FACTS AGM Minutes – Reporting Year 2023-24
1. Welcome & Introductions
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Thank you to everyone for attending this AGM. My name is Mary Margaret Love and I’m the Chairperson of F.A.C.T.S. In attendance are our Trustees: Patricia Close, Anne Quinn, Donna Ross and myself. We sadly have to announce the resignation in May 2024 of one of our Trustees, Natasha Scullion. We would like to thank Natasha for all her years of service, and the dedication and knowledge she provided our charity with throughout her term.
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During this meeting I will report on what F.A.C.T.S’ has achieved over the year from April 2023 to March 2024.
2. Charity Updates
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During the year we were able to support a number of learning and training courses for parents facilitated by Autism Solutions NI. The feedback that we had from those that took advantage of these opportunities was tremendous. As well as providing a knowledge platform for families, it also gave them the opportunity to engage personally and bring a more intimate element to the discussions. We aim to provide more opportunities to allow members to meet together, and with professionals, to learn appropriate techniques and gain awareness to help them in their day-to-day lives.
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We have also seen an increase in families requiring additional support, primarily through one-to-one counselling for their children. We have been able to secure the services of a qualified counsellor to allow us to offer this service to our members. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Catherine for everything she has done to help our families through very challenging times. And again, this is a service which we hope to continue going forward.
3. Financial Overview
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The financial position of the charity has strengthened over the financial year which has resulted in a bank balance of £77k at year end, up 36% on the previous year.
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This increase is primarily due to an increase in fundraising and donations over the year – which is dependent on a lot of hardwork from our trustees and members, and requires us to promote the charity wherever possible within our designated area.
FACTS AGM Minutes – Reporting Year 2023-24
Unfortunately, there was no Big Lottery grants this year but thank you to MUDC for their grant of £450.
- The increase in receipts have allowed us to provide more services to our members. Not only training and counselling opportunities mentioned earlier but also fun activities including cinema trips and our annual visit to the Christmas Panto, which was in Cookstown this year.
4. Fundraising & Events
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We would like to take this opportunity to give a big thank you to all of those who made donations or organised fundraisers during the year. While it isn’t possible to mention everyone, apart from our members, some of those who did fundraising events for F.A.C.T.S included:
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UPV Doctor (boxing tournament)
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Mid Ulster Truckers (truck run)
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S Convery (golf tournament)
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D&L Trading (fundraiser event)
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Bradley’s Corner (tractor run & ploughing match)
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D Strathern (bike run)
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Corporate Donations (Specialist Joinery, Shed C & Beam)
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F.A.C.T.S also organised a short run of a ‘Mrs Brown’ parody show during 2023 – generating receipts from ticket & programme sales & sponsors.
5. Conclusions
- Finally, thank you to the trustees and everyone who has helped to make F.A.C.T.S a success this year – without your help we would not be here. We are here to help families living with autism in Mid Ulster – to make their lives and their families lives better!