**ABCE** Association Bulgarian Culture and Education **АБКО** Асоциация Българска Култура и Образование **address:** 2 Loughgall Road, Office 57 Armagh Business Centre, Armagh, BT61 7NH **e-mail: abce.ni@yahoo.co.uk phone: 0044 7970184344 phone: 0044 7821468515** ## **’ - ABCE s Trustees Progress REPORT 2023 2024** |**Period 1 (April-July’23)**
**Period 2 (August-November’23)**
**Period 3 (December-March 2023-24)**
**Please see record of progress towards**
X|**Period 1 (April-July’23)**
**Period 2 (August-November’23)**
**Period 3 (December-March 2023-24)**
**Please see record of progress towards**
X|**the achievement of SMART targets.**| |---|---|---| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |Trainings and
Certified Courses
(Child protection/
SEN specifications
and methodology|10 trainees/volunteers (depends on venue)
100% of participants report increased
understanding of child protection and
safeguarding/Working with children with SEN
Trainees- 11 Certificates gained|Internal trainings done in this period.
•11 BME Teachers indicated for courses.
•Total of 21 booked for First Aid training/ Child protection
•100% of participants reported increased understanding of
the educational system.| |Cross-
generational
Program|4 sessions:
**4 practical advice clinics & training**
**sessions**|•Activity continues from previous academic year with
changes with attendees.| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |“Promoting Health
and Wellbeing
and practical
advice Clinic”,
active trainings,
and workshops
(Preservation of
cultural heritage
and old crafts)|**4 workshops**(old crafts; preservation of
cultural heritage)
100% of attendees will improve health and
lifestyle equally. Measured by register &
evaluation form.|•Clinics provided on weekly basis. 2 clinics per month.
• **4 clinics**provided in this period.
• **1 workshop**provided (Easter time)
•Rest of workshops scheduled for September 2023- the
New academic year.
•100 % improved health & lifestyle equally| |Folk dance group
Traditional Folklore
dancing. Performing
in Events to break
down cultural
barriers.|20 sessions by 1.5 hours for adults
20 sessions by 1 hour for children
100% of participants improving health and
lifestyle equally. Measured by registration &
evaluation forms.|•Venue in Armagh Business Centre.
•Programme planed.
•8 adult’s sessions done.
•5 children’s sessions done April-July 2023 (10 kids).
•15 sessions scheduled to continue in September 2023.
•100% of participants improving health and lifestyle
equally| |One to One Clinics-
on request by
community
(Telephone and
through electronical
platform
clinics-
Moodle/Zoom/CViC)|
100% of BME/public citizens aware of how to
access public services and education and
understand their rights.|•25 people benefited online and through telephone calls in
this period.
•100% attendees awarded of how to access public
services and education and understand their rights.| |Board games -
generational
Club-multilingual
club (Bulgarian,
Russian, Poland,|On weekly base by 1 hour for up to 20 people
(as 10 sets available)
90 % of participants will improve
communication, mental maths skills and|•Programme started with 12 members.
•2 more booked in his period. Total of 12 started in
September 2023
•18 club members by end of this period| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |Ukrainian,
English)|wellbeing and foreign language. Measured by
post evaluation and attendance Certificates.|| |Russian Club
'Speak and Play'
(divided in small
groups:
1st group: 3-5
years (up to 5
kids preferable)
2nd group: 6-13
years (5-8 kids
preferable)|2x 20 weeks by 1 hour (in two groups for max
of 10 kids in each group).
100% improve communication and learn new
language. Measured by post evaluation.
Certificates awarded at the end of the period.|•Activity planned for September 2023. Not yet started.
•12 bookings done in total by end of period (all 4-12 years
old)| |Homework Club|8 weeks programme- Max 10 children.|•Venue discussed in Armagh Business Centre
•12 children attended one- to one session and gained help
with their English/ Maths homework in this period, before
official start of this program. Request made through
parents in Bulgarian School. Volunteer teachers helping
those kids and families.
•Pre-assignments done in April 2023 as requested by
parents for next 8 weeks.
•Programme scheduled start for Sep 2023.| |Vocal Bulgarian
Folk Singing and
Traditional
instruments playing
(Tamboura and|32 weeks by 2 hours weekly
100% of attendees will show increased
respect, celebrate, and preserve Bulgarian
Language and music with the wider
community. Register in each class.|•Program started online
•10 sessions by 2 hours done.
