Heart of Scotstoun Limited Annual Report 2013

Heart of Scotstoun Limited
Annual Report 2013
Heart of Scotstoun Limited is a Scottish Charity under Scottish Charity Number SC042792 Registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Acts 1965‐1978 No. 2730RS ‐ A Community Co‐operative Registered Office: 64 Balmoral Street, Glasgow G14 0BL Telephone: 0141 433 0424 Email: centre@heartofscotstoun.org Website: www.heartofscotstoun.org 1
Message from the Chairperson
Welcome to our second Annual Report! I will get straight to it and bring you some of the many highlights of our centre today ‐ all made possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers over the past twelve months! We’re getting busier all the time with activity levels at an all‐time high. The breadth of what is on offer is quite astounding and every day is different ‐ for example on a recent Saturday visit I found the Centre hosting yoga, samba drumming, first aid classes and a car boot sale, not to mention collecting foodbank donations. Add to that mix the Cherry Tree café now being run by our own Heart of Scotstoun staff and volunteers, and it’s clear that the Centre is truly becoming the heart of the community. Other activities of all kinds have been extended, and the local youth group now meets five nights a week in the permanent youth space, while we’ve been delighted also to welcome recently the Gaelic playgroup Párant is Paisde bringing our childcare area into daily use. As with any community project, it's not all plain sailing! We have challenges to address such as ensuring staff and volunteer cover for the growing number of bookings we have in the Centre. While we have achieved much, the lack of any core funding continues to be an issue which hampers our ability to grow and to seize opportunities which would help us serve the community better. But there are some exciting things on the horizon: Our community cinema is now part‐funded, and we are hopeful of further Big Lottery support to enable us to transform our huge mound of earth into a multi‐purpose, multi‐use space that any community would be proud to own. Do please make sure you give us your views on the plans by the end of November. And who can forget that Scotstoun will be playing its very own part in the Commonwealth Games in summer 2014, and we’ll be marking the event appropriately in our Centre! I continue to believe that we have something very special in the Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre. The whole team of staff and volunteers have worked hard to build on our first year’s success in a positive and sustainable way. We intend to provide a useful and welcome space for all. Please continue to support us in whatever way you can. Maria
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Our Garden – a success story
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning come rain or shine a dedicated team of volunteers has worked to create a lovely setting for our Centre. When we opened the doors during spring 2011, there was no landscaping around the Centre (apart from the car park!) so the transformation achieved has been fantastic. We now have an outside space to be proud of, including a custom‐built sensory garden. Thanks are due to the Glasgow City Council’s North West Environment Programme which provided funding for materials and plants. Also to the many people who contributed to our special ‘cherry tree’ appeal, to plant these as a landmark feature in front of the Centre. But above all thanks are due to the team of gardeners who have done every type of work needed to create our new outside space. In late September 2013 our garden received an assessment under the ‘It’s your Neighbourhood’ Scheme run by Keep Scotland Beautiful and were already judged to be ‘thriving,’ a great result for a newly‐established community garden. And just in case the team think the job is done and it’s time to hang up the tools and only do a spot of occasional weeding, the good news is that this month we have just achieved sufficient funding for our goal of building a large poly‐greenhouse. Inside this they will be able to carry out a range of indoor tasks and growing activities in all weathers, with training sessions for young people and others. We can’t wait! 3
The Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre
The Centre is intended for the use of individuals, groups and organisations that are providing activities and events which can enhance the quality of life for Scotstoun residents. The Centre facilities consist of: ▪ The Main hall accommodating up to 130 ▪ Several meeting/conference rooms for 10 ‐ 50 ▪ A Childcare Suite for up to 20 pre‐fives. ▪ An IT Suite / flexible learning space for up to 30 ▪ Our Café area with seating for up to 40 Activities and Services Currently there are over 40 room uses in the facility each week, and the Centre and its Cherry Tree Café now operate 6 days a week from Monday to Saturday, with the Centre being open up to 12 hours a day.
▪ Heart of Scotstoun and its volunteers provide several weekly clubs. ▪ Also based in the Centre are many other activities run by a range of partner organisations (see pages 8 ‐ 9). ▪ Other classes have been developed by volunteers or local service providers and are provided either free or for a small charge. These include exercise sessions such as Metafit and boxercise. ▪ In addition rooms at the Centre are rented by various organisations, charities and local people for meetings, workshops and other uses.
