FHIEItDS OF WIMMI Friends of Signature Swimming Trustees, Annual Report 2023 Charity contact information WIMMIN Friends of Signature Swimming Northern Ireland Charity Number: NIC108188 23-33 Casderock Road Coleraine BT513LA Tel . 07989399726
Sen uiries mail. Website: https: IIwvdW.signatureswimming.co.uklfriends-of-signature- gNimmingl Facebook . Friends of Signature Swimcharity Trustees l. Richard Timms Sept 2020 - Feb 2023 2. Ashley Ritchie .Sept 2020 - Present 3. Joan Tohill .Sept 2020 - Jan 2023 4. Brenda Semple .Sept 2020 - June 2023 5. Paula Morgan .Sept 2020- Present 6. Sindy Stewart . .Sept 2020 - Present 7. Richard Nixon .Oct 2021- Jan 2023 8. Diane Addidle .March 2022 - Apr 2023 9. Lyndsey Gaston .March 2022 - Present 10. Catrina Doughety ........Sept 2023 - Present 11. Fiona Walker . .Feb 2024 - Present 12. Tara Hughes...............Feb 2024- Present
Objectives and activities Friends of Signature Swimming is a dedicated nonprofit organisauoD esthblished in 2020 with a mission to enhance the lives of individuals living with disabiliues in our community. improve their safery in the water and give them the opporninity to enjoy the benefits and fun of the pool. Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to make a posiuve and lasting impact on the lives of our clients. Our commitmeni io llndusivity. empowennent, and communiry engagement drives every aspect of our work. Friends of Signature Swimming was conceived when Sindy Stewart, owner of Signature Swimming. recognised that although several of the local swimming pools had been adapred to provide access lor people with a disability. there were no insmictors with the correct qualkfications to provide lessons or facilitate a safe space for them 10 learn this imponant life5aving skill. So, Sindy. along with staff members and parents fonned a conunittee with the aim of providing these services within the local conimunity, based mainly at Coleraine Grammar School. This has been instrumental in iEnproving the qualiry of life for people living with disabiliues in our community. Our staff play a pivotal role in Friends of Signature Swin)minE by dedicating their time to lesson planning and delivery. Assessing the needs of each pool user and adjusting the session to suit their individual needs. The committee looks after community engagemeni, fundraising activities such as local fashion shows and sponsored walks. advertising the services available and encouraging local business investtnent as well as raksing funds from the public. Given the Cunt cos( of living crisis every effort is made to keep the cost as low as possible for all partiapaDts. We deliver specialised training sessions. therapeutic interventions and support services to participants and engage in ongoing training and professional development (o sray up to date with the latest advancenients in disability SUPPOrt. We also collaborate with local and national organisations such as Foster Carers NI, RNIB, RNID, Autism NI and The Sandelford Centre. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our reach and impact by involving more staff and volunteers, enhancing program offerings. and collaborating with other cotntnuniry organisations. Our comtnitment to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities iemains unwavering. Thanks to the dedication and involvement of our team, Friends of Signature Swimming has made a significant impact on the lives of dozens of individuals living with disabilities in our communiry. Our program has seen remarkable success stories of improved mobiliry and overall wellbeing among par(icipants. A recent study by Swim England stated that swlllllng was assoaated with the prevention of more that 78,500 cases of ill health in 2022 reducing GP visits and psychotherapy usage. This demonstraied the importance of keeping this vital service in our community and accessible to all.
