OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

← Cumbria Youth Alliance

2025-03-31-accounts

CUMBRIA YOUTH ALLIANCE

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024-25

Table of Contents

Annual Report

Annual Report Annual Report
Introduction
~~__~~		 03
~~ee~~
Who We Are
Youth Voice
~~————————_——~~
~~ee~~		 07
11
Programmes
Sector Support		 15
23
Looking Forward
27
~~a ee~~
~~i~~

CUMBRIA FOR 25 Soe eeae , yah ee “= = awe tooo ss ee ‘ f * ~ YEARS

Financial Statements

Financial Statements
Trustee Report
Reference and Administrative detail		 31
30
~~oe~~ ~~oe~~
~~oe~~ ~~oe~~
Independent Auditors’Report 37

Introduction

Introduction

Sector Support

Looking Trustee IndependentAuditors’ Forward Report

Youth Voice Programmes

Who we are

Welcome from the Chair of Trustees

putting Cumbrian young people front and centre of the agenda...

and designing innovative games to putting Cumbrian young

give practical application to the talent people front and centre of the

and prompt exploration of tangible agenda... career paths. The credit for a Looking back can be rewarding, and phenomenal year belongs to Becky certainly is the case for CYA, whether and the team, who have continually over the last year or the 25-year worked tirelessly to ensure brighter history. However, it is looking forward futures for the Cumbria youth. This which is important. This report sets the report and the year end accounts marker of not just what has been show CYA in a strong position both achieved, but the ambitions for work financially and operationally as the yet to be done. charity continues to deliver. The theme of maturity from last year’s annual report continues as we focus on ensuring the tried, tested and proven methods for breaking down the

barriers faced by young people is 100,000 young people matched by robust organisational have had their lives competencies and sector enhancing

capabilities. changed by CYA, 25 years is an incredible mile stone for 30,000 in the last 5

any charity. To commemorate the years alone.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to introduce CYA’s Annual Report for the 2024/25 reporting year. The period has been a remarkable one, as the team move forwards in leaps and bounds building and delivering exceptional services, supporting Cumbria’s youth organisations and our young people. Taking the time and space to reflect on the preceding 12 months has been a special experience. I hope you enjoy reading the following pages and draw the same encouragement as the Trustees do at the progress achieved and difference made for the Cumbrian landscape and lives of many.

Looking back can be rewarding, and certainly is the case for CYA, whether over the last year or the 25-year history. However, it is looking forward which is important. This report sets the marker of not just what has been achieved, but the ambitions for work yet to be done.

Underpinning these successes are considerable advancements in CYA’s core infrastructure. Most notably our data management system and our monitoring and evaluation system, which together comprehensively map the journey of a young person and provide critical information and insights for CYA and our partner organisations. Embedded at CYA is a culture of rethinking social puzzles into dynamic projects to reach and engage young people,

25 years is an incredible mile stone for any charity. To commemorate the anniversary, the team travelled down to Westminster at the invitation of Tim Farron MP and Josh MacAlister MP. Setting up stall in Parliament, in front of politicians, business leaders, and movers and shakers from across the county, CYA staff and young people showcased the exceptional work taking place. This platform illustrates the reputation and credibility CYA have achieved; setting the record on not just the problems faced, but so too

Considering the year ahead, and the acute challenges faced by many young people, there are thousands more facing barriers and being held back by social disadvantage. In this context, Cumbria Youth Alliance is primed to keep delivering and making sure every young person has the chance to thrive.

using fishing rods instead of calculators to teach core the solutions, and skills...

Mark Libby Chair of Trustees

04 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Our 25- ear Journe y y

1998–2003

Backed by Francis C. Scott Charitable Trust Youth voice begins with Speak Up 2000 John Muir Award opens outdoor learning

2004–2009

Cumbria Youth Alliance was created to bring the youth sector together and make sure every young person in Cumbria has the support and opportunities they deserve. Founded in 1998 within ACT with major investment from the Francis Scott Trust, CYA united youth organisations across the county — from Scouts and Guides to YMCA, Brathay and the Prince’s Trust. We became an independent charity in 2000, establishing CYA as Cumbria’s countywide youth infrastructure body. For 25 years, our mission has stayed the same:

Young Cumbrian Filmmaker Award launched Young people lead funding decisions (YOF/YCF) Sports programmes tackle Cumbria’s skills gap

2010–2015

Skills for Working Futures becomes a core offer More apprenticeships and employability pathways Wider support for youth groups across the county

2016–2020

Stronger youth voice and wellbeing focus Pandemic response: online support, doorstep check-ins, food deliveries

working with and for young people to help them reach their full potential.

A quarter of a century of showing up for young people and the organisations who support them and there’s still plenty more to do.

VCSE coordination through the Voluntary Sector Reference Group

2021–2024

2024–2025

Countywide mapping shapes strategic planning across Cumberland

Enrichment Fund co-designed by care-experienced young people

Benny Walker Centre under development Cumbria Youth Voice goes to Westminster

05 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

CEO’s Message

As I reflect on a quarter century of impact and supporting over 100,000 people in that time, what strikes me most is the resilience and brilliance of young people in Cumbria. Their stories, some shared in these pages, are powerful reminders of why our work matters. They inspire us daily.

Over the past 5 years I have had the privilege of leading a phenomenally dedicated staff team and Board of Trustees. This formidable group has enabled the organisation to grow, evolve and shape into a charity recognised and respected nationally.

Leading collaboration across the youth sector, amplifying youth voice, and delivering programmes that make measurable difference. From supporting young people into education, training and work, to improving mental health and wellbeing, to strengthening organisations across Cumbria, our mission has remained constant: enabling all young people to reach their full potential. This is not only a moment to celebrate but also to look forward.

..our mission has remained constant: enabling all young people to reach their full potential.

The challenges facing young people today, whether around mental health, opportunity, isolation, addiction, poverty or inequality, are complex and urgent.

With the continued support of partners, funders, and advocates, we are confident the next 25 years can bring even greater impact. To everyone who has walked this journey with us, I say a huge thank you. Your belief, commitment and support made all this possible. To those reading today, I extend a heartfelt invitation—join us in championing the next generation. With your support, we can continue to create a county, and a country, where every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Becky Wolstenholme CEO

06 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Who We Are

Who we are

Looking Trustee IndependentAuditors’ Forward Report

Youth Voice

Introduction

Sector Support

Programmes

About us

CYA empowers young people, champions youth voice, strengthens the sector, and drives collaboration, ensuring young people across Cumbria reach their full potential.

What makes CYA unique is its dual role as both a frontline deliverer of programmes and a backbone organisation for the entire youth sector in Cumbria. It sits at the intersection of local delivery and countywide strategy, connecting grassroots projects with national policy, and ensuring that Cumbrian young people are not left behind.

Today, as CYA celebrates 25 years as a registered charity, it continues to play a vital role in tackling inequalities faced by young people in one of England’s most rural and geographically challenging counties.

Mission

Working with and for young people to enable them to reach their full potential

Strategic Priorities

Vision

Cumbria Youth Alliance is the lead organisation for the development and quality assurance of youth provision where all young people in Cumbria can thrive to achieve a sustainable and positive future.

08 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Our Strategy and Theory of Change

The need in Cumbria

Cumbria is one of the most rural counties in England. Through our mapping work and direct engagement with young people, we consistently hear that access, confidence and mental health are the biggest barriers shaping young people’s lives.

Young people told us that:

43% of young people had no knowledge of what support services were available to them in their

communities

These barriers are real. Missing a bus in Cumbria can mean missing education, employment or training, reducing opportunities for our young people and running the risk of rising NEET levels in Cumbria. It can also mean being left alone for too long without access to services when you need them, risking the safety and wellbeing of our young people and putting further strain on NHS mental health services. Our strategy responds to these realities.

We want young people to feel supported, capable and hopeful about their future. We also want the organisations they rely on to be strong, safe and sustainable. Alongside this, we work to make sure Cumbria is recognised nationally, championing the great work happening here and pushing for fair investment in rural youth services.

----- Start of picture text -----
What we invest
Skilled staff Partnerships Tools like the ME Spaces like the Time, consistency
and trusted across the Tool and shared Benny Walker and relationship-
adults sector systems Centre based support
What we do
Use evidence
Deliver Strengthen Coordinate
Embed youth and lived
targeted youth partnerships to
programmes organisations widen access voice experience to
guide change
What young people gain
Improved confidence, Stronger relationships with A stronger sense of being
motivation and emotional trusted adults increasing listened to, valued and able
wellbeing engagement to shape their future
What communities gain
Fairer access to
Safer, more sustainable youth Better coordination across
opportunities across
organisations services Cumbria
What Cumbria gains
More young people moving into Communities better
A skilled and confident
education, training or equipped to support their
youth workforce
employment young people
Our long-term impact
A stronger Cumbria, built on young people who feel supported, capable
and hopeful about their future.
----- End of picture text -----

09 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Key Achievements & Highlights

2024|25

58% Sustained employment rate

11,821 rate Individuals supported through CYA and partner programmes contributing to 58,155 Recorded hours of support

We have seen a year of growth, with innovative new ways of supporting young people and the sector, staff and young people stepping into the national spotlight and telling their stories, and partnerships strengthening both locally and nationally, with more collaboration and coproduction in the services we are delivering

247 Jobs and accreditations secured

This year our ME Tool officially became copyrighted – a socio- emotional evaluation tool that captures the journey, shows the impact, and strengthens practice. It is gaining national interest, and we are developing a digital version that will serve the whole sector. A standout moment for us was our 25-year celebration in the House of Commons Elliot's sums it up well “When it was my time to speak, it felt natural… it felt right, since coming back I’ve felt revived” That pride, and sense of “I belong here” is what we want every young person to feel.

