2024-03-31-annual-report

Caring Coins Association

NIC 108464

Trustees Annual Report 2023 to 2024

Charity Details

Charity Name: Caring Coins Association

Charity Number: Registered Charity in Northern Ireland - NIC108464

Purpose: The Caring Coins Community Association is established to promote positive mental health, post pandemic, for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Newry, Mourne & Down District Council area and immediate surrounding environs; (hereinafter called the “area of 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 relieve poverty, advance education and to provide or assist in providing facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life of the said inhabitants.

Charity Trustees as of 31[st] March 2024

Ms Kerrie Havern (Chairperson) Mrs Yvonne Campbell (Treasurer) Ms Roisin Maginn (Secretary) Mr Micéal Lynch – (Now deceased RIP) Ms Nicola Grant

Note: No other Charity Trustees in the Year to 31[st] March 2024

Accountant/Independent Examiner

Michael McGinn 7 Carragh Dua Heights Belleeks Newry BT35 7LN

Insurance Broker & Underwriter

Policy Bee 14 Brightwell Barns, Waldringfield Road, Ipswich, IP10 0BJ

Bank

Ulster Bank, 86 Hill Street, Newry, Co. Down

Charity No: NIC108464

Chairpersons Report

As Chairperson of Caring Coins Association, I would like to begin by thanking each one of you for taking the time to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is our third year as a registered charity of Northern Ireland, and we are genuinely grateful for the unswaying support you have given to Caring Coins Association over the past years.

We would like to acknowledge the continued mentoring, guidance and community development support we have received from Cathy McMahon from the Confederation of Community Groups on a continuous basis and who is instrumental in assisting us maintain a high level of regulation.

We would also like to acknowledge the mentoring and support of Stephen McClelland from the Newry & Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency.

Once again, our team was full steam ahead for another busy year. We continued building partnerships with existing charities and organisations to strengthen the support we can provide to our local community. We were very excited to host our 2[nd] Easter event at Carrickcruppen, once again supported by Carrickcruppen GAA club who offered the use of their facilities and provided us with vital volunteer support from their own committee. This continued working partnership is so important and highlights the grassroots strength which is evident across the community and voluntary sector.

I’d like to thank St Pauls High School for providing car parking and all the volunteers from Carrickcruppen GAA and Caring Coins Association. Their efforts ensured over 1200 attendees enjoyed the event. It was wonderful to see people from many different backgrounds coming together with their families and friends, embodying our ethos: Our Community, Our Responsibility.

We are grateful for the amazing support we have been shown from so many business and organisations and I’d like to thank O’Reilly’s Wholesale for their very kind donation of sweets and drinks; Gregory’s Convenience Store and Trainor’s @ Dans for their donation of Easter Eggs; the PSNI who attended with their mobile gaming bus; Sticky Fingers who provided activities; SNAP who provided a sensory room; Mark Weir from RKing competitions, who attend with several of his super cars. As a direct result of this incredible community support, we were able to keep our Entrance Fees to a low cost of £10 per family which included children’s races & sensory room, games, family races, ice cream, face painting, arts & crafts, the Easter egg hunt with the Easter Bunny, an Easter egg, sweets & crisps, drinks, and gaming bus. We were delighted to be able to donate any surplus Easter Eggs to the football teams who took to the field after our event.

Charity No: NIC108464

Our Easter event also successfully raised awareness for DKMS UK, as a local boy, Bobby Browne, was fighting leukaemia and in need of a stem cell match. This cause became very important to us and with Bobbys Dad, Danny, we contacted DKMS and organised swabbing training via Zoom from England to Newry. We are grateful to the Newry & Mourne Cooperative and Enterprise Agency for making their HUB available and providing technical support for the DKMS training session. The session received an excellent response with over 50 local participants.

This enabled us to form teams and conduct several swabbing drives, resulting in over 1,200 individuals being swabbed. Although we did not find a direct match for Bobby, these efforts led to two other children finding donors. Additionally, Bobby found a partial match and we are pleased to report that he is now doing well and has returned to school.

One of highlights of 2023 was our success in securing sponsorship from a local businessman, on a confidential basis, to cover our rent for a year and allow us to open the Caring Coins Community Café at the Sticky Fingers Imaginarium in Newry. Guided by Cathy McMahon, Stephen McClelland and said businessman, we have been able to create a safe warm place, that we are using to actively fight social isolation and loneliness. We are excited for the future of the café and the further events and services we will be able to provide to our community.