HAT WE NEED Our facilities ate old and antiquated and not up to curreni disabled access tecommendauons and have no disabled changing so we are only able to provide these lessons if the person is not physically challenged. We have plans to upgrade our facilities, see attached plans and costings (as per 2020 prices so will be subject io slight increases) so we can offer the lessons Eo a fuller range of disabilities. Whilst the pool is situated within a school building its sole income is obtained from OUT pool rental and we have full pernii5sion from the school for any modificauons. A confwmauon leller from the schools Board of Governors is available on request. As you see from the plans, our aim is to add wheelchair access to the pool by constNaing a pathway through an unused grass area and by adding a small poich to facilitate wheelchair entry. We also hope to add rwo disabled changing areas. one 10 the existing female faciliues and the other can be access by all therefore creating a gender diverseldisabled changing. TRA Currently we set Lirgets. develop, and agree our fundraising calendar within our committee. This helps u5 to track and assess our process throughout the year. Our Fundraising Strategy is simple, robusL and dynamic. We create a plan to achieve our goal of £80k over a 5-year period. We need to be creative year on year to ensute our plan doesn't become srale. A not-for-profit chlty situated in the heart of Coleraine, Friends of Signarure Swimming, aims to give >16 year-olds a rewarding experience a5 they learn how to swim and become comfortable and confident in the water. INhile they do no( have their own facili(ies, they use the pool at Coleraine Grammar School. And rather than have FOSS volunteers (ransport equipment and materials needed for their swim piogrammes. they sought funding rowards the purchase of a storage container to keep 'poolside' ai CGS - to ensure their equipment is safe. secure. and accessible for all to use. The Irish Society Committee approved a grant of £745 to meet the full cost of the storage unli quoted in the applicauon. Tesco comtnunity grants £IOOO awarded for sieps into the pool. which was Friends of Signature Swimming (FOSS) has a mission to enhance the lives of individuals living with disabilities in our community. improve their safery in the water and give them the oppominiiy to enjoy the benefits and fun of the pool. Over the years, we have worked
tirelessly to niake a posiuve and lasting impact on the lives of our clients. Our commim]ent (o inclusiviry. empowemieni. and comtnunity engagement drives every aspec( of our work. FOSS deliver specialised training sessions. therapeutic inteentionS and support services 10 Children with additional needs. We collaborale with local and national organisauons such as Foster Carers NI, RNIB. RNID. Autism Nl and The Sandelford Centre. The project required is to construct an exiended covering 10 the outside area were parents view swimtning lessons from. This is to protect them from the weather elements a5 the pool area is too stnall 10 accon]modate parents inside, and maintain health and safety standards.
Structure, governance and management Charity Constitution 2024 ns Friends of Signature Swimming This constitution was formally changed and adopted by the members of the association in an annual general Meeting on 20 February 2024. SIGNED.." (Chairperson) (Secretary) NAME The name of the association is: Friends of Signalure Swimming (FOSS). (Hereinafter called 'lhe association-). ADMtNISTRATION Subject to the matters sei out below the as50aation and its property shall be adminiered and managed in accordance with this consbtution by the members of the Management committee. constttuted by clause 5 of this constitution (Ihe committee,?. OBJECTS 3.1 The group is established to promote the benefit of children. young people and adults with a learning andlor physic disabilities in the area of Causeway and the North West of Northem Ireland and the surrounding environs of Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council area. Mid Ulster District council and Mid Antrim District Council{'area of benefif) without distinction of gender. sexu&ity, nationality, ethnic origin, political or religious opinion. by the provision of facilities in the interests of sociat welfare, recreation, educauon or other leisu time occupauon of improving their conditions of life. 3.2 POWERS In fvrtherance of the above objects. but not further or othernise, the association may..
a) Advance training, educallon and personal development for learning andlor physical disabled children. young people and adults by ways of progratnmes and acuvities both recreauonal, social and educational. b) Through our project we will be contributing to health and well-being. promoting indusion and acceptance. developing sktlls, encouraging interaction with others and creating a sense of ownership and communiry. c) Promote and develop the individual's social skills. whilsi learning about Water Safety and Switntning techniques. d) Offer leaming in the area of job possibilities in the Aquatic industry and work with local community groups and employers 10 offer work placements. e) Provide practical assistance designed to enable the beneficiaries to avail of resources and tuition who would not otherwise be able to get access to such ie50urces. Raise tnonies to help Adapt Coleraine Grammar School for Disabled access and users. g) Work in Partnership with Signature SWimllg and have thetn a5 an associate in pmvision of anylall services and use the experience of their s(aff and management to implernent project. programmes and activities for the development of the beneficiaries. Share the Signature Swimllg premises and contribute to the cost of the same. Liaise with STA NI & Signature swim8 to orgallise courses and dasses for introduction to the Aquatic Industty. h) obtain colleci and receive money by way of grants. donations. bequests. legacies, collections. Iocal fundraising or other lawful method PROVIDED that the association shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requiremenis of the law: i) purchase take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherrfise acquire any real or petsonal propetry and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the above objects and construct. maintain and alter any buildings or erections which the association may think necessary for the promotion of its objects. j) make any regulations for any pioperty which may be so acquited: k) subject to any consents as may be required by law, sell, let. rnongage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the association with a view to the furtherance of its objects: l) subjecL to such consents as may be required by law receive money on deposii or loan and borrow or raise money in such a manner as the association shall think fit and to charge all or any part of the property of the association with repayment of tnoney so bOOwed.