We developed our InFUNstructure game, designed with young people, industry professionals and our amazing bridging horizons team. The energy in the room when the game is in play is incredible, from gaming in their bedrooms to seeing themselves as planners, problem solvers, leaders and saying “I can do this” – learning disguised as fun.

£2.7m

Secured for youth services in Cumbria

81%

We were shortlisted for 3 awards this year, both locally and nationally, a testament to the dedication and commitment of our team - CSJ Charity of the Year Award, Ersa Awards for the Forging Futures and BECBC Awards.

400 Organisations supported

Of young people who used the ME Tool saw improvements

With thanks to The Benny Walker Charitable Trust, CYA have purchased buildings in Workington, development is underway and we are set to open early 2026.

831 61 Professionals and volunteers trained improving the quality of services in Cumbria

247 Volunteers

Since coming back, I’ve felt revived... my desire to experience more of what I did that day is unavoidable and I find myself falling back to breaking barriers I thought I'd never break

3,151

Young people led change

Newly qualified youth workers to date

-Elliot

10 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Youth Voice

Youth Voice

Looking Trustee IndependentAuditors’ Forward Report

Introduction

Who we are

Sector Support

Programmes

Youth Voice

~ CUMBRIA * 3,151

Young people led change

Listening, leading and changing the culture

At Cumbria Youth Alliance, our youth voice work is helping to lead a wider culture change in how young people are seen, heard and supported across the county.

Traditionally, young people have been asked for their views once decisions are already formed. This year, through 3,151 young people leading change across 6,256 tailored sessions, we have continued to shift that approach. Young people were involved early, consistently and meaningfully, shaping not just individual sessions but how programmes, funding and partnerships are designed.

This has changed the culture of delivery in practical ways. Youth workers and partners increasingly start with the question:

What are young people telling us now? rather than What do we think they need?

Session content, timings, locations and delivery styles have adapted as a result. In rural and coastal communities, this has meant more flexible approaches, outreach delivery and a stronger focus on confidence-building before progression.

It has also changed the culture of decision-making. Through youth-led grant panels, co-design roles and representation at local and national meetings, young people have been trusted with real responsibility. Their insight has influenced funding priorities, commissioning conversations and how success is defined.

Most importantly, it has changed expectations. Young people who were once disengaged now expect to be listened to. Organisations expect to work in partnership with young people rather than doing things to or for them. Adults across the sector report greater confidence in youth-led approaches because they can see the difference it makes.

This culture change is not quick or superficial. It is built through relationships, consistency and trust. But over time, it is shifting how systems respond to young people in Cumbria, from seeing them as service users to recognising them as partners, and leaders of change.

Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

12

Cumbria Youth Voice in Westminster

During National Youth Work Week, and for our 25th year celebration young people supported by CYA shared their experiences directly with MPs, commissioners and national organisations at Westminster. They spoke honestly about life in Cumbria, where opportunities can feel limited, but ambition is strong.

For many young people, this was the first time they had been invited to speak at a national level about their lives. What they brought was clarity, confidence and lived experience.

These moments matter because they change how young people see themselves. Confidence grows when voices are taken seriously. Aspiration grows when lived experience is valued.

For CYA, they also strengthened our role as a bridge between local reality and national decision-making, ensuring Cumbria’s young people are part of conversations that shape policy and funding.

As a youth worker and young adult who lives and works here, it was inspiring to be heard and truly listened to. Thank you CYA for everything you've done for me as a young person, and as a young leader.

What an incredible When it was my time opportunity it was! to speak, honestly … it Really life changing, felt natural, it felt I spoke about my right. Since coming journey with CYA, back, I’ve felt almost how they have revived....my desire to supported me and experience more of what I believe needs what I did that day is to change! there’s not unavoidable and I find lack of ambition in myself falling back to Cumbria there’s lack breaking barriers I of opportunity! thought I’d never -Jade break. All i can say is what an experience.

-Elliot

13 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Youth Voice

How youth voice is shaping our work

This year, youth voice informed:

Youth-led grantmaking through the Enrichment Fund, Cumbria Youth Partnership and Dreamscheme Programme design across NEET and employability work, including changes to interview preparation, workplace visits, session timings and confidencebuilding activities

Area-based planning, building on Section 507B research involving 705 young people, 139 parents and 79 professionals

Representation and advocacy, working with councils, schools and partners to highlight rural access issues, mental health needs and the importance of safe

spaces

Direct delivery, through peer leadership, volunteering and co-design roles

Youth voice is built into delivery, review and learning. It helps us adapt quickly and respond to what young people are telling us now, not what we assume they need.

Top ten barriers recorded by young people 2024|25

----- Start of picture text -----
200
179
175
150
134
125
118
100
90
87
78 77 77
50
0
ConfidenceMental health issues TransportLow Interview Skills No CV or Cover letter Low Skills (Below Level 1)NEET risk Prior Trauma
No or limited work experience Low job application experience
----- End of picture text -----

How CYA are responding to the identified barriers young people are facing.

Bridging Horizons and employer partnerships One-to-one employability support Targeted early intervention through schools through our projects

Accredited training opportunities Practical application and supported practice Trauma-informed, relationship-led practice, with sector-wide training put in place.

14 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Programmes

Programmes

Sector Support

Looking Trustee IndependentAuditors’ Forward Report

Introduction

Youth Voice

Who we are

Bridging Horizons

----- Start of picture text -----
ME Tool Increases
----- End of picture text -----

Connecting Young People with Future Careers

Funded by The Benny Walker Charitable Trust

Bridging Horizons is a long-term programme to connect young people with careers, businesses, and opportunities, including those in industries they might not traditionally consider.

The Challenge in Cumbria

While civil engineering is a cornerstone of Cumbria's economy, offering numerous job opportunities, many young people face challenges such as transport, limited access to education and training, which reduce their entry into this sector. Bridging Horizons was created to bridge this specific gap, ensuring that Cumbria’s major industries are accessible to all, and local talent is nurtured.

Sustainability & Structure

Funded by the Benny Walker Charitable Trust, the programme is set to run for five years, beginning with the 2023/24 academic year. Bridging Horizons provides Year 9– 12 students and young adults aged 16–24 not in education, employment, or training (NEET) with access to careers in civil engineering, while also connecting the industry with local businesses. Crucially, the Bridging Horizons framework is designed to be adaptable. While the current focus is on civil engineering, the model is capable of moving between industries, allowing this successful approach to be replicated to connect young people with opportunities across various other sectors in the future.

Real-World Application

An example of real world application this year was the Keswick to Threlkeld experience emphasizes real-world learning, a local initiative that allowed participants to engage in practical civil engineering tasks. Participants analyzed different routes, bridge and tunnel locations, and access points. Through this analysis, they gained an understanding of how civil engineering decisions affect the communities in which they work.

Groundbreaking

Institute of Engineering and Technology

Making Civil Engineering a Reality

To some young people, civil engineering may seem distant from their reality. The programme addresses this by offering hands-on learning experiences in actual work environments, guided by industry professionals who use the same standards and practices as in the field. Industry Partnerships and Mentorship.

So far the programme has collaborated with Sir Robert McAlpine, Morgan Sindall, Amentum, Mott MacDonald, Balfour Beatty, Kier, Aecom, Arup, colleges, universities, and professional bodies to match young people with mentors offering direct industry experience. Through these partnerships, Bridging Horizons empowers young people with a clear understanding of their aspirations and sets them up for future career success.

InFUNstructure: Simulation for the Next Generation

Bridging Horizons also features InFUNstructure, a resource management simulation game developed CYA, industry professionals & by young people. InFUNstructure offers students the opportunity to collaborate on resource management strategies to develop new infrastructure, helping them understand how their decisions impact their communities. This innovative way of learning came from meeting young people where they are, more often than not, they are gaming, alone in a bedroom - so we brought the gaming to the project for deeper engagement and better learning. It applies the Gatsby Benchmarks and Skills Builder Framework whilst also remaining fun!

68%

Increase in Essential Skills

55%

Increase in Positive Relationships

Bridging Horizons 24-25

77 students took part across 4 schools 45 civil engineering companies engaged 15 industry mentors delivered sessions 53% 6 training providers involved 6 supporting organisations, including Increase in national bodies

Increase in aiming high

16 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Forging Futures

Helping Young People Move Into Work With Confidence and Support

Funded by Youth Futures Foundation

The programme meets young people where they are by offering tailored support, such as personalised support for those with anxiety, confidence-building workshops for those with low self-esteem, and work opportunities for those with limited work experience. We track progress throughout using the ME Tool and Upshot so that the young people can see clearly how far they have travelled and what they can build on.

What the programme offers:

One-to-one guidance and personalised planning Employability workshops and employer led sessions Job tasters and work experience placements in local industry

Accessing the ME Tool and real time progress tracking Delivers routes into jobs, apprenticeships, volunteering and training Rural Isolation, Poor Mental Health and Confidence barriers supported Cross partnership working for a whole systems approach

Cumbria Youth Alliance and DWP work closely together to deliver holistic programs that support young people. This partnership, leveraging CYA's specialist training plans, has led to life-changing outcomes for young people who face significant challenges

-Judith Wilkinson, DWP

This year, 160 young people overcame significant challenges such as confidence issues, mental health struggles, and limited work experience through the Forging Futures.

53%

86 entered employment

65% Young people achieved a positive outcome

58%

Sustained employment, 10% above the IPS gold standard

These outcomes show strong, continuous progress. For many young people, part time work, volunteering or taster are vital first steps before moving into more sustained employment

Confidence comes first, everything else follows

Skill and New Pathways

26 gained a qualification or accreditation 11 moved into education or training 15 started volunteering 13 gained work experience

ME Tool Improvements

Employability 1.24 points (79% improved) Aspiration and motivation 1.18 points Emotional wellbeing 1.18 points Key skills 0.94 points

Many young people move two steps plus in the space of weeks once they have established a trusted relationship and regular support.

