## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