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The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
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Ligoniel Family Centre

  • Status

    Received: on time

  • Income

    £47.4K

  • Spending

    £48.2K

Charity no. 100573 Date registered. 27/04/2016

Public benefits

All of our purposes are for the benefit of the public in Ligoniel and the surrounding district, without distinction of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion. Ligoniel is an area of high economic deprivation with high levels of unemployment and a significant level of people are in

receipt of income support. The relief of poverty is at the core of all our purposes. 1.The direct benefit which flows from the relief of poverty is that we are able to provide facilities, activities, and services either free or at a reduced rate to those who would not otherwise attend through lack of means. Those that are least able to afford are quite often those that benefit the most. This is evidenced through provision of childcare facilities at a minimal fee including our crèche, afterschools project, summer scheme. We have transformed two housing executive houses into our family centre, one into a dedicated childcare facility and the other for all our other activities. Our local people identify with these buildings and are not intimidated by coming in the first instance to attend activities. Our Drop-In which is used primarily by women and the pensioner group on alternate mornings, all benefit from our free or reduced rate services. Evidenced by the number of children attending our facilities, and adults attending our various activities. Our Over 50s club started out as a pensioners’ group but to accommodate local demand, we lowered the age so that those who wanted to participate could. 2. The direct benefit which flows from the advancement of education is that through our services and activities we will increase the confidence and self-esteem of children. Through our projects we will be encouraging and developing the opportunity for educational achievement from an early age. This is evidenced through the high number of children that attend our crèche, afterschools project, 7-11 project and summer scheme. Our 7-11 project covers areas such as personal development, arts and crafts, cultural diversity and getting active, all of which will help our young people to grow into mature open minded adults. The one to one support and additional numeracy and literacy workshops all help to support the children to regain their confidence with the educational system. 3. The direct benefit which flows from the provision of facilities for recreation and leisure time activity is that people’s lives will be improved as they will have a safe place in which to meet and carry out activities which will help improve their own personal self esteem but also help to build community cohesion in the area. This is evidenced through the range of activities that we hold including a drop in service to help and support women in particular who benefit from a listening ear. All of our activities are extremely well attended, from the sewing and upholstery classes to flower arranging. 4. The direct benefit which flows from the preservation and promotion of good health is that local people will be taking part in activities which improves their general physical health as well as their emotional wellbeing. The long term benefit is that people’s health will be improved and hopefully ward off disease and therefore live a longer happier life. We recognise that people can feel isolated even when they live surrounded by other people. By coming together for various activities people in our area have the opportunity to socialise and mix with others thus reducing social isolation and improving the emotional and mental health. These benefits are evidenced through attendance at our various activities from our armchair aerobics and yoga to various talks on health such as suicide awareness. We also work with other charities to facilitate health promotion eg breast and cervical cancer screening. (Please contact the Charity Commission in order to view the remainder of this statement).

What your organisation does

At the Ligoniel Family Centre, we believe that stability comes from understanding and respecting diversity, giving families the opportunity to develop, better their status, and increase their quality of life. Our childcare provision has had an outstanding effect on the community, it has provided employment, and training opportunities, it has

encouraged parental involvement and participation and has started to tackle educational disadvantage. We operate from a four-bedroom house in the heart of a council estate, the property is leased to the Ligoniel Family Centre from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and one house is a childcare facility for children aged 2-5 years old. The other is used for office space, Pensioners, afterschool's, youth and education. Services we offer at present Childcare facilities 5 days per week for children aged 2-5 years old Youth project 2 days per week for children aged 7-11 years old Pensioners programmes 3 days per week for over 50s Afterschools project 2 days per week for children aged 5-11 Summer scheme for children aged 5-11 Other educational sessions, training, support sessions and programmes are responsive to local need.

The charity’s classifications

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

Who the charity helps

  • Children (5-13 year olds)
  • Mental health
  • Older people
  • Parents
  • Preschool (0-5 year olds)
  • Unemployed/low income
  • Volunteers
  • Women

How the charity works

  • Community development
  • Economic development
  • Education/training
  • Playgroup/after schools
  • Relief of poverty
  • Sport/recreation
  • Volunteer development
  • Youth development

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2024

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2023

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2022

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charitable purposes

The company’s objects (“Objects) are specifically restricted to the following: To promote the benefit of the people of Ligoniel and its environs (herein described as “the area of benefit”) without distinction of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion by associating together the said inhabitants and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to relieve poverty, advance education, and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for the recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. (a) To promote the preservation and protection of health among those within the area of benefit. (b) To maintain and manage two houses in the area of benefit for activities promoted by the association, with one house being used specifically as a childcare facility. (c) To advance any other exclusively charitable purpose as the directors may, from time to time, decide in accordance with the law of charity

Governing document

Other name

  • 5 Trustees
  • 3 Employees
  • 7 Volunteers

Contact details

Public address

  • Mrs Catherine Rock, 4 Millview Court, Belfast, BT14 8PY

Trustee board

Trustee
Mrs Maureen Brady
Mrs Marie Corbett
Miss Elizabeth Lagan
Mrs Lynn Strain
Miss Bernadette Mooney

List of regions

  • In Northern Ireland
  • Belfast City Council