Anon – recovery and progress

Having suffered PTSD after trauma, Anon was supported by CYA, this young person volunteered at a charity, and secured themselves an apprenticeship, and is now working

They were life changing chances

Ruben – finding direction

With tailored support Ruben moved from feeling overwhelmed to feeling hopeful and focused, saying:

“My future has gone from daunting

to invigorating.

17 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Care Experience Projects

West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership

What support we offer

One to one mentoring and personalised action plans Housing support / independent living skills

Funded by Sellafield's ‘Transforming West Cumbria’ project. Our care experienced projects support young people to become confident, stable and independent, with each of them having their own personalised plan supported by a constant key worker who walks alongside them as they move into adulthood.

Mental health and wellbeing support and resilience building

Skill development

Ability and life skills workshops

Often care-experience young people carry trauma, sometimes they are moving between placements, sometimes money worries are the issue. The reliability and trust worthiness of someone there beside them counts for everything.

Progress tracked using ME Tool and Upshot.

Brighter Futures

Brighter Futures funded through Cumbria Community Foundation supports care experienced young people across the Barrow and West Cumbria area to take confident steps in adulthood working in partnership with Bridging the Gap offering wrap around support from emotional resilience through to placements if desired. Often described by the young people involved as the first time someone backed them, never rushed or judging, just supporting to help them understand what is possible.

Firm Foundation (CYA)

Life skills, emotional resilience, confidence in self, support towards independent living, consistent mentoring.

Flourish (Inspira)

Careers guidance and work ready, taster sessions & placement work, ongoing support of both the young person & employer

Enrichment Fund

The Enrichment Fund was established to provide flexible, practical support at the moments when it matters most; The Fund will help cared for young when young people are taking steps towards people to know they are not alone independence, education, training or wellbeing. The Fund empowers care-experienced young people to make in this world as they enter funding decisions for their peers. Through a structured yet supportive process, the Youth Panel assesses anonymised adulthood.… The money being applications and awards grants aligned to four key focus areas: raised will help so many children and families. -Youth Panel Member

-Youth Panel Member

Health & wellbeing Training, employment & travel Independent essentials Arts, culture & social connection

I’m able to better understand my past, my adoption breakdown and how this impacted on me… I come out feeling good and that there is a future for me and I hope they continue -Beneficiary

Across the youth panel our ME Tool shows big gains in confidence, motivation & well-being

a genuine example of co-production that works Cumberland Council PA

Young people supported 43

The bike has helped me get to appointments on time and has benefited me by making it easier to get around Carlisle and the surrounding areas. -Beneficiary

Multiply

Money Matters funded through Multiply by Westmorland and Furness Council, strengthens financial confidence for care experienced young people who move into young adulthood without financial networks. In its first pilot year Community Youth Alliance was alone in success nationally in engaging care experience young people through Multiply. This year saw a further three young, gained certificate with one also gaining the award for overall improved confidence, a great boosts of light of what takes place through learning and relationships.

‘ i £30,000 Distibuted in Year 1

18 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Breaking Barriers

Reaching Vulnerable Young People

Duke of Edinburgh

Building Confidence, Resilience and Pride

Funded by The Benny Walker Charitable Trust

Breaking Barriers is a targeted outreach programme for young people aged 15–18 in West Cumbria, including Workington, Whitehaven, Cleator Moor, and Frizington, areas known for high NEET rates and socio-economic challenges. All the young people the programme focuses on are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET, experiencing anxiety, low confidence, disrupted education or early disengagement.

Funded by the Benny Walker Charitable Trust, Breaking Barriers meets a clear target: it’s consistent, relationshipbased outreach at a time when these vulnerable young people would otherwise fall through the gaps. It effectively empowers young people by increasing their confidence and providing pathways to education, employment, and training, as evidenced by improved engagement and reduced anti-social behavior. Breaking Barriers is focused on early intervention, utilising personalised mentorship and community-based activities to provide practical support for young people. Each young person is seen by experienced youth workers who have the time and space to understand their interests and pressures as well as their strengths.

Activities Include:

The Duke of Edinburgh Award, is aimed at fostering personal development and achievement, is being championed by Cumbria Youth Alliance to provide opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out. young people engage in challenging activities such as volunteering, skill-building, and expeditions, fostering a sense of accomplishment. They become more team players, they learn how to fail and get back up and trust in their own decisions. Skills they can take into education, work and life beyond.

Easier access to DofE for young people facing may barriers

A consistent network of support in planning, navigation and teamwork

Familiar staff who understand what all groups present An environment where the young people can thrive at their own pace

Year after year, we witness young people proving they are more capable than they believed, overcoming low confidence. At CYA we know outdoor learning provides a safe environment for strengthening wellbeing, testing competencies, teamwork coaching, and experiencing success for many young people. For many the Award becomes a marker and proof they can do hard things and succeed with the right people who walk alongside them.

This year, CYA was recognised as the leading organisation in Cumbria for Open DofE Awards, supporting over 200 young people in achieving this milestone.

Mayfield School - Gold Expedition

One of the best bits of this year’s work came from Mayfield School, a special school in Whitehaven who completed their Gold qualifying expedition

Activities Include:

Regular one-to-one contact with a trusted, consistent youth worker, practical linked-activity based on the young person’s passions and interests, improving employability skills,

Volunteer-Involvement and social-action projects that bring together young people and business mentors, accessing accredited learning and volunteering. Progress is monitored using the ME Tool, evidence shows that providing consistent youth work impacts positively on young people’s motivation, and that their increased engagement reduces the risk of becoming NEET.

19 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Cumbria Youth Partnership

Funded by The National Lottery Community Trust

It has helped with her self-esteem and self-confidence at the end of the week she is proud to tell us what she’s been up to and what she’s been -Parent doing. 1,608 Young people reached

Cumbria Youth Partnership supports young people aged 12-25 who face significant challenges such as mental health issues, poverty, addiction and rural isolation, through a network of local partners. The partnership seeks to engage with young people who may not be engaging with traditional service providers and to deliver services based on feedback directly from young people identifying what is most important to them.

The youth-led steering committee, drawing from their own lived experiences, played a crucial role in shaping funding priorities and decisions, ensuring that the services provided were truly reflective of the needs of young people. Fifteen partner organisations provided projects throughout the county. Many of the young people involved were experiencing mental health issues, anxiety, family pressure, poverty, and disengagement from education.

7,957 Session attendances

Partner Organisations

NADT, SAFA, Women’s Community Matters, ICan Wellbeing Group, People First, Safety Net, Walney Community Trust, Alston Youth Group, A Step Ahead, Horizon Studios, The Outside Club, Blue Jam Arts, CADAS, Together WE, Aspatria Dreamscheme

19,218 Total hours delivered

From the feedback received from partner organisations and school staff, there appeared to be an increase in the level of trust and confidence in the young people the partnership was able to engage with, and the level of openness of the conversations around youth has improved considerably. The major takeaway from Year One is that when supported, young people can have a major impact on their local communities through direct input regarding what they believe needs to be done.

Impact

Young people supported:

Young people with care-experience or in care Young people with social anxiety and difficulties with their emotional & social wellbeing Young people with mild, moderate or severe physical and learning disabilities Children from refugee families Primary and secondary schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs)

Young people attending youth-focused settings Young people struggling with social isolation Young people not engaging in mainstream education Victims of crime Young people at risk of exclusion Young people in lone parents homes or in two homes Young carers Neurodiverse young people Young people who self-harm or have suicidal ideation Young people who misuse substances Young people involved with youth justice

84%

of young people improved their social skills and the way they interacted with groups

15

84%

of young people reported feeling less isolated

£360,000

allocated as direct grants through youthled funding

organisations funded to deliver localised community-based projects

20 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Social Action

Youth Leading Action

Case Study

We understand the importance of social action at (CYA) work, as evidenced by numerous projects where young people have successfully led initiatives, such as community clean-ups and school-based programs, demonstrating their leadership and creativity.

During a neurodiverse club session we helped the attendees to produce a poster listing some of the symptoms of autism and ADHD. The project allowed attendees to talk openly about the way that their conditions affect them, both negatively and positively.

Dreamscheme

Dreamscheme provides grants of £400 to schools and youth groups in Cumbria, providing young people an opportunity to turn what were once their ideas into action. Every project is youth led from beginning to end

This gave them a chance to think about how the label of

What Dreamscheme Provides

1. Youth led planning, budgeting and delivery

autism/ADHD can mean a lot of different things, and that people (including them) shouldn't assume that two people with the same diagnosis have exactly the same experience.

2. £400 grant

3. Every project benefitting the community

4. Developing skills in teamwork, communication and decision making

Dreamscheme works because it is simple, trusted, and supports young people to succeed by allowing them to learn through action rather than direction

Call to Social Action

Call to Social Action enables young people to develop and pitch their solutions to improve their communities with the support of volunteer mentors from local businesses.

I wanted to become a mentor with the intention of helping and inspiring the next generation of workers, with the idea of making them look into all possible avenues of unique companies and roles inside. -Tom Jackson, Cows & CO

Small groups of young people in school work together between four and eight weeks to look at issues they care about, develop solutions and present their ideas to the judging panel. Winning teams received a Dreamscheme grant of £400 to help them turn their ideas into action. The project meets the Gatsby Benchmark.

-Tom Jackson, Cows & CO

Call to Social Action targets young people between the ages of 15 and 18, especially those who may be struggling to engage or attend school. One of the most frequently reported benefits by teachers for the students in the program is an increased level of confidence, especially among students who hardly ever speak up in class or take a leadership role.

