Some of our important numbers from the past year.

GSAP Annual Summary

Over the years GSAP has continued to deliver a high-quality community support service to local individuals and organisations who are working hard to improve the area and the quality of life for residents. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, fuel poverty, cuts in public expenditure, the loss of significant EU funding, and uncertainty for the sector due to sustained changes in government funding, GSAP has been able to sustain all our services.

Notable achievements this year

Purchase of the Community Building, Northside (March 2024): Achieved with the financial support of the Community Ownership Fund, through the DLUHC, Community Finance Ireland, and GSAP’s own capital investment.

Protection of 13 key existing integrated local services:

  • Outer North Community Support Project
  • ETHOS Family Support Hub
  • Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership
  • Talking to Our Babies Project
  • ASPIRE NI Project
  • Families Connect Project
  • Success North West Programme
  • Skeoge Community Hub
  • Extended Schools Programme
  • GSAP Foodbank and Babybank
  • DENI WRAP Early Intervention Programme
  • (and other integrated local supports)

Development of new local, integrated community-led projects: GSAP developed three new projects this year, including the Family Support service in Skeoge, the Skeoge Play Parks Management Scheme, and the ongoing development of the Skeoge Health Action Research Project (SHARP).

Support for the Boomhall Trust restoration project: Continued support for the restoration of Boomhall Mansion House and Stables. Although we were disappointed not to secure SEUPB investment under Measure 1.4 (circa €13m), GSAP continues to work with Boomhall Trust, Derry City & Strabane District Council (land owner), the Shared Island Fund, and the Heritage Lottery Fund to realise this ambition.

Secured recurrent funding for ETHOS Family Support: Continued investment from the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) — a new three-year recurrent funding package has been secured, providing the project with greater security and allowing the team to better plan interventions and programming.

Continued investment in Skeoge Community Hub: Continued support from Derry City & Strabane District Council (DC&SDC) via the Community Venue Fund.

GSAP remains committed to protecting and developing local services and projects that make a real difference to the lives of residents across our communities.

Key Achievements 2024/25

Among the other stand-out highlights for 2024/25 resulting from our integrated local services included:

37

37 local groups supported during the year

28

28 workers provided with training

7

7 local charities supported

1420

1,420 children supported through Talking to Our Babies (TTOB)

605

605 Families Connect clients

168

168 Success North West clients

289

289 qualifications gained

55

55 clients gained employment

2710

2,710 Skeoge Community Hub users

5

5 Good Relations projects delivered

14

14 networking events facilitated

57

57 volunteers recruited

54

54 Access NI checks completed

£50K secured towards energy efficiency

12

12 existing projects secured

4

4 new services developed

165

165 adults supported by ETHOS

277

277 children supported by ETHOS

19

19 groups supported by the Consensual Grant

307

307 pupils supported by the ASPIRE project

190

190 health beneficiaries

870

870 pupils supported by Extended Schools

929

929 parents supported by TTOB

£237K funding secured for local groups

1

1 organisational review completed