the course of the mission |
| One-off events | Events are inclusive, and advertised on social media, and on the LCD screen outside the hall. |
Directors’ comments
The directors wish to record their appreciation to all those who in any way helped to support the work of CONNECT during the period.
This past year has seen Dromara Connect develop, both in its capacity of what it can offer, and also in its relationship with all people in the local community. This is shown in our shortlisting to the final three, for the 2023 all Ireland community awards.
We are thankful for the opportunities that we have, and for our committed volunteers who are eager to see the work progress, and opportunities develop for all the people in Dromara, and the surrounding areas.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”’ - Galatians 5:13-14
God Bless.
Danny Roberts (Dromara Connect Chairman)