Trustee's Annual Report
April 2023 - March 2024
It has b*n 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 eXper￿n￿ 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 n￿lS 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 Un￿rtaInty around the Northern Ireland Executive for most of the year.
The annual accounts refiect a s￿nIficant increase in incorr£ recei￿1 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.
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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 ServI￿S cannot be delbvered without the dedicat￿1 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 limit￿1 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
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