94%

Improvement in Social Involvement

Participants spoke about how they had been treated in the past as a result of their conditions and how this poster might have resulted in them being treated differently. The poster is now displayed at the Carnegie to build awareness.

-Carnegie Youth Club

21 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Stories of Change

Kaye’s Story

CYA helped me probably more than I’ve told them that they’ve helped me. Before I started going to them I was having constant panic attacks, I could barely leave the house, I couldn’t get on public transport, I was just an absolute shell of a person. They helped me bring out a lot of confidence, get back to being a functioning person and into counselling with a partner programme.

They helped me get my diagnosis for autism and ADHD and they put me through some sessions to help me better manage my symptoms. They also helped me pass my driving test.

Elliot’s Story

I’ve suffered with severe anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember. I dealt with that through addictive substances, through self neglect and self abuse. And before I met CYA, I kind of went on like a self discovery journey, and I healed myself in quite a lot of ways, and I’d gotten to a point where I just didn’t know what else to do next, and I reached out for some help, and the Jobcentre put me in touch with CYA. Since then, it’s just given me some sort of accountability, someone to help me along the way.

When I came to CYA, I didn’t really know the effect of what I’d done to myself. I didn’t really know how far I’d come. Nobody gives you the responsibility that you need to heal. You need to be responsible for your own mental health, your own journey. And I just think CYA does a better job of giving you time, the time that you need, and they spend it with you, not trying to spend it with your problems. Right now, I’m working as a recovery worker with people who have been in the same situation as me.

I actually owe CYA my life because they brought me back from a place that I didn’t think I was ever going to get out of and I do really appreciate everything that they’ve done for me.

...They helped me bring out a lot of confidence, get back to being a functioning person and into counselling with a partner programme. OO Lizzie’s Story i> :

I heard about CYA when I was 16 years old. I was out of education and really disengaged from any sort of social services or educational services. CYA gave me an opportunity to be part of a grants panel for 16 to 25 year olds, where we got to decide where £60,000 was distributed between local youth groups. I’m now on the Aspiring Leadership Programme doing a BA honours in Applied Management and Leadership.

They see you as real individuals, they invest in you as an individual, they give you opportunities to grow, and yet throughout all of that you’re part of this bigger community, but there’s a real emphasis on self and the bigger part of it.

...CYA does a better job of giving you time, the time that you need, and they spend it with you, not trying to spend it with your problems.

22 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Sector Support

----- Start of picture text -----
Sector
Support
Looking Trustee
Forward Report
----- End of picture text -----

Independent Auditors’

Who we are Youth Voice

Introduction

Programmes

Sector Support

Strengthening the Sector

Cumbria Youth Alliance works with and supports the youth sector across our county. We focus on the practical: supporting organisations to stay safe, confident and sustainable so that they can continue to serve young people. By providing hands-on support, practical resources and partnership working, we help organisations with capacity building, quality marks, securing funding, improving governance and demonstrating the impact they are having.

This year we have:

CYA continues to co-chair the Voluntary Sector Reference Group, bringing together more than 180 VCFS organisations. This group provides space for shared learning, co-ordination and honest conversation, allowing us as a sector to respond together to challanges rather than attempted in isolation.

Growing the Workforce: Better Tomorrows

With Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund through Better Tomorrows, we continue to address the shortage of qualified youth workers in Cumbria.

To date, Better Tomorrows has delivered:

Over 8,055 new young people engaged in youth work. 61 more trained youth workers. 46 new youth work jobs funded across Cumbria. Over 22,230 hours of new youth work provision.

CYA secured a further investment of £445,270 from The National Lottery Community Fund for workforce development that aims to train a further 225 youth workers over the next five year.

The Benny Walker Centre

The Benny Walker Centre, will enable the sector to further come together, offering infrastructure support and a safe space for training, meetings, co-working and youth delivery. Designed with young people, the centre will become a shared home for the youth sector across West Cumbria, reducing barriers to collaboration and supporting long-term sustainability for youth delivery across the area.

_ 24 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Im act and Data p

Data can feel overwhelming for many charities. We often lack the time and resources to fully engage with evidence-based practices. However, evidence is vital both to understand what works and why, but also for sustainability.

At Cumbria Youth Alliance we are working hard to create working with impact and data that is essential, seamless, and useful for the sector. Our offer is simple; we’ll make it easy for organisations to do the things they already do and use the evidence found along the way to do it better for young people and strengthen sustainability of their services.

Insight into instinct

It provides evidence to our theories and allows us to show what is working. Our most recent evaluation of data has shown us where youth workers are present, antisocial behaviour goes down

The risk of antisocial behaviour comes less from intent, more from disconnection and lack of opportunity. Where young people have safe spaces, trusted adults and meaningful things to do, communities flourish.

Mapping what is available

This year, CYA undertook a significant piece of youth services mapping work for Cumberland Council. In response to meeting their 507b requirements.

Our mapping showed us exactly where provision is strong, where it’s missing, and where urgent change is needed.

The finding will reinforce local provision that supports communities, and highlight gaps, particularly in rural areas, around weekends, and areas with significant need and little access. CYA will be doing the same for Westmorland and Furness.

25 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Im act and Data p

ME Tool

People not just data

Central to this work is the ME Tool, available for organisations to effectively capture the journey of support for a young person. Designed with young people, frontline staff and Ipsos Mori. The ME tool does more than just track outcomes at the end of their provision, the ME tool tracks and measures progress on areas of well-being, confidence, relationship, and employability. In other words, the journey of change, not simply the destination.

In early 2026 we are digitising the ME tool so that it works as a digital tool across youth work, schools, apprenticeships and employability programmes.

Alongside Upshot, it allows organisations to track, engagement, outcomes and progress—with young people in the room always.

While we do understand the importance of data and impact collection, we know it is not the full story. Stories remain our strongest evidence, data gives weight to stories, and the people give them meaning.

80% of our staff are lived experience and their instincts, empathy and courage cannot be plotted on a graph. The combination of powerful stories, amazing staff and robust data has allowed us to contribute to two national papers, speak at national events including CSJs ‘Lost Boys’ event, and deliver Forging Futures evaluated by the Institute for Employment Studies.

With our tools, expertise and knowledge of the sector we are now offering evaluation services for other projects to understand the impact and how we can replicate models of good practice across the county.

~~ON~~

Stories remain our strongest evidence, data gives weight to stories, and the people give them meaning.

Download the IES evaluation of CYAs Forging Futures project ~~I~~

26 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Looking Forward

----- Start of picture text -----
Introduction
----- End of picture text -----

Looking Forward Sector Trustee Independent Auditors’ Support Report

Who we are Youth Voice

Programmes

Future Vision

What we want to see by 2030

20% increase in youth engagement

28 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Thank You

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the amazing staff, volunteers, trustees, funders and partners who have supported Cumbria Youth Alliance during 2024/2025. Your generosity, commitment and collaboration have been essential in helping us positively impact the lives of young people throughout Cumbria by providing services, supporting projects, and creating brighter futures.

Special thanks to:

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the Enrichment Fund, which is managed and led by care-experienced young people for their peers. This fund provides micro-grants aimed at enhancing the lives of careexperienced young people, creating opportunities that they might not have otherwise encountered. The video is what we showed at our Stars of Tomorrow Ball where we raised over £50,000! This has meant so many lives have been impacted positively.

We look forward to the next 25 years of working together.

Your support means we can continue to support the young people of Cumbria. Scan to find out more:

29 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Trustee Report

Trustee Report Independent Auditors’

Youth Voice

Sector Looking Support Forward

Introduction

Who we are

Programmes

Reference & Administrative Detail

Board of Trustees

Charity Name

Cumbria Youth Alliance

M Libby, Chair

Y Lambert, Vice

Chair J McGlasson

(Appointed 15 January 2025) (Resigned 2 September 2025)

L Twentyman

T Emerson-Jewkes

K Hyslop

(Resigned 13 August 2024) (Resigned 3 September2025)

CA Thompson

L Borthwick

Registered & Principle Office

Town Hall Community Hub Oxford Street WORKINGTON CA14 2RS

Registration Details

Charity registration number 1079508 Company registration number 03819033

C Downham

Auditor

S Birkitt

Secretary

R J Wolstenholme

Dodd & Co Audit Limited FIFTEEN Rosehill Montgomery Way CARLISLE CA1 2RW

Contact Details

office@cya.org.uk www.cya.org.uk 01900 603131

31 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Finances at a Glance

A quick look at the year’s financial picture, showing where our funding came from, how it was used, and what sits behind the year-end balances. For more description, please read the Trustee Report.

Income and Expenditure

----- Start of picture text -----
£154,521
Unrestricted Income
(donations, earned income,
interest and contracts)
£1,580,901
Capital Funding for £45,530
The Benny Walker
Support and
Centre
Governance
4%
Income:
Expenditure
For the year For the year
46%
£3,376,699 £1,283,313
48%
96%
£1,237,783
Direct Delivery with young
people and the sector
£1,641,277
Restricted Project Income
----- End of picture text -----

----- Start of picture text -----
Restricted Position at year end
£703,001
17% Income paid in advance
37% £858,440
Capital Funds remaining for The
Benny Walker Centre
£336,424
45% Current project balances
Unrestricted Position at year end
£843,297
Fixed Assets
18% £191,000
General reserves
15% £235,668
Designated Central Pot
64%
£50,000
Future Development Pot
----- End of picture text -----

32 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Statement of responsibilities of the trustee of Cumbria Youth Alliance in respect of the trustees’ annual report and accounts

The trustees (who are also directors of Cumbria Youth

Alliance for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and the Financial Reporting Standard 102- 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities

The Board of Trustees at CYA

33 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Trustee Report

The financial year 2024/25 marks not just the 25th anniversary year of Cumbria Youth Alliance, but a significant step forwards in the performance of the charity. The Trustees are incredibly proud of the team, who are relentlessly driving forwards and delivering on CYA’s mission of working with and for young people to enable them to reach their full potential.

