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The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
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Friends of Hemsworth Court

Documents 482 days overdue

Overdue: 482 days

Charity no. 103157 Date registered. 17/05/2016

Public benefits

The charity trustees are satisfied that the public benefit requirement is met; The purpose of the charity is “to relieve the needs of, and empower, persons living with a diagnosis of dementia and to promote greater public understanding of dementia by any charitable means” The beneficiaries are persons living with a diagnosis of dementia, in

particular those who live within the Hemsworth Court scheme. The benefits flowing from the purposes include: improved social inclusion and the prevention of isolation, fear and vulnerability amongst a group who are more likely to be socially excluded; this helps tenants to enjoy their right to live locally and to feel comfortable and safe within their homes. Through building links with community projects, community centres, schools etc. to increase levels of social contact between people from different generations, both young and old can feel included and the stigma of dementia is reduced. Outside volunteering is promoted which helps to support people with dementia to be part of the local community (in particular BT13). Through providing activities and lifetime skills, individuals' with dementia are kept active in body and mind which will hopefully slow down the progress of dementia and help to prolong the health and well being of tenants. The benefits can be demonstrated through outside evaluations by health and social care agencies or through direct feedback from beneficiaries and the wider community. Any harm arising would be outweighed by the benefit due to a senior support staff completing risk assessments and ensuring committee who is able to participate in an activity and making sure the tenants have the right equipment (such as walking sticks, rolaters, wheelchair and care support etc.) There are no private benefits arising which are more than incidental to the purpose of assisting of persons living with a diagnosis of dementia.

What your organisation does

We developed the committee to provide funding to enable the tenants to have other activities within Hemsworth and in local community BT13. This has helped with social inclusion, prevented isolation, and reduced some of the mental health issues to enable tenants' feel happy in their own environment and within the local community. We provide at

present weekly information sheets that is delivered to all apartments that inform the tenants of the daily activities that are offered. It also provides details of any costs involved for materials, refreshments, transport or cost for course if any. We have volunteers from within the local community BT13 and use other charities to help with class activities. The volunteers have also helped tenants go out into the community BT13 to participate in activities and assisted them to use local transport. Tenants participated in learning to knit, crochet, use looms to create socks or table pieces, painting, ceramics, mosaics, listen to music, sing, have storytellers read to them, participate in tea dances where they can dance to become more active, participate in cookery to develop their life skills, and finally compete in games such as boccia. For people with Dementia encouraging the act of reminiscence can be highly beneficial to their inner self and their interpersonal skills. Reminiscence involves exchanging memories with the old and young, friends and relatives, with caregivers and professionals, passing on information, wisdom and skills. Our last project was a mosaic social sofa that was designed and completed by tenants, local schools and community groups which brought great friendships, confidence, a buzz within Hemsworth and was the first sofa in the UK. We have been lucky in getting small amounts of funding for activities as a group and also other charities have received for our tenants to do activities.

The charity’s classifications

  • The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

Who the charity helps

  • Carers
  • Mental health
  • Older people
  • Physical disabilities
  • Sensory disabilities
  • Tenants
  • Voluntary and community sector

How the charity works

  • Community development
  • Community enterprise
  • Community transport
  • Disability
  • Grant making
  • Sport/recreation
  • Volunteer development

Charitable purposes

To provide a format for social interaction for the group and to reduce isolation for tenants. To provide opportunities for skill enhancement for tenants through a range of activities and classes. To be involved in community activities and events; to develop community links and promote health and well being within group members. To make grant applications, to carry out projects of benefit to tenants and carers.

Governing document

Constitution

Other name

  • 6 Trustees
  • 0 Employees
  • 0 Volunteers

Contact details

Public address

  • Mrs Gillian Wright, 4 Lyndhurst View, Belfast, BT13 3XT

Trustee board

Trustee
Philip Cunningham
Mrs Gillian Wright
Mr Matthew Cunningham
Ms Clare Lemon
Miss Margaret Crawford
Mrs Sandra Gwynne

List of regions

  • Mid And East Antrim Borough Council