2025-09-17-accounts - South Ronaldsay Community Association

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Hope Community Centre (South Ronaldsay Community Association)

Annual Re ort 2024–2025 p

This report covers the period 1 October 2024 – 30 September 2025. It highlights activities, usage, and financial contributions of Hope Community Centre (South Ronaldsay Community Association), showing how the facilities are not only for school users but serve the wider community.

Chairperson’s Report – October 2025

It has been another very busy year for the Community Association and huge thanks must go to the committee members and volunteers for all their hard work, without which the Community Association wouldn’t be able to function.

The Pop Hup Charity shop has been a huge success – not only bringing in much needed funds but also in providing a fantastic resource to the local community, with thousands of pounds raised this year already. Local groups have also directly benefited from the takeover weekends, with pre-

loved items being rehomed, which benefits the environment too. It takes considerable effort to keep this going and we have a small but fantastic group of volunteers that help run the shop. Thanks to all our Pop Hup shop volunteers and to Eve for taking on the committee member role for managing the shop.

The fitness classes continue to run, which are very popular with those that take part, and it is hoped that attendance increases as we approach the winter months – it takes quite a considerable effort to organise and keep these classes going so huge thanks to Morven.

Uncertainty around the Levy cost remains and it’s hoped that this can be resolved in the coming year as it takes considerable effort to raise the funds required to meet the current cost. Thanks to the efforts of the Community Association members and volunteers, we are in a better position than last year, but this does remain an ongoing challenge for us.

On a more positive note, funding was received earlier this year for various facility improvements including tables, chairs, bookshelves, storage, cake display, signage, clothes rails and a projector screen. These items have been well used already and it’s great to see the facilities available improve every year.

So huge thanks again to all the volunteers and committee members for all their hard work throughout the year, it is very much appreciated.

Kim McEwan – Chair, South Ronaldsay Community Association

Fitness & Wellbeing

Since February 2025, we trialled a programme of remotestreamed fitness classes with Orkney Dance & Fitness, including Line Dancing, Combat, Body Tone, FloorBarre, and Booty Blast. Classes ran on Tuesday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Friday evenings, priced at just £1 per half-hour session. Attendance varied but was strongest in winter months, demonstrating demand for accessible indoor activity options.

Charity Shop & Fundraising

The Charity Shop opened in December 2024 and has raised an impressive total of £6,637 (including Takeover Fundraising) across the reporting year, The monthly 'Takeover Weekends' have allowed local groups to raise funds:

Cromarty Hall Trust (May)
Burray Community Association (June)
Friends of St Peter’s Group (July)
Hope Primary Netball (September)

Regular Bookings & Activities

The Centre supported a wide range of regular users throughout the year, including:

After School Football training (P2–P7)
Men’s Football
After School Badminton
After School Netball
Youth Club
Guides & Brownies
Toddlers Group
Parent Council activities (Discos, Fundraising events)

One-Off & Special Bookings

Over 30 separate bookings were recorded, ranging from rugby and hockey matches to AGMs, birthday parties, Council consultations, and community events such as the Hope Show and Boys Ploughing Match. This demonstrates the flexibility of the Facilities.

Facilities

Hope Community Centre offers a range of spaces: • Community Hall (capacity: 180 meal / 250 dance / 300 concert) • Big Meeting Room (capacity: 40, with kitchen access) • Changing rooms and sports facilities
Additional services include free Wi-Fi, accessible facilities, parking, sports equipment, and off-site table and chair hire.

Social Value & Community Impact

Hope Community Centre continues to deliver significant social value to the community of South Ronaldsay. Beyond generating income and providing facilities, the facilities play a vital role in strengthening community wellbeing and resilience.

Health & Wellbeing: Affordable fitness classes have encouraged people of all ages to stay active, improving both physical and mental health.
Community Connections: Regular groups such as Youth Club, Brownies, and Toddlers foster friendships and intergenerational bonds, reducing isolation and supporting families.
Local Economy & Fundraising: The Charity Shop and Takeover Weekends have provided not only essential funds for South Ronaldsay Community Association but also opportunities for local groups to sustain their own projects.
Youth Development: Football training, youth workshops, and after-school clubs give young people positive activities, helping build confidence and skills.
Inclusive Access: Facilities are designed to be accessible, ensuring that all members of the community, regardless of age or ability, can take part.
Cultural & Social Life: Hosting events from the Hope Show to birthday parties, the Centre ensures that traditions are celebrated, and new memories are created.

