The London Irish Centre
ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020
The Irish Heart of London Empowering and enriching lives through Irish community and culture
London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Update From Our CEO & Chair This Annual report covers the period October 2019 to September 2020. A period of significant challenge with the onslaught of the pandemic during the year bringing unparalleled issues and challenges that were to continue well beyond the period covered. Throughout the year our staff and volunteers learned to change and adapt, meeting and surmounting every challenge head on. Every one of my colleagues deserves all the thanks and praise that continues to come their way for their fortitude, compassion, and commitment. Paul Knowles, CEO of The LIC
Rosaleen Blair CBE, Chair of The LIC
This recognition and thanks should also be extended to Ellen Ryan who was the CEO of the Irish Centre throughout the financial year. Ellen led by example and her focus on ensuring community services support was maintained and adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of the people we serve was absolute. Ellen left the LIC for personal reasons in May 2021 but remains in touch and is sure to return in some capacity in the future. Thank you Ellen! Over the twelve-month period the Charity delivered projects in line with its charitable objectives through a network of services across North, West and Southwest London. In addition to its head office in Camden Square, the charity has satellites in Camden and Hammersmith and runs five social groups in Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith, Hanwell, and Sutton.
The projects included advice, support, befriending, and social activities aimed at maximising health, independence and social inclusion for people who may be vulnerable or isolated. The charity also provided education and learning opportunities for all age groups and promoted Irish art, culture, and heritage through a vast programme of events at the Camden Centre. It also remains an important and accessible hub offering affordable office space for a number of resident organisations and event space for the local community. The Charity supports one of the largest online Irish communities in Britain, providing a forum for networking, discussion, and support. There has been an increase of 13% in the numbers engaged across our social media platforms in the financial year. London continues to be a key destination for expatriate Irish, many of whom need the welfare services provided by the Charity. Welfare reforms in the UK have led to an increase in the number of individuals and families who present to the Charity with multiple needs including homelessness, poverty, and mental health issues. The charity staff has become extremely skilled in dealing with mental distress and managing people with complex needs and the Advice and Outreach service carried out 4091 advice sessions in the financial year, an increase of 10%.
The Wellbeing Services supported 485 individuals during the year through provision of meals, clubs, and activities. In April 2018 the Charity took over the activities of the charity, Mind Yourself, and the Wellbeing Service has continued to expand its range of services and activities in order to alleviate loneliness and isolation. Throughout the financial year, the Charity also continued to build on its programme of Irish cultural activities in the areas of language, music and dance through concerts, theatre, lectures, and film, amongst others. Around 19,600 people attended these events, and in total over 82,000 used the Camden Centre during the 12 months, an increase of 22%. The charity has maintained Advice Quality Standard (AQS) accreditation and was pleased to be awarded the Quality in Befriending accreditation and continues its membership of the Living Wage Foundation. We are all deeply grateful for the many donors, foundations and trusts that provide financial support as well as the individuals who provide valuable pro-bono advice and consultancy. We are also greatly appreciative our Patrons, Dermot O` Leary and Ed Sheeran who continue to provide exceptional support. We are grateful for the Culture Ireland grants and particularly to the Irish Government for their continued support though the Emigrant Support Programme, administered annually by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In the year this amounted to 29% of the Charity’s overall income. At the LIC, we continue to strive to be welcoming; compassionate; inclusive; creative; community-centred; sustainable. These are our six core values as an organisation. However, the iconic Centre is at a critical point in its history. It was built in a different time for a different set of needs, and it is now under urgent pressure to evolve. Running costs for the ageing Centre total hundreds of thousands of pounds - simply keeping services open is an existential challenge. With sixty years of experience, a committed and creative team and a dynamic community of supporters, the London Irish Centre now has a new vision - to develop the existing site as a world-class Irish community and cultural Centre. A place to support and grow services for the future. Outline planning permission was granted during the financial year and planning continues to evolve. For the vulnerable and isolated, the new Centre will offer welcoming, high-quality services, in the very best facilities. For audiences, artists, and students, it will boast world-class cultural, recreational, and educational spaces and resources - deserving of Ireland’s renowned cultural talent. For staff, volunteers, and partners, it will be an excellent work environment. For Ireland and the global Irish community, a place of pride, celebration and connection that will serve generations to come. For the local community, the redeveloped Centre will be a place of welcome and sharing, and for London, a flagship community and cultural venue which will celebrate the story and contribution of the Irish to the wonderful city of London. The LIC team would welcome your support in making this a reality!