▪ We are now well established as a community meeting place, and host meetings of the Scotstoun Community Council, together with MSP and Glasgow City councillor surgeries. ▪ Our weekly car boot sales provide a great opportunity for local people to get together and help ‘recycle’ articles no longer needed. 4
About Heart of Scotstoun Limited
The Heart of Scotstoun Centre is managed by a Community Co‐operative, Heart of Scotstoun Limited, whose aims are that all the services and amenities it provides will be in accordance with the following mission statement: “Heart of Scotstoun Limited is a Co‐operative for the benefit of the Community which seeks to include all Scotstoun residents in the ownership, development, running and enjoyment of a thriving and sustainable community centre.” The 7 Co‐operative principles are internationally recognised guidelines under which organisations like Heart of Scotstoun put their values into practice. st
1 Principle: Voluntary and Open Membership Heart of Scotstoun is a voluntary organisation, open to all. nd
2 Principle: Democratic Member Control We are a democratic organisation controlled by our members, who actively participate in setting our policies and making decisions. Those serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. rd
3 Principle: Member Economic Participation Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of Heart of Scotstoun, which will soon include the community centre building. Members subscribe a minimal amount of £1 for which a share certificate is issued as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for the following purposes: developing the Co‐operative, maintaining a reserve, maintenance and repair of the building, and supporting other activities approved by the membership. th
4 Principle: Autonomy and Independence Like all Co‐operatives we are an autonomous, self‐help organisation run by our members. th
5 Principle: Education, Training and Information We provide education and training for our members, elected representatives and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of our Co‐operative. We provide information to all our members to ensure they are not excluded from the democratic process. th
6 Principle: Co‐operation among Co‐operatives Heart of Scotstoun aims to serve our members effectively and strengthen the Co‐operative movement by working together through local, regional and national structures. th
7 Principle: Concern for Community Heart of Scotstoun seeks to work towards the sustainable development of our community through policies approved by our members. 5
Our People Heart of Scotstoun Members Membership numbers have now reached 640, and continue to rise steadily. During 2012/13 members on the Committee which manages the Centre were: Martin Cowan, Maria Fletcher, Paul Gray, May McKie, Linzi McMaster (now resigned), Clare Scott, Marie de Souza and Karzan Tahir. All were volunteers and are to be thanked for their hard work, dedication and support to the Centre and its activities. Volunteers 25 regular volunteers typically help each month in the centre supporting general duties, gardening and landscaping, catering, marketing and helping to run activities. A volunteer handbook and procedures have been developed to help us ensure we manage this aspect in a professional way. Our volunteers have been essential to the Centre’s progress and have been responsible for: ▪
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The Hearty Scotstoun Seniors’ Club Parent and toddler groups Hands of Scotstoun knitting, sewing and crafts Family history research sessions Supporting both community and other events held within the Centre Creating the community gardens ……..and much, much more! Staff The Centre employs staff when it can access suitable funding, although it has now started to generate sufficient income to pay some salaries itself. There are currently two members of staff, one part‐time and one full time, and funding is being sought for 2014. During 2012‐13 the Centre manager and Centre assistant posts were funded by The Big Lottery Fund under its Survive and Thrive initiative. Community Jobs Scotland again provided welcome support with two six‐month funded posts for unemployed young people in 2012/13 with two more jobs approved for the current year. 6
Our People We would again this year like to highlight two Heart of Scotstoun folk who have contributed to the development of the Centre. Marie is our longest serving volunteer ‐ over a period of 15 years she has worked towards the goal of achieving a community centre for Scotstoun, and now that the Centre is a reality she has taken on a range of roles that have made a real difference to the lives of many people. Having been on our Committee since Heart of Scotstoun was formed in 2010 she has helped to ensure that the Centre stays on track and meets the community objectives which were hoped for. In practical terms she has given freely of her time to help at the Centre, including organising and leading the team who have prepared the Hearty Scotstoun Club lunch for the last two years. More recently, Marie took on a new role of co‐ordinating the café kitchen, having studied for and acquired the necessary qualifications, and this has been a huge success. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, Marie! Ainsley joined in early 2013 as a play helper, having been unable to find work in her chosen career in childcare after leaving college. During her time at the Centre she has worked with the parent and toddler groups to improve the quality of our service delivery and also expanded these to 3 sessions per week. She has gained valuable experience as well as additional qualifications in food hygiene and first aid, and also is part way through an SVQ to become fully qualified as a childcare practitioner. With her Community Job placement coming to an end she is now looking for a permanent role in a nursery, but still volunteers at the Centre.
How to get involved Help our Centre thrive and grow! Come along to any of the activities we offer Drop in to the Cherry Tree Café for a coffee, meal or snack Book Heart of Scotstoun as a venue for your meetings Volunteer at the Centre, inside or outside Join as a member to show your support Tell your friends about us! 7
Our partners in using the Centre We have been fortunate to work with some great organisations which have supported us by using the Centre as a venue to help deliver aspects of their work. Dumbarton Road Corridor Environment Trust DRCET, which is based at the Centre, works with local organisations and people including Heart of Scotstoun to raise awareness of and take action on a range of environmental issues. Dumbarton Road Corridor Youth Project The youth space at the Centre now opens 5 nights a week with a varied program of club activities, sports, information sessions and much more, for children from 8 years upwards. A&M Training Our very first activity provider A&M Dance continues to offer its popular free dance classes to local children every week. Drumchapel Money Advice Centre DLMAC offers weekly advice sessions which provide a valuable service to residents in the Scotstoun area needing assistance. Glasgow Association for Mental Health Support of various kinds has been provided by GAMH at the Centre, including a weekly social club meeting offering a range of activities to service users.
