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ANNUAL REPORT

It gives me great pleasure to present the Annual Report for

The Workspace Group for the year ending March 2015,

my first as Chairman.

2014/15 has been another one of success and growth for The Workspace Group. Some of the highlights include:

• opening new offices in Larne, Antrim, Ballymena,

Carrickfergus and Omagh – to enable delivery of new

employability contracts;• employing 141 staff; • increasing the number of

completed insulation measures in homes across Northern Ireland

to 68,310 (almost 10% of the housing stock);

• providing temporary staff in 16 locations across Scotland and England for the Westminster elections;

• helping 98 new businesses set up in the Magherafelt area;

• securing our largest ever order for Activated Carbon Vessels;

• usage numbers at the Workspace Recreation Centre increasing

to 27,556;• our total provision of grants to

local community organisations through the Workspace Community Fund increasing to £53,631 – a list of this year’s recipients is included at page 17;

• our After School Club providing 32 places for local primary

school children;• continuing to provide free units

to a number of community champions including Glasgowbury, Corn Store Youth Club, STEPS Mental Health and Ballinascreen Historical Society.

Our interest in the health and well being of the Draperstown community continues and during the year we provided a much needed Carers’ programme as well as installing a second defibrillator in the town.

During the year we consulted with our customers, staff, management team and Board for direction as to where they see The Workspace Group going in the next five years to help us determine what our strategy 2015-2020 should be.

Our vision for ‘A prosperous, dynamic and healthy Draperstown Community’ encapsulates our commitment to our local community and our aims and objectives specified in our Strategy 2015-2020 will ensure that we continue to work towards that vision.

I would like to thank my fellow directors, the management team and all the staff throughout our various locations for their ongoing commitment, hard work and positive attitude which continues to ensure The Workspace Group delivers real results in all that we do.

Laurence O’KaneChairman, The Workspace Group

During the year we consulted with our customers, staff, management team and Board for direction as to where they see The Workspace Group going in the next five years to help us determine what our strategy 2015-2020 should be.

newoffices5

new start up businesses in Magherafelt area98

completed insulation measures in homes across Northern Ireland to date68,310

Staffemployed141

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Our vision‘A prosperous, dynamic

and healthy Draperstown Community’ encapsulates

our commitment to ourlocal community

REGIONAL START INITIATIVE

The Regional Start Initiative, provided through Invest NI offers a package of free advice, training and support to help clients develop a business plan that will allow them to get their business up and running. Over the past 12 months we supported 98 clients to develop a business plan through the Regional Start Initiative.

TEST TRADING PROGRAMME

The Steps to Work Test Trading Programme offered unemployed people the opportunity to ‘test trade’ their business for a period of 26 weeks while continuing to receive their benefits and avail of support from an experienced Business Advisor. In 2014/15 we helped 33 people to start and test trade their business with 76% of participants continuing with their business after the ‘test trading’ period and signing off benefits. This was against a target of 23% set by the Department for Employment and Learning, for whom we deliver the programme.

THE SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME

The Social Entrepreneurship Programme provided through Invest NI aims to help potential social entrepreneurs start a business and encourage existing social enterprises to grow, create employment, exploit opportunities to export products or services and maximise their positive impact on society.

Groups already in the voluntary and community sector can also be assisted to become social enterprises through this initiative.

In 2014/15 the Social Entrepreneurship Programme provided tailored mentoring, business planning support, and capability advice to eight local groups, helping them to successfully develop their socially oriented business and source potential funding streams.

PROPERTY

Demand for our property across all sites was high in 2014/15 with occupancy levels at more than 80% on average. Demand for office space in Magherafelt remains high, while industrial units in Draperstown are also in high demand. Our range of units suits a variety of businesses, with tenants from a wide spectrumof sectors.

Our Enterprise Agency continues to provide support for start-up businesses through the provision of affordable business units and business advice and training.

