2023-12-31-annual-report

The OpenDoor Complex Trustees’ Annual Report

Year ended 31st December 2023

Registered Charity Name; The OpenDoor Complex

Charity Registration number; 109158

Principal office Address.

1 Tamlaghtduff Park, Bellaghy, BT45 8LQ

The Trustees (names and position).

• Mr Noel O Sullivan - Chairperson

• Mr Terence Scullion - Committee Member

• Mrs Karen Craig - Secretary

• Mrs Tracy Scullion - Committee Member

• Mrs Dolores Mulholland - Committee Member

Structure, governance and management

The committee present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2023.

The OpenDoor Complex, day to day decision making is undertaken by our Chairperson, Noel O’Sullivan under the guidance of the Committee. Decisions of strategy and policy making are taken by the full Board of Trustees with financial matters being address by the committee.

Objectives and activities

The OpenDoor Complex is a cross community shared space managing our community centre and it’s objectives are as follows…

2.1 Support and benefit the inhabitants of the Bellaghy & surrounding areas and its environs without distinction of age, disability, gender, race, political, religious or other opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education, community development and physical and mental wellbeing.

2.1.1 Advancement of education.

2.1.2 Advancement of community development.

2.1.3 Advancement of Physical & Mental Wellbeing.

2.2 To establish or secure the establishment of The OpenDoor community centre and to maintain and manage or to co-operate with and local statutory authority in the maintenance and management of such a centre for activities promoted by the Association and its constituent bodies in furtherance of the above objects.

The OpenDoor Complex – What we have achieved so far!!!!

The annual Pantomime is Back!!!!

We have our very own Farmer’s Market, Community Gardens & Farm Shop!!!!

Our own Bee Hives!!!

We have a Weekly Luncheon club!!!!

Monthly Café

Carer & Toddler Group!!!!

Everyone Matters Group!!!!

Yoga & Pilates Classes!!!!

Art for the mind!!!!

Exercise for the Wobbly bits!!!

Spanish & Irish Classes!!!!

Bingo & Whist!!!

Craft classes!!! Performing Arts!!!

Gardening club!!!

Badminton!!!

Our greatest success to provide a safe welcoming space where people can find support and a friendly face.

VISION, STRATEGY and KEY OBJECTIVES

The vision for The OpenDoor Complex is as follows.

WE ARE COMMUNITY An open space for all of the community to learn, share, grow and help each other.

WE ARE EDUCATING With classes for your mind, your body and your soul. We have something for everyone.

WE ARE GROWING If you fancy growing your own vegetables or flowers then we have community gardens for you.

WE ARE YOURS Somewhere to meet for a coffee, exercise, or host an event, we are here for you.

To achieve this vision, the committee of The OpenDoor Complex aim to;

• Continue to and sustain a vibrant community space which promotes positive physical and mental health and while providing opportunities to be creative and become involved in a range of diverse courses and community based activities.

• Integrate children and young people with additional needs and providing them with opportunities to develop new skills and to come together, while also creating a support network for their carers and families.

• Provide opportunities for all members of the Bellaghy community (and surrounding areas) to learn new skills and to come together to develop community spirit in the area.

• Become an integral part of community life in the village.

• Work in partnership with statutory and non-statutory agencies to identify community needs in the area, delivering services and facilities which meet these needs.

• Develop a healthy living centre – working with GPs, local pharmacy and other health providers to look at the viability of / begin delivering community care solutions.

• Ensure that the centre develops sustainably in the longer term, generating income through a range of sources including trading, funding and fundraising.

Operational objectives – April 2024 – March 2025

• To continue to deliver a varied range of community-based programmes and activities, plus grow the farm shop and gardens to help finance the project.

• To employ a full-time Centre Manager to manage the day-to-day operations of The OpenDoor Complex; also to look at the viability of employing a part-time assistant Manager for the facility;

• To secure revenue funding towards the operation of The OpenDoor Complex, completing applications for funding to the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland and Awards for All and any other funders identified.

4.0 OPERATIONS AND LEGAL ISSUES

4.1 Premises

The OpenDoor Complex operates from a community hall, owned by the Parish, on the outskirts of Bellaghy village. The hall, itself, is very spacious and boasts a sports hall, meeting rooms, well equipped kitchen, a café for refreshments and gardening area to its rear.

Its address is;

• 1 Tamlaghtduff Park Bellaghy BT45 8JR

As the hall is owned by the parish, there will be a requirement to pay £1,000 per month to the facility from the parish from August 2023. It should also be noted that the parish made a significant contribution to setting up The OpenDoor Complex at the beginning and that this payment will also be used to pay off, in instalments, the initial loan which was paid. This loan was £30,000 received in November 2021. Furthermore, as part of their commitment to the Parish, the The OpenDoor Complex are paying Electricity, Heat, Insurance and Broadband.

4.2 Capital investment required

At present, to develop The OpenDoor Complex in line with this business plan, no additional capital investment is required. This may, however, change as the activities of the group develop and additional space or resources are required with The OpenDoor Complex. We foresee a time when a lift or expansion of the ground floor will be needed to allow more facilities for elderly and those with a physical disability who are unable to use the stairs.

4.3 Staffing and volunteers

Within The OpenDoor Complex, as its activities develop, there will be a requirement to employ staff to manage the day-to-day operations of the centre. The volunteer aspect is a vital part of its success.

4.4 Insurances and other legal issues

The hall is insured by the parish for parish activities, The OpenDoor Complex also has an insurance policy for its activities.

• Public and employers’ liability

• Buildings and contents insurance Legislation which the committee of The OpenDoor Complex took into considerations when developing this business plan included;

• The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 place a general duty of care on organisations to protect the health and safety of their employees, suppliers, sub-contractors, customers and anyone else who may be affected by their activities.

• Data protection legislation including The Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

• Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

• Safeguarding legislation including The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007.

• The Charites Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and Charites Act (Northern Ireland) 2008

• Equality legislation including the Equality (Northern Ireland) Order 2000 and the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006