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SEACHT
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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FOR ARTS, CULTURE, HERITAGE AND TOURISM
21b The Square, The Moy, Co Tyrone, BT71 7SG
## **Chair of Trustees Annual Report to AGM – December 2024**
## **Reporting Period: 1st January 2024 – 31st August 2024**
## **Prepared for the Annual General Meeting 20-12-2024**
## **1. Introduction**
The Trustees of SEACHT are pleased to present the Annual Report for the 2024 trading year. This report outlines the activities, achievements, and financial performance of SEACHT during this period, as well as our plans for the future.
The organisation enjoyed a number of successes during the year and continued to play a key role in providing a busy calendar of cultural events in association with its social partners in Aonach Mhacha Cultural Arts Centre. These included concerts, lectures, classes, workshops, tours and excursions. We also successfully coordinated a number of residential conferences and seminars for local and international events guests.
The SEACHT social enterprise model continues to focus primarily on income generation from our core activities – printing, product customisation, events management and coordination, gift shop and consultancy services, project grant income and sponsorship
It is important to note that SEACHT took a trading and operational break from 1st September 2024, as our Social Enterprise Manager, Máire Ní Phronntaigh, took extended leave to go travelling for the rest of 2024. Máire will return in early 2025, at which point SEACHT will become fully operational again, based in its new location in The Moy, Co Tyrone.
The operational break has allowed us to reflect on our achievements and plan for the next phase of our charitable and social enterprise work.
SEACHT is grateful to our committed volunteers, customers, funders and to the local community for their continued support and assistance.
SEACHT 21b The Square, The Moy, Co Tyrone, BT71 7SG NI629789 NIC106798
## **2. Objectives and Activities**
During the reporting period, SEACHT has worked tirelessly to achieve its objectives, which include advancing education, the arts, culture, and heritage in our locality. Our key objectives and activities remain as follows:
Advancing Education and the Arts, Culture, and Heritage
Encouraging Appreciation for and Participation in Traditional Crafts
Stimulating Artistic and Linguistic Creativity
Promoting Local Economic Regeneration through Social Enterprise Promotion
## **3. Achievements and Impact**
The Trustees are proud to highlight the following achievements during the reporting period:
## **Major Residential Cultural Conferences**
SEACHT successfully hosted 2 Major Residential Cultural Conferences, which catered to almost 100 cross-border and international guests. These conferences were a significant milestone for SEACHT, providing a platform for cultural exchange, collaboration, and learning. Key outcomes included:
Strengthened cross-border and international relationships, fostering new partnerships for future projects.
Showcased the rich cultural heritage of our locality to a global audience, enhancing the profile of SEACHT and the area of benefit.
Provided attendees with immersive experiences in traditional crafts, the Irish language, and local culture, leaving a lasting impact.
The success of these conferences underscores SEACHT’s commitment to advancing education, the arts, culture, and heritage, while also contributing to the local economy through tourism and hospitality.
## **Partnerships with Craft Enterprises**
SEACHT partnered with 5 new craft enterprises to develop unique product ranges and creative ideas. This collaboration has:
Outcome 1 Enabled the creation of innovative, culturally inspired products that celebrate traditional crafts and heritage.
SEACHT 21b The Square, The Moy, Co Tyrone, BT71 7SG NI629789 NIC106798
Outcome 2 Provided local artisans with new opportunities to showcase their work and reach broader markets.
Outcome 3 Strengthened the local creative economy by fostering collaboration and innovation among craft enterprises.
These partnerships reflect SEACHT’s commitment to reviving traditional arts and crafts while supporting sustainable economic regeneration in the area of benefit.
## **Management of Ground Floor Facilities in Aonach Mhacha Cultural Arts Centre**
SEACHT successfully managed the ground floor facilities of the Aonach Mhacha Cultural Arts Centre, including the Community Café, Gift Shop, Theatre, and Community Arts Space. This has been a cornerstone of our work, delivering significant benefits to the community:
Community Café: Provided a welcoming space for locals and visitors to gather, fostering social inclusion and community cohesion.
