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Removed
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This charity was removed from the register on 4 Mar 2020
Public benefits
The direct benefits flowing from purpose: i 'relief of poverty' – include help for those living in the socially and economically deprived area of North Belfast, particularly parents seeking affordable child care. The availability of this child care provision has enabled parents on low incomes to work, thus increasing family incomes; ii)
'advancement of education' – include provision of education programmes for personal development and improved community relations. Shalom House was for many years an out centre for Further Education in this area, hosting a variety of programmes including art classes, GCSE classes and creative writing classes. Budget cuts ended its use as an out centre, but there is no doubt that SHCR has contributed greatly over the years to the return to education for many, with resulting increased confidence and self-esteem. In the field of community relations in this interface area SHCR has hosted over the years many programmes aimed at healing divisions in a divided society. The ethos of helping to advance education for those who seek this and promoting reconciliation continues, with SHCR always ready to host programmes designed to facilitate these; iii) ('protection of health') – include listening/counselling services for those in need of these and support for those affected by stress or troubles- related issues. SHCR provides a listening service by appointment with personnel trained in listening and counselling (transition and bereavement counselling); iv) 'facilities for social welfare' – include provision of meeting place for cross community groups and social gatherings. SHCR is a venue for a variety of groups and social gatherings from both main communities, providing an opportunity for greater social inclusion; v) 'developing capacity and skills building for disadvantaged' – include provision of support and capacity building for those affected by addiction and social disadvantage and facilitating the return to work of lone parents. A weekly meeting of AL Anon helps its members cope with addiction and decreases their sense of isolation. How benefits are demonstrated: The Shalom House crèche is currently oversubscribed. Questionnaires are circulated to parents each year. Those returned are positive in their evaluation. An Early Years Inspection Report of the crèche (dated 22.09.2015) gives a positive evaluation of the crèche. One particular example of the sustained benefit of the SHCR education programme is the continued existence of the Shalom Writers group. Members of this creative writing group give readings of their poetry each month in the Belfast Central Library. Positive feedback has been received by word of mouth on SHCR listening and counselling services. The weekly meeting of AL Anon has been sustained over many years, providing much needed support for those affected by addiction. SHCR has received funding from the Community Relations Council for a number of programmes which were hosted there. No harm flows from any of the purposes. Persons who benefit are those who live in this disadvantaged part of North Belfast. This includes a number of interface areas. All those who come to SHCR seeking its services also benefit. SHCR does not provide any private benefit to any individuals under this purpose.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
Shalom House Community Resource (SHCR) is a cross-community organisation based in North Belfast. It is situated in an area of well recognised social and economic deprivation and borders on a number of interface areas. SHCR seeks to meet the particular needs of the area through the provision of a crèche, particularly helpful for parents seeking to
return to work; through a listening and counselling service for those in need of this; through personal development programmes; through the facilitation of meetings for groups in support of those affected by addiction problems; through the encouragement and facilitation of cross community groups seeking to promote better community relations; and through the provision of facilities for social gatherings for the local community. These fall within THE ADVANCEMENT OF CITIZENSHIP OR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT description of charitable purposes and is for the public benefit.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of citizenship or community development
Who the charity helps
- Addictions (drug/solvent/alcohol abuse)
- General public
- Interface communities
- Parents
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
How the charity works
- Counselling/support
- Education/training
- Playgroup/after schools
Charitable purposes
The objects of the Company shall be:- to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of North Belfast and its environs (the "area of benefit") without distinction of sex, race or political, religious or other opinions by associating with the statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to: (i) relieve poverty; (ii) advance education, particularly but not exclusively by providing programmes for the spiritual, personal, emotional and social development of the individual; (iii) preserve and protect health; (iv) provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupations with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants; (v) develop the capacity and skills of the members of the disadvantaged community of North Belfast in such a way that they are better able to identify and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society.