•12 participants (2 oversubscribed)
•100% of attendees showed increased respect, celebrate,
and preserve Bulgarian Language and music with the
wider community.| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |Bulgarian Bagpipe)
Classes||| |Mother tongue
Language classes
Inc. Bulgarian
History &
Geography of
Bulgaria, Bulgarian
Traditions, and
customs (3yrs to
16yrs-because of
Covid-19 by
Distance online
teaching through
Electronical
platform Moodle+
Black Board/online
apps/Students
divided in small
groups. 1m. social
distancing in small
classes in two
shifts)|32 weeks by 4 hours for 207 students
100% of attendees showed increased
respect, celebrate, and preserve Bulgarian
Language with the wider community. Register
in each class.|•Programmes continue.
•For this period 207 registered students (7 overbooked).
•10 weeks by 4 hours done.
•100% of attendees showed increased respect, celebrate,
and preserve Bulgarian Language with the wider
community.| |2 Multicultural
School trips and
one Recognition
Event|Two trips annually
30 people in total
100% of participants will mix from a variety of
BME community & background. Measured by
Recognition Certificates &evaluation|•Two trips done in this period: One in April 2023 (Easter)
and one provided for Formal event-May 2023 in Dublin.
•Recognition event done in June 2023| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |Learning support
Club for BME,
Roma and
Newcomer pupils in
the area in Schools
& College
(Armstrong PS, Mt
St Catherine PS)|20 weeks by 1 hour in each School / if
restrictions- online or in separate buildings
as after school activities for those kids
Up to 10 students in each School
100% of target will increase knowledge and
understanding of English/ Maths and
integrate better in the local school life act.
Measured by register.|•Programs began online
•10 sessions from April-June 2023 done.
•55 pupils in Mount St Catherine PS
•40 pupils in Armstrong PS
•Additional 10 sessions planned from September 2023
•100% of target increased knowledge and understanding
of English/ Maths and integrate better in the local school
life act.| |6 Cultural
Celebrations (Day
of our Alphabet;
Easter, Christmas,
'Martenitsa
workshop', St
Patrick, 'Bulgarian
Independent day')|One of annually for each celebration
(Additional premises required to allow social
distancing measures)
Overall total: 200 people
100% of target audience will understand the
importance of customs and traditions in
united communities. Register & post-
evaluations.|•Easter- 192 pupils and 89 parents attended event in April.
•Day of our Alphabet- done May 2023.
•Cultural Concert done in June 2023 with more than
200 adults and children participated in Dublin.
•Christmas Event planned for Dec 2023 (Period 2)
•Bulgarian Independent day, Martenitsa and St Patricks
workshop are planned for Feb-March 2024 (Period 3).
•Venues planned (Armagh Business Centre, Armagh City
Hotel)
•100% of target audience understood the importance of
customs and traditions in united communities.| **Period 1 (April-July 2023)** X **Period 2 (August-November 2023) Period 3 (December 2023-March 2024)** |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |Trainings and
Certified Courses
(Paediatric First aid/
Child protection/
Designated person|10 trainees/volunteers (depends on venue)
100% of participants report increased
understanding of child protection and
safeguarding/Paediatric First Aid Measured
by post evaluation forms.
100% of participants report increased
understanding of the educational system.
Measured by post evaluation forms.
Trainees- 21 Certificates gained.|•11 BME Teachers started training courses.
•Total of 21 attended for Refresher First Aid training/ Child
protection.
**Trainees- 21 Certificates gained.**
•100% of participants reported increased understanding of
the educational system.| |Cross-
generational
Program
'Promoting Health
and Wellbeing
and practical
advice, active
trainings and
workshops
(Preservation of
cultural heritage
and old crafts)|8 sessions:
**4 practical advice & training sessions**(8 by
2 hrs or 16 by 1 hr in smaller groups;
depends on numbers)
**4 workshops**(old crafts; preservation of
cultural heritage)
100% of attendees will improve health and
lifestyle equally. Measured by register &
evaluation form.|•Activity continues from previous academic year with
changes with attendees.
•4 clinics and 4 trainings provided in this period. All done
by end of this period.
•The rest of workshops planned in this period (Christmas
Workshop planned for first week in Dec 2023/ 1 in Jan
and 1 in Feb and 2 in March 2024)
•4 trainings and 4 practical advice done in this period
•Rest of workshops scheduled for December 2023- March
2024
•100 % improved health & lifestyle equally| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |Folk dance group
Traditional Folklore
dancing. Performing
in Events to break
down cultural
barriers.|20 sessions by 1.5 hours for adults (10
adults)
20 weeks by 1 hour for children (20 sessions
in 2-3 small groups- 10 children)
100% of participants improving health and
lifestyle equally. Measured by registration &
evaluation forms.|•Venue is in Armagh Business Centre.