Growth has only been possible through the very real demonstration that CYA has tried, tested and proven models which unlock opportunities for young people to thrive. This has been recognised, and with the design and scaling of new projects and support lines for young people and youth organisations, local and national funders have noticed. In this context, financial performance has been strong; matched by an ever-growing number of young people who are having their lives changed.

Underpinning our growth are novel and innovative delivery programmes, and considerable investment in core infrastructure. There remains much work to be done, with many young people still in huge need of support. However, Cumbria Youth Alliance has never been in a stronger position to reach more people and catalyse systemic change . The programmes created and delivered are grounded in partnership with other youth providers, while advancements in systems are benefitting the whole sector.

Upgrades to our infrastructure ensures that CYA can gather robust data, capable of identifying emergent problem areas. Harnessing this information CYA are able to lead the advocacy for young people , pinpoint the right partners and the best solutions, and where no such service exists; roll out a response to provide essential support and incubate game changing projects. Upgrades to our systems, models and evaluation frameworks ensure that every young person’s journey can be mapped, featuring iterative feedback which can isolate and identify problem areas

By understanding these details CYA, our partner organisations and services, and the employers working with us, can dramatically improve the pathway of a young person.

These advancements are only possible from the investment in our methods, and we are hugely grateful to the funders who have backed us to design and rollout essential tools and novel interventions. We have continued to customise and elevate our use of Upshot, ensuring the interface is bespoke to the Cumbrian landscape, while also continuing to develop our widely acclaimed in-house “ME Tool”, increasingly recognised by charity partners and employers as an essential interface. Alongside technical and system advances, programme quality has continued to increase.

For example, CYA’s employment services are now considered among the best in the country for achieving positive outcomes and boast a 58% success rate, well above the nationally recognised gold standard of 48% . Much of the success relates to new approaches on how to relate to young people. For example, for a generation of gamers CYA have developed a game; specifically, a game which exposes our youth in a fun and interactive way to the world of civil engineering, aligning skills with real local employment opportunity. This is just one example of many.

Finally, with huge thanks to the Benny Walker Charitable Trust, Cumbria Youth Alliance will be opening a brand-new building in the heart of Workington during 2026. The property purchase has been completed, with extensive development work underway. This will provide as solid foundation for the CYA team to keep delivering, and for thousands of young people to keep benefitting for services and taking steps towards a positive future. The accounts are therefore presented against this backdrop, one of considerable growth and increased performance, which is welcomed and celebrated. At the heart of these growing numbers are the opportunities which are unlocked for the young people of Cumbria. Exciting times are ahead, with the charity in a robust position to progress our mission.

34 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

...Trustee Report Continued

Income and Expenditure

The accounts show a considerable increase in income, amounting to £3,376,699, reflecting CYA’s organisational growth. The figure primarily consists of capital funding £1,580,901, for the sole use of the new Benny Walker Centre, and restricted project funds of £703,001 paid in advance. In other words, most of the income carried forward is tied to restricted project commitments and cannot be used for general running costs.

Note on accounting regulations: grant income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred, whereas expenditure is recognised at the point of occurrence. The recording method often results in a mismatch between the reporting of income and the recognition of related expenditure. This is consistent with SORPs guidelines for charity reporting, but not necessary a useful reflection of the income and expenditure which occurred throughout the year.

As a result, while the accounts indicate a significant income surplus over expenditure, these funds are earmarked for future project delivery and a one-time capital project. This somewhat distorts the actual in year activity.

Restricted Funds

Funding for the Benny Walker Centre totalled £1,580,901 this year, featuring a one-off Capital Grant from The Benny Walker Charitable trust of £1,500,000 and additional grants totalling £80,901. Because development and construction are happening in stages, only £722,461 had been spent by March 25, leaving £858,440 ringfenced for the next phase of development. This is solely restricted to the development of the building (note 19).

The total projected costs associated with the building are estimated to be £2,084,504. Including other allocated income sources, there is a projected funding shortfall of £288,604 in relation to the building project. This is not included in the accounts and CYA are currently working to close this gap.

Many of our projects span multiple years, which, while enhancing service sustainability, can distort the annual net income versus expenditure figures. Many projects currently hold income ahead of delivery. These include Youth Futures Foundation, Benny Walker Outreach, Benny Walker Civil Engineering project, TNLCF projects, Brighter Futures and Leaving Care. Together the advance payments total £703,001. All of which will be drawn down as delivery continues into the next year and future years where applicable.

Once these future instalments and capital funds are taken out of the equation, the remaining restricted balance for ongoing projects sits at £336,424 (before creditors) This is funding that is actively being used to deliver work already in progress and restricted to a specific purpose.

Balance Sheet

At the year end, CYA is shown as having assets totalling £3,217,830. This includes £2,009,172 as cash, plus debtors (amounts due to CYA) of £500,333.

£1,897,865 of assets are restricted for future projects and the Benny Walker Centre development, leaving £1,319,965 of unrestricted assets which includes tangible assets of £843,297 (inclusive of the building purchase, £548,868 ).

Consequently, the unrestricted liquid assets of CYA total £476,668.

Reserves Policy

The Board of Trustees reviewed and approved CYA’s reserves policy at the Finance Committee meeting in September 2025. The policy is to keep liquid financial reserves which are equal to 6 months core costs, plus redundancy liabilities. This allocation ensures CYA’s financial stability and allows us to maintain operations during uncertain periods. Using this calculation, £191,000 should be held as cash in reserve in 25/26.

Unrestricted Balances

The total unrestricted, liquid assets available to CYA (£476,668) are allocated as follows:

Reserves: £191,000

Designated Funds: £235,668

Development Funds : £50,000

Designated funds relate to unrestricted funds which are allocated toward future, unmet essential expenditure items. This usually relates to covering the core costs of the charity. This ensures that the necessary infrastructure and support services are funded consistently, allowing the organisation to focus on delivering its core mission.

Development funds are the resources freely available for the charity to deploy in advance of our overall mission. These assets are held to one side to pursue arising opportunities, respond to emergent need, and invest in activities that support our long-term goals.

Fixed Asset Reserve

CYA holds £843,297 in fixed assets, which includes the building, vehicles and fixtures. Items essential for delivery but not available for day-to-day spending, so they are excluded from the reserve’s total.

A full breakdown of all restricted balances is listed in note 19

If the income expenditure relating to the Benny Walker Centre is removed, and adjustments are made for income received for future delivery the following can be derived from adjustments in 24/25:

Total Income: £1,073,337

Total Expenditure: £1,283,313

While there appears to be a shortfall in the adjusted numbers above, this does not include the income received in the prior year for project expenditure throughout this financial year.

Governing Document

Cumbria Youth Alliance operates under its governing document, a deed of trust, which outlines the charity’s legal framework as a limited company by guarantee in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The memorandum and articles of association define our charitable objectives, the roles and responsibilities of the trustees, and the overall governance structure. This document ensures our commitment to transparency, accountability, and full compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.

Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

35

...Trustee Report Continued

During the year, the Board agreed that the charity needed a clearer asset-lock, due to now owning a building. This amendment was brought to the AGM on 9 December 2025 and is being submitted to the Charity Commission. The updated clause confirms that all assets must be used for charitable purposes and explains if the charity were ever to dissolve, transfer could only be made to a similar organisation with an asset-lock. This brings our documents in line with expectations and reflects significant changes.

Trustee Recruitment and Appointment

Our trustee recruitment process ensures a diverse board with a broad range of skills, experiences, and viewpoints, essential for effective governance. Newly appointed trustees have already made strong contributions across the organisation.

An improved induction process is currently being developed. Trustees are encouraged to meet staff teams and take part in activities outside of the regular board meetings so they can see how programmes operate in practice.

We have three committees in place to strengthen oversight:

Finance Committee – supporting strong financial management

HR, Safeguarding and Policies Committee – reviewing HR, policies and safeguarding practice

These committees give trustees the ability to explore these areas in more detail and support better decision-making.

All trustees complete enhanced DBS checks. Shared training and planning sessions with staff help maintain alignment across the charity. Staff updates at each board meeting give trustees a clear view of current activity.

Each trustee receives a handbook and the latest Charity Commission guidance. As the organisation grows, our induction and onboarding processes are being strengthened. CYA also continues to help smaller organisations improve their own governance. The Board remains committed to high standards and maintains compliance with the Platinum Standard of the Simple Quality Protects framework and Section 11 expectations from the Cumbria Safeguarding Board.

Risk Management

CYA takes an active approach to identifying and managing risk. The Senior Leadership Team reviews risk throughout the year, including governance, operational, capital risk, external, financial and regulatory and compliance.

The risk register has been strengthened this year with clearer controls with more focus on accountability and improved actions for risks that remain above target. The Board reviews the full risk register during the year and considers risk as part of broader strategic oversight. This helps ensure we remain compliant, financially secure and prepared for change.

With the new financial year ahead, the board and senior leadership are reviewing how we can continue to build a stronger approach to risk, reflecting the responsibilities that come with owning a building.

GDPR, Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity, and Sustainability

CYA places strong a importance on the rights, safety and wellbeing of everyone we work with, young people, volunteers, staff and partners. Our policies and day-to-day practices ensure legal and ethical compliance across all our activities.

