West Winds Development Association: NIC 107208 Trustees Report – Year ended 31[st] March 2023
Charity Name:
West Winds Development Association
Reg No: 107208 Public Address: WWDA Community Office, 47A Shackleton Walk, Newtownards, BT23 4RE
Trustees:
The following served as charity Trustees during the year:
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William Sproule
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Chris Watson
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Denise Davidson
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Joanne Dodds
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Julie McGowan
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Brooke McGowan
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Margaret Spiers
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Melissa Johnston
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Marieanne Johnston
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Rodney Baxter
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Stephen Doherty
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Rosemary Wade
Objectives and Activities:
Our Association (WWDA) is a community development organisation based in the West Winds estate in Newtownards. Our main purpose is "the advancement of citizenship and community development". We work to increase inter-generational understanding, reduce social isolation, support mental health & wellbeing and improve the quality of life for residents of the West Winds estate.
WWDA aims to provide residents the opportunity to engage in projects and programmes which will impact positively on the social, economic, environmental and educational aspects of their life. We run activities for all ages & stages. We also work with statutory and voluntary agencies through the delivery of programmes, and in partnership to address issues important to residents.
We have a community office from which we hold meetings & offer advice services, as well as another base which is used to provide drop-in services, hold regular clubs, for youth provision etc.
West Winds Development Association: NIC 107208 Trustees Report – Year ended 31[st] March 2023
Achievements and Performance:
Throughout the reporting period, WWDA has continued to work to support and improve the lives of residents.
This year, there was a particular focus on the estate’s 50[th] Anniversary, with WWDA running a significant programme to mark the anniversary. This included various community fun days, a new mural at the side of the shops, “birthday events” at our regular clubs, information panels as part of an exhibition celebrating the anniversary of the estate, WW Primary School and Scrabo Presbyterian Church.
Our regular clubs continued this year, including youth club, environmental group, women’s group etc. We also have been working in partnership with West Winds Community Church to start up a new men’s group, hen’s group and offer additional youth provision. We have also supported the delivery of mental health training for our committee, volunteers and local residents.
In response to the cost of living crisis, we have worked hard to support residents. This has included the provision of fuel vouchers, ready meals and our new community lunch club.
We also delivered a range of seasonal activities, including the Housing Executive funded Christmas programme, which was a great success with record numbers getting involved. We also ran an event celebrating the Platinum Jubilee.
We continue to attend the Housing Executive’s HCN meetings and hold our own Interagency meeting to get updates from agencies on work happening in the estate and raise issues & queries affecting residents.
Financial Review:
The trustees have comprehensive financial procedures in place for the income and expenditure of West Winds Development Association. Spending on activities was carried out as stipulated within funding letters of offer and/or verbal consultation with funder. Management of funding monitored by committee throughout.
Opening Balance: £5719.00 Closing Balance: £5745.30
The main items of expenditure were programme costs for community activities & events, running costs for our community office & drop-in base, support for our regular clubs, costs for youth provision, and seasonal events. The main sources of income were through grants received from the Housing Executive (including our regular SPOD funding) and Ards & North Down Borough Council.
This has been approved by Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
William Sproule
Chairperson
16[th] February 2024