There are a significant number of individuals, businesses, agencies, and organisations who have been supporting the ongoing growth and development of Caring Coins Association over the past year and I’d like to formally acknowledge our thanks for their support.

We would also like to thank the following for their vital and valuable donations to our charity work:

The Newry Business Christmas Toy Mountain, FSR Ltd Field and Sales Resourcing Ltd, Credit Union Kilkeel, Newry & Mourne Co-operative and enterprise agency, My Life Bathrooms, Fit Club CIC, Bank of Ireland, AIB Newry, The Warrenpoint Harbour Authority.

We couldn't continue without the unwavering dedication of our fundraising supporters who have provided a range of practical and financial support, including:

54occasionsnorth, The Oliver restaurant, The Merchant bar & bistro, Sticky Fingers, The Magnet Outreach Youth group, R King Competitions, Michael McCaul Signs Ltd, MyLife Bathrooms, Newry City Football Club, Deli Lites, Rice’s Hotel, Spar Millvale Rd, Trainors @ Dans, Fire Street Pizza, Bessbrook Butchers and Delicatessen, Dan Gregory’s Shop, Dans Off Sales, Milanos, Doyle’s Camlough, All3studio, Gorman Graphics, Camlough Sports Recovery and Seaweed, Savage & Whitten Wholesale, Carlingford Adventure Centre, Fiveways, LC Wreaths and Balloons, Neil’s Cleaning, Staff of Superdrug Buttercrane, Staff of Tesco’s Newry, Staff of Tesco @ The Outlet, Staff of Smyths Toys Newry, Staff of B&M Newry, Staff of Home Bargains Newry, Therese’s Florists, Teenie Weenies, Tiddly Town Newry, Style for

Charity No: NIC108464

You, Bawnless Recruitment, Mourne Scan Clinic, CP&A Supplies, Edenappa Fuels, Dunnes Stores Newry, ASSE, Town View Foods, the Growth Network and Liam Boyle.

I would like to acknowledge the agencies and organisations that form our wider Partnership. Your ongoing support is essential in ensuring that our assistance reaches those families and individuals who are most in need, and it helps prevent any duplication of efforts.

Our partnerships for this reporting year include:

Davina’s Ark, Southern Age Well Network, Sure Start Newry, Warrenpoint and Mourne, Home Start Newry & Mourne, St Vincent de Paul Kilkeel, Kilkeel Development Association, Mourne Matters, Volunteer Now, Cornerstone Food Bank Kilkeel, Confederation of Community Groups, Southern Health & Social Health and Social Care Trust, Bolster Community, Camlough CA, and Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency.

The lowest point for our team this year, was the sudden death of our cherished trustee and friend Micéal Lynch, in November of 2023. Micéal was the brains behind our Easter Saturday ‘Fun Day’ at Carrickcruppen and our ‘Santa Sunday’ at which he played the vital role of Santa. Micéal is sadly missed, although he is never far from our thoughts and remembered fondly by all.

We sincerely thank everyone who supported us over the past year, including local Councillors and elected representatives. We appreciate all you have done for Caring Coins and look forward to another exciting year ahead.

Kerrie Havern

Chairperson

Charity No: NIC108464

Financial Review

Financial Performance:

This has been another busy year for our Charity and Trustees and, notwithstanding the ongoing costof-living crisis our Charity Trustees are very pleased with the income generated this year. There are some notable differences in the accounts for this reporting period as we launched our Community Café and this had attached costs in terms in rent and running costs; although, it also provided an income generation stream which was used to facilitate community services and events.

Income:

Income receipts for this year totalled at £60,813, compared to £40,343 in the previous year , which was a steady increase in generated income – see Charity Accounts / Independent Examiners Report for full breakdown of figures.

This income is derived from a few sources:

• Donations for this financial year were £28,005, compared to £9,833 in the previous financial period. Trustees believe this reflects the trust and confidence which has been built up in the charity and the tremendous work being carried out by both Trustees and volunteers on the ground.

• The income generated from the Community Café was £22,246 – this is a new income stream for the charity and is only possible because of the dedication of our team of volunteers who willingly give up their time to run the Café.

• Fundraising income was significantly down in this reporting period at £3,563, compared to £27,426 in the previous period. This is directly attributable to the new venture of the Community Café.

