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Removed
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This charity was removed from the register on 1 Dec 2022
- Charity no. 102429
- Date registered. 30/07/2015
Public benefits
Lisburn Leo’s purpose is to provide those who are blind, partially sighted or otherwise unable to read visually presented information, with a means of access to local news and items of topical interest. We do this through audio –or other suitable format- recordings, circulated to a section of the public, as defined below. The Trustees believe that
this purpose and the benefit flowing from it are in keeping with the area of description in the Charities Act NI (2008), relating to the “relief of those in need by reason of age, disability….or other disadvantage.” Beneficiaries meet three criteria: (i) they have indicated their wish to use our service –or have been otherwise referred to us (ii) reside – or have resided - within the Greater Lagan Valley area (iii) have visual impairments, making the reading of visually presented information impossible or difficult Evidence of the benefits accruing from the purpose and service can be seen from e.g. (i) the significant increase in number of listeners using the service in recent years (from 40 to 85approx.); (ii) listeners displaying their continued interest by consistently returning their envelopes each week, to request the next recording (iii) occasional informal comments or letters e.g. from carers (iv) feedback from listeners, either through personal contact or telephone survey (v) occasional feedback from health professionals or support workers (vi) public recognition e.g. reception by Mayor of Lisburn Benefit from the Association’s purpose takes several forms: (i) listeners are given access to information not accessible by them in any other format (ii) they are provided with the opportunity to become familiar with what is going on in their community (iii) notices of particular relevance to visually impaired people are often included e.g. about roadworks, street closures, etc (iv) feelings of exclusion or isolation which listeners might feel as a result of their impairment or disadvantage may be lessened, as the service enables a sense of connection with the community There is no harm arising from the Association’s purpose. Listeners access recordings on devices which they already use in their own homes The service provides direct benefit to our intended beneficiaries. Benefit arises from our charitable purpose. There is no private benefit but the Association acknowledges that volunteers may derive incidental benefit from their involvement e.g. skills in administration, operating equipment, reading and recording, committee membership, etc. These are a necessary by-product of the Association’s purpose and are essential to the benefit of our listeners.
What your organisation does
1. Volunteers meet each week to read and make recordings – in an appropriate format – of items of local news. These copies are circulated to 90approx listeners on our list of service users. Occasionally we conduct interviews with local figures and include these on the recording for the interest of our listeners. 2. Volunteers meet each month to
download audio articles from popular magazines and make copies of these in an appropriate format for circulation to those listeners who have opted to receive them. 3. Each month we make an audio recording of a Newsletter for Lisburn in Focus to circulate to its members. 4 .Each week, volunteers meet to keep administration up-to-date, process returns and prepare envelopes for the circulation of recordings to listeners. 5. We ensure that the recording studio, equipment, volunteer rotas and arrangements are in place to enable recording sessions and circulation of recordings to be carried out efficiently. 6. We recruit and support volunteers, as required. Volunteers deliver the Association’s purpose through their involvement in reading and recording, operating equipment, administration and membership of the committee. 7. We make links with related groups e.g. Lisburn in Focus, Outlook, RNIB, Assoc. Talking N’papers NI, SE Trust Sensory Support Team, Macular Society and Soroptimists International (Lisburn and District). 8.Periodic contact is made with some of our listeners at meetings or other functions. We are also beginning more regular contact with listeners by telephone to gather feedback and suggestions about our service. 9. We keep policies and procedures under review to guide the control and direction of the Association. A Volunteer Policy has just been drawn up. 10.We identify and follow up on possible sources of funding, liaise with those who make donations, bequests, etc.
The charity’s classifications
- The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage
Who the charity helps
- Sensory disabilities
How the charity works
- Advice/advocacy/information
- Community development
- Cross-border/cross-community
- Disability
- Volunteer development
Charitable purposes
The Association was set up to provide those who are blind, or partially sighted or otherwise unable to read visually presented information, with a means of accessing local news and other items of interest through audio – or other format- recordings. This purpose is in line with the description of purpose in the Charities Act (NI) 2008 (amended) which relates to “the relief of those in need by reason of age, disability……or other disadvantage.”