Sir Hans Sloane Centre Ltd
23 High Street, Killyleagh, Co Down BT30 9QF
Charity Number NIC107724
Company registration : NI666507
Trustees Annual Report
1[st] January 2022 to 31[st] December 2023
Summary Description of the purposes of the charity
- The Charity’s objects (“Objects”) are to promote learning for pleasure for the benefit of the public, in particular, but not exclusively, disadvantaged youth in Killyleagh and surrounding areas, through the continued development of their individual capabilities, competencies, skills and understanding in subjects of educational values, by providing formal and informal educational programmes in the fields of history, science and environment, with particular focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). To act as a Community Hub for the purpose building Community cohesion. To act as a visitor centre for the purpose of drawing visitors to the area and helping to develop and visitor economy.
Names of charity Trustees
Elizabeth Crilly - Chairperson
Martin Craigs
Richard Cushnie
Lorraine Lawson
Details on How Organisation is Constituted
The Group is constituted through its Memorandum & Articles of Association which were updated on 13[th ] December 2019.
Principal Activities
In the year up to year end December 2022 the Charity remained dormant. This was because funding acquired was in the name of Sir Hans Sloane Education and Visitor Centre C.I.C and the bank account of that name. The C.I.C had been set up as a mean-time social enterprise while charitable status for the company Sir Hans Sloane Centre Ltd was being established. The Covid 19 pandemic and its impact on the running of the Centre and all associated administration meant that it was not convenient or opportune to cease the C.I.C and transfer all
operation to the charity. Trustees agreed to the charity remaining dormant until such times that the impact of the pandemic had subsided, and a migration could be put in place. The principal activities of the C.I.C were those of the aims and vision of the charity and are summarised in the following paragraphs.
Through the latter end of 2023 steps towards migration were investigated: The Bank account name was changed to Sir Hans Sloane Centre. Future funding would be in the name of the charitable company and where necessary to inform any funders of the change.
Work to be designated as by the charity were exactly those carried out as the C.I.C. These are: Activities which benefit the community and in particular individuals of all ages, abilities, gender, religion and cultural background who can potentially benefit from access to education, history and science for the overall enhancement of community cohesion and economic recovery of Killyleagh and its surrounds.
The income for the year was £38,869 which was a considerable increase from 2022 in which, in an effort to apply for less grants, and to build on income generation was £18,808. For 2023 grants income totalled £14,159. Grants are still an important part of our income at 36.4% of the total. Grants for children’s activities were from the Ulster Scots Agency and the British Science Association. Other grants were Government Grants as part of Rural Regeneration for renewed shop frontage and heritage and therefore contributed mostly to the fabric of the building, improving its appeal and what it could offer the public in terms of heritage and tourism experiences.
Importantly £24,710 or 63.60% of income was generated through Rental, Sales of Goods, Room Hire and Donations. Hence, excluding Donations 48.1% was generated income. Sales of Goods and Events brought in £5680 or 14.6%, Donations £6010 or 15.5%, Room Hire £4475 or 11.5%.
£15,980 or 41.1% of income was used on Overheads and so with a small reserve carried over £26,455 or 57.2% of our income was towards our charitable aims.
Our charitable aims are achieved through a programme of events and workshops to the community benefit. The programme of activities catered for all ages and included. Senior Citizen’s Friendship Group, Parent and Toddler Group, Summer Scheme for children 6-12yrs, adult Art Classes, Art Exhibitions, Music Evenings and Talks.
The Centre was hired out for use by third parties, and this brought in an income of £4,475 which was almost 11.5% of generated income. Room Hire was by the Department of Education for a Mental Health Programme for teenage girls, A Friendship Group for the elderly, a room was hired for Music Therapy workshops for teenagers and vulnerable adults. An office hired out to two young entrepreneurs.
The Centre offered school students some work experience in admin, childcare and activity development. There were no paid staff, and the position of Director is by philanthropy. Volunteers number 8 on a regular basis and other ad hoc giving. This donated time, expertise and effort has an estimated value of £110,000. Therefore the total income of the Centre is £148,869
Future Outlook
The Centre now has many interesting features and four high quality rooms and one outdoor garden space, all now in use at various times, day and evening. This enables the Centre to run a greater diversity of activities and therefore serve the community much more comprehensively. The Gift Shop was moved to allow for extension of the museum area in the Centre. We worked with the British Museum and successfully developed a link to Sloane’s legacy. We were creative partners and collaborators with the British Museum on the Sloane Lab project. Although there was no funding available, discussions and workshops were held, building good relations and the first steps towards developing a digital tie between the two organisations. Funding from NIHE was not forthcoming and so the creation of the public garden did not happen, but a benefactor started a small Botanical Garden.
The proposal to close the C.I.C would progress with the closure of the C.I.C and total transfer to the charity.
A review of the financial position at the end of the year
The company had been dormant through the early part of the year but with the transfer of the reserves of the C.I.C to the charity in the latter months.
Public Benefit Requirement
The Trustees have had regard to the Public Benefit Requirement statutory guidance.
Elizabeth Crilly
Trustee / Chairperson
24[th] September 2024