m) TecNit and rain volunteers with relevant skills to carry out the objects of the association; n) employ and pay any person 01 petsons NOT being a member of committee to supervise, organise and carry on the woik of the association and make all reasonable and necessary provision for the paymeDt of remunerauon to employees; o) promote and organise co-operation in the achievement of the above objects and to that end to work in association with local authorities and voluntary organisations engaged in the furtherance of the above objects in the area of benefi(; working in parmetship with Signa(ure Swimming. p) establish or sUPPOrt any chariLible tnts, associations or institutions fonned for all or any of the above objects; q) do all such other lawfijl things as may be necessary for the attainment of the above objects or any of them: 4. MEMBERSHIP 4.1 Membership of the associauon shall be open to the following. itrespective of ethnic idenury. disabiliry. age, gender, political party, nauonaliry. sexual orientation, mariral staDJS, or religion: Membetship of the Board shall be open to any person over 18 that is a friend or supporter of Signature SwiMg ling or located in the Causeway Coast andlor the North West of Northern Ireland who is interested in helping the group to achieve i(s aims, willing io abide by the rules of the group and willing to lobby and carry out fundraising activi(ies for the interests of the group. 4.2 The committee shall have the righi for good and sufficient teason to terniinaie the membership of any member provided thai the member concerned shall have the right to be heard by the association in a general meeting before a fmal decision is made. 5. MANAGEMENT COMIllTTEE 5.1 The committse shall meei not less than_4_ times a year and shall consist of not less than 4 members of the associauon. elected at an annual general meeting. 5.2 The conimittee elected at an amiual general meeting shall have the power 10 co-opt funher members to fill any casual vacancy arising on the cotnmittee, or to add to the skills or experience of the commillee who shall be Full members and who shall serve until the condusion of the next following annual general Tneeung
PROVIDED thai ihe number ol co-opted tnember5 shall not exceed one-third of the iotal membetship of the committee. Co-opted meEnbers shall have the right 10 vote. 5.3 The chairy)erson. seetary and t1$llrer, who shall be the honorary officers of the ociauon shall be eleaed annually by and frotn the members of the commillee ai their first meeting following the annual general meeting. 5.4 Any member of the commillee who fails to aitend 3_ consecuuve commit(ee meetings without reasonable excuse shall lose herlhis place on the committee which may be filled by co-option in accordance with clause 5.2 above. 5.5 The IneeS (if appointed for the purpose of holding property in their own names on behalf of the association) shall be notified of and shall be entitled to attend all meetings of the comminee but withou( the power to vote. 6. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE 6.1 The committee may make such regulatiODS as they consider appn)priate for the Èfficient conducr of the business of the committee and the associauon. 6.2 The committee may appoint such staff NOT being members of the committee as they consider necessary on such tern and conditions as they may de(ermine. 6.3 The committee may appoint such sUCOMmIttee5. advisory groups or working parties of their own members and other persons as they nY from time to ume decide necessary for the caThying oui of their worK and may deterniine their ienns of reference, duration and composition. All such sub- cotDmittees shall make regular reports on their work to the Collnit[ee. 6.4 The proceedings of the committee shall not be invalidated by any lailure to elect or any defect in the elecuon, appointtnent, Covopuons or qualification of any member. 7. CHAIRING MEETINGS All meetings of the association or of the committee or of any of its subcoullnittees shall be presided over by its chaiTperson failing whom its Vic1rpers0 if one has been appointed. If neither the chairperson or vice-chairy)erson are presenL those present may elect one of their number to take the chair. lThe chaitperson of any meeting shall have a second 01 casung vole.)
FINANCE All monies raised by or on behalf of the associauon shall be applied to further the objects of the associallon and for no other purpose provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the payment of legitimale out-of-pocket expenses to members of the association engaged upon the approved business of the associauon. 8.2 The treasuier shall keep proper accounts of the fmances of the association. 8.3 The finanaal year of the associauon shall run from l January to 31 December. 8.4 The accounts shall be audited by an auditor or auditors appointed by the annual general meeting OR they may be eK4mined by an aCcoUnl or any independent petson (whichever shall be appointed at the annual general meeting). 8.5 An annual statetnent of accounts for the last financial year shall be submirEed by the committee to the annual general meeting. 8.6 A baT account shall be opened in the name of the association with Ulster Bank or with such other bank as the Connit[ee shall from time to time decide. The committee shall authorise in vniiing the honorary treasurer and 2 members of the comniittee to sign cheques on behalf of the association. All cheques must be signed by noi less than 2 of the 3 authorised signatories. 9. TRUST PROPERTY The association may appoin( and may terminate the appointtnent of not less than 3 people to act as trustees for the purpose of holding any moneys or property belonging to the association. The iide EO all or any such real andlor personal properry which may be required by or for the purposes of the association shall be vested in the trustees who shall hold such properry in trust for the associaiion. The tnteeS shall act at all times under the ]awful instructions of the committee who shall, subject to the approval and consent of the association as detennined by a general meeting. have power to vacancies among the ttees. 10.ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 10.1 [The first annual general meeting of the association shall be held not later than the 30 June each year and in each year thereafter an annual general meeting of the associallon shall be held ai such place and time (not being more than 18 months after the holding of the preceding annual general meeting) as the committee shall deterniine. 10.2 At such annual general tneeting the business shall include the following: a) the election of Membe to serve on the commillee: 10
