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Status
Received: 93 days late
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Income
£152.4K
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Spending
£145.3K
Public benefits
Purpose (i) The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is in maintaining and enhancing the level of capacity in the local community for undertaking community activities. This is measured by monitoring the number of community groups engaging with capacity building programmes; monitoring the number of volunteer places which is
created/sustained within each participating group and evaluating the experience and confidence of participants to engage in community activity. Purpose (ii) The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is reducing the risk of exclusion for those in groups who are identified as being at risk of social exclusion, viz women and elderly people. This is measured by monitoring the number of relevant community groups and individuals from at risk categories engaging with programmes and activities; and evaluating the level of isolation felt by participating individuals before and after the activity. Purpose (iii) The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is improving the educational opportunities available to children in the area. This is measured by monitoring the number of schools engaging with programmes and activities; monitoring the number of children participating in programmes and activities; and receiving feedback from teachers in relation to the educational benefit which the children derive from the activities. Purpose (iv) The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is improving relations within and between communities in the area. This is measured by monitoring the number of community groups engaging with relevant programmes; monitoring the number of individuals engaging with relevant programmes; and evaluating the experience of participants and their interest/willingness in working with other communities. Purpose (v) The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is increased knowledge among local people of the culture and heritage of their area; increased community pride among local people; and increased engagement by local people with visitors from outside. This is measured by monitoring the number of community groups and individuals from within the area engaging with programmes and activities; evaluating the experiences and confidence of local people to engage with their culture and heritage; and evaluating the experience of visitors coming to the area. Purpose (vi) The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is improved environmental quality within the area and increased community pride among local people. This is measured by monitoring the number of community clean-up projects undertaken; monitoring the number of volunteers participating in community clean-ups; and undertaking surveys among local residents in the areas which have been cleaned up to obtain feedback on their level of satisfaction. Purpose (vii) The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is the recycling of large volumes of material which would otherwise go to landfill and volunteering opportunities provided to local people to get involved in recycling within their area. This is measured by monitoring the number and type of items being recycled; monitoring the number of volunteers engaging with activity; and monitoring the number of volunteer hours contributed to programme activity. There is no risk of unintended harm from this activity. The beneficiaries of this purpose are community groups located within the lower North Belfast area. A private benefit to trustees may arise from our programme of ongoing training in good governance, finance etc. Through this training trustees gain skills and experience which are transferable to other settings. These benefits are incidental and necessary to ensure the benefit is provided to our beneficiaries.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Small Steps helps local community groups to be more effective in their operation through direct support and training. We run programmes to bring together pensioners who might otherwise not get out and also run activities in day centres and residential homes. We deliver a wide range of activities in schools, so that children in our area can access
opportunities which would not otherwise happen due to lack of resources either in the school or at home. We run programmes to help people of all ages learn about different religious and cultural groups in North Belfast to promote better relationships. We run programmes, community festivals and summer schools so that people can learn about the culture and heritage of the area, particularly its rich Ulster-Scots heritage. We deliver events in to encourage people to use local parks and green spaces and improve the environment through plantings and public art projects. We also run a charity shop which promotes the recycling of unwanted items, as well as providing opportunities for volunteering and training.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
- The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
- The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity
- The advancement of environmental protection or improvement
Who the charity helps
- Adult training
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- Interface communities
- Men
- Older people
- Specific areas of deprivation
- Voluntary and community sector
- Volunteers
- Women
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Arts
- Community development
- Cultural
- Education/training
- Heritage/historical
- Volunteer development
