Trustee's Annual Report April 2023 - March 2024 It has bn a pleasure to serve another year as a Trustee, and Co-chair, of the Centre For Health and Wellbeing. At the beginniThJ of the year we welcomed Raymond Blaney., Hanna Burton.. Linda Doherty Riley and Katherine Orr to join the existiiYJ Trustees Cara Cash Marfey (Co-chair)," BemE McGlade (Treasurer) and Karen Laverty (Secretary) and Caoimhin McNulty. Throughout the spar each Trustee has brought skills and eXpern that has made a valuable contribution to the governan and direction of travel of the Centre. Cara's skill set and experience has been missed during her time on matemity leaNp. as has Caoimhin's who resigned as a Trustee due to the demands of his employment. Overall it has been a calm year, the uncertainty and fear instilled in the community from the pandemic has ceded. and the Centre has continued to serve the nlS of the community. the level of service delivered only restrict by the amount of funds available. Thanks are due to the Department for Communities and the Victims and Survivors Service, for continuing to provide fundiThJ. supportirvJ the Centre and it's service users. despite the inactivity and UnrtaInty around the Northern Ireland Executive for most of the year. The annual accounts refiect a snIficant increase in incorr£ recei1 from Belfast Health and Social Care Trust from approximatety £22.OCKI last year to £43.000 this year. This is reftective Of the Centre's ability to resporKI to increasing numbets of Carer referrals over a wider geographic area of Belfast. Surplus generat from this increasing income makes a valuable contribution to the Centre's abilty to cover costs. and to the sustainability of the therapists delivering at the Centre. bringing p10Yrnent and resources to the area. I would like to Ihank trE Halifax Foundation for Northem Ireland and the Edward Gostling Foundation for thetr support of the Cenlre's counselling rvice for which there is a steady demand. The Centre is not a counselling organisation but we are proud of the fact that we were able lo step up and respond to client need through the provision of counselling. This would not be possible without the fvnding support provKled. Addilional in year furKJing was supplied by the Victims arKI Survivors Service to for complementary therapies in response to client need. Page 2
In total duriro the year with complementary therapies. counselliNJ. personal development classes. outreach activities and a lislening ear service telephone Servi to vulnerable carers. the Centre for Health and WellbeirYJ provided a positive mental wellbeing service to approximatety 7(X) people. which is a considerable achievement. The ServIS cannot be delbvered without the dedicat1 WOTk of staff. Nigel and Patricia, and our team of 12 complementary therapists and 2 counsellors. all of whom are highty valued by the charity and its seNice users. At the Centre we are acutely aware of our client needs and it is ourfocus lo respond in a timely and meaningful way. Speaking with our clients it is clearto me how much they appreciate the service and how highly staff and therapists are thought off. This has b*n the case since the Centre opened rts doors and is something we are justly proud of. I would also express my thanks to Tony Clarke and his team from Clarke & Co for their support with financial administration and to Lawrence Shearer from O'Hara Shearer for the audit and presentation of financial statements. Speaking with Tony and Lawren. I know thal desprte funding and financial challenges, the Centre's financial health is robust. depending on continued funding support. ensuring we remain viabk and in a position to continue to serve the mental wellbeing needs of the k)cal communrty. The relurn of the Nl Executive I hope will PfOVKle stabilrty to Northem Ireland and to the voluntary and communily groups that play such a vital role within the community. The demands on the Health Sefvice and limit1 budgets will always be there but I do know that, with continued funding. the Centre for Health and VlÈllbeing will continue to respond to communty need for improved mental and phystcal wellbeing. Lorraine Mills th 15 January 2025 Co-chairperson Page 3