• The charity also received a grant from the Awards for All programme of £6,998 and this was a great help in allowing for the purchase of IT hardware and equipment for the charity.

Expenditure:

Expenditure for the year totalled at £58,719 compared to £40,395 in the previous year – see Charity Accounts / Independent Examiners Report for the full breakdown of the financial spend. The major areas of expenditure centred on:

• The Christmas appeal at £19,454 which allowed us to personally shop for 143 children and young people who were most vulnerable; and to provide 164 food vouchers, 25 bags of fuel and 40 food hampers for older people living in poverty.

• The purchase of food and beverages for the Community Café which totalled £12,302.

• The rent for the Community Café at £6000.

• The facilitation and provision of a range of activities, events and opportunities in the Community Café which cost £7,110 over the reporting period.

Charity No: NIC108464

Funds Materially in Deficit:

As of the 31[st of] March 2024, Caring Coins Association had no funds in material deficit.

Major Risks:

Trustees have identified no major risks moving into the next financial period. However, Trustees do note the inherent risk in the rental of the Community Café as this availability can be beyond their control, as demonstrated in the eight-week closure. The high cost of food, beverages and utilities are also of concern as they put pressure on limited resources and, if the charity aim to keep the Café operating on a low-cost basis, then this presents challenges moving forward. Trustees continue to proactively identify external funding streams to help strengthen the delivery plan and are devising creative and innovative fundraising ideas for the coming year.

Financial Management:

The Association maintain robust financial systems and have good financial management systems in place; all cheques must be signed by two out of our three cheque signatories. Our annual accounts are independently examined and presented at the Annual General Meeting.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

The Trustees of Caring Coins Association can confirm that they have identified no assets or liabilities as of the 31[st] March 2024.

Charity No: NIC108464

Public Benefit Statement

The Trustees of the Caring Coins Association confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17 (5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed the activities of the Caring Coins Association in the year to 31st March 2023.

In evaluating public benefit, the Trustees note that membership is open to all residents in the ‘area of benefit’ – (Full members aged 16 and over, Junior members under 15) – and we strive to provide a range of activities that will cater for all ages, but some necessary and reasonable restrictions have been put in place to both safeguard and safely provide activities and opportunities for different age groups and abilities.

Summary of Main Activities

This has been another incredibly busy year for everyone involved with Caring Coins Association and Trustees are extremely proud of all that has been achieved and how much our charity has grown and evolved to meet existing and emerging needs of our service users.

At the end of March, we began a drive for DKMS, the Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (German Bone Marrow Donor Centre), after a young local boy became very ill and needed help as a matter of urgency. We highlighted the condition and work of DKMS across our social media and communication channels, raising awareness and we linked in with DKMS to get people trained locally so they could offer help in trying to Find a Match for Bobby. The training sessions were very successful, with 55 people

completing the training.

Over the following six weeks these trainers facilitated swabbing sessions for over one thousand people, across multiple locations to try and find matches for those in critical need.

We ran another hugely successful Clear Out to Help Out Fundraiser and all money raised was split between two charitable causes, Fight for Alfie and Find a Match for Bobby to help them with travel costs related to accessing treatment.

Charity No: NIC108464

For Easter we held our second annual Easter Extravaganza and had over 1200 people in attendance, we had games, ice cream, face painting, arts and crafts, a sensory room and numerous stalls selling local crafts, the Easter Bunny also attended with an Easter egg for each individual child; thanks to O’Reilly’s for providing these gifts.

In the months of May and June, St Malachy’s Primary School and St Laurence O’Toole Primary School held a Penny War for our charity and raised money for our Christmas appeal.

Our Trustees and volunteers completed First Aid and Health, Hygiene

and Food Safety training in the month of May; it’s important to provide opportunities for continuous learning and to support the ongoing training needs of all our members.

We were delighted to receive grant funding from the Awards for All programme and this allowed us to purchase IT equipment and many other vital items for the ongoing operational management of our charity.

On the 6[th of] June 2023 we opened the Caring Coins Community Café in Newry, this was one of our visions from the early days of Caring Coins, where we envisioned creating a warm safe place for local people to come together and reduce isolation and loneliness.

Caring Coins Community Café is:

• •Run entirely by volunteers from the community.

• •A reduced-price menu with the most expensive item a

toastie/sandwich with your fillings of choice for just £3.00, our pots of tea are £1.20, all coffees are £2.00, and all tray bakes are £1.50.