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London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Service Highlights
Service Highlights
Contents Update from our CEO & Chair
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Service Highlights
5
Impact of Services
10
Volunteering
11
Our New Home
12
Finances
14
Fundraising
16
Friends Scheme
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Sponsors
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Hot Meal and Food Parcel Delivery Pre-pandemic, the London Irish Centre held a Lunch Club three days a week in the Kennedy Hall. When Covid hit in March 2020, the service was adapted to meet the needs of those most vulnerable who were shielding. With the help of volunteers, nutritious two-course meals were delivered to those who were shielding across North London. Providing these meal and food parcel deliveries meant people could put their safety first without having to worry about getting food.
“The people at the London Irish Centre are absolute super heroes. We can’t thank them enough for all the amazing work that they are doing with the elderly in the community. They are an absolute life line. Those of us who live hundreds of miles from our elderly parents are so so so beyond grateful for the invaluable support that they are providing at this tricky time. Grá Mór. It has come full circle from the days, as children, that we would go to the Irish Centre ever Sunday after mass, to now, when they are showing such love and humanity to the elderly in the community - always there at the core of our lives. Go raibh maith agat”
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London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Service Highlights
John’s Story
Health & Wellbeing Advice Line Our Health Navigator set up the Health & Wellbeing Advice Line service in response to government restrictions. Having previously provided advice to clients in the Centre, our resident nurse adapted to providing advice on mental and physical health over the phone. Whether it be a query around coronavirus, staying active at home or needing help with their GP, Ciara was able to share her expertise free of charge to ensure people were supported during times of uncertainty.
John* was referred to the Health and Wellbeing Advice Line as he had chronic complex health issues and had been selfisolating. This had had a severe impact on John’s mental health and, as a result, he felt extremely isolated. John had been experiencing very low mood as a result. John was referred by the Health Navigator to his GP for input from his local mental health services and to ICAP for support. John also consented to referral to the LIC men’s mental health online group. John now regularly attends the men’s group and has become an active and engaged participant. This has therefore alleviated his isolation and has been an opportunity for him to share his feelings and engage with other members of the community.
Community Fridge The Community Fridge was launched in September 2020 to help combat food poverty in the local area. Thanks to food donations from The Felix Project, FareShare and ad hoc additional donations, we are able to provide
food to families and individuals on low income or who are struggling. We have partnered with a local organisation, HomeStart, to reach families in need who can come to the Centre to collect food parcels on a regular basis.
Lucy’s Story Lucy* (17) and her mother came to our drop-in service to get help filling in a disability form for Lucy as she suffers from severe mental health issues, learning difficulties and body image dysmorphia. Lucy was badly bullied in school and developed body dysmorphia as a result of the bullying. She also has very bad panic attacks and struggles to regulate her emotions. Lucy also has meltdowns as a result of her learning difficulties and hyper-sensitivity of her senses. Lucy broke her wardrobe mirror during one of her meltdowns and used the broken glass to self-harm. Lucy’s mother could not afford to replace the wardrobe which was a danger to Lucy because of the broken glass. We were able to use the IYF emergency fund to pay for a new wardrobe for Lucy. We also ensured Lucy’s benefit form was filled in as accurately and thoroughly as possible and Lucy ended up being awarded the enhanced rate of Daily Living Allowance. This meant the world to both Lucy and her mother and Lucy’s mother kept saying how she did not know what she would have done without our support.
Information & Advice Service Our Information & Advice Service readjusted its working model entirely once Covid-19 hit. A service that was once primarily face-to-face in our Camden Centre moved to telephone, email and online chat. Our Advice team adapted to providing much needed advice on benefits, housing, crisis grants remotely. The support of our Advice team was invaluable to those who were directly impacted by the pandemic
"Working through the pandemic threw up so many challenges but also so many opportunities to work in a different way and get the vital support needed to our clients in these unprecedented times. Knowing I was able to help even one person made such a difference" - Marcella Doyle, Advice Officer
Digital Inclusion Project We placed greater emphasis on Digital Inclusion in order to keep people connected. We distributed 19 tablets and 9 Komp devices (one button computers for people with little IT experience). As a result, many people were able to stay in contact with their families throughout lockdown. We offered digital support sessions which were delivered by Digital Buddies as part of Lloyds Bank volunteering scheme in order to support people to make the most of their new devices.
