Annual Report 2020-2021
| annual_report_-the_exchange_inishowen__6.pdf |
Note from the Board of Management
When the pandemic hit us in March 2020, we moved quickly to assess the needs of our community and to respond with a range of initiatives starting with helping to coordinate the distribution of masks created by local designer Luke Barber and his team of volunteers volunteers to staff in the local nursing unit and care homes. Responding to obvious need in the community we worked with other social enterprises across Inishowen to launch the Inishowen Food Bank.
As a voluntary-run charity without core funding, the pandemic hit us hard as our income stopped overnight. These were challenging days but thanks to the willingness of our landlords to defer the rent and later to the Sustainability Grant we were able to keep going. Adapting to the needs of our community, we provided facilities for the HSE to roll out counselling and support services, for the on-going work of SOLAS in mental health recovery and later by providing an additional classroom space for Crana College.
Our own member group, Insight Inishowen continued to work throughout the pandemic providing a Listening Ear Service, wellbeing workshops and donation-based counselling either by Zoom or in-person where restrictions permitted.
Instead of cancelleng the annual Christmas Dinner, we found a way to deliver a delicious home cooked meal to elderly people and those living alone, working with our partners in the Food Bank to expand out to other parts of Inishowen.
We also made good use of the building closure to draw down grant funding for improvements to the kitchen, new flooring that provided additional sound proofing and our new shed that serves as a store for the food bank and will facilitate our Meitheal project.
We end the year profoundly grateful that we have not only been to survive but also to thrive despite the challenges of this last year and with a determination to continue serving our community while adapting to the changing realities we face.
Bernie Doherty and Ruth Garvey-Williams (Trustees)
As a voluntary-run charity without core funding, the pandemic hit us hard as our income stopped overnight. These were challenging days but thanks to the willingness of our landlords to defer the rent and later to the Sustainability Grant we were able to keep going. Adapting to the needs of our community, we provided facilities for the HSE to roll out counselling and support services, for the on-going work of SOLAS in mental health recovery and later by providing an additional classroom space for Crana College.
Our own member group, Insight Inishowen continued to work throughout the pandemic providing a Listening Ear Service, wellbeing workshops and donation-based counselling either by Zoom or in-person where restrictions permitted.
Instead of cancelleng the annual Christmas Dinner, we found a way to deliver a delicious home cooked meal to elderly people and those living alone, working with our partners in the Food Bank to expand out to other parts of Inishowen.
We also made good use of the building closure to draw down grant funding for improvements to the kitchen, new flooring that provided additional sound proofing and our new shed that serves as a store for the food bank and will facilitate our Meitheal project.
We end the year profoundly grateful that we have not only been to survive but also to thrive despite the challenges of this last year and with a determination to continue serving our community while adapting to the changing realities we face.
Bernie Doherty and Ruth Garvey-Williams (Trustees)
2020-2021 Highlights
Inishowen Foodbank
In April 2020, in response to COVID-19, The Exchange Inishowen worked together with lother local charities to set up a Food Bank serving Inishowen with centres in Moville, Carndonagh, Clonmany, Muff, Newtowncunningham and Buncrana with support from Inishowen Development Partnership. The Exchange team has run the Buncrana centre for the last year, delivering food parcels each week to families in need and providing a "drop in" at The Exchange each Friday morning (11am until 1pm). Thanks to a grant from Donegal County Council our new shed was installed in the car park in autumn 2020 and this became ideal for storing the food bank donations. Running the food bank has enabled us to identify the grassroots needs in the community and to work together with others to meet those needs. Collaboration with Saint Vincent de Paul, LifeStart and the School Completion programme enabled us to reach morehouseholds with practical support.
BUNCRANA CENTRE April 2020- February 2021
Total Volunteer time = 173 hours. We delivered 366 food parcels, supported 1,321 people and helped 55 households;
Meitheal
Although hindered by restrictions, our new Meitheal intiative (sustainability, community resilience and environment awareness) took shape towards the end of 2020. We launched a series of Zoom workshops early in 2021 covering a range of topics such as “Eco bricking” “home decorating” and “fermenting”. Progress has been made on our “Library of Things” launching soon and a host of other skills sharing and shared economy projects are planned for the second half of 2021.
Community Christmas Dinner
The annual Community Christmas Day Dinner has become a highlight of the year for all of us at The Exchange. Ever since 2014, we have provided a delicious three-course home-cooked Christmas Dinner with live entertainment for people who are on their own, coping with bereavement or changed circumstances or those who'd like to experience a different kind of Christmas. Of course in 2020, Covid restrictions meant we could not host a Christmas Dinner in the centre but we still wanted to share a little Christmas joy and support those who have been severely affected by a year of isolation and restriction. So instead we delivered Christmas Dinner to 129 people across the whole of Inishowen thanks to support from the wonderful owner of Coalshack True American BBQ and the help of volunteers and community groups around the peninsula.
In April 2020, in response to COVID-19, The Exchange Inishowen worked together with lother local charities to set up a Food Bank serving Inishowen with centres in Moville, Carndonagh, Clonmany, Muff, Newtowncunningham and Buncrana with support from Inishowen Development Partnership. The Exchange team has run the Buncrana centre for the last year, delivering food parcels each week to families in need and providing a "drop in" at The Exchange each Friday morning (11am until 1pm). Thanks to a grant from Donegal County Council our new shed was installed in the car park in autumn 2020 and this became ideal for storing the food bank donations. Running the food bank has enabled us to identify the grassroots needs in the community and to work together with others to meet those needs. Collaboration with Saint Vincent de Paul, LifeStart and the School Completion programme enabled us to reach morehouseholds with practical support.
BUNCRANA CENTRE April 2020- February 2021
Total Volunteer time = 173 hours. We delivered 366 food parcels, supported 1,321 people and helped 55 households;
Meitheal
Although hindered by restrictions, our new Meitheal intiative (sustainability, community resilience and environment awareness) took shape towards the end of 2020. We launched a series of Zoom workshops early in 2021 covering a range of topics such as “Eco bricking” “home decorating” and “fermenting”. Progress has been made on our “Library of Things” launching soon and a host of other skills sharing and shared economy projects are planned for the second half of 2021.
Community Christmas Dinner
The annual Community Christmas Day Dinner has become a highlight of the year for all of us at The Exchange. Ever since 2014, we have provided a delicious three-course home-cooked Christmas Dinner with live entertainment for people who are on their own, coping with bereavement or changed circumstances or those who'd like to experience a different kind of Christmas. Of course in 2020, Covid restrictions meant we could not host a Christmas Dinner in the centre but we still wanted to share a little Christmas joy and support those who have been severely affected by a year of isolation and restriction. So instead we delivered Christmas Dinner to 129 people across the whole of Inishowen thanks to support from the wonderful owner of Coalshack True American BBQ and the help of volunteers and community groups around the peninsula.
Annual Report 2018 - 2019
| annual_report_2018_-_2019.pdf |
Chairman’s Report
The past twelve months have seen Exchange Inishowen CLG continue to go from strength to strength in its mission to promote social enterprise and community cohesion in Buncrana and its hinterland. Our initial five-year plan to bring the company to a point where it could sustain itself from business activity alone was achieved by year three. This decreased the fundraising burden placed on Exchange volunteers and allowed the management committee the space to begin thinking about new ideas and to engage with more people and groups to expand the range of services we provide.
More recently, The Exchange has become a centre of welcome for the Syrian refugee community in Inishowen. The support worker for Inishowen’s Syrian refugees has a desk space in our shared office and a number of cultural and social events have been held to promote interaction between locals and the newly arrived refugees. These have been enthusiastically attended. Other community organisations have also taken up office space, promoting The Exchange as a hive of ideas and activity.
Our central aims for the coming years will be to ensure the long-term sustainability of Exchange Inishowen. This will be achieved by exploring alternative funding options, such as core funding. We will also investigate capital funding projects and the potential of employing staff through core funding schemes. Our Tús and Community Employment Scheme workers are an essential cog in the organisation’s machinery, and we are very aware of the contribution they make. To employ a full-time, paid staff would be of immense benefit Exchange Inishowen and this aim is high on our list of priorities.
Adrian Grant
Chairperson*
(*After serving for 8 years as Chairperson of The Exchange, Adrian retired as chair in January 2020. The entire Board of Management owes a huge debt of gratitude to Adrian for his leadership and he continues to support the work and ethos of The Exchange).
Highlights from 2018-2019
Mental Health Workshops - Exchange member group Insight Inishowen delivered a range of high quality workshops including Self Harm Awareness, the ASIST course and safeTALK at The Exchange.
Feel Good Fortnight 2018 - the inspiring Feel Good Fortnight festival (also organised by Insight Inishowen) has its home in The Exchange and a wide range of workshops and events took place throughout the two weeks.
Community Christmas Meal - this heart-warming initiative provides a Christmas Day meal for people who, for whatever reason, would prefer the company and friendly environment of a community meal on December 25. Around 40 people gathered in The Exchange while another eight people received their Christmas Dinner delivered to their home in 2018. We are grateful for the support of Saint Vincent de Paul and a number of local businesses and generous individual donors covering the cost of the meal and for the tremendous team of volunteers who make it happen!
With generous support from local businesses, we were also able to purchase a new cooker, which is a tremendous addition to the resources available at The Exchange.
Educational Music Video
Exchange Member Group, The Music Box, was involved in an innovative project to record and produce an educational music video with local children.
Financial Summary
The Exchange continues to operate without core funding although this is an important aspiration for the future. It has been encouraging to see increased support from our wider community. While the Exchange management team works hard to ensure this voluntary charity remains sustainable, this only happens because of careful financial management. Rising costs did result in a loss during 2018-2019 and it will be hard to develop further without significant investment and support moving forward.
Income
Rental Income €2,075
Fundraising €1,887
Room hire €9,384
Donations €3,230
Photocopying €412
Amortisation of govt. grants €4,584
Government grants received €1,115
Total Income: €22,687
Expenditure
Lease rentals - land and buildings €7,800
Insurance €2,144
Health & Safety €501
Light and heat €4,314
Cleaning €185
Printing, postage and stationery €444
Telephone €756
Computer costs €33
Fundraising costs €436
Educational Music Video €600
Accountancy & professional €930
Bank charges €70
General expenses €93
Depreciation €6,646
Total Expense: €24,952
Operating Highlights
It has been such an encouragement to see increasing use of the premises by a wide range of community groups, statutory services, social enterprises and small businesses. During 2018, we were able to renegotiate our lease with our landlords for the next five years at the same monthly rate of rent, which was an important step to remain sustainable in the face of other cost rises (e.g. insurance and utilities).
The past twelve months have seen Exchange Inishowen CLG continue to go from strength to strength in its mission to promote social enterprise and community cohesion in Buncrana and its hinterland. Our initial five-year plan to bring the company to a point where it could sustain itself from business activity alone was achieved by year three. This decreased the fundraising burden placed on Exchange volunteers and allowed the management committee the space to begin thinking about new ideas and to engage with more people and groups to expand the range of services we provide.
More recently, The Exchange has become a centre of welcome for the Syrian refugee community in Inishowen. The support worker for Inishowen’s Syrian refugees has a desk space in our shared office and a number of cultural and social events have been held to promote interaction between locals and the newly arrived refugees. These have been enthusiastically attended. Other community organisations have also taken up office space, promoting The Exchange as a hive of ideas and activity.
Our central aims for the coming years will be to ensure the long-term sustainability of Exchange Inishowen. This will be achieved by exploring alternative funding options, such as core funding. We will also investigate capital funding projects and the potential of employing staff through core funding schemes. Our Tús and Community Employment Scheme workers are an essential cog in the organisation’s machinery, and we are very aware of the contribution they make. To employ a full-time, paid staff would be of immense benefit Exchange Inishowen and this aim is high on our list of priorities.
Adrian Grant
Chairperson*
(*After serving for 8 years as Chairperson of The Exchange, Adrian retired as chair in January 2020. The entire Board of Management owes a huge debt of gratitude to Adrian for his leadership and he continues to support the work and ethos of The Exchange).
Highlights from 2018-2019
Mental Health Workshops - Exchange member group Insight Inishowen delivered a range of high quality workshops including Self Harm Awareness, the ASIST course and safeTALK at The Exchange.
Feel Good Fortnight 2018 - the inspiring Feel Good Fortnight festival (also organised by Insight Inishowen) has its home in The Exchange and a wide range of workshops and events took place throughout the two weeks.
Community Christmas Meal - this heart-warming initiative provides a Christmas Day meal for people who, for whatever reason, would prefer the company and friendly environment of a community meal on December 25. Around 40 people gathered in The Exchange while another eight people received their Christmas Dinner delivered to their home in 2018. We are grateful for the support of Saint Vincent de Paul and a number of local businesses and generous individual donors covering the cost of the meal and for the tremendous team of volunteers who make it happen!
With generous support from local businesses, we were also able to purchase a new cooker, which is a tremendous addition to the resources available at The Exchange.
Educational Music Video
Exchange Member Group, The Music Box, was involved in an innovative project to record and produce an educational music video with local children.
Financial Summary
The Exchange continues to operate without core funding although this is an important aspiration for the future. It has been encouraging to see increased support from our wider community. While the Exchange management team works hard to ensure this voluntary charity remains sustainable, this only happens because of careful financial management. Rising costs did result in a loss during 2018-2019 and it will be hard to develop further without significant investment and support moving forward.
Income
Rental Income €2,075
Fundraising €1,887
Room hire €9,384
Donations €3,230
Photocopying €412
Amortisation of govt. grants €4,584
Government grants received €1,115
Total Income: €22,687
Expenditure
Lease rentals - land and buildings €7,800
Insurance €2,144
Health & Safety €501
Light and heat €4,314
Cleaning €185
Printing, postage and stationery €444
Telephone €756
Computer costs €33
Fundraising costs €436
Educational Music Video €600
Accountancy & professional €930
Bank charges €70
General expenses €93
Depreciation €6,646
Total Expense: €24,952
Operating Highlights
It has been such an encouragement to see increasing use of the premises by a wide range of community groups, statutory services, social enterprises and small businesses. During 2018, we were able to renegotiate our lease with our landlords for the next five years at the same monthly rate of rent, which was an important step to remain sustainable in the face of other cost rises (e.g. insurance and utilities).
| exchange_annual_report_2018.pdf |