• •A shared space, all tables are shared tables and there is no WIFI as everyone is encouraged to connect with the people around them.

• •All our cups are hanging on the wall for the costumer to select the one that suits them best.

• •All profits from the café are used to sustain the café and contribute to community events and our annual Christmas appeal.

To date the Café has hosted several very successful community events and different programmes, providing opportunities to bring people together who would otherwise be alone at home. The Café also hosts regular events such as our monthly ladies night, a weekly pensioners activity & craft club and Mum & Me which are all discretionary donation based.

Charity No: NIC108464

In June a local boxing club, Fit Club, ran a white-collar Boxing event and named Caring Coins as one of the charity beneficiaries of the fund raising generated. At this event we were also able to carry out one of the many swab drives for DKMS.

We were honoured to be finalists for best charity category at the Newry Chamber Awards, only missing out by the worthy winners at the Brain Injury Foundation; our chairperson winning Best Dressed was a nice bonus.

In July we hosted a free ladies night in at the Community Cafe, with free pizza, prosecco and a movie, all kindly donated by local businesses. This amazing get together continues the first Saturday of each month and has become a vital part of our work, helping many women connect and feel less isolated and alone.

In July we received a plea from a local family, they were in dire need for a five-point harness car seat for a young child with severe disabilities, and with the help of our great community we fulfilled the plea, and one happy wee boy was able to travel safely with his family, making hospital visits that little bit easier.

We also had young people visiting from the Grace Generation Church USA, they enjoyed spending some time with us, learning about the work and reach of our charity, our plans for the future and they also helped us out with some DIY within the Café.

In September, we hit a bump in the road and the Community Café was forced to close for eight weeks; this was beyond our control and related to funding difficulties for the charity we rent the space from. There was no denying that this left everyone feeling very deflated, but we regrouped and went back to running operations from Kerrie’s kitchen. Thankfully after the eight-week hiatus we reopened the Community Café and we were full steam ahead with our Christmas appeal and serving the needs of the local community.

Charity No: NIC108464

Once again, we engaged with a wide range of community partnerships to facilitate the smooth operation of our Christmas Appeal for 2023.

My life Bathrooms engaged in a charity sky dive which was a huge success; they also engaged in a host of other fundraising events throughout the year, donating much needed funds to our Christmas Appeal and we would like to especially thank Cahal Lynch for nominating us as their charity beneficiary.

In late November a Thanksgiving dinner was hosted at the café by Conor McAleavey and his wife Natalie for our Irish American friends, we had a full house on the night with many new friendships and connections being made as everyone enjoyed the delicious food.

Charity No: NIC108464

The Christmas Appeal is a significant undertaking for all our Trustees and volunteers and this reporting period we were able to fulfil 143

children/young peoples Christmas lists. This involved personally shopping for each child on the list to ensure that the magic of Christmas was kept alive for another year. As always, our partners managed all referrals for support, we only received anonymised details for each family along with the items required. We do not accept personal appeals, instead referring those individuals to one of our partners to ensure they can get formally registered and get access to all the support they may require.

Throughout December, we continued with our fundraising through numerous raffles and donations and, we had another very successful supermarket sweep hosted by Dunnes stores.

Once we had completed the shopping for all the children and young people, we started on our appeal to help

vulnerable older people, providing fuel, top up vouchers and food vouchers. In total we were able to provide 164 food vouchers, 25 bags of fuel and 40 food hampers which were then distributed through the Southern Age Well Network. This wrapped up another successful Christmas appeal and our volunteers got a well-deserved break.

In January we commenced a new initiative in the Community Café and launched our Ladies Nights, we also hosted Wellness Mondays which included arts & crafts, vision boards, board games, selfcare and much more. We ran Women’s Empowerment evenings, inviting along a range of guest speakers, facilitating lifelong learning and the sharing of skills. Each of these activities provide vital opportunities for social connection and interaction, reducing isolation and loneliness and building resilience for the future.

In February, with funding received from Warrenpoint Port Authority, we were able to treat our wonderful volunteers by taking them out for a night, to show our appreciation for all the amazing work they have done over the past year.

The Trustees of Caring Coins Community Association have continued working in partnership to ensure that the needs of the community are being addressed through the proper channels. The current Chair of Caring Coins holds a voluntary position on the Management Committee of the Confederation of Community Groups. We look forward to developing and strengthening our partnerships further over the coming year.

Charity No: NIC108464

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