Data Protection (GDPR)

CYA set out a clear policy on how personal information is collected, stored and used. All staff complete mandatory training and attend regular refreshers in GDPR and Cyber Security. Regular checks are carried out to ensure information is handled responsibly and only for the right purposes. Oversight sits with the Senior Leadership Team and the Board.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding remains at the centre of CYAs work. Our policies have been built on best practise and on statutory guidance including the Children Acts and Working Together to Safeguard Children. CYA has trained safeguarding leads, safeguarding trustees and mandatory training for all staff. Safer recruitment and case reflection are part of our routine practice. Policies are reviewed annually and monitored through the year.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our EDI Policy sets clear expectations for a fair and respectful environment for staff, volunteers, partners, trustees and young people. It covers accessible services, inclusive recruitment, zero tolerance for discrimination and positive action where required. All staff complete EDI training.

Sustainability

CYA’s sustainability work focuses on responsible use of resources, reducing waste and encouraging greener choices within programmes and partnerships. As the Benny Walker Centre develops, we remain committed to decisions that support environmental responsibility and community benefit, including improving energy efficiency and embedding environmental awareness within youth-led work.

Each one is scored on likelihood and impact then assigned to members of staff or trustees. That person or persons are responsible for monitoring the risk and keeping controls up to date.

36 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Independent Auditors’ Report

Sector Support

Looking Trustee Forward Report

----- Start of picture text -----
Independent
Auditors’
Report
----- End of picture text -----

Youth Voice

Who we are

Programmes

Introduction

Independent auditors’ report to the trustees of Cumbria Youth Alliance

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Cumbria Youth Alliance for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditorʼs report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRCʼs Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Annual Report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

38 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

Responsibilities of the trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 33, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal controls as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the Charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud to be in relation to management override which, in common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are required to perform specific procedures to respond to this risk.

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the Charities Act 2011, Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Companies Act 2006.

As a result of performing the above, in response to the risks identified, we did not identify any key audit matters related to the potential risk of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations. In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks identified the following:

enquiring of management concerning actual and potential litigation claims;

reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and

39 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

CUMBRIA YOUTH ALLIANCE

Continued...

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

......................................... fpr~ Joanne Thomlinson (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Dodd & Co Audit Limited, Statutory Auditor

FIFTEEN Rosehill Montgomery Way Rosehill Estate CARLISLE CA1 2RW

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Total Funds
Note Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
2 - 1,580,901 1,580,901 -
2 51,465 1,568,912 1,620,377 1,746,792
2 1,261 3,000 4,261 1,094
3 18,265 69,365 87,630 4,143
4 5,574 - 5,574 5,216
5 77,956 - 77,956 70,992
154,521 3,222,178 3,376,699 1,828,237

Income

Donations and legacies Capital Grants Other Grants Other donations and legacies Raising funds Investments Charitable activities Total income

Expenditure on:

Charitable activities 3,218 1,280,095 1,283,313 1,253,522 Total expenditure 3,218 1,280,095 1,283,313 1,253,522Gross transfer between funds 760,631 (760,631) Net income/(Expenditure) 911,934 1,181,452 2,093,386 574,715 ~~a~~ Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 408,031 716,413 1,124,444 549,729 Total funds carried forward 1,319,965 1,897,865 3,217,830 1,124,444

9 December 2025

Dodd & Co Audit Limited is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

All of the Charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above periods.

The notes on pages 42 to 51 form an integral part of these financial statements, a full breakdown of restricted and unrestricted balances can be found in note 19 on page 48

40 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

CUMBRIA YOUTH ALLIANCE

.....CONTINUEDCompany registration number: 03819033 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

2025 2025 2024 2024
Note £ £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 12 843,297 95,928
Current assets
Debtors 13 500,333 21,445
Cash at bank and in hand 2,009,172
2,509,505		 1,067,263
1,088,708
Creditors: Amounts falling due within
one year		 14 (134,972) (60,192)
Net current assets 2,374,533 1,028,516
Net assets 3,217,830 1,124,444
The funds of the charity:
Restricted funds in surplus 1,899,812 743,520
Restricted funds in deficit
Better Tomorrows - (27,107)
NENC Youth Partnership (1,847) -
Youth Sector Mapping Support (100) -
Total restricted funds 1,897,865 716,413
Unrestricted funds
Unrestricted income funds 1,319,965 408,031
Total charity funds 3,217,830 1,124,444

CUMBRIA YOUTH ALLIANCE

Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2025 2024
£ £
Net cash provided by (used by) operating activities
Net income for the period 2,093,386 574,715
Depreciation charges 24,697 16,488
Loss on the sale of fixed assets - 2,227
(Increase)/decrease in debtors (478,888) 14,586
Increase in creditors 74,780 4,907
1,713,975 612,923
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		 (772,066)
(772,066)		 (98,673)
(98,673)
Increase in cash 941,909 514,250

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

Approved by the Board on 9 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... .........................................
M Libby Trustee Y Lambert Trustee

The notes on pages 42 to 51 form an integral part of these financial statements, a full breakdown of restricted and unrestricted balances can be found in note 19 on page 48

The notes on pages 42 to 51 form an integral part of these financial statements.

41 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

CUMBRIA YOUTH ALLIANCE

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1.) Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Income and endowments

Donations are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the Charity before the Charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)- (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

The charitable company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administor/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measured with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the Charity.

Income from Government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Income derived from events is recognised as earned (that is, as the related goods or services are provided).

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.

Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of one year from the date of approval of the financial statements.

Income from charitable activities includes income recognised as earned (as the related goods or services are provided) under contract or where entitlement to grant funding is subject to specific performance conditions. Grant income included in this category provides funding to support programme activities and is recognised where there is entitlement, probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Expenditure

Fund accounting policy

Further details of each fund are disclosed in note 19

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

42 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

Support costs.....CONTINUED

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.

Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.

Liabilities

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the Charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Taxation

Operating leases

The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Pensions

Fixed assets

Individual fixed assets costing £100 or more are initially recorded at cost

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged in the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.

Depreciation

Financial instruments

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Trade Debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the Charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Charity after deducting all of its liabilities.

All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs), unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the statement of financial position when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the Charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Financial assets are derecognised when and only when a) the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled, b) the Charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or c) the Charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.

Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.

43 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

2 Donations and legacies

Donations and legacies
nued...
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Donations and legacies
Appeals and donations 1,261 3,000 4,261 1,094
Grants
Grants 51,465 1,568,912 1,620,377 1,746,792
Capital grants - 1,580,901 1,580,901 -
51,465 3,149,813 3,201,278 1,746,792
52,726 3,152,813 3,205,539 1,747,886

Of the donations and legacies income in 2024, £26,847 related to unrestricted funds and £1,721,039 related to restricted funds.

3 Raising funds

Raising funds
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Care experience ball - 66,828 66,828 -
Earned income 18,265 2,537 20,802 4,143
18,265 69,365 87,630 4,143

Of the other trading activities income in 2024, £263 related to unrestricted funds and £3,880 related to restricted funds.

4 Investments

nvestments
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Interest on cash deposits 5,574 - 5,574 5,216

All of the investment income in 2024 related to unrestricted funds.

5 Charitableactivities

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Grants 77,956 - 77,956 70,992

6 Expenditure

Expenditure
Youth Total Total
projects 2025 2024
£ £ £
Direct costs
Employment costs
Venue Hire and Catering
Rent and services		 856,790
17,514
12,851		 856,790
17,514
12,851		 735,689
3,973
9,345
Insurance 11,956 11,956 7,784
Repairs and maintenance Telephone
and fax		 379
10,532		 379
10,532		 -
6,837
Office running costs
ICT costs		 4,942
19,550		 4,942
19,550		 7,625
24,964
Postage and stationery
Training for Young People
Trade subscriptions
People/Youth Group Bursary Payments
Other Project Expenditure
Travel Staff		 5,491
40,646
2,699
173,263
26,488
49,055		 5,491
40,646
2,699
173,263
26,488
49,055		 7,636
33,639
2,663
301,058
11,922
32,917
Advertising
Payroll costs		 3,865
1,762		 3,865
1,762		 4,914
2,083
1,237,783 1,237,783 1,193,049
Support costs
Trustees expenses
Accountancy fees
The audit of the charity's annual accounts
Legal and professional fees
Bad debts written off		 503
7,172
12,514
1,290
(646)		 503
7,172
12,514
1,290
(646)		 444
6,900
6,000
5,545
22,869
Depreciation of motor vehicles
Depreciation of office equipment		 18,986
5,711		 18,986
5,711		 12,965
3,523
(Profit)/loss on sale of tangible fixed assets held for - - 2,227
charity's own use
45,530 45,530 60,473
1,283,313 1,283,313 1,253,522

Of the expenditure in 2024, £36,430 related to unrestricted funds and £1,217,092 related to restricted funds.

All of the income from charitable activities in 2024 was unrestricted.

44 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

7 Grants payable

Grants aable
py 2025 2024
£ £
CADAS 19,559 7,295
Dragon Song Games - 1,500
Alston Recreation Ground - 5,000
Spiral - 27,311
Furness Broadcast Media CIC Ltd Phoenix Youth - 1,500
Centre - 1,000
Lancashire Youth Challenge - 4,740
Brampton & Beyond Community Trust - 1,500
Another Way - 1,500
Supportive Approachable Friendly Environment - 1,500
Kent Estuary Youth Project - 4,000
Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project - 1,500
SAFA Cumbria - 12,380
Stomping Ground CIC 9,599 9,599
St John's Hospice - 8,230
Always Another Way - 12,000
North Allerdale Development Trust 12,500 23,500
iCan 8,836 23,720
Wigton Youth Station - 3,000
Womens Community Matters 12,254 12,254
A Step Ahead 12,413 12,413
We Are People First 12,256 11,406
Safety Net 12,500 12,500
Alston Recreation Ground - 12,425
Together We CIC 10,128 24,498
Aspatria Dreamscheme
Walney Community Trust		 11,610
(2,583)		 14,610
10,986
Horizon Studios NW 22,201 12,201
Bluejam Arts 11,990 11,990
Maryport Scout Group - 6,000
South Workington Youth Partnership - 6,000
Kings Church - 3,000
Howgill 150 -
Household fund 10,400 -
Kendal Brewery Arts 9,450 -
173,263 301,058

8 Governance costs

Cost of trustee meetings
Accountancy fees
Audit of the accounts 2024
Audit of the accounts 2025
Legal and professional fees		 2025
£
2024
£
503
7,172
3,414
9,100
1,290
21,479
444
6,900
6,000
-
5,545
18,889

9 Trustees' remuneration and expenses

No trustees received any remuneration during the year. During the year travel expenses were paid to 0 trustees (2024:1) of £nil (2024:£444).

