Overdue: 90 days
Public benefits
The trustees believe that all purposes satisfy the public benefit requirement. Purpose (a) The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is a more vibrant and healthy Rathlin community, greater social cohesion, confidence and capacity to manage and sustainably develop its own assets. These benefits are evidenced through involvement of Islanders
in the development of policies and projects to improve conditions for all the people of the Island. Private benefit may arise from our ongoing programmes, increasing skills and confidence of Trustees which may be transferable to other settings but this is incidental at a personal level and is necessary and integral to ensuring benefit is provided to our community. Purpose (b) The direct benefits flowing from this purpose will be increased understanding, learning and skill development at individual and collective levels. The benefits are evidenced through greater community capacity and confidence to engage with projects and programmes according to needs and concerns arising from within the community. Private benefit may arise from our ongoing programmes of education, but are necessary and integral to ensuring benefit is provided to our community. Purpose (c) The direct benefits from this purpose include improved health care, reduced levels of stress and anxiety. The benefits are evidenced through greater awareness of health issues, an increased number of community members trained in mental and physical health care and a closer working partnership between the community and professional health care practitioners and policy makers. Risk of unintended side effects is low as training stresses the importance of managing situations within limitations and connecting with professional care. Some trustees will gain private benefit through our training programmes but this is important in providing appropriate benefit to our community and visitors. Purpose (d) The direct benefits from this purpose include relief from anxiety, stress and the impact of social exclusion caused by living on an off-shore island through programmes aimed specifically at the support of youth, elderly and other vulnerable people who experience disadvantage due to location. Benefits are evidenced by increased confidence of residents to remain on the island with a greater sense of belonging and participation. This strengthens the community’s identity and confidence and maintains or increases population. Private benefit may arise from our ongoing programmes, increasing skills and confidence of Trustees which may be transferable to other settings. These benefits are necessary and integral to ensuring benefit is provided to our community. Purpose (e) The direct benefits from this purpose include improved quality of life, enjoyment and creativity. The benefits are evidenced by increasing and enthusiastic participation in a wide range of activities, celebrations, festivals, social gatherings and leisure activities. Private benefit may arise from this purpose, increasing skills and confidence of Trustees but this is necessary and integral to ensuring benefit is provided to our community. Purpose (f) The direct benefits of this purpose include the protection and sustainable development of Rathlin’s natural and built environment. These benefits are evidenced by active partnership with, and monitoring by, statutory and non-governmental Environmental agencies, full participation with regional maritime management schemes and, with residents and said agencies, the development and ongoing implementation of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Private benefit may arise from environmental protection programmes but only when considered necessary and integral to ensuring benefit is provided to our community. The direct beneficiaries are people living on Rathlin. Indirect beneficiaries include visitors to Rathlin Island who benefit from the projects and services developed for the community. The purposes do not give rise to any harm.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Rathlin Development & Community Association (RDCA) is the voluntary body that represents the Rathlin Island community, working to improve conditions and to enable the sustainable development of the island, its community and its environment. The RDCA membership elects a committee of volunteers that are heavily involved in a range of projects, from
training and skills development to renewable energy and much more in between. The RDCA works with islanders and with public and voluntary agencies to improve the physical infrastructure and essential services and develop tourism and community facilities. In 2010, the Northern Ireland Executive endorsed a ‘Rathlin Policy’, recognising that the challenges faced by an island community are different from those on the mainland, and need to be addressed in a different way. The Executive supports the RDCA in its work to ensure the sustainability of island life and the promotion of a vibrant island community. Through educational and cultural programmes, study visits and an innovative Maritime Festival the RDCA looks to strengthen its regional connections with neighbours across the water in Ballycastle, the northern coast of Ireland and the Scottish islands. Through the empowerment of a community development programme, the community is increasingly aware of the opportunities to take greater responsibility for and management of its own assets. Developing local capacity though volunteering, leadership and networking strengthens the community’s intent to develop social enterprise making best use of its own resources and lowering grant dependency. This unlocks potential and increases confidence in residents, creating a more vibrant and healthy community that thrives from within, celebrates and builds on its proud traditions of cultural heritage and has an eye to the island’s future as a more sustainable home for its current population and a place of welcome and inspiration for those who come for purposes of research or recreation.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of health or the saving of lives
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
- The advancement of environmental protection or improvement
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
- Other charitable purposes
Who the charity helps
- Adult training
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- General public
- Men
- Older people
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
- Specific areas of deprivation
- Tenants
- Voluntary and community sector
- Volunteers
- Women
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Community development
- Education/training
- Environment/sustainable development/conservation
- Medical/health/sickness
- Rural development
- Volunteer development
- Youth development