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London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Service Highlights
Bernard’s Story One of the many people the London Irish Centre assisted during this time was Bernard who we rehoused into a 2-bedroom bungalow from a 4-bedroom property with three flights of stairs which he struggled to navigate due to arthritis in his hip and pelvis. He was moved in just in time for Christmas so he spent Christmas in his new home which he could get around without any difficulty. Our Patron, Dermot O’Leary, delivered a Christmas hamper to his home, and he was delighted to meet him.
Befriending Service Our Befriending volunteers have played a huge part in keeping people connected throughout the pandemic. Through regular phone calls, many friendships have been formed among our befriending pairs. Befriending helps to combat loneliness and provide people with much needed social interaction.
“With each new telephone befriending match I set up I felt like I was giving a life jacket to keep someone to keep them afloat, like a life line of social connection. It was apparent that all staff and volunteers became a beacon of light, their dedication and passion shining through via their support to the clients in some of the darkest hours of the crisis. I’m prouder than ever working at the LIC during the pandemic and as an employee have felt very well looked after by the organisation.” - Caroline Hanks, Befriending Coordinator 8
Digital Culture Programme The team were busy planning some of our biggest events to date in late 2019/early 2020. From being the official programmer of the London St. Patrick’s Festival and a huge fundraiser with Niall Horan planned, March was set to be a busy month for our events team. With increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases throughout the UK and restrictions starting to come in, our team had to cancel with a few days' notice. As restrictions on capacity and indoor events were set to continue, our live events pivoted to providing Irish culture to our audience online. And so, the Solas Season was created. From storytelling to spoken word, live music to discussions, our aim was to keep people connected through Irish culture. The move to digital allowed our team to reach a much larger audience than we could ever have reaching an audience of over 250,000.
96%
said that Solas Season helped them feel more connected during lockdown.
'The London Irish Centre events never disappoint, even when live-streamed'
91%
said that Solas Season gave them a better appreciation for Irish culture.
91,852
website visitors between October 2019 and September 2020.
"During these difficult times, I have been delighted to connect with The London Irish Centre and participate in the Solas Season, creating a series of online family story sessions. It has been wonderful to feel part of an organisation that has done so much to reach out to the community. Indeed, the Solas Season has given me the opportunity to bring my storytelling to a wider audience at a time when people were unable to access live performances. Working with the team has been wonderful, in particular working with Brendan, who set me completely at my ease, as I am someone who does not usually work digitally. Thank you so much to the team at the London Irish Centre for inviting me to be a part of the Solas season!" Olivia Armstrong, storyteller.
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London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Volunteering
Impact Of Services
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£704,439 recovered in benefit entitlements for individuals
4,329 hot meals delivered
1,466 food parcels delivered
3,339 check-in calls made
114 BSOSP grants given to those in need
1,559 advice clients supported
81 befriending pairs
204 volunteers registered
7,128 hours contributed by volunteers
£106,920 economic value of hours contributed by volunteers
33 livestream cultural events
Over 250,000 online views
£10,000+ of paid work to artists and creatives
628 health advice sessions
72,732 followers on social media
Volunteering is at the heart of the London Irish Centre. Our generous volunteers provide our team with vital support in delivering our services. Areas of the organisation that have been supported by volunteers:
• Food delivery • Arranging food parcels • Event support • Health & Wellbeing Advice Line • Marketing and Communications • Admin support • Operations • Reception • Community Café • Community Fridge • Digital Inclusion Project • Befriending • Gardening
“I love being part of the LIC. It gives me so much connection to home and I love the warm welcome and friendly volunteers. It makes me less homesick and gives me a sense of fulfillment”. - Niamh Hogan, Befriending Volunteer
“It was lovely meeting him in person. He is really kind. We had a lovely, lovely chat it’s nice to meet someone you’ve so much in common with, especially Irish and world history. I’d near get tired of discussing it with him.” - Mary (Befriendee)
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London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Our New Home
Our New Home Project Update
Why We Are Developing
The charity`s ambitious plan to redevelop the Camden Centre has progressed significantly over the past 12 months culminating with Camden Council`s unanimous approval for planning permission on September 17th 2020. The scheme was strongly supported by the Mayor of London as well as neighbours, clients, customers and community organisations and when completed will truly be the Irish Heart of London. The design team has been led by Coffey Architects and the design team costs to planning permission have totaled £498,000, ex VAT, a saving of 17% on the original design budget. The budget has been helped with significant cost savings from the team who in many cases have worked at cost or supplied services on a pro-bono basis. The Irish Government granted an initial £1m of project funding in October and to date over £3.3m has been raised through events, donations and pledges. The board has established two committees to steer the development – a Campaign Board led by Tom Goddard tasked with raising the funds and a Development Committee, led by Sean Kennedy which is responsible for the planning and delivery. The key objectives for the next two years will be putting in place the construction plan and raising the balance of the funds required to fulfil our vision – the creation of a world class Irish community and cultural centre.