This broad social value reinforces the importance of sustaining and investing in the Centre, not only as a building but as the heartbeat of community life in South Ronaldsay.

Recycling & Sustainability: Pop Hup Charity Shop

The Pop Hup Charity Shop has contributed not only financially but also environmentally to South Ronaldsay. By encouraging reuse, repair, and recycling pre-loved items, the shop helps reduce waste and promotes sustainable living within the community.

Positive Benefits (Dec 2024 – Sept 2025):

Based on sales income of £6,637, we estimate that 1,3330–2,211 kg of goods have been reused rather than discarded.
This equates to saving approximately 5–8 tonnes of CO ₂ emissions, the equivalent of:
Driving 8,900–14,800 miles in a standard petrol car, or
The annual energy use of 5-8 average UK homes.
Every item purchased from the shop gives it a second life, directly reducing landfill waste and encouraging a culture of recycling in South Ronaldsay.
Monthly Takeover Weekends amplify this impact by involving other local groups, who also benefit from the recycling and fundraising opportunities.

The Charity Shop is therefore a double win: it raises vital funds to keep Hope Community Centre running, while at the same time contributing to Orkney’s wider sustainability and climate goals.

Governance & Membership

All keyholders are also committee members and must attend committee meetings to support the ongoing operation and development of the Centre. Governance is rooted in the Association’s constitution, ensuring inclusivity and community-driven decision making.

Funding Received

This year, we were fortunate to receive important funding support to strengthen the running of Hope Community Centre and its activities:

The National Lottery Community Fund: £3,223 awarded to purchase bookcases, clothes rails, café supplies and a printer. These resources supported the Pop Hup Charity Shop and Takeover Weekends.
Voluntary Action Orkney, Small Grants Scheme: £337.95 awarded to purchase shelving units, weights, a projector screen, yoga mats, bookcase, and storage boxes. These additions have helped sustain the Pop Hup Charity Shop and enhance our fitness classes.

Income Summary (2024–2025)

Donations: £266
Grants: £3,561
Fundraising Activities: £900
Charity Shop (Trading Receipts): £6,637

Total Income: £11,364

What’s Next – Becoming a SCIO

South Ronaldsay Community Association is in the process of becoming a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). This will bring benefits including limited liability for trustees, stronger governance recognised by funders, and the ability to contract and hold property in the charity’s name. SCIO status will strengthen the future of the Centre and enhance funding opportunities.

We are also looking to source funding to purchase a Polycrub to be located in the school grounds. This will be available to Hope Community School pupils, however, it will also be able to be used by our local community.

Current Office Bearers

Kim McEwan Chair Kelly Budge Vice Chair Ian Pinches Treasure Morven Brooks Secretary Eve Hourston-Wells Pop-Hup Charity Shop Committee Member

Contact & Bookings

If you would like to make a booking, please contact us at: srcahope@gmail.com

TO BOOK EMAIL srcahope@gmail.com

Kids Groups/Activities

Annual Membership : £25 per group/activity

Kids Birthday Party Special

£30 for 4 hours (Hall, Big Meeting Room, and Kitchen and 1 hour for setting up and 1 hour for tidying up)

Annual Fees

We offer an annual fee to secure any future bookings and allow you the flexibility to use your chosen room when available during the year.

ROOM	HOURLY RATE	ANNUAL FEE	INFORMATION
Whole Building	£25	£250	Suitable for large events, Weddings, Dances, Fundraisers. Includes all rooms andkitchen
Hall (with Kitchen)	£12	£120	For larger events with kitchenaccess
Hall only	£10	£100	Suitable for sports or larger meetings
Meeting Room (with Kitchen)	£9	£90	For meetings with kitchen use
Meeting Room only	£7.50	£75	Standard meeting room ratewithoutkitchen
Changing Rooms only	£3.50	£35	For using when booked pitch withOIC

Equipment Hire (On Premises)

• Projector: £2.50 per hour

• Bluetooth Speaker: £2.50 per hour

Equipment Hire (Off Premises)

• Table Hire: £10 per table, off-premises use.

• Chair Hire: £1.50 per chair, off-premises use (reduced for bulk rentals).

Hall/Room capacity Big Meeting Room: Theatre Style 40 people Big Meeting Room: Boardroom Style 20 people Big Meeting Room: Café Style 20 people Hall: Wedding/meal 180 people max Hall: Dance 250 people max Hall: Seated concert 300 people max

Please note that the meeting room hire costs provided are indicative and may vary based on specific requirements, duration, and additional services. For an accurate quote tailored to your needs, please contact us directly, and we will be happy to assist.