We held our AGM for the financial year 2023-2024 at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre. As usual, it was well attended, with participants including Greg Fell (Director of Public Health for Sheffield) and Clive Betts (MP for Sheffield South East), as well as service users and volunteers from a range of our groups. As everyone came into the lecture theatre, we shared a video of our highlights from the past 12 months, which you can watch here:
After covering the official business of presenting the accounts and reporting on the year’s highlights, achievements, and future plans, there was a vote to reappoint Seven Hills Accountants. We also dealt with the retirement and election of trustees. Gina Kalsi and Mothiur Rahman stepped down, and Gina Kalsi was then re-elected. We also welcomed new trustees Lucie Hutchings, Donal Farrel and Teresa Hart and gave thanks to previous trustees Sheila Manclark, Roz Davies and Gareth Johnstone.
Following the formal section of the AGM, we then heard from a number of different service users, as well as being treated to a performance by our Somali Dance Group. In addition, we were pleased to be able to show the video made by Sheffield University about the Music in Dementia research project that we have played a key role in. We also heard from Nadia Bashir and Waqas Hameed about the Community Researchers project that they have undertaken with Darnall Well Being.
As the EU Settlement Scheme programme came to a close this year, we shared a video made by Lucie Ward, giving an overview of her time working on the programme with Darnall Well Being, and Yasmin Saddique gave an update about our volunteer programme, before Mariam talked about what volunteering with us had meant to her, and how it had helped her to get the job she has now. Finally, we heard reflections of the evening from Dr Donal Farell and Martin McKervey before we all enjoyed a buffet and opportunity to network together.
Quotes from the AGM
The highlight of my week – a perfect sum up of the year’s activities
Greg Fell, Director of Public Health for Sheffield
Joanne’s Walks through High Hazels Park, Waqas who is always smiling and helpful. Alfred who is a wonderful spirit and the supporting staff who hand out the drinks of water during Chairobics not forgetting the fresh fruits for those who want them. Without these people Darnall Well Being would not be the same. They keep me coming week after week.
Janet Molineaux, service user
Thank you for such an inspiring, informative and entertaining AGM too. I left with a heightened faith in humanity!
Tom French, Data for Action
I enjoyed the authenticity of the stories and massive heart!
Edyta Bancer, Sheffield Mind