The London Irish Centre building currently faces a number of challenges that can be addressed through our proposed redevelopment: • The building is poorly laid out, the three original homes which form the front of the Centre were constructed in 1850. Further major additions were made as resources and funding permitted, however, the building was never planned out for future use and consequently a large volume of space is wasted.
• There is no full disabled access, and while improvements have been made, there is still work that needs to be done to make the building more accessible. • The building is not energy efficient, and without serous improvements will continue to require costly maintenance.
• The building now requires serious repair works and many of the facilities need intensive • Multiple entrances and exits have led to maintenance having come to the end of their increasing security issues. useful life. • In its current form the Centre has poor event • With increased pressure on our services the infrastructure, with sound and I.T. equipment in Centre needs to find new ways of supporting our need of considerable improvements. work in the community.
We want to reimagine, redevelop and reposition the London Irish Centre as a world-class community and cultural centre. The London Irish Centre Team is committed to ensuring that any redevelopment will continue to meet the needs of those whom it serves, now and in the coming years. We want to continue to be a destination to foster friendship and support networks, and a place to celebrate Irish heritage, culture and community.
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London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Finances
Statement of Financial Activities
Emigrant Support Programme £457,500
Resources Expended
Other Costs - Shop/ Development Costs Other £57,837
Depreciation £126,128
£5,767,101 Balances Carried Forward
£5,157,579 Balances Brought Forward
- £263,590
£93,274
Our largest grant is given by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP). This grant totalled £457,500 for this period. This support is crucial for the continuation of core services within the organisation and we are deeply grateful for the longstanding support of the Irish Government.
Event Costs £90,416 Cultural Program £42,085 Wages & Salaries & Staff Training £859,778
Travel & Repatriations £70,646 Grants Paid £49,397 Daycentre & Social Clubs Expenditure £90,866
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0
Grant Income
Professional Fees £65,868
Running Costs £47,413
Grants Receivable
Fixed Assets
Other Grant Income £332,170
Debtors
0
Capital Grant (£1 million received /£416,961 deferred) £583,039
£5,430,158
Culture Activities £49,802
- £822,347
Net Assets £5,767,101
Donations £183,831
Fundraising Event Income £281,861
Realised Gain on Investments
Current Liabilities
Rental & Investments £311,155
Balance Sheet
£1,329,606
Other Income (Shop/Cafe/ Groups/Development) £80,999
Cash
Total Incoming Resources
We received a number of generous grants throughout this financial year from other organisations including: • • • • • • •
Camden Advice Culture Ireland Hospital Saturday Fund The Benevolent Society of St Patrick Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants Islington Equalities London Borough of Camden Community Infrastructure
• • • • •
Camden Giving London Communities Response Fund Irish Youth Foundation Trust for London Lottery Community Fund
Premises Costs £170,401 15
London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Fundraising
Fundraising Christmas Appeal Our annual Christmas Appeal was a huge success with £30,598.34 being raised thanks to our generous community. The 2019 Christmas Appeal helped us to fund additional and seasonal services over the period and during this time the team: • Served over 827 hot meals • Supported 254 clients with a range of welfare issues • Ensured 75 of our most vulnerablee clients were given essential food hampers • Distributed £1,455 in small crisis grants • Hosted 414 older attendees at social events outside of Camden • Supported our young families to ensure that no child went without a toy on Christmas day • Visited (specifically our outreach workers and volunteer befrienders) dozens of our elderly clients in their own home ensuring all of their essential needs were met • Hosted four major socials for older people with more than 350 attending and celebrating an Irish Christmas at the London Irish Centre.
