CCA AGM TRUSTEE REPORT for 2022/2023 – Chair Una Kelly
The following reports details the progress and strengths of CCA in the last year. We have had a successful year building on the current enthusiasm within the community to develop skills, to build connections and partnerships with our neighbours, funders and key stakeholders. The CCA committee has worked tirelessly to bring this community closer together. Key achievements this years:
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A full time worker funded through St Columbs Park Reconciliation Trust and the Rank |Foundation
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A Community Support Facilitator funded by Northern Ireland Office,
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Centre painted,
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Community garden/mans shed,
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New programs ranging from parents & toddlers to youth drop in sessions.
The committee this year has been exceptional and always had the community and residents at the forefront of every decision.
The financial year which ended 31s March 2023 was another busy one. Predominantly the last 12 months were characterised by a great deal of work to secure funding to address a number of issues including core funding, repairs and maintenance. 2021 saw the establishment of a new Community Committee and I congratulate all office holders, supporters and agencies who have supported us to this point.
In 2021/ 2022 A number of committees and staff members had ‘stepped up’ to take over the roles governance due to challenges in abilities to safety and effectivity run the centre , we are very grateful to the professionals, organisations and residents who continue to support the growth of this new Committee . I am now pleased to make people aware that over the last year our committee has excelled in supporting the changing needs of our community and enabling a safe and effective environment for all
I want to particularly thank all volunteers and staff for the amazing work they have done to keep CCA as a functioning entity, who have responded magnificently to the challenges we had to face in the last financial year and continue to do so in this financial year. Of course, we could not run our centre without our wonderful, dedicated partners and service providers who help run our youth streams and events.
From April 2022 – March 2023 , it was identified that we had a number of wonderful success with the annual Summer Funday which replaced the bonfire in the estate and we with the help of our residents will continue this going forward as it is much more successful than a bonfire, Christmas events, Halloween Party, Easter eggs have all been a great success story this year. As well as our EA provision in the form of the YMCA running youth services 3 days a week, our parent and toddler group continuing, crochet class weekly, our monthly bingos and the increased amount of class and well being events we are now hosting has only had a positive effect on our community and the image of the committee both to our residents but also to our partners.
Many of you will know that CCA works with a wide range of partner organisations. We are grateful to them all, but this year I would like to thank St Columb’s Park House, Waterside Area Partnership, YMCA, National Lottery, CFNI, Derry City council who are our largest and most supportive partners. Their support this year has been crucial and as a result, we have been able to continue to pay our core costs and to bolster our services s. I would like to thank everyone for their very great support over the last year.
Next year promises to be an exciting one too, especially because we intend to introduce year two of the new management committee with more focus on passing back responsibility and governance back to CCA .
Funding is always a challenge and so we welcome support in this area- feel free to contact the committee if this is an area of support you could offer.
In the meantime, may I wish you and your families and friends a happy and healthy year, now is the time for the new committee to take over and continue our positive journey.
Yours sincerely
CCA
Chairperson : Una Kelly
Date: 14-10-2023