•Programme began in September 2023.
•10 adult’s sessions done. (2 left to be done in next period
but decision made to continue as interest increased by
members)
•10 children’s sessions done (10 kids).
•Decision made to extend the programme by end of
academic year.
•100% of participants improving health and lifestyle
equally| |Information session
(CViC Virtual
platform)
One to One Clinics
(Telephone and
through electronical
platform
clinics-
Moodle/Zoom/CViC)|
4 information sessions by 2 hours (Settle in
Status in UK, Health and Education, Rights
and Labour) for 25 people.
90% of BME attendees aware of how to
access public services and education and
understand their rights.|•One Information session done on ‘Education done
through Educational electronical platform based on
MOODLE with Conference meeting of 35 attendees.
•Two information sessions rescheduled for December in
Moodle platform.
•By end of this period 35 people used this program.
•100% of participants were aware of how to access public
services and education and understood their rights.| |Board Games-
generational Club|10 weeks by 1 hour for**10 people.**
90 % of participants will improve
communication, mental maths skills and
wellbeing and foreign language. Measured by
post evaluation and attendance Certificates.|•Programme began
•All 10 sessions done.
•Total of**18 people**attended 18 Certs issued.
•100% of participants improved communication skills and
wellbeing and foreign language.
•
Programme started with 12 members. And
•
18 club members by end of the program.| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |Russian Club
'Speak and Play'
(divided in small
groups:
1st group: 3-5
years (up to 5
kids preferable)
2nd group: 6-13
years (5-8 kids
preferable)|2x 20 weeks by 1 hour (in two groups) for
max of 10 kids in each group.
100% improve communication and learn new
language. Measured by post evaluation.
Certificates awarded at the end of the period.|•Program began in September 2023
•16 bookings done in total by end of period (all 4-12 years
old)
•2 by 10 weeks done by 1 hour each in this period.
Majority of attendees are with mixed ethnic background:
Bulgarians, Russians, Irish and Ukraininan children| |Homework Club|20 weeks by 2 hours- Max 10 children
Measured by Pre-assignment and final test.|•28 children attended one- to one session and gained help
with their English/ Maths homework in this period, before
official start of this program. Request made through
parents in Bulgarian School. Volunteer teachers helping
those kids and families.
•Programme began in Sep 2023 and over subscribed.
•8 weeks done in these period**/ 28 children**attended
•100 % of students have increased knowledge of mother
thong and celebrate different cultures.| |Vocal Bulgarian
Folk Singing and
Traditional
instruments playing
(Kaval and
Bulgarian Bagpipe)
Classes|32 weeks by 2 hours weekly (pupils to be
divided by 2 small groups, 1 hour each group)
10-15 attendees (in small groups)
100% of attendees will increasing respect,
celebrate, and preserve Bulgarian Language
and music with the wider community. Register
in each class.|
•Program started online
•12 sessions by 2 hours done.
•12 participants (2 oversubscribed)
•100% of attendees showed increased respect, celebrate,
and preserve Bulgarian Language and music with the
wider community.
•100% of attendees showed increased respect, celebrate,
and preserved Bulgarian Language and music with the
wider community.| |Mother tongue
Language classes|32 weeks by 4 hours for 80 students|•Programmes continue.
•Total of 204 children registered in this period.| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |Inc. Bulgarian
History &
Geography of
Bulgaria, Bulgarian
Traditions and
customs (3yrs to
16yrs-because of
Covid-19 by
Distance online
teaching through
Electronical
platform Moodle+
Black Board/online
apps/Students
divided in small
groups. 1m. social
distancing in small
classes in two
shifts)|100% of attendees showed increased
respect, celebrate, and preserve Bulgarian
Language with the wider community. Register
in each class.|•12 weeks by 4 hours were done in this period.
•Final 10 weeks planned for next period.
•100% of attendees showed increased respect, celebrate,
and preserve Bulgarian Language with the wider
community.| |2 Multicultural
School trips to
Museums, Festivals
in Northern Ireland
as Volunteer
Recognition Event|Two trips annually
87 people in total|•Trips done in first period. Completed| |Learning support
Club for BME,
Roma and
Newcomer pupils in
the area in Schools|20 weeks by 1 hour in each School and
College/ if restrictions- online or in separate
buildings as after school activities for those
kids
Up to 10 students in each School|•Programs continue with total of 90 children in two
schools.
•8 sessions done in this period
•Last 2 sessions planned for next period.| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |& College
(Armstrong PS, Mt
St Catherine PS)|100% of target will increase knowledge and
understanding of English/ Maths and
integrate better in the local school life act.
