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Status
Received: on time
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Income
£303.8K
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Spending
£371.8K
- Charity no. 102033
- Date registered. 20/04/2015
Public benefits
(1)(i)The direct benefits from this purpose include: financial advice, information and support; access to fuel oil bulk buying; access to counselling services and courses. These benefits are demonstrated through the provision of a credit union, CAB, a bulk buying oil club and regular and increasing use of the above opportunities and anecdotal
responses to their value. Harm may arise from poor direction given, however by using recognised organisations and competent individuals the benefits would far outweigh any harm. (1)(ii)The direct benefits from this purpose are the access to employment and training provision. These benefits are demonstrated through the provision of both a commercial and community facility in Monkstown giving access to employment opportunities and training, enabling 60+ jobs in the commercial premises and 20+ jobs/placements in the community premises. (1)(iii)The direct benefits from this purpose are access to and provision of educational and training courses in an area of severe educational underachievement. These benefits are demonstrated through the provision and take-up of adult education classes and training in life skills and building confidence and the value the participants perceive. (1)(iv)The direct benefits from this purpose are to enable access to commercial start-up/incubation units. These benefits are demonstrated in the opportunities provided for start-up businesses that have gained traction and provided employment. (1)(v)The direct benefits from this purpose are access to a first-class community building. These benefits are demonstrated by the response by interest groups and individuals to gather in an accessible, comfortable and appropriate environment – approximately 300+ users/week. (1)(vi)The direct benefits from this purpose are access to health- and children-related activities. These benefits are demonstrated through the provision of health professionals and programmes and activities for parents and children (separately and together) – around 100+ users/week. Any harm is mitigated by ensuring organised activities provided by qualified organisations (and staff). (2)The direct benefits from this purpose are a vibrant and growing community/voluntary sector with opportunities for volunteering. These benefits are demonstrated through providing administrative/financial support to community and voluntary groups; the provision of a regular local newsletter; through three directors and one staff member acting as directors of other voluntary/community organisations. (3)The direct benefits from this purpose are the enabling of opportunities for individuals and groups to reduce ‘need’ in Monkstown. These benefits are demonstrated through providing access to counselling, awareness raising, programmes enabling resilience and educational and employment opportunities and the take-up of such provision. The beneficiaries of this purpose are people predominantly living in Monkstown. A private benefit to some directors may arise from those living within the area being part of the oil bulk buying scheme. Those benefitting do so as simply living within the catchment area.
What your organisation does
Monkstown Community Forum is both a community umbrella organisation, comprising community, statutory, faith and voluntary groups in membership, and a social enterprise. Monkstown Community Forum provides an opportunity for the local community to engage in a process of identifying and working towards addressing issues and challenges affecting the
immediate community. It provides an opportunity for those regarded as on the peripheral of society to engage meaningfully in community. Monkstown Community Forum provides programmes, training and seeks to engage those in need of work experience. It provides facilities for others to carry on activity that are of benefit to the local community. The income generated from commercial rentals has enabled: partnership with two local organisation on the extension of their current premises to increase their capacity; the provision of equipment and activities for seniors' groups; playgroup activities and equipment; refurbishment of equipment in classrooms; sustaining a mental health project; the funding of stress programmes in both primary and secondary schools and in the community; and the provision of two youth workers in the area working with at-risk young people. Monkstown Community Forum provides a periodic newsletter (three yearly) to highlight activity, increase local awareness and provide information and useful contact numbers to those in the locality. It has recently started an oil bulk-buying club to seek to address fuel poverty and increase budgeting awareness.
The charity’s classifications
- The prevention or relief of poverty
- The advancement of education
- 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
- General public
- Older people
- Tenants
- Voluntary and community sector
How the charity works
- Community development
- Community enterprise
- Education/training
- Grant making
- Relief of poverty
- Urban development
- Youth development