Gift Shop: Showcased and sold products from local artisans, generating income for both SEACHT and the craft enterprises we support.
Theatre: Hosted a variety of cultural events, performances, and workshops, attracting over 1200 attendees and enriching the cultural life of the area.
Community Arts Space: Offered a creative hub for local artists and community groups to collaborate, exhibit their work, and engage with the public.
The management of these facilities has not only supported SEACHT’s mission to promote arts, culture, and heritage but has also contributed to the local economy and strengthened community engagement.
## **4. Financial Review**
SEACHT has maintained a strong financial position during the reporting period. Key highlights include:
Total income: £63,137
Total expenditure: £65,558
Net surplus/deficit: - £2,421
The majority of our income in 23/24 was generated through social enterprise activities. Only one small grant was received from Mid Ulster District Council to assist the annual Winter School and International Symposium.
SEACHT
21b The Square, The Moy, Co Tyrone, BT71 7SG
NI629789 NIC106798
Expenditure was primarily directed towards program delivery, staff costs, and operational expenses.
The small operational deficit in 23/24 was covered by the previous year’s surplus.
The Trustees have ensured that SEACHT operates in a financially sustainable manner, with robust financial controls and risk management processes in place.
## **5. Governance**
SEACHT is governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees, who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the organisation. The Trustees meet regularly to oversee the strategic direction and operations of SEACHT.
During the reporting period, the Board has focused on:
Reviewing and updating our strategic plan.
Ensuring compliance with charity regulations and best practices.
Identifying new Trustees to strengthen the Board.
## **6. Challenges and Risks**
Despite our successes, SEACHT has faced several challenges during the reporting period, including:
Reduced funding from traditional grant sources due to economic pressures.
Staff and volunteer burnout and exhaustion due to increased demand for our services, stretching our resources.
The Trustees have proactively addressed these challenges by taking an operational break to reinvigorate the Board, staff and volunteers and to facilitate strategic planning for 2025!
## **7. Future Plans**
Looking ahead, SEACHT is committed to building on its achievements and addressing ongoing challenges. Key priorities for the coming year include:
Expanding our social enterprise activities to increase financial sustainability. We shall engage with Armagh Business Centre in a number of social enterprise expansion programmes.
SEACHT
21b The Square, The Moy, Co Tyrone, BT71 7SG
NI629789 NIC106798
Launching a new initiative to support community arts and heritage in Mid Ulster. We are liaising and collaborating with the Arts Department in Mid Ulster District Council and a number of local community groups to develop this initiative
Strengthening partnerships with local and national organisations to deliver our strategic vision.
## Immediate Tasks
- 1) Trading Name
- 2) Design: Logo, Branding & Headed Paper
- 3) Product Range
- 4) Social Media Presence
- 5) Services
Areas of Work
Product Branding, Printing & Personalisation Customised Giftware
Online Local Craft Gift Shop
Rural Isolation Heritage Tours Inter-Cultural Events Community Training Events, Advice & Signposting
## **8. Acknowledgements**
The Trustees would like to extend their gratitude to:
Our dedicated staff and volunteers for their hard work and commitment.
Our funders, donors, and partners for their continued support. Particularly Mid Ulster District Council for their financial assistance with the Winter School and International Symposium.
Local schools, community, groups, cultural agencies and local businesses for their continued support and collaboration. The communities we serve for their trust and collaboration.
## **9. Conclusion**
The past eight months have been a period of growth and impact for SEACHT. Despite the challenges, we remain steadfast in our mission. The Trustees are confident that, with the continued support of our stakeholders, SEACHT will achieve even greater success in the years to come.
SEACHT
21b The Square, The Moy, Co Tyrone, BT71 7SG
NI629789 NIC106798
Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees:
Gearóid Ó Machail Chair of Trustees 16th December 2024
SEACHT
21b The Square, The Moy, Co Tyrone, BT71 7SG
NI629789 NIC106798