ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Carrowdore and District Community Association For the period 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NI 108885 2 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Carrowdore and District Community Association ## **Charity Trustees** - Mark Spence - Ruth Bettes - Claire Spence ## **Charity Postal Address** - 1 Ashvale Park Carrowdore BT22 2EN **The Charity’s Governing Document is the Constitution formally adopted on 8[th] March 2022** ## **The objects of the charity are as set out in the governing document, namely:** 3.1 The Association is established to improve the quality of life of resident living in Carrowdore and District irrespective o sex. disability, race, sexual orientation, political, religious or other opinion by associating with statutory authorities, voluntary and community organisations and the private sector. 3.2 The advancement of citizenship and community development to inspire civic values and encourage voluntary and community activity in areas of health, education, the arts, sports and recreation and culture and heritage. 3.3 To develop and implement programmes concerned with promoting community cohesion through physical, social and economic improvements to the appearance of the area of benefit and improving the quality of life of residents. The trustees are indebted to the member volunteers who have given the charity many hours of commitment, time and expertise throughout the year as without this there would not have been as much achieved in the community for the community. Carrowdore and District Community Association Trustee Report 3 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Carrowdore and District Community Association ## **Review of Activities** The management committee held quarterly meetings throughout the year with additional meetings as required to discuss and plan for specific events. The management committee was made up of the Trustees along with: Tanya McMillan, Nicole Reynolds, Louise Wallace, Jonny Parker, Jasmin Dorrian Jamie McBride, Emma Parker, Charmaine Dorrian and Daron Howard. A celebration of the Coronation of King Charles was held in the Community Centre which was extremely well attended. A BBQ and Ulster Scots food, quiz and information was provided and entertainment by Scottish dancers and a pipe band entertained all in the sunshine. A community herb garden was established in the centre of the village providing residents with fresh herbs throughout the year. The concrete containers for these have been handed over from Henderson Group for the community to use. The annual Christmas Fair with Christmas lights switch on was set up in the community centre both inside and outside. Santa provided gifts for all the children, craft and food stalls provided visitors and residents good value items for purchase. The local primary school had their usual surprise bag stall and the usual ‘No Parents Allowed’ room allowed children to purchase £1 gifts which were then wrapped for gifting. Musical entertainment played and children’s activities enabled all to get into the spirit of Christmas. During October and November the community group along with other groups established a Community Hub in premises beside the EuroSpar in the centre of the village. In partnership with others the unit was transformed into a warm, comfortable, welcome space in which regular clubs and classes run ie sewing classes, lunch club, darts to name but a few. Residents and visitors can drop in for a cuppa and chat, use the internet, speak with community representatives, book swap or avail of the many crafting opportunities available daily. The community group kept everyone up to date with leaflet drops and through the Facebook page. Carrowdore and District Community Association Trustee Report 4 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES Carrowdore and District Community Association ## **Financial Review** The income during the year was £19,619.00 and expenditure of £18,138.68 resulting in a balance of £1,480.32. As in previous years Ards and North Down Borough Council have continued to support us in the main with funding in the form of our Community Development Grant, Christmas Festival and Coronation grants etc. In addition to this during the year additional grant funding was received from - Awards for All to assist with the set up of the Community Hub - Keep NI Beautiful for a tackling textiles project - St Anne’s Black Santa for kitchen equipment and training - Ulster Scots Agency for Coronation celebrations We had received a grant from Live Here Love Here however we were able to establish our planned micro allotments at no cost therefore returned the full grant to them. We start the new year with a balance of £486.26 ## **Declaration** ## **The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustee Report above.** Signed on behalf of the Trustees by Mark Spence Trustee Dated 30[th] January 2025 Carrowdore and District Community Association Trustee Report