Big Night Out March 2020
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Contracts, The Muff Liquor Company, O’Donovan Waste, O’Kane Irish Foods, Simon Clarke, Five Star Entertainment and William Fry
Sponsors: • McGrath Group – Event Sponsor • O’Donovan Waste – Table Centre Sponsor • The Irish Post – Brochure Sponsor • William Fry – Entertainment Sponsor
Silent Auction Donors: Aer Lingus, Anna Haugh of Myrtle Restaurant, Bord Bia, Citi Health, Corrigan’s Mayfair, Edwin Doran of Doran Vineyards, Green and Fortune Restaurant, Jim Quinn, Josie McGeady, Just Swim, Killy and Co, Look Mum No Hands, Man.Oj, McKay Williamson, Michael Galvin, Munster Rugby, O’Kane Irish Foods, Pestle and Mortar, PHD Modular Access Services Ltd, Simon Calder, The Avenue Cookery School, The Irish Post and Tourism Ireland
Advertisers Avondale, The Bugler Group, Careys Foundation, Chromatic, Doran Wines, Green and Fortune, The Irish Post, Joanne McNally, The McGrath Group, MPG
Live Auction Donors: Ed Sheeran, Niall Horan, Rolfe Judd Planning and Edwin Doran
London Irish Charity Night In
Covid-19 Appeal Our St. Patrick’s Day planning quickly adapted to planning how the London Irish Centre could support those in our community as the UK went into the first lockdown in March 2020. To help remodel our services, deliver hot meals and food
Our annual Big Night Out black-tie fundraiser took place on Friday, March 6th in the McNamara Hall. We were delighted to raise £69,925 to support our services which quickly had to be adapted soon after due to the first Coronavirus lockdown.
parcels to those who were shielding, we needed support from the public. Thanks to our generous community, we raised [figure] to support our new services.
The London Irish Charity Night In was our first ever virtual fundraiser on 11th June 2020. Hosted by our Patron, Dermot O’Leary, we were joined by some of the very best Irish artists, service users, staff and volunteers for a night to remember.
Over 100,000 people tuned in throughout the night and helped us raise over £110,000 to support our vital Covid-19 community response.
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London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
Friends Scheme
Our Supporters
Support the London Irish Centre by joining our Friends Scheme By becoming a Friend of the London Irish Centre, you become part of the London Irish community. We’ll welcome you with a Welcome Pack and an exclusive loyalty card, and you will also enjoy the benefits of priority and early booking to some of our most popular events.
It’s also important to us that you see first-hand how your donations make a difference. That’s why we’ll send you monthly e-reports on the impact your support has made, alongside a bi-annual magazine which will keep you updated on ways to get involved, event highlights and features from our Friends.
We have four levels of support to choose from:
Bronze (£10-£24.99 monthly)
Silver (£25-£49.99 monthly)
As a Bronze Friend, you will receive: - Exclusive access to the events calendar before wider release - One 25% discounted event for two at the London Irish Centre
As a Silver Friend, you will receive: - All the benefits entitled to Bronze Friends - An exclusive tour of the London Irish Centre, including a meeting with staff and CEO
Gold (£50-£99.99 monthly)
Platinum (£100+ monthly)
As a Gold Friend, you will receive: - All the benefits entitled to Silver Friends - An exclusive Gold Friends winter drinks party at the London Irish Centre with entertainment
As a Platinum Friend, you will receive: - All the benefits entitled to Gold Friends - Attendance at an annual Platinum Friends formal with celebrity guests
To sign up to our Friends Scheme, visit www.londonirishcentre.org/friendsscheme
Thank you to you all for your continued support of the work of the London Irish Centre
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London Irish Centre Annual Report 19/20
www.londonirishcentre.org /LondonIrishCentre @londonirishcentre @LDNIrishCentre /LondonIrishCentre
info@londonirishcentre.org 020 7916 2222 London Irish Centre, 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB, United Kingdom Company No. 8221421 • Charity No. 1149787 • Vat No. GB 357 5667 54
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