Measured by register.|•100% of target increased knowledge and understanding
of English/ Maths and integrate better in the local school
life act.| |6 Cultural
Celebrations (Day
of our Alphabet;
Easter, Christmas,
'Martenitsa
workshop', St
Patrick, 'Bulgarian
Independent day')|One of annually for each celebration
(Additional premises required to allow social
distancing measures)
Overall total: 200 people
100% of target audience understand the
importance of customs and traditions in
united communities. Register & post-
evaluations.|•No celebrations done for this period due to Covid
Restrictions.
•Four celebrations planned for next period:
**Christmas Celebration**- planned for Dec 2023;
**Bulgarian Independent day**- planned to happen on 3rd
March,**Martenitsa**Celebration/ Independence Day/
Mummers and Visit of First Bulgarian Lady – all planned to
happen in Armagh Business Centre (Feb 2024) and**St**
**Patricks parade**is planned for 17 March 2024 with WAC.
•Venues planned for next period.| **Period 1 (April-July 2023) Period 2 (August-November 2023)** X **Period 3 (December’23-March 2024)** |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |Trainings and
Certified Courses
(Paediatric First aid/
Child protection/
Designated person|10 trainees/11 volunteers (depends on
venue)
100% of participants report increased
understanding of child protection and
safeguarding/Paediatric First Aid-Refresher/
Working with SEN children
Measured by post evaluation forms.
100% of participants report increased
understanding of the educational system.
Measured by post evaluation forms.
Trainees-21Certificates gained.|•11 BME Teachers finished all training & courses.
•Total of 21 attended for First Aid training/ Child
protection/ Working with SEN.
•Trainees- 21 Certificates gained.
•100% of participants reported increased understanding of
educational system in NI and 100% trainees gained
Certificates.| |Cross- generational
Program 'Promoting
Health and
Wellbeing including
practical advice,
active trainings and
workshops
(Preservation of
cultural heritage
and old crafts)|8 sessions:
**4 practical advice & training sessions**(8 by
2 hrs or 16 by 1 hr in smaller groups;
depends on numbers)
**4 workshops**(old crafts; preservation of
cultural heritage)
100% of attendees will improve health and
lifestyle equally. Measured by register &
evaluation form.|•All workshop sessions done (Dec 2023- Christmas
workshop, Jan’24- Bulgarian Mummers workshop, Feb
2024- St. Valentine and Trifon Zarezan Workshop and
March’ 24- Martenitsa workshop/ 17 March St Patricks
Parade
•All sessions done.
•19 people for this period received practical advices and
additional 10 received telephone advice on request.
•100% of attendees improved health and lifestyle equally.| |Folk dance group
Traditional Folklore|20 sessions by 1.5 hours for 10 adults|•5 sessions done for adults.| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |dancing. Performing
in Events to break
down cultural
barriers|20 weeks by 1 hour for 10 children (20
sessions in 2-3 small groups).
**100% of participants (24 people) improved**
**health and lifestyle equally.**
**Measured by registration & evaluation**
**forms.**|•5 sessions done for children.
•Total of 16 children and 12 adults joined.
•100% of participants (28 people) improved health and
lifestyle equally.
Decision was made to extend the programme by end of
academic year (June 2024) as increased interest of members
shown| |Information session
(CViC Virtual
platform) One to
One Clinics
(Telephone and
through electronical
platform.
Moodle/Zoom/CViC)|4 information sessions by 2 hours:
Settle in Status in UK, Health and Education,
Rights and Labour, dealing with impact of
90% of BME attendees will be aware of how
to access public services and education and
understand their rights. Measured by
Register and questionnaires.|•Two sessions done in this period
•23 participants in this period
•90% of BME attendees aware of how to access public
services and education and understood their rights.
•10% are low educated and still need support, especially
by using online services.
**N.B! - All 4 sessions done by end of project.**Most done by
phone and remotely by Electronical platform.| |Board Games-
generational Club||•Completed.| |Russian Club
'Speak and Play'
(divided in small
groups: 1st group:
3-5 years (up to 5
kids preferable)
2nd group: 6-13
years (5-8 kids
preferable)|2x 20 weeks by 1 hour in two groups
100% of attendees will increase respect,
celebrate, and preserve Russian Language
with the wider community. Register in each
class. Measured by post evaluation.
Certificates will be awarded at the end of the
period.|• **Program completed.**
• **2x10 weeks done in this period**to complete the project
with 20 participants in total - 3-5 years old and Group 2- 6
to 13 years old.
