## `Annual Report & Report onPublic Benefit` ## `Hillitop HighlandDancers Dergina` ``` Registeredwith the CharityCommissionforNorthernIrelandNIC107696 ``` ``` First Constitutedas anUnincorporatedCommunityAssociation:21May2019 Constitutionupdated:21January2021 ``` ``` RegisteredOfficeAddress C/O15 TireluganRoad,Aughnacloy, Co.Tyrone,BT69 6DB. ``` ``` Saturday 22nd June2024 ``` ## `TRUSTEES` ``` Mrs WendyBeatty MrsGillianKelly ``` ``` Mrs LeanneLaw ``` ``` Mrs AlmaMarshall ``` - `Mr lvan Duff` ``` MrsBeverleyHylands ``` ``` MrLeslieHawe ``` ## `PURPOSES` - `3.1 The Association is established to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Mid Ulster District council area and its surroundingrural environs (hereinafter called the "areaof benefit")without distinction of age, gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnic origin, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance the Ulster Scots dance, Ulster Scots culture and heritage, health, welbeing and education by providing or assisting in the provision of facilities in the interests of socialwelfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants and in particular:` - `To Provide Highland dance tuition to children and young people in the local area,` - `encouraging children to get active and express themselves creatively, developing skills in self-discipline and exploring and becoming aware of their own unique culture.` - `b. To provide opportunities for members of the group to participate in events demonstratingthe skills they have learned and therein promote the Ulster Scots Culture.` ## `BENEFICIARIES` ``` Thecharity'sbeneficiariesareprimarilytheinhabitantsofDungannonanditssurrounding environswithinthe DungannonandSouthTyroneareaof MidUlsterDistrictCouncil. ``` ## `ACTIVITIES` ``` 2023wasanotherbusyyearfor TheHilitopTeamwithdancerscontinuingtomeet weeklyat their classesinDerginaas wellas demonstratingtheir skillsat numerous eventsanddisplaysandcompetingacrossthe country. ``` ``` The king'sCoronationwas ahighlight for the dancerswhoagainparticipated inmany eventsas they markedthis historic momentinourlifetimes. Excitementwashighin the groupwhenour teacher MissKathrynStewartwaschosen tochoreographtheHighlandDanceaspectoftheBelfastTattooandsomeofour advanceddancerswereprivilegedto bepartofthismemorableevent.Itwasbackto BelfastagainforagroupofourdancersastheyperformedattheNIfestival of remembranceinthe waterfront. Thedancerswerealsodelightedto representHilltopas theyperformedat TheGrandOrangeLodgeawardsinLisburn.Inbetweenallthese prestigiouseventsthedancerscontinuedtravelingthelengthandbreadthofthe country tocompetitions. ``` ``` Thegroupalsocontinuedtomeetweeklyfor classesthankstothe generousongoing fundingof The UlsterScotsAgency. ``` ``` TheHilltop teamagainexcelledwhilsthostingthenowannualPlatinumCompetition withover 90 participants fromdanceschoolsregionally. Ourcompetitionand indeedweeklyclassessimplycouldnotexist wereitnotfor the small army ofvolunteerswhogive uptheirfree timebehindthescenestosupport the groupanditisthankstothesevolunteersthat we owe agreatdealof thanks. Alongsideourvolunteersarethecommitteewhomeetregularlytooverseethe administrativesideofthegroupandwhoendeavourtosecurefundingregularly to financethegroupand thereforekeepcoststo familiestoa minimatatimewhencosts aresoaringfor everyone. Thenewyearof2024broughtsomedelightfulnewsthatoneofourdancershad achievedherassociateteacher'sexamandcouldnowtakeover thereignsofthe beginner'sclass.MissSarahHylandsbeganher[journey]atourfirst[class]on5th November2016andveryquicklyaspiredtobecomingahighlanddancingteacherand so we asagroupare proud[to][have][watched][Sarah][achieve her dream]ina[relatively] short space[of time.] Althoughitiseasy[to][list] the [achievements][of][ the advanced][dancers][who][participate]in all sorts[of events,]the [group][also][recognises][the number]ofbeginner[dancers]who[will] all nowreceivecustommade choreography[outfits][thanks][to the][ generous][ funding][from] MUDCandinsodoingprovidingameans[for][ all][of][our][dancers]todemonstratetheir dancingtoa wider audience[despite][their][level.] Spring['24] brought [the][ opportunity][for][ every dancer from the youngest][ to][ the][ oldest][ to] completetheirexams[and][a][celebration][in][recognition][of][this][has][been][organised][for] later oninthe year. ``` ``` AsChairpers[on][of][the group]Iamproudofallofour achievements[through][another] busyand[challenging][year and][thank everyone][who][has][in][anyway][contributed to][our] Success. ``` ## `ACHIEVEMENTS` ``` HOWMAIN[ACTIVITIES][HAVE][BENEFITED][BENEFICIARIES] ``` ``` Theoverallaims[of][our][annual][activities][are][to][provide][ direct]benefitswhich[flow][from][our] purposesThistraining,anxiety,[in][turn]through[health][which]improves[and][include:][the][well-beina][promotion][dance]preservationskillsoutcomes.