Glasgow North West Foodbank We’re now a permanent collection point for our local foodbank who supply vital emergency food to people in need – do bring your contributions into the Centre at any time. Glasgow Life Silver Deal Active sessions offering free Easy Exercise and also Arts & Crafts classes for seniors have proved a great success. North West Glasgow Community Health Partnership Glasgow City
Community Health Partnership
North West Sector We continue to welcome the Health Improvement Team which runs a range of meetings and events at the Centre. 8
Triquetra Services (Scotland) This locally run charity has created the successful Scotstoun Broadsword Club which runs in the Centre and attracts members from all over Glasgow as well as locally. Ùlpan The Heart of Scotstoun Centre has been pleased to be the venue for several week‐long courses run by not‐for‐profit organisation Ùlpan, which encourages people to learn Gaelic in a refreshing way. Unity Enterprise This charity provides a range of innovative and quality services to individuals and communities and we’ve been pleased to welcome them into the Centre for meetings and training sessions.
Walk Glasgow Health walks led by trained local volunteers now take place twice a week starting from the centre, encouraging people of all abilities to take gentle exercise. West Glasgow Carers Centre A wide range of help and support are provided to local carers of all ages by the Carers Centre, and we’ve been pleased to welcome them to Heart of Scotstoun, where for example training and information sessions are delivered. West Glasgow Grandparent Support Group This well‐attended and active kinship care group has met regularly in the Centre since 2011 and has gone from strength to strength, even having to move into a larger room for its meetings! Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre also works with many individual teachers who deliver a wide variety of weekly leisure and exercise classes. Details of all these activities are always available in the Centre and online. Our thanks are also due to the many other organisations which have supported the Centre by hiring our facilities for their own meetings and events. 9
Financial Information Statement of Financial Activities for the Year to 1 April 2013 Incoming Resources Income from hire of facilities Grants received Fundraising & Donations Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Direct costs of room hires Cleaning Electricity Gas Water Insurance Building maintenance & services Building supplies & services Garden costs Telecommunications Accounts & Governance Volunteer costs Office & administration costs Other costs Expenditure on grant‐funded projects Total Resources Expended Unrestricted Restricted £ £ Total £ 44,952 ‐ 44,952 ‐ 77,174 77,174 1,074 157 1,231 46,026 77,331 123,357
3,578 ‐ 3,578 7,565 ‐ 7,565 7,288 ‐ 7,288 2,689 ‐ 2,689 3,111 ‐ 3,111 5,530 ‐ 5,530 3,820 ‐ 3,820 2,651 ‐ 2,651 1,821 ‐ 1,821 2,140 ‐ 2,140 745 ‐ 745 873 ‐ 873 371 ‐ 371 596 ‐ 596 ‐ 77,921 77,921 42,778 77,921 120,699 Net Movement in Funds 3,248 (590) 2,658 Balance Sheet as at 1 April 2013 Current Assets £ Financed by: Debtors Prepayments & Accrued income Cash at Bank and in hand Current Liabilities Creditors & Accruals Net Assets 17,901 2,144 12,051 32,096 12,402 19,694 Funds £ Paid‐up Share Capital 632 General Fund 7,619 Building Maintenance Fund 5,000 Restricted Fund 6,443 Total Funds 19,694 The above figures are extracted from the independently examined financial statements of Heart of Scotstoun Limited for the year to 1 April 2013. Full accounts can be accessed on our website or by contacting the Centre. 10
Our Funders Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre was built with generous support from the following funders, and the construction of the building was project‐ managed by Dumbarton Road Corridor Environment Trust. The Hugh Fraser Foundation Clydeside Tenant Partnership _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Since opening the Centre, we have also received grants from: The Big Lottery Fund: Awards for All & Survive and Thrive Community Food & Health Scotland Community Jobs Scotland Glasgow City Council: Garscadden & Scotstounhill Area Committee, North West Environment Programme and Social Enterprise Fund SCVO & Remploy Wage Incentive Scheme Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation The Weir Charitable Trust 11
Many thanks.... To our close neighbour Forrest Furnishing, located at 1175 South Street just along the road from Heart of Scotstoun, whose sponsorship made the professional printing of this Annual Report possible. We also greatly appreciate all the ongoing support which its staff provide to us throughout the course of the year. 12