In 2014/15 we supported over 300 businesses - from the early stages of exploring the concept of self-employment right through to supporting businesses in theirfirst full year of trading. We have also provided support for new andexisting businesses in the Social Economy sector. Withconfidence in the Northern Ireland economy startingto grow again, it is reflected in the markedincrease in entrepreneurship levels.Our Programmes:

In partnership with Network Personnel, in 2014/15 we worked with 156 customers through the Steps 2 Success Programme assisting them to look at self employment as a viable career option. This support included one to one mentoring, business workshops and general business advice. For customers who had decided to move off benefits into self employment post start support for up to a year was provided.

ENTERPRISE NI START UP LOAN FUND

The Enterprise NI Start Up Loans programme was established in 2014 to provide competitive loan finance to entrepreneurs who were unable to secure start-up funding from traditional sources such as banks. The programme involves working with clients to assist them to develop an application and providing post start up advice and support. In 2014/15 fourteen clients secured a total of over £70,000 in funding as a direct result of support received through Workspace.

We want to congratulate BA Components asthey celebrate 25 years in business this year.

BA Components were the first tenant in our Magherafelt site on Rainey Street, initially manufacturing bespoke resurfaced kitchen doors. They are now one of Northern Ireland’s most successful manufacturing businesses exporting to 23 countries globally, with a staff of 250 employees and an annual turnoverof £30 million.

Bloc Blinds started out in one of our incubator units in May 2007. From a 1,000 sq.ft. unit in our Draperstown site, Cormac Diamond set up a roof blind manufacturing business initially employing ten members of staff.

Within six months the business had grown rapidly - with success in export markets such as the UK and Ireland. Bloc Blinds are now regarded as one of Europe’s leading blind manufacturers with a wide range of clever and innovative blinds for a variety of window types and sizes. Currently the company operates from premises totalling 10,000 sq ft and employs over 80 employees. As a result of this continued growth, the company has recently acquired a 21,000 sq ft property in Magherafelt. This will allow them to create a new production facility, enabling an increase in production and the employment of more staff. We wishthem continued success.

“I have great memories of Rainey Street where it all began. I remember having to switch off the machines to answer the phone and burning the midnight oil to get the paperwork done. Workspace produced our first business plan, to think what has happenend since. Looking forward to the next 25!” Brian McCracken, Managing Director

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Paddy Murtagh a Social Entrepreneurship Programme client who has taken on the IDL franchise, a dyslexia learning support programme, for Northern Ireland.

One of our firsttenants in Magherafelt,now turning over £30million and exporting

to 23 countries.

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From September 2011 – March 2015 Network Personnel delivered the Department for Employment and Learning’s LEMIS programme (rebranded as Source) in the Moyle and Cookstown District Council areas.

Source was a flexible, client-focused employment support initiative, designed to help unemployed people overcome the issues that may be preventing them from finding and keeping a job. Our main priority groups were those who were long-term unemployed/economically inactive and who were likely to be furthest removed from the labour market due to a range of personal barriers. These individuals may not have otherwise had opportunities to interact with the statutory sector on employability matters.

This support was available to any unemployed/economically inactive individuals who fell within one or more of the following categories, regardless of benefit/claimant status: NEETS (16-24 year olds, not in education, employment or training); homeless; ex-offenders/ex-prisoners; individuals with a history of drug/alcohol misuse.

Intake onto the Steps to Work programme ended on 31st May 2014. From April 2014 to March 2015 we delivered the Employment Service Support (ESS) in the Cookstown and Magherafelt areas to assist people to find employment at the earliest opportunity.

The ESS was delivered under six main areas.

1. First Start – Employment Strand2. Step Ahead 50+ Temporary Waged Employment Strand3. Youth Employment Scheme – Work Experience Strand4. Youth Employment Scheme – Skills Development Strand5. Short Accredited Training Courses6. Into Work Skills

Key statistics for 2014/15 include; 104 Short Accredited Courses qualifications gained by participants; 53 Essential Skills/NVQ qualifications achieved; and 156 participants sustained employment.

The very successful ‘Up for Work’ programme finished in March 2015.

This initiative was part financed by the European Social Fund with match funding from a range of sources including Workspace, Magherafelt District Council, Sperrin’s Gateway Landscape Partnership (via the Heritage Lottery Fund), Mindwise and Lissan House Trust (via Biffa).