[of][dance]andof Ulster[and][promotes]and[Ulster][Scots][reduced][ Culture][good][Scots,][levels][/][culture,][ and][community]of[in]social[particular][arts,]relations,isolation,[heritage,][HighlandDance.][stress]recreation,[education,][and] education and training. ``` ``` WedidthisbytheCommitteemeetingregularlytorunthecharitybehindthescenes,help raisefundsfor theGroupandrunningweeklydanceclasses. TheCommitteeholdsregularmeetingswiththefullmembershiptoplan eventsandavailof infomation,andtoprovidesupportandfacilitiestoease socialisolation. TheGroupsocializesand meetswithother similargroupsinthelocalarea,thelocaldistrict andbeyondtonetworkandshareinformation. Guest Speakersgivetalksandinfomation sessionson danceandrelatedtopicsforthe benefit ofallthe members. ``` ``` Thecharity'sbeneficiariesareprimarilytheinhabitantsofDungannonanditssurrounding environs withinthe DungannonandSouthTyroneareaofMidUlsterDistrictCouncil. ``` ``` Thesebenefitsaredemonstratedthroughfeedbackfrombeneficiariesandattendees at our meetings,events,classes, andculturalactivitiesusing:surveys,verbalfeedback,and evaluationofouractivities. ``` ``` Aprivatebenefitto Trustees mayarisefromour ongoingservicesandprogrammesofdance tuition,music,arts,cultural,educational,leisureandrecreationalactivities:information, training,events,andnetworkingvisits.Throughthis,Trusteesgainservices,dancetuition, culturalawareness,information,skills,and experiencewhichare transferableto othersettings, andwhichmaybenefittheirowncommunitygrouporarea.OurownTrusteesreceive infomation, tuition,servicesandactivitiesinthesamewayasother beneficiaries,andare assignedsupport,informationandservicesin the samewaysas otherbeneficiaries. Thesebenefitsareincidentalandnecessarytoensurethebenefitisprovidedtoour beneficiaries. ``` ``` Inprovidinga localpointofsocialcontactandactivities for thecommunitybenefitthereisno possibilityofharmoutweighing the benefit-thereisnoharmarisingfrom any ofthepurposes. ``` ## `FINANCIAL REVIEW AT END OF YEAR` ``` FINANCIALPOSITIONATENDOFYEAR: Despitecutstofundingprogrammes,the organisationremainsin a strongfinancialposition. ``` ``` OUTSTANDINGDEBTSORLIABILITIES:Therewerenodebtsoroutstandingdebtsor ``` ``` liabilities. ``` ``` FUNDSINMATERIALDEFICIT& STEPS TAKENTOMITIGATE:Therewerenofundsin materialdeficit. ``` ``` FINANCIALMITIGATION: TheTrustees ensuredtheorganisation'sfinancesweremanaged prudentlyand onanongoingbasis. ``` ``` FUNDSHELDBY THECHARITYAS ACUSTODIANTRUSTEE:None -Notapplicable. ``` ## `RESTRICTIONS ON WHO CANBENEFIT` ``` Thereare norestrictionsonwhocanbenefit. Wedonot charge anyfees. There arenochargestoaccessanyevents orservices. Thereare norestrictionsbasedonpersonalcharacteristics. ``` ## `PUBLIC BENEFIT` ``` Thedirect[benefits]which[flow][from][our][purposes][include]improved: preservationofUlster Scots[Culture]andinparticularHiahland[Dance.][This]inturnimprovesdanceskillsand ``` ``` promotes good/communityrelations,education,training,healthandwell-beingoutcomes, andreducedlevelsofsocialisolation,stressandanxiety,through thepromotion ofdanceand UlsterScots, culture,arts,heritage,recreation,education andtraining ``` ## `PRIVATE BENEFIT` ``` Thereisnoprivatebenefittoany[individual.] ``` ## `HARM` ``` No harmhasflowedfromanyofour Purposes. ``` ## `SERIOUS INCIDENT[REPORTING]` ``` There arenoseriousincidentstoreport. ``` ## `VULNERABLE BENFICIARIES` ``` Appropriate[Policies,]ProceduresandTrainingareinplace[such]asPOCVAPolicy& Procedures. ``` ## `STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE` ``` The[Trustees]have[complied]withtheirduty[to]havedue[regard][to][the][Charity]Commission NI'sPublic[Benefit]Guidance [when]exercisingany powers[or][duties]towhichtheguidanceis relevant. ``` ``` Signed[Chairperson:] Date: ``` ``` WendyBeatty ```