Trustee Annual Report
Charity Name Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Belfast Branch
Charity no. 108858
This report relates to financial year: 2023-2024
The principal address of the charity is 68 Church Road, Belfast BT16 2LW
The following individuals served as charity trustees during the year:
Linda Harley, Chairman
John Campbell, Hon Secretary
Jessica White, Hon Treasurer
Heather McKaig, Trustee
Colin Barnes, Trustee
Rosemary Greer, Trustee
Anne Graham, Trustee
Gwynne Donnell, Trustee
The branch was established in 1946, and was registered as a Charity on 28 September 2022.
The Charity is governed by a Constitution. The Charity is constituted as an unincorporated
association.
The Charitable purposes of charity are the benefits of preserving and furtherlng the practice of
traditional SCD are raising public awareness, learning new skills and remaining faithful to this
tradltional form of dance while at the same time responding to the demands of a living and growing
tradition. Further benefits are improved mobility and social interaction. b. The benefits of providing
instruction in the dancing of SCD are increasing the knowledge and skill of dancers. It is well
established that regular physical activity can improve health. SCD can help
maintain/improve mobility, prevent disease eg high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease,
type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. As a weight-bearing exercise, SCD has been
shown to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. c. The benefits of promoting the enjoyment
and appreciation of SCD are improved mental health in that it can prevent/reduce
depression, promotelmaintain positive self-esteem, be of benefit to the bereaved and
reduce risk of Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The social component of SCD
promotes teamwork, empathy and develops a sense of community and enjoyment,
encourages further participation and long-term involvement in physical activity. This form of
dance does not require participants to be accompanied by a partner and benefits both
single and partnered attendees alike. Research has shown that SCD 15 superior to many
other forms of physical activity in building levels of fitne55 and that it is an effective

recreational exercise for particular types of fitness in later life. d. The benefits of raising
wider public knowledge and awareness of SCD are increased participation in SCD in
Northern Ireland.
To further these purposes for the public benefit, we carried out the following activities:
Held weekly, fortnightly and monthly dance classes across the greater Belfast area
and promoted the same via our website.
Held a St Andrews dance with music provided by Marian Anderson and her band.
Marked the centenary of the RSCDS With a special "Roaring Twenties" dance.
Celebrated the coronation of His Majesty King Charles111 with a themed evening
dance
Performed demonstrations at various venues including at the Railway Preservation
Society of Ireland, all of which included public participation.
Entered the Society's "Virtual festival", with a routine based on a Dancing Through Life
theme
The main achievements of..the charity in the year were..
Number of members- new members were generated
Number of classes maintained
Migrated to a new website to aid public communication
Produced 2 issues of our newsletter "Dancing Matters"
The trustees have read the Commission's Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance,
and have had regard to this when running the charity.
A review of the charity's financial position at the end of the year:
In the financial 20[23]to 20124]. The Charity had an income of £121022] and an
expenditure of £[17693].
There are no funds held by the charity that are materially in deficit.
Signature
Print Name
11 f LesM￿G
Date
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