10 Netincome

Net income is stated after charging:

2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Auditors' remuneration - audit
services 12,514 6,000
(Profit)/loss on disposal of
tangible fixed assets		 - 2,227
Depreciation of tangible fixed
assets		 24,697 16,488

45 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

11 Employees' remuneration

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

the charity during the year was as follows:
2025 2024
No. No.
Charitable activities 25 20

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:
2025 2024
£ £
Wages and salaries 722,661 580,455
Social security 66,761 56,866
Other pension costs 27,116 21,558
816,538 658,879

One employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year. The key management personnel comprise the Trustees and the Senior Management Board. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the Charity were £66,045(2024 - £63,679).

46 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

15 Members'liability

12 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
nued...
Freehold Fixtures,
interest in land Motor fittings and
and buildings vehicles equipment Total
£ £ £ £
Cost
As at1 April 2024 3,250 88,905 42,423 134,578
Additions 760,702 - 11,364 772,066
As at31 March 2025 763,952 88,905 53,787 906,644
Depreciation
As at1 April 2024 - 12,965 25,685 38,650
Charge for the year - 18,986 5,711 24,697
As at31 March 2025 - 31,951 31,396 63,347
Net book value
As at31 March 2025 763,952 56,954 22,391 843,297
As at31 March 2024 3,250 75,940 16,738 95,928

13 Debtors

Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Trade debtors 417,571 6,690
Other debtors 78,690 -
Prepayments and accrued income 4,072
500,333		 14,755
21,445

14 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2025 2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 80,149 35,024
Taxation and social security 18,189 13,483
Other creditors 4,189 -
Accruals and deferred income 32,445 11,685
134,972 60,192

The charity is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

16 Operating lease commitments

As at 31 March 2025 the charity had total future minimum lease payments under non cancellable operating leases as follows:

Land and Buildings Other
2025 2024 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Within one year - 2,026 4,552 4,552
Within two and five years - - 11,380 15,932
- 2,026 15,932 20,484

17 Pensionscheme

Defined contribution pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the period represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £27,116 (2024-£21,558).

Contributions totalling £4,189 (2024 - £nil) were payable to the scheme at the end of the period and are included in creditors.

18 Related parties

Controlling entity

The charity is controlled by the trustees who are all directors of the company.

47 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

19 Analysis of funds

Continued...

......... continued

Analysis of funds
nued...		 Analysis of funds
nued...
At 1 April
2024		 Incoming
resources		 Resources
expended		 Transfers At 31 March
2025
£ £ £ £ £
Designated Funds
Designated fund
Fixed asset reserve		 101,007
95,928		 -
-		 -
(24,697)		 134,661
772,066		 235,668
843,297
Development fund 50,000
246,935		 -
-		 -
(24,697)		 -
906,727		 50,000
1,128,965
General Funds
Unrestricted income fund 161,096 154,521 21,479 (146,096) 191,000
Restricted Funds
Disabilities Volunteering 4,368 - (1,518) - 2,850
VSRG 4,831 - (607) - 4,224
Allerdale Work Bursary 9,179 - (9,179) - -
Big Lottery Emotional 114 - (114) - -
Resilience
Leaving Care 72,224 55,180 (35,957) (5,078) 86,369
Leadership Initiative 33,740 - - - 33,740
Carlisle & Eden 25,960 2,750 (19,580) - 9,130
Dreamscheme
Youth Futures Fund 98,288 395,814 (311,748) (1,436) 180,918
The Bedrock Fund 1,959 - (1,959) - -
Kick Start 54 - - - 54
Low Level Mental Health 3,231 - (3,231) - -
Better Tomorrows (27,107) 104,143 (73,315) - 3,721
Francis Scott Youth
Panels 14,338 - (14,338) - -
DWP 8,812 - (1,909) - 6,903
Alston Youth Project 1,874 - (1,874) - -
YPF Capacity Building
Project 2,910 - (373) - 2,537
Outreach Project - The
Benny Walker Charitable
Trust
Call to Social Action -		 161,468 255,000 (126,615) - 289,853
Allerdale GDF
Cumbria Youth		 1,929 87,689 (89,011) (607) -
Partnership - TNLCF
Infrastructure project -		 4,439 200,000 (179,158) - 25,281
TNLCF 40,080 85,000 (71,562) - 53,518
. continued
Civil Engineering
Programme - The Benny
Walker CT
Bright Futures
Building Project - Benny
Walker		 212,422
-
31,300		 218,000
41,772
1,580,901		 (146,228)
(29,208)
(2,779)		 (2,665)
-
(750,982)		 281,529
12,564
858,440
Call to Action -
Westmorland Family
Community Fund
Care Experienced Ball
Household Support Fund
NENC Youth Partnership
UKSPF E33 - Cumberland		 10,000
-
-
-
-		 -
66,828
11,000
1,737
39,950		 (8,842)
(28,876)
(11,000)
(3,584)
(39,996)		 -
-
-
-
46		 1,158
37,952
-
(1,847)
-
UKPSF E35 - Inspira - 40,000 (40,091) 91 -
WCMHP - In Care Wildlife - 28,914 (27,343) - 1,571
Trust Youth Sector - 7,500 - - 7,500
Mapping Support - - (100) - (100)
716,413 3,222,178 (1,280,095) (760,631) 1,897,865
1,124,444 3,376,699 (1,283,313) - 3,217,830

48 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

Designated funds- this is a designated reserve to cover core staffing costs.

Fixed asset reserve- this is a designated reserve which includes the Charity's fixed assets.

Development fund- this is a designated reserve to spend freely on activities that align with the Charity,

Disabilities volunteering- This funds mentors across organisations in Cumbria to support young disabled people to develop their potential, to become volunteers themselves in their local community.

VSRG- These funds are held for the administration and associated costs of the Children and Young Peoples Voluntary Sector Youth Group, a county-wide network of third sector organisations in Cumbria working together to support children and young people.

Allerdale Work Bursary- These funds are held to provide bursaries or equipment to young people in Allerdale that supports them with their employment, training, or education.

Big Lottery Emotional Resilience- These funds were held to provide management to a partnership project across Cumbria that supported young people with the emotional resilience, the project brought together providers to offer services to young people.

Leaving Care- These funds are held to support care leavers 15– 24 with their transition into independent living. It provides 1-1 tailored support, creates holistic action plans to progress and address any barriers and supports them with education, training, and employment.

Leadership Initiative- These funds are held to support young people, and pre-NEET young people in school settings. The projects build emotional resilience, support career pathways, and provide activities to re-engage young people into schools.

Carlisle & Eden Dreamscheme- These funds provide small grants to Carlisle and Eden third sector organisations for social action projects that involve young people. Enabling them to participate in communitybased activity, learning and achieving self-development, enterprise skills and offering accredited learning.

Youth Futures Fund- These funds are held to support young people in Cumbria 18– 24 NEET. Enabling them to gain employability skills, confidence, and motivation, improve life prospects as well as support them in their transition to adulthood.

The Bedrock Fund- These funds are held to enable CYA to plan for sustainability, development, and growth via a deep analysis of opportunities for improvement. The Bedrock Awards aim to help organisations by: building on existing strengths, encouraging better planning and strategic thinking, providing an opportunity for you to consider how you wish to develop your work, encouraging innovation and new ideas, nurturing your leadership to further organisational development- developing your systems and processes, increasing your effectiveness by helping to make the most of resources

Kick Start- This fund is held as part of the governments Kickstart Scheme that provides funding to create new jobs for 16–24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term employment.

Low Level Mental Health- This grant is used to cover the costs of existing mental health services where funding was due to end or whose funding has been lost. CYA manage and distribute funding to 5 local mental health providers to ensure young people are receiving essential services.

Better Tomorrow- Part of the Better Tomorrow’s programme which has been developed to provide more support to young people across our county through the expansion of qualified youth work provision from the High Sheriff of Cumbria. These funds are held to for CYA to manage and deliver Youth Work Training qualifications that will equip local people with a sound background in youth work practise and provide them with the skills needed to support young people.

Francis Scott Youth Panels- This funding is part of Francis C Scott's 60th Anniversary and it enables a 'youth led grants panel' to distribute and make decisions on how £60,000 is spent within the community. 20 young people aged between 16 and 25 from across the Lancaster district and Cumbria will be invited to be part of this grants program, they will be given training and support throughout.

DWP- Working with young people aged to 16 to 24 by offering 1-1 support focusing on core employability skills, CV building and training. Working with job centres this project supports young people become employment ready and move into employment.

Alston Youth Project- Building networks to achieve a long term youth offer in Alston by working with the local community, schools, volunteers and young people.

YPF Capacity Building project- This is a development grant toward our management information system and the importance of collecting robust data to make a true impact, it will enable us to start a pilot project which will work with up to ‘5’ delivery organisations throughout Cumbria, by subsidizing their licenses, to work together with the MIS to produce collective and bespoke data to meet the needs of the local partners, whilst also gathering valuable collective data which could influence future funding in to Cumbria on their behalf and the whole sector.

