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2022-12-31-annual-report

Annual Report 2022 - 2023

Trustees

Helen Armstrong

Tony Armstrong Siobhan Kearney Pauline O’Reilly Colin Buick Lorraine Moon

Contact Address

7 Beechland Drive, Clady Portglenone, BT44 8NJ

Portglenone Paddlers was registered as a Charity with the NI Charity Commission on 31 January 2019 and operate under their constitution adopted on 30 August 2018.

The aims and objectives of the Club are to promote and provide amateur paddlesport opportunities to all interested people of Portglenone and beyond by providing coaching and competitive or recreational opportunities, whilst ensuring a duty of care to all members of the club. In furtherance of the above objectives the Club is committed to treating everyone equally regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion, disability, or beliefs. The Club is affiliated to the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI) and incorporates its rules and regulations

In order to carry out the purposes of the Club, the Committee have the power to:

Charity Commission Registration Number: NIC107195

MAIN ACTIVITIES AND PUBLIC BENEFIT

2022 proved to be a much better year for Portglenone Paddlers with a boost in membership from 22 to 40. We did a membership drive after covid with four taster sessions to recruit new members. This worked extremely well for us and we were delighted to see the renewed interest within the community to get out on the water.

We facilitated 30 paddling sessions during the year with an average of 12 people out with us per session. We had a mix of skills building activities with our Instructors and short journeys on the River Bann. On each journey we provided participants with the opportunity to develop paddling skills which will enable them to enjoy safe recreational water activity – we were able this year to engage in competitive water activities and games which built a real rapport within the group.

Participants again reported to us that being out with other people was a major factor in improving how they were feeling during and post lockdown, where people had felt isolated and alone. They also felt that as a result of being out together, community connections strengthened.

We ensured that our Club Members were safe when out on the water, being fully aware that this activity does present risks but by using qualified instructors and by following CANI (Canoe Association NI) guidelines. We continued to implement a rigorous Health and Safety Policy and routinely carry out Risk Assessments which together allowed us to minimise the risk associated with paddle sports.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS

We managed to provide sessions for Paddlers to get out on the water – which was hugely positive. We facilitated the Big Splash and Summer Scheme for Portglenone Enterprise Group with over 150 people participating in the events.

We also trained an additional 5 Instructors this year, and that boosted our ability to provide sessions for members.

We had a successful year and we will continue to develop and reaffirm these skills and the joy we have when we are out on the water together. We know that this project brings so much public benefit

Charity Commission Registration Number: NIC107195

to participants as we bring people together, reduce isolation and focus on the 5 Steps to Wellbeing

– this massively contributes towards the wellbeing of our members and their families.

We now have six sit on top kayaks, four touring kayaks, five Canadian canoes and sixteen buoyancy aids and we plan to add to our equipment over the coming years.

We are proud of our achievements in this difficult year, and we would like to thank our Funders and Portglenone Enterprise Group who have supported us in our journey.

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

At year end 31[st] December 2022 Portglenone Paddlers had a balance of £2785.31 in their current account.

Charity Commission Registration Number: NIC107195