•Register in each class archived with 20 Certificates
awarded.
•100% of attendees increased respect, celebrate, and
preserved Russian Language with the wider community.
Majority of attendees are with mixed ethnic background:
Bulgarians, Russians, Irish and Ukrainian children.| |Homework Club|20 weeks by 2 hours. (10 children)|• **Program completed**and oversubscribed.| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |||•16 children attended one- to one session and gained help
with their English/ Maths homework in this period, before
official start of this program. Request made through
parents in Bulgarian School. Volunteer teachers helping
those kids and families.
•Programme began in Sep 2023 finished by March 2024.
•12 weeks done in these period/ 16 children attended (6
oversubscribed).
•100 % of students have increased knowledge of mother
thong and celebrate different cultures.100% of attendees
showed increased respect, celebrate, and preserve
Bulgarian Language with the wider community. Register
in each class archived. Measured by Pre assignment and
final test that is due between 15thMay-15 June 2024.| |Vocal Bulgarian
Folk Singing and
Traditional
instruments playing
(Kaval and
Bulgarian Bagpipe)
Classes|32 weeks by 2 hours weekly (pupils are
divided in small groups. Lessons provided
online by electronical platform-Moodle used.
Total of 15 attendees, aged 6-18.|• **Program completed**(all 32 weeks done)
•15 participants by end of the period
•100% of attendees showed increased respect, celebrate,
and preserve Bulgarian Language and music with the
wider community. Register in each class archived.
Measured by evaluation online questionnaires| |Mother tongue
Language classes
Inc. Bulgarian
History &
Geography of
Bulgaria, Bulgarian
Traditions, and
customs and
Distance online|32 weeks by 4 hours. The program was
created for 200 students.
100% of attendees will show increased
respect, celebrate, and preserve Bulgarian
Language with the wider community. Register
in each class. Measured by evaluation forms
and online questionaries.|•10 weeks done
•Additional 5 students enrolled in this period. Total for the
project:**207**(+5 back to Bulgaria before end of the
programme).
•100% of attendees showed increased respect, celebrate,
and preserve Bulgarian Language with the wider
community. Register in each class archived. Measured by
evaluation forms and online questionaries. Also,
Bulgarian National Tests to be done between grade 1 to| |**Activity**|**Output measure and Outcome Measure**|**Progress to end of period**| |---|---|---| |teaching through
Electronical
platform Moodle+
Black Board/online
apps and Face to
Face||grade 9 from 15thMay until 15 June 2024. And
Certificates will be given at the end of academic year.
Possibly by end of June 2024.| |2 Multicultural
School trips to
Museums, Festivals
in Northern Ireland
as Volunteer
Recognition Event|Two trips for 30 people
100% of participants should mix from a
variety of BME community & background.
Measured by Recognition Certificates &
evaluation**.**|• **2 Trips are done**(in first period)| |Learning support
Club for BME,
Roma and
Newcomer pupils in
the area in Schools
& College
(Armstrong PS, Mt
St Catherine PS)|20 weeks by 1 hour in each School and
College/ if restrictions-online or in separate
building as afterschool activities for those
kids
100% of target will increase knowledge and
understanding of English/ Maths and
integrate better in the local school life act.
Measure by register and post evaluation.|• **Program completed.**
•2 sessions done in Period 3
•Total of 90 kids were involved between two primary
schools in Armagh.
•100% of target increased knowledge and understanding
of English/ Maths and integrated better in the local school
life act.| |6 Cultural
Celebrations (Day
of our Alphabet;
Easter, Christmas,
'Martenitsa
workshop', St
Patrick, 'Bulgarian
Independent day').
One of annually for
each celebration|One of annually for each celebration
(Additional premises required to allow social
distancing measures)
Overall total: 250 people
100% of target audience will understand the
importance of customs and traditions in
united communities. Measured by register &
post evaluations.|• **All completed.**
• **6 planned and 12 done in total:**Day of Bulgarian Day of
People's Awakeners and Educators, Christmas (1),
Mummers (1), St Valantine and St Trifon Zarezan (2),
Martenitsa( in 5 separate groups), Independent Day(1),
St. Patricks (1)
•Over 400 attendees: Total of 207 students and more than
200 adults- parents and members of communities
attended those Celebrations up to date.| **Activity Output measure and Outcome Measure Progress to end of period** (Additional • 100% of target audience understood the importance of premises required customs and traditions in united communities. as numbers increased rapidly) **Signature of Office Bearer: __________________________ Date: 31.03.2024 Signature of Chairperson: ______________________ Date: 31.03.2024**