Outreach project– The Benny Walker Charitable Trust- The ‘Breaking Barriers’ project is a comprehensive outreach program targeting 15 to 18-year-olds in Copeland and Allerdale, focusing on areas such as Workington, Whitehaven, Cleator Moor, Frizington, and surrounding regions. With a goal to engage and support young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET. The project offers a variety of activities, training, and skills development opportunities. The program includes a community-oriented social action initiative supported by mentors from local businesses. The project encourages small groups to identify and address community needs through a social action programme. Mentors guide the groups in project development, presentation, and implementation. Vocational and accredited training is delivered by expert partners, and the project aims to reach at least 300 young people annually.

Call to Social Action – Allerdale GDF- Working in schools to create a social action project with the support of mentors from local businesses. Supporting building positive relationships, young people's personal and social development, raising aspirations, and building resilience.

Cumbria Youth Partnership– TNLCF- This partnership project aims to support up to 800 young people around the agreed agenda of addictions, rurality & isolation, mental health & wellbeing, poverty, and aspirations & transitions. Cumbria Youth Alliance is the lead partner in this multi-agency project, with commissioning and budgetary responsibility. They have a key role in ensuring partnership work is taking place across the sector

49 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

Continued...

Infrastructure Project- TNLCF- This fund is held to create a long-term sustainable model for CYA. This will include building upon current strengths and achievements and delivering meaningful and attainable programmes for young people. This will be achieved by forming a solid staffing structure and enhancing administration methods to ensure the organisation can best deliver, monitor and evaluate projects, connect with each other and stakeholders.

Civil Engineering Programme– The Benny Walker CT- The project aims to engage young people aged 14 to 24 in civil engineering careers by raising awareness and providing opportunities for practical experience. It will work with schools, colleges, and partner organisations to offer career talks, Q&A sessions, and work placements. The project will also provide financial support to disadvantaged youth for travel, study materials, and living costs, helping them access education and training. Virtual internships will be available for those with barriers to participation, and the project will be continuously evaluated to ensure its success and adaptability over five years.

Bright futures- The Brighter Futures programme supports care-experienced young people aged 18-25 as they transition into adulthood. Delivered by Cumbria Youth Alliance and Inspira in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation, it provides personalised mentoring, life skills development, and work placements to build resilience, raise aspirations, and improve education and employment outcomes for up to 80 young people across Cumbria.

Building Project– Benny Walker- The purchase & development of 'The Benny Walker Centre' a new office base for CYA and Community Hub.

Call to Action - Westmorland Family Community Fund- Working in schools in the Westmorland area to create a social action project with the support of mentors from local businesses. Supporting building positive relationships, young people's personal and social development, raising aspirations, and building resilience.

UKSPF E33- Cumberland- Through UK Shared Prosperity Fund (E35), Cumbria Youth Alliance delivered targeted support for economically inactive young people aged 16-24 across Cumberland. The project combined one-to-one and group support, wellbeing and life skills workshops, employer engagement, and in-work support to build confidence, resilience and employment readiness.

UKSPF35- Inspira- Cumbria Youth Alliance partnered with Inspira and others to deliver the Cumberland Skills & Enterprise Partnership, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. CYA led on mental health and wellbeing support for NEET, at-risk and care-experienced young adults, providing one-to-one and group support, workshops, life skills training and in-work support to help participants improve confidence, wellbeing and progression into sustainable employment.

WCMHP- In Care- Cumbria Youth Alliance is a delivery partner in the West Cumbria Mental Health Partnership, funded by Sellafield Ltd through Cumbria Community Foundation. Over three years we will provide tailored one-to-one support for young people in care and care leavers, helping them build resilience and prepare for independent living, while also training partner organisations to use the ME Tool to strengthen impact measurement across the partnership.

Wildlife Trust- Cumbria Youth Alliance was commissioned by West Cumbria Wildlife Trust to evaluate the Nature and You project, which engages young people aged 8–14 and their families in nature-based activities. Our evaluation is measuring impact on physical activity, wellbeing, eco-anxiety, and family engagement using surveys, observations, interviews, and our ME Tool, with findings to be reported in late 2025.

Youth Sector Mapping- Cumbria Youth Alliance was commissioned by Cumberland Council to deliver an 8- week youth services mapping exercise under Section 507B of the Education Act and NYA nine essentials. The project provided a comprehensive picture of youth provision across the area, combining service data with youth and community feedback to identify strengths, gaps, and priorities for future investment.

Care Experience Ball- held to raise funds in support of care leavers across the county, The event was organised collaboratively by various individuals, including council staff, CYA staff, and others, A committee manages these funds, but all spending decisions are approved by care-experienced young people. Applications for funding are reviewed and approved on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring transparency and fairness in the process.

Household Support Fund- Through the Household Support Fund, Cumbria Youth Alliance are helping families in Eden struggling with the rising cost of living. The fund is being used to provide direct support with food, fuel, energy and water costs, wider essentials and advice services, ensuring vulnerable households with children and others in need are not left without help.

NENC Youth Partnership- Cumbria Youth Alliance is a partner in the Northeast and North Cumbria Children and Young People's Research Partnership, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Working alongside NHS Trusts, universities and youth organisations, the partnership is creating a youth-led research infrastructure that ensures young people's voices shape health and wellbeing research across the region.

50 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

ontinued...

Prior period

ued...
Prior
period
At 1 April
2023		 Incoming
resources		 Resources
expended
Transfers		 At 31 March
2024
£ £ £ £ £
Designated Funds
Designated fund 148,561 - - (47,554) 101,007
Fixed asset reserve - - - 95,928 95,928
Development fund - - - 50,000 50,000
148,561 - - 98,374 246,935
General Funds -
Unrestricted income fund 101,063 103,318 (36,430) (6,855) 161,096
Restricted Funds
Disabilities Volunteering 4,662 - (294) - 4,368
VSRG 6,160 - (1,329) - 4,831
First Steps 3,480 - (3,534) 54 -
NMP 21,734 - (21,734) - -
BBO Choices West Cumbria
Allerdale Work Bursary		 (3,815)
9,211		 11,452
-		 (14,538)
(32)		 6,901
-		 -
9,179
Big Lottery Emotional
Resilience		 119 - (5) - 114
Leaving Care
Leadership Initiative
Carlisle & Eden
Dreamscheme		 50,603
40,896
7,243		 134,434
3,380
18,600		 (112,093)
(10,536)
(19,700)		 (720)
-
19,817		 72,224
33,740
25,960
Dreamscheme South
Lakeland		 4,962 - - (4,962) -
West Coast Dreamscheme 14,855 - - (14,855) -
Youth Futures Fund
Positive Role Models		 2,980
5,125		 365,160
-		 (264,776)
(5,224)		 (5,076)
99		 98,288
-
The Bedrock Fund 7,266 42,000 (47,307) - 1,959
Kick Start 54 - - - 54
TNLF Infrastructure
Safe Place		 52,458
7,800		 85,000
-		 (97,378)
(7,900)		 -
100		 40,080
-
Low Level Mental Health
Better Tomorrows
CAF		 18,132
(22,088)
11,537		 49,138
73,160
-		 (64,039)
(78,179)
(11,537)		 -
-
-		 3,231
(27,107)
-
COMF 22,928 - (22,928) - -
Francis Scott Youth Panels
DWP		 11,207
18,439		 60,000
-		 (56,869)
(9,627)		 -
-		 14,338
8,812
Alston Youth Project
YPF Capacity Building Project		 4,157
-		 -
5,500		 (2,283)
(2,590)		 -
-		 1,874
2,910
Outreach Project - The Benny
Walker Charitable Trust		 - 343,500 (93,127) (88,905) 161,468
......... continued
Call to Social Action - - 70,595 (67,944) (722) 1,929
Allerdale GDF
Cumbria Youth Partnership - 200,000 (195,561) - 4,439
- TNLCF
Civil Engineering Programme - 218,000 (5,578) - 212,422
- The Benny Walker CT
Building Project - Benny - 35,000 (450) (3,250) 31,300
Walker
Call to Action - Westmorland - 10,000 - - 10,000
Family Community Fund 300,105 1,724,919 (1,217,092) (91,519) 716,413
549,729 1,828,237 (1,253,522) - 1,124,444

20 Transfers

The transfers from restricted to unrestricted funds represent restricted funds received to purchase fixed assets. Once the assets were purchased the original restriction on the funds was met and the assets were therefore transferred to unrestricted funds, to reflect the fact they are unrestricted in use.

The transfer within unrestricted funds to the fixed asset reserve relates to the designation of assets by the trustees. The transfer to designated funds represents funds set aside to cover core staffing costs.

21 Net assets by fund

Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total
Funds Funds 2025 Funds 2024
£ £ £ £
Tangible assets 843,297 - 843,297 95,928
Current assets 591,208 1,918,297 2,509,505 1,088,708
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year (114,540) (20,432) (134,972) (60,192)
Net assets 1,319,965 1,897,865 3,217,830 1,124,444
Prior period Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Tangible assets 95,928 - 95,928 15,970
Current assets 341,997 746,711 1,088,708 589,044
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year (29,894) (30,298) (60,192) (55,285)
Net assets 408,031 716,413 1,124,444 549,729

22 Agency arrangements

During the year, the charity acted as an agent in the collection and distribution of funds on behalf of Inspira. The total amount collected was £33,223 (2024 - £nil) and the total distributed as an agent was £33,223 (2024 - £nil). No fees were received for providing this service. No amounts were outstanding at the year end.

51 Cumbria Youth Alliance | Annual Report & Financial Statements | 2024-25

www.cya.org.uk

+44-01900 603131 Cumbria Youth Alliance, Town Hall Community Hub, Oxford Street, Workington CA14 2RS, UK