Annual Report 2018
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ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Registered office: Mullingar E.T.I. Ctr Mullingar Business Park Mullingar Co. Westmeath N91 X012 Auditors: BDM Financial & Accounting Limited Chartered Accountants and Statutory Audit Firm Church Avenue Mullingar Co. Westmeath Bankers: Allied Irish Bank Oliver Plunkett Street Mullingar Co. Westmeath Solicitors: Buckley & Co Solicitors 14 St. Lomans Terrace Mullingar Co. Westmeath Company no: 215187 CHY no: 12061 RCN: 20034535 Acknowledgements We would like to thank all our staff and Board of Directors who contributed to producing this Annual Report www.westcd.ie @WestmeathComDev Westmeath Community Development CLG email: [email protected] @Westcd 044-9348571 TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from our Chairperson …………………………………………………………...…. 4 Message from our CEO…………………………………………………………………………. 5 Company Overview…………………………………………………………………………….. 6 About………………………………………………………………………………………..….. 7 Vision, Mission & Values…………………………………………………………………..….. 8 Our Strategic Approach………………………………………………………………………9 Programme Activity Review 2018………………………….…………………..…….………10 Community Development……………………………………………………………………...11 Employment & Enterprise………………………………………………………………..……..16 Rural Development …………………………………………………………………..………... 22 Service Projects ……………………………………..…………………………………………. 25 Governance & Compliance……………………………………………….……………..…...35 Financial Statements………………………………………………………………..…………..36 Acknowledgement of Funders……………………………..………………………….……..38 Westmeath Community Development Annual Report 2018 3 MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRPERSON Welcome to Westmeath transparent and Frank has been with the Community Development’s accountable. As we enter company since 2008 with Annual Report 2018. a new year, we are a proven track record in excited to commence our delivering the 2018 continued to be a journey towards organisation’s strategic busy and productive year compliance with the objectives. We are excited for Westmeath Community Charities Governance about future plans and Development (WCD) as Code – a journey that will opportunities under Frank’s many of our core no doubt require some soul leadership. programmes continued to searching but an grow in strength, reaching opportunity to ensure that We are proud to work with wider audiences in more our strategic vision remains and support individuals areas throughout the fit for purpose and and community groups in county than ever before. continues to serve our the county. We recognise While the funding beneficiaries well. Thank that we cannot achieve environment has generally you to my fellow Directors our strategic goals alone. improved in the non-profit for their continued Working collaboratively sector, we are conscious contribution and with our many partners, that funding, and changes commitment to WCD. including Westmeath to the external I also must acknowledge County Council; environment and policy the role played by the Government departments decisions continues to various members of Board and agencies; community present challenges. committees and the & voluntary organisations; valuable contribution they local & national networks Despite these challenges, make in shaping our work helps make our vision a as an organisation on the ground. We said reality. We will continue to committed to effecting good bye to Board strengthen our positive social change in member Donna Mulkerrins partnerships and networks the county, we will who stepped down in 2018 so that the needs and continue our efforts to and we thank Donna for interests of local deliver vital programmes her contribution to the communities in Westmeath and services to those most organisation. are always to the fore. We in need. We believe in the are grateful for all the quality and impact of our In 2018 we said farewell to support of our funders. programmes, and that’s our former CEO, Joe what drives and motivates Potter, who retired after 23 Finally, I would like to us as a board. years of service to WCD. acknowledge and thank On behalf of the Board of the staff in WCD who share As trustees, we recognise Directors we wish Joe the our vision in helping create the importance of ensuring very best in his retirement. vibrant, inclusive and that our corporate We also welcomed our resilient communities governance structures and new CEO in September throughout Westmeath. functions are robust, 2018, Frank Murtagh. Dermot Leavy Chairperson Westmeath Community Development Westmeath Community Development Annual Report 2018 4 MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO Inclusiveness is at the core supporting local which supports Syrian of WCD’s work and communities and families who have moved values. We achieve this individuals in the county. to Westmeath. Last year by supporting individuals We continue to exceed we supported 73 and communities most in annual targets set out individuals with various need through various under SICAP – which is supports and training to initiatives and testament to the demand aid their transition and programmes that put within the county for our integration. We are proud people first. As services as well as the to deliver services that community development ongoing commitment and have improved the lives practitioners we are dedication of our staff to of Syrian families who are constantly striving to this programme. fleeing very difficult and designing and delivering unimaginable new and innovative circumstances in their initiatives that best serves home country. the people of Westmeath. We are proud of our results in 2018 and our ability to reach more community groups and individuals than ever before We are proud of our Our LEADER programme I would like to thank our results in 2018 and our continues to gain Board of Directors for their ability to reach more momentum with a number ongoing support and community groups and of large projects now commitment to driving this individuals than ever being processed with organisation forward and before. Over the course commitments of over for retaining the vision to of 2018, we directly €800,000 made by the end serve those most in need worked with and of the year. in the county. supported almost 3,000 Our horticultural individuals and 490 programme in Belvedere Finally, to the team in groups throughout the House & Gardens WCD, thank you for your county. We delivered 116 continues to be a top continued efforts to public training events and performing programme, deliver quality used various achieving over 80% programmes and services communication channels progression rates to further that continue to improve to get our message out to education or employment. the quality of life for the the people of Westmeath. people of Westmeath. A particular highlight of In 2018, WCD successfully 2018, has been the secured funding for SICAP continued success of our programme, which will Resettlement programme enable us to continue Frank Murtagh Chief Executive Officer, Westmeath Community Development Westmeath Community Development Annual Report 2018 5 COMPANY OVERVIEW We are Westmeath Community Development (WCD), the local development company for the county. We administer a range of programmes and support services to individuals and community groups. Our objective is to improve the quality of life through the provision of lifelong learning and labour market supports. We support communities and target groups to engage with relevant stakeholders in identifying and addressing social exclusion and equality issues, developing the capacity of local community groups, and creating more sustainable communities. We are the delivery agent for the LEADER programme and SICAP in Westmeath as well as delivering employment activation schemes such as TUS, Rural Social Scheme, Community Employment, and Jobs Club. Our headquarters are located in the Enterprise & Innovation centre, Mullingar, with offices in Athlone and our horticultural training centre in Belvedere House & Gardens. Providing support services to individuals and community groups within our county that improves the quality of lives through the provision of lifelong learning and labor market supports Our core activities fall under the following programmes and services Westmeath Community Development Annual Report 2018 6 OUR HISTORY 2018 1996 Have grown from a single programme focused organisation 1993 Became the area to one that delivers a based partnership for wide range of support the county with the services WCD formed to additional remit to access funding under deliver Social Inclusion LEADER II programme programmes HOW WE WORK Achieving our vision is not possible without the support of all our partners and collaborators. We use innovative partnership approaches to progress a social inclusion agenda and design programmes that address the needs of our service users. We are members of the Irish Local Development Network. Agencies Individuals Government Bodies WCD Network LCDC partnerships Local Community PPN Groups Westmeath Community Development Annual Report 2018 7 We are committed to working by the following values Authentic To effect positive social change in Westmeath To create strong and resilient communities in Westmeath, where everyone has equal access to opportunities that enables a better quality of life Westmeath Community Development Annual Report 2018 8 OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH WCD’s activities and programmes are strongly aligned with and informed by various policies and strategies, local, national and international. These include: Action Plan for Jobs https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Action-Plan-for-Jobs-2018.pdf ESP Programme for Employability,Inclusion