Elements of the programme included:

• 26 weeks employment working on environmental projects

• Qualifications• Temporary subsidised

employment with local companies

• Self-employment support• Job search skills and confidence

building

Key statistics from the programme

• 1,043 Qualifications gained by participants • 132 Community groups

benefiting from minor refurbishment/repairs

• 93 people moved to self-employment

• 283 participants moved into full time work

The environmental aspect of the programme saw teams of six participants working on local projects. Examples included stone wall restoration in St Lurach’s Walled Garden; clear up in the Plantin Park, Draperstown; painting and decorating for community playgroups, charity shops and sports clubs; restoration of ancient cemeteries; rebuilding and repair of stone pillars and limekilms in the area.

Through this partnership approach not only did individuals benefit from engaging in the programmes but many local community groups were also supported.

Sharon was forced to give up her cleaning job after 25 years following an accident 4 years ago. Having no formal qualifications she completed her Essential Skills qualifications and a six month work placement. Sharon was successful in securing employment with Agewell after her placement ended.

Some of our highlights from the Source programme include working with a total of 1,001 clients over a three year period and helping 160 of those participants to progress into sustained employment. In 2014/15 alone we worked with 465 clients and helped 92 of those progress into sustained employment.

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During 2014/2015 we continued to reinforce our position as a market leading multi-sector recruitment consultancy and leading experts in qualified, professional and skilled recruitment. Our aim is simple - to help our clients find the right person for the right job at the right time, and to help our candidates find the perfect role to develop the next stage of their own career.

Every day, we work with organisations from some of the region’s largest to the smallest to help them find the talent they need to thrive and grow. As the global economy has continued to recover, many of our clients are investing in growing their workforce to cater for the increased demand for their products and services.

In the past year we filled 2,602 temporary and 158 permanent jobs for a range of clients across a number of sectors. This year saw us increase our pool of skilled candidates to the largest number to date to ensure that clients’ requirements are fulfilled with quality people.

Network Personnel has been delivering the Steps 2 Success programme in the Magherafelt, Cookstown, Omagh, Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne areas since October 2014.

Steps 2 Success is a Department for Employment and Learning employment programme aimed at enabling jobseekers to build the skills and experience needed to find and keep a job. Steps 2 Success provides a personalised service, tailored to meet individual jobseekers’ needs. Since October 2014 2,064 participants have joined the Steps 2 Success programme across all our offices with 135 moving into sustained employment. One of our first Steps 2 Success clients William secured full time employment with Dale Farm after employability support received from Network Personnel.

COMMUNITY FAMILYSUPPORT PROGRAMMEIn 2014/15 Network Personnel supported 192 families from the Northern and Southern Health & Social Care Trusts through the Community Family Support Programme (CFSP).

CFSP offers young people and their families comprehensive support and the confidence to tackle the challenges of daily life, in dealing with problems such as challenging behaviour, alcohol / drug misuse, financial difficulties, low confidence, health, concerns in school, college or help to source training and employment.

CFSP works together with the family to:• Prevent young people aged 11 – 18 leaving education.• Support 16 – 18 year olds return to education, training or find

employment.• Assist adults 19+ years to follow their personal career path, access

training and develop the skills towards finding employment.

In 2014/15 we supported 141 young people between the age of 16-24 years who were not in education, employment or training.

We also supported 175 young people aged 11 – 18 years old who had disengaged from education or were at risk of falling out of education with poor qualifications and prospects for the future. In March 2015, Network Personnel were awarded the contracts to deliver the Community Family Support Programme in four super council areas with funding through the European Social Fund, the Department for Employment and Learning and the Department of Health, Social Services andPublic Safety.

2014/2015Key Areas of Focus:

PEOPLE: Recruitment is the ultimate people business. We have a dedicated and passionate recruitment team and take great pride in going that bit further to meet each and every client and candidate deadline and demand.

TECHNOLOGY: In today’s data-rich world it is essential that our people are equipped with the latest technology tools and products. We invested heavily this year in state of the art, bespoke, cloud based systems and equipment to free up valuable time to focus on what is important, satisfying our customers’ needs.

CANDIDATES: We work with candidates to help them find their next permanent job or temporary assignment. We work to understand every candidate we place, interviewing them all to ensure we provide them the best opportunity to match their needs. This year alone we added

the largest number of candidates to our system in over 8 years, and our temporary and permanent placements were also at their highest levels since 2007.

