## CHARITIES REPORT 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025 In the financial year beginning the 1[st ] of April 2024 we planned, executed and delivered the following courses, meetings and activities. On the 1[st] of April 2024 we signed a 3 year SMA agreement with the council confirming that we were now Managing the centre for the foreseeable future. This then gave us the freedom to organise and plan clubs, groups and courses for the next 3 years year allowing us to plan well in advance knowing the security of having access to the building was secure. During the month of April, we also engaged with the Local Council, Housing Executive, Fire Brigade and PSNI to discuss the Bonfire Protocol for July 25. This agreement was signed on the 24th of April 2024. We were also approached by some of our Secondary School Kids who asked if they could start a Junior Group. The Senior Committee met and agreed it was a great idea as they could give us ideas that we would not think about. This led to the formation of a Junior Committee on a trial basis which was a huge success and has continued to meet and bring fresh ideas on a regular basis. On the 20th of April 2024 we planned and successfully delivered an Easter Camp for children throughout the area. This event run over 3 days from Wednesday 23[rd] of April to finishing on Saturday the 26[th ] of April with a Family fun day. The Easter Camp event was aimed at giving the children a safe and controlled environment to go and have fun over the Easter period. We ran 2 separate age groups over for children of Primary School age from 1pm to 4pm and for Secondary School age from 6pm to 9pm. Finishing off the week on the Saturday with a Family Fun Day including bouncy castles and the Easter Bunny as well as goody bags which included an Easter egg for all the children. At the start of May the group got confirmation of funding from the big Lottery with success of a 3 year funding programme. The Young Sparks programme was changed to an After School Club for Primary School kids to help attract more children to attend and continue to meet regularly on a Wednesday afternoon. June seen us organise a separate summer camp for 25 kids that fell into the secondary school age group which would be held daily for 1 week over July and would take place in Ardnavalley Scout Camp and would be run by Bryson Pathways Activity Centre. We also organised and planned our own summer scheme for 2 weeks in August. The Summer camp in Ardnavalley started on the 7[th] of July finishing on 10[th] July and seen 25 kids attend. Here they took part in learning basic first aid skills, camping skills, and orienteering as well as having fun on the high ropes, target archery and various other activities. July 2024 seen us have a fun day on the 11[th ] of July. This included Bouncy Castles, Dainty Doughnuts, Burger Van, Ice Cream Van, Stalls, Face painter, Stage, DJ and Group. Over 300 kids attended, with each one receiving a party bag. Monday 11[th] August then seen the start of our Community Summer Scheme which run from the 11[th ] of August to Friday 22[nd] of August. The summer scheme consisted of 3 age groups. Ages 4yrs-8yrs, 9yrs-11yrs and 12yrs to 18yrs. We had 37 4-8yr olds, 35 9-11yr olds and 28 12-18yr olds attend. During this period, we had arts & crafts, multisport, days at the park, Movie days, baking, how to make your lunch, Jo Jingles and police talks on road safety for the younger kids and internet safety for the older kids in the centre. We also had a night for the youth called Pizza with a Peeler where the youth spent time with our local community policing team. On the final day of Summer Scheme, we had a free family day including a Bar-b-que, Doughnut van, Archery, Air Rifle Shooting Range, Castles and Colour Run. We also approached our older community and came to the conclusion that we could start an over 55s group on a Tuesday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm. The month of September seen the start of our Over 55s Tuesday Club which started with an 8 week Boccia Course. This was so successful that it grew from 6 attendees to 18 in the 8 week period. After the success of the Club we decided in conjunction with the over 55s that we would continue with the Tuesday afternoons indefinitely. With the Tuesdays continuing we were able to link with our local PSNI Community Team and do various talks with the over 55s, including Scams, Cold Callers and various things to look out for to keep them safe in their homes. During the month of October we planned our annual Halloween events. Our seniors Kids had a scary movie night in the centre on 29[th] October with 19 attending. Popcorn sweets and juice were supplied and donated by a local business. A Chinese takeaway was provided between the movies. For Primary School aged Kids we held a Halloween disco and Fancy-dress competition with prizes for the best dressed on the night of the 30[th ] October from 6pm to 9pm. This seen 62 children attend. All the kids received goody bags and Toffee Apples which were donated by a local business. The night was finished off with a small firework display. We had 8 senior kids help with the junior night November was a quieter month planning our yearly Christmas events for our over 55s and Santas Grotto. The month of December once again seen Bryson and our Group run a Cost-ofLiving scheme which this year involved the distribution of £100 to be used for Electric with service users and those in most need being the primary target. Our Christmas Dinners were made and served in the centre for the over 55s and seen our numbers increase to 50 attendees and took place on the 17[th] December. We also had our now annual Santas Grotto which we provide free of charge for the children in the area on the 21[st] December which run for the full day and seen 236 children attend. The steering group has continued and has been invaluable in providing guidance and suggestions on how best to spend the money we will receive from the Big Lottery Fund. We also started to plan events etc. for the coming year. February seen us have several meetings. The first with our local MLA, council, housing executive and DFI regarding repairs and housing upgrades programme with more information being made available in March. We also had our over 55s Boccia group restart after the Christmas break. The month of March started with meetings with various representatives of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive concerning the repair and replacement scheme in the area. We also planned our Easter event which was taking place this year at the end of April Throughout the year members of the group continued to complete the following courses: Mental Health First Aid First Aid at Work Risk Assessments IT For Beginners Designated Safeguarding Lead Changing Energy Related Behaviour Basic Life Support Conflict Transformation Substance Misuse