b) the appointment of an auditor or auditor5 or an accounLini or any independent person to exaTnine the annual accounts: c) the considerauon of an bi-annual report of the work done by or under the auspices of the committee; d) the consideration of the annual accounts; e) the transaction of such other mattets as may from time 10 time be considered necessary. I I .SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS The committee may at any time at its discretion and shall upon a requisition signed by noi less than 4 member5 having the power to vote and giving reasons for the request. call a special general meeting of the association for the purw)se of altering the constitution in accordance with clause 13 hereof or of considering any matter which may be referred to them by the committee or for any other putpose. 12.RULES OF PROCEDURE AT ALL MEETINGS Voting 12.1 Subject to the provisions of clause 13 hereof all questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and entided to vote thereat. [In case of an equality of votes the chairpetson shall have a second or casung vote.} 12.2 Minute books shall be kept by the committee and all other subcommittees and the appropriate secretary shall enter therein a record of all proceedings and resolutions. Otu 12.3 The quorum at general meetings of the association shall be 3 and at meetings of the committee shall be 3_ 01 such other number as the cornmiee may from time 10 time determine. Standing Orders 12.4 The committee shall have power to adopt and issue standing ordets andlor ndes or policies for the associauon. Such standing orders, rules or policies shall come into operauon immediately PROVtDED ALWAYS that they shall be subject to review by the association in geneial meeting and shall NOT be inconsistent with this constitution. 13.ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION 13.1 Any alterations io this consutuuon shall receive the asseni of noi less than two-thirds of the members of the association piesent and voting at the annual general meeting
or a meeting specially called for the pU)05e PROVIDED thai notice of any such alleraiion shall have been received by the honorary secretary in llIng not less than 21 clear days before the meeting ar which the alierauon is (o be brought forward. 13.2 At least 14 dear days notice in wriung of the meeung setting forth the tenns of the alterauon to be proposed shall be sent by the honorary secrethry 10 each member of the association PROVIDED FURTHER thai no alteration shall be made which would cause the associauon to cease to be a chariry ai law. 14. DISSOLufioN 14.1 If the committee by a simple majority decide at any time thai on the grounds of expense or otherwise li is necessary or advisable to dissolve the associauon they shall call a meeting of all member5 of the association who have the power to vote of which meeting noi less than 21 days notice (SLiung the tern of the Resoluuon to be proposed thereat) shall be given. 14.2 If such decision shall be confinned by a simple majority of those present and voiing at Such meeung the committee sha]1 have power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the associauon. 14.3 Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to a recognised chariry or charities such as the Hospice or Cancer Research. 15. INDEMNITY The association shall indemnify and keep indemnified every officeT. member, volunteer and employee of the associauon from and against all claims, demands. actions and proceedAngs (and all costs and expenses in connection therewith or aTiSing therefrom) made or brought against the association in conneaion with its activities. the actions of its officers, members, volunieets or employees, OT in connection with its property and equipment but this indemniry shall NOT extend to liabiliues arising from wilful and individual fraud, wrongdoing 01 wrongful omission on the part of the officer, member, volunteer or employee sough( io be made liable. The treasuter shall effect a policy of insurance in respect of this indemniry.
Trustee recruitment and appointment 2023 was a iough year for the charity. we105t a lot of our Trustees as the chariry stalled due to lack of progress. It has taken us a year to really tecruii again. We did advertise WAthin both the Swim School and the School wheie the pool is situated. but we struggled io get any recruitmenL Achievements and performance The charity ran very lillle thdraisers during 2023 due to the lack of Trustees. As the accounts show, the funds raised were from contributions from parents for lessons with additional needs and then we trained 4 more staff for FOSS to increase our dass availability. Financial review During 2023. the chariry received an income of £9,442 by way of contributions from parents. No grants were obtained in this financial year and no fundraisers were held. We have plans for a fashion show to help raise fimds in 2024 and will seek tO-rd an( funding. Expenses totalled £10.921 meaning there was a deficit of £1.479 in the yeat. The charity had enough cash reserves held ID a current account io cover this. The main areas of expenditure were staff costs, rent and training cos(s. Specialis( training mus( be undertaken to ensure the chariry temains a swim excellence school for our panicipants.
Declaration Signed on behalf of the charity (rustees: Print name Designation Date OlJll(L 14