CLIENTS: We work with companies to find the skilled people they need to help drive growth in their business.

Looking Forward to 2016:Our long-term aim is clear: to continue to grow and become an undisputed market leader in the U.K. /R.O.I. recruitment industry, and, as we build towards thisaim, we focus on deliveringwell-diversified, profitable, cash-generative growth.

We will continue to focus on maximising the productivity and effectiveness of our team that means focusing on hiring the best people and training them to be the best in the industry. Furthermore, we will then equip them with the latest tools and technology they need to gain a competitive edge and to fulfil their true potential and expand our commercial footprint.

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Steps 2 Successput me back on track

and the support receivedwas a great benefit

in finding a job

We will continue to research and respond to new and emerging processes/technologies and business models/market changes which we believe can have an impact on our business which will help us to continue to deliver a first class recruitment service toour clients.

Homeseal offers a range of insulation services including loft insulation, solid wall insulation, cavity insulation and cavity extraction. We operate in both the new build and retrofit markets and, with a team of trained installers, can undertake domestic and commercial projects.

In addition to our insulation services we also provide ancillary services including roof ventilation, thermal imaging, pipe lagging, chimney balloons, radiator panels and draught proofing.

During the year we carried out energy efficiency measures in 4,560 homes throughout Northern Ireland and have worked with partner organisations such as Bryson Energy, H&A Mechanical, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Energystore.

Some of our key impacts in 2014/2015 include: • 3,880 homes received a survey/

energy advice• 4,560 insulation measures were

carried out• 925 households received cavity

wall insulation

• 3,500 households received loft insulation measures

• 135 households received solid wall insulation

• A saving of c1,825 tonnes of carbon was achieved with the average householder saving 400kg per year

• A saving of £365k on clients’ utility bills was achieved with the average saving for individual householders being £80 per year for each energy efficiency measure undertaken within

the property

QUALITY

We pride ourselves on the quality and standard of our work and adhere to the standards and best practice guidelines set by the insulation industry trade bodies including the National Insulation Association, the British Board of Agrement, the Cavity Wall Guarantee Agency and the National Insulation Association of Ireland.

Some examples of customer feedback which we have received throughout the year include:

Mary - Maghera – “Just a short note to thank all those concerned who recently carried out cavity wall insulation and roof insulation at our home. It was a pleasure to have them in our home. All the best to you all in the future. Thank you”.

2014/15 was another busy year for ThermTech as we continued to supply our customers with bespoke waste heat recovery systems designed to offer energy saving solutions through efficiency, economy and sustainability as well as gas cleansing systems.

Our commitment to quality was recognised by our achievement of the Achilles UVDB accreditation for supply of products to the Utilities Industry and we continue to invest in our people and our equipment to ensure we offer the best quality products to our customers.

Some highlights from the year include: receiving our largest ever order for Activated Carbon Vessels; securing an order with Scotia Gas Networks for two Gas Vaporisers which replace two units built by ThermTech some 20 years ago; and securing our largest order from one customer for some £1.3M from a large food processing company.

Our research and development into new energy saving products has seen us progress to operational trial stages of our Electrostatic Precipitator and Siloxane Removal System over the past year. We anticipate these products contributing significantly to the sales mix in the incoming years.

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Mavis – Strabane - “Thank you very much to the Homeseal team who insulated my home this week. From the initial survey to the insulation work itself your team were professional, friendly and hard working. First class job”.

Brian – Portglenone -”We have just had insulation installed in our property by Homeseal. I am delighted to inform you that the three chaps who were fitting are to be highly recommended for their workmanship. Nothing was any trouble to them”.

LOOKING AHEAD

Homeseal hopes to continue with the success we have had over the last number of years and with fuel poverty still being extremely prevalent we look forward to working on new projects and with new partners to help reduce our customers’ annual fuel costs.

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2014/15 saw increasing numbers use the facilities at the Workspace Recreation Centre as it continues to provide a much needed resource for the people of Draperstown and its neighbouring villages and towns. A popular programme of activities and top quality facilities has resulted in over 27,500 usages of the facilities by people from the local community throughout the year. In addition the excellent relationship between Workspace and St Colm’s continues with some 430 pupils using the Workspace Recreation Centre on a weekly basis.

