Galliagh Residents Association Galliagh Residents Association Annual Report April 2024 Chairman's Report 2024 Once again, may l extend my thanks, gratitude, and appreciation to our committee members for all your support and commitment over the last year and continuing to turn the association into such a vibrant community group. We continue to see an increase each year in our level of programming and our success in securing much needed programrne funding that enables us to provide essential services within the community. Our relationship with those funders continues to grow strongly and it is on that basis that we build a resident driven associatlon. I note the funding from PCSP, DCSDC, Awards for All and NIHE and how that has enabled GRA to sustaln our community luncheon initiative, stress reduction therapies and our ever-popular summer programme where we continue to offer alternatives for young children and families. Our close working relationship with On Street Community Youth and their support as our management agent means we have the skills at hand to not only access funding butto take on the administration commitments that go with that. On top of that it is great to see the centre being used by so many of our local youth and the Galliagh Youth Club that is now open 5 nights per week. This community still struggles during a cost-of-living crisis, rising food and heating bills and a squeeze on funding for community initiatives. Despite that backdrop l am proud to say that we continue to offer support and direction. We have much more to do and we approach the comin8 year with new intentions to develop our centre and grounds, to extend our portfolio of projects and to work closely with other community partners in developing programme alternatives for the sutnrner and beyond. In 2024 we will continue to listen closely to our residents, exemplified by the pending community consultation that we will work deliver in partnership with OSCY. We will always give voice to our residents and in doing so find support and solutions to the issues they see as important. I look fonvard to working with you all on this journey. Martin Connolly, Chairperson
Galliagh Residents Association Key Milestones over the last 12 months l. Securing of fundingto host the Gallia8h Youth Club to 5 nights per week all year round. 2. Increased attendances at Luncheon Club and Stress Reduction Therapies, now running 2 days per week in Galliagh Comrnunity Centre. 3. Securing of funding for a summer programme In 2023 that delivered family bus runs, a community youth surnmer scheme and delivery of community fun day5. 4. Funding secured from DCSDC, PCSP, Lottery and NIHE. 5. Continued delivery of the fuel poverty initiative, with the support of the CFNI Older People's Fund, that enables us to support vulnerable residents with fuel and food costs. 6. Securing of core funding from DCSDC which will help to sustain our association covering annual costs such as insurance, electric and water costs. 7. Securing of programme funding from The National Lottery to enhance our lunch clubs and therapy programmes. 8. New decoration, external works and plumbing enhancements all carried out in 2023. 9. Working in partnership with OSCY and Galllagh Community Centre to offer events at Christmas and Summer 2023 with events planned for St Patrick's Day and Easter 2024. Thomas Mccallion Secretary
Galliagh Residents Association Public Benefit StatementApril 2023to March 2024 Introduction As a registered charity Galliagh Residents Association IGRA) is committed to demonstr8tingthe benefits its work provides for individuals, communities and the wider public. This report sets out the aims, mission and strategic objectives of GRA, It outlines the beneficiaries we seNe and the impact and benefits of the programmes we provide. Programme Deliverycontext GALLIAGH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION was established in 1986 to support the Galliagh Community and its residents bythe following actions: Promote membership to GRA to aLI people eligible tojoin. Promote equal opportunities within the community. To represent and to promote the interests of all residents living in the community. Improve the housing, environment and other seNices in the area in order to improve conditions for residents in the area. Promote social. welfare, recreational and training activities forthe benefit of local residents. Build and encourage 8 partnership and improve communication between landlord and membership. Provide regul8r information to residents. To represent the interests of residents in consultation with the local authority and other bodies To work in partnership with the council. Nl Housing Executive, DFC and other agencies to achieve ouraims. Since 1986 GRA is recognised as one of the major community organisations in Galliagh contributingto local community Structures such as community safety, health, youth and being part of the recently developed Galliagh Community Centre. We are an active member of the NIHE Housing Community Network and we have an established body of
work demonstrating an ability to listen to residents and to develop much needed community services. Over the last 12 months staff, volunteers and management committ8e have continued to put in place the structures. funding. and procedures to deliver seNices for our community. We have worked in partnershipwith On Street Communityyouth to increase youth services, including the Galliagh Youth Club 5 nights per week and a locaL after school's project that is delivered at our centre between On Streets and St PauLs PS. We are involved in the delivery of a community lunch programme and we run summer and Winter programmes to support residents. We have secured fundingfrom DCSDC, NIHE, Lottery, CFNI, GSAP and PCSP. The benefits of our services can be clearly demonstrated with the numerous project evaluations, stakeholder and funder feedback and the essential feedback from our resident users. We are a grassroots organisation that represents the community by listening to the community. We 8re committed to bringing social change to our communityand to deliver advice and supportthat enables everyone in our communityto Live sustai nably. We have a very hard working, and committed Committee with members taking on various roles to ensure the suniiv81 of GRA. We work closely with the staff from On Street Community Youth (OSCY) who act as a day to day management agent for GRA and support our efforts to seek funding and to carry our much needed lobbying and representation at local and region81 level8. Our aims l objectives I principles The overall aim of GRA as set out in its Constitution is as follows: To formulate a coherent and integrated deveLopment strategyforthe Galliagh Area, and to work on behalf of the peopLe of the Galliagh Area to promote Interest and investment in the area with a view to creating an environment which meets Social and economic needs. and generates a sense of belonging 8nd pride in the community. To promote cooperation and a coherent policy amongst all groups and individuals, includingthe public. private and voluntary sectors, committed to the development of the GaLLiagh Area. To facilitate and supportthe establishment of viable initiatives and projects which make most effective use of resources and the greatest socio-economic impact within their particular localities. In our day to day work GRA ensures that we have robust arrangements in place for the management of the Association and to ensure targets are being met. All business is
overseen bythe Management Committee of Galliagh Resi(lents Association to ensure alL elements are working effectively. GRA'S Management Team / Committee are confidentthat it can call upon the necessary skiLLs / capacityto deLiver on its aims and objectives. The project operates allyear round deliveringa range of services foryoung people, adults and older residents. GRA promotes social inclusion of all residents by promoting and providing a wide range of programmes and activities to help residents reach theirfull potential. The Public Benefit we provlde GRA is committed to ensuringthat the Galliagh Community is part of all decision making and that the community is listened to when it comes to the progr8mmes and seNices that are delivered within the community. To achieve that public benefit GRA empowers Local residents to become part of their residents association and influence decision making at monthly meeting etc. Community consultatlons and surveys will be a tool regularly used to engage residents and in doing so enable the association to put on services that meet need, to look at satisfaction of services and to ensure we have a programme that contributes to developing the skilLs, knowledge and confidence of residents through our education, social, cultural and economic programmes. The Association seeks to build on and consolid8te existing seNices and structures within the Galliagh Residents Association and usergroups and to make sure resources are notdupLicated and we add value to local people's lives in a meaningful way. We are focused on addressing the lack of modern community & recreational infrastructure within Outer North. The need for a vibrant and dynamic residents association is evidenced by the scale and level of socio-economic, community and physical disadvantage experienced by residents. Howwe measure the benefit we provide GRA measures the impact of its work in 8 number of ways, primarily using baselines and feedback from stakeholders which is measured against internal performance and KPI'S set by our management and by each of ourfunders. We report regularLyto allfunders and through our internal management structures and to each external community body we representto ensure that we promote and get feedback on aLI our services.