At the Workspace Recreation Centre we aim to encourage health and well being, increase the number of people taking part in sport, active recreation and wider physical activities thereby playing an active role in improving the quality of life of people in the local community. In 2014-2015 we introduced new initiatives such as the Biggest Loser Challenge, Couch to 5k Running Club and the Workspace Cup, 5 a side soccer competition, to encourage more people to take part in the activities at the Workspace Recreation Centre.

We offer top quality facilities, highly trained staff and a programme of activities that includes spinning, boxercise, aerobics and circuit’s classes as well as our ever popular annual summer scheme.

Number of Usages in the Evenings & Weekends

14 15

This year we worked in partnership with the Building the Community Pharmacy Partnership to deliver a programme of workshops aimed at encouraging local carers to live a healthy balanced life in conjunction with their caring role. We acknowledge the vital role that carers play in our community and understand the need for them to look after themselves as well as the person they care for.

Over the year we engaged with 20 carers who participated in 15 workshops including relaxation techniques, alternative therapies, health checks, benefits advice, healthy eating, and horticulture.

Feedback from the programme was very positive and we were successful in securing funding for a second carers’ project for 2015/16 through which we aim to build on the links and relationships already developed with carers in the local community.

Our After School Club continues to operate a regular, reliable and safe service for children and their families. We aim to provide a stimulating environment for the children who attend and make it as much like home as possible. The club provides a wide range of wonderful activities including arts and craft, cookery, horticulture and outdoor games.

Following a recent successful application to Bright Start (OFMDFM funding) for capital and revenue costs, an extensive refurbishment of the After School Club has taken place. This has resulted in a modern and colourful environment for the children.

Over the past 12 months a total of 4,731 places were filled with children coming from Draperstown, Straw, Moneyneana and Kilross. In addition to the normal opening hours of 1pm to 6pm, during school holidays the service is provided on an ‘all day’ basis thus facilitating parents’ work schedules. The ‘pick-up’ service from the various schools is also invaluable given the dispersed area that the children are from.

With reduced grant funding now available, Workspace continues to subsidise the running costs for the After School Club ensuring that the service is affordable and accessible forlocal families.

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Carers’Project

15

Over the past 12 months a total of 4,731 places were filled.

Over the year we engaged with

20 carers who participated in 15 workshops.

In 2014-2015 twenty eight community and voluntary groups were awarded grants totalling £9,437 to fund a range of projects in the local area:

1. Laughterland Early Years To purchase resources to develop early maths skills.

2. Glasgowbury To fund a creative arts programme for young people.

3. Kilcronaghan Community Association To help purchase banqueting tables and covers.

4. MindWise To purchase instruments for a music group.

5. InVOLve To purchase equipment for a community training/meeting space.

6. Draperstown Celtic FC To purchase sporting equipment for the club.

7. Tirgan Community Association To produce promotional materials.

8. Magherafelt and District Cage Birds Society To deliver a committee skills course.

9. Ballinascreen Early Years To purchase equipment for nature education.

10. Cornstore Youth Club Towards insulating/fire proof curtains for club premises.

11. Erins Own GAC Lavey To purchase an outdoor heated defibrillator cabinet.

12. Sixtowns Bowling Club To purchase equipment.

13. Castledawson Flute Band To fund a qualified music tutor.

14. Maghera Parish Caring Association To fund healthy eating classes.

15. Sixtowns Community Group - Mother and Toddler Towards play equipment.

16. Knocknagin Hall Committee To purchase equipment to be used for community events.

17. Ballinascreen Spred Group To enable local people with special needs to participate in a wider range of activities.

18. Maghera Strollers F.C. To purchase sporting equipment.

19. Mid Ulster Photography Club To purchase materials for use at exhibitions.

20. Granaghan & District Women’s Group To purchase materials for after school crafts.

21. Swatragh Wednesday Club Tutor costs to help the group create a ‘Scrap Book’ of photographs and memorable items.

22. Maghera Cross Community Link To provide pram fit classes.

23. Magherafelt Women’s Group To purchase a folding puppet theatre and puppets.

24. Busy Bee Cross Community Playgroup To provide healthy eating classes.

25. Derganagh Training and Development Association To provide flower arranging/floral art classes.

26. Magherafelt Dance Group To employ a tutor to teach dance skills to children.

27. St Swithin’s Craft Group To employ a qualified tutor to teach craft techniques.

28. Backrow Recreation Centre To fund Summer Scheme activities.

This year we issued our first Individual Award to local singer/songwriter Gemma Bradley to help her further her music career. Our grant has enabled Gemma to professionally produce a music video to accompany the release of her first single ‘Wicker men’. Gemma states “The Workspace Community Fund has helped me take the next step in my music career. As the music industry is so competitive it is important for me to make sure I am promoting myself and my music as professionally as possible and the Workspace Community Fund has helped me do this.”

The Workspace Group allocates a proportion of its profits each year so that small grants are available to help finance projects within the local area through the Workspace Community Fund. Local community and voluntary groups are given the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £250 for projects which will improve the local area, promote community involvement, enhance the quality of life and the well being of local residents or address other local needs.

Since its launch in 2008 the Workspace Community fund has

allocated almost £54,000 to 148 local community and voluntary projects.

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Company information Achievements 2015BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN Mr Laurence O’Kane

VICE CHAIRPERSONMs Samantha McCloskey

NON EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSDr Michael McAllisterMr Damian HeronMr Willie McKeownMr Graham MawhinneyMr Patsy McShaneMrs Catherine McCoyCouncillor Brian McGuigan

CHIEF EXECUTIVEMr Brian Murray

COMPANY SECRETARYMr Robin Gawne

REGISTERED OFFICEThe Business CentreDraperstownBT45 7AG

REGISTRATION NUMBERN.I. 18240

BANKERSFirst Trust BankThe Diamond, 2 Rainey Street,Magherafelt, BT45 5AG

Ulster Community Investment Trust,Linenhall House13 – 19 Linenhall StBelfast, BT2 8AA

Bank of Ireland11 Market StreetMagherafelt, BT45 6EE

AUDITORSPricewaterhouseCoopersWaterfront Plaza8 Laganbank RoadBelfast, BT1 3LR

SOLICITORSTughans Marlborough House30 Victoria StBelfastBT1 3GS

266people employed

by Workspace business unit

tenants

158permanent jobs filled by Network

Recruitment

28local groups

directly benefited from Workspace Community Fund

grants

60participants gained work experience on

Up for Work

Assisted business starts to secure over

£70,000in funding from the

Enterprise NI Loan Fund

156participants got permanent jobs through Steps

to Work

465people participated

on the Source programme

146unemployed got permanent jobs through Up for

Work

135participants moved into employment through the Steps

2 Success programme

156people received self-employment support

through the Steps 2 Success

programme

33unemployed people helped to start own business through

Steps to Work

TheWorkspace Group now operates from

19 locations

32children cared for

by After Schools Club

4,560homes insulated

across NI

27,556 usages at the

Workspace Recreation Centre during

evenings & weekends

587 participants

completed Short Accredited Training

Courses through Network Personnel

553participants on Steps to Work

2,064people received

employment support through the Steps

2 Success programme

130children participated

in Workspace’s Summer Scheme

141employed by

The Workspace Group

98business start-ups supported in the

Magherafelt District Council area

42%of Steps to Work

participants movedinto long term

jobs

20local carers

participated in our Carers’ Project

CFSPsupported

192 families,316 individuals

throughoutthe year

£53,631 distributed from

Workspace Community Fund

to date

430school children

used the Workspace Recreation Centre

facilities on a weekly basis

£365,000 estimated savings in utility bills as a result

of Homeseal insulation measures

7,211 people registered

with NetworkRecruitment

2,602temporary jobs

filled by Network Recruitment

6,681 tonnes of CO2

savings by economisersinstalled by ThermTech

The Business Centre Draperstown, BT45 7AG

T: 028 7962 8113 Lo-Call: 0845 362 0747 (UK) 1890 928 556 (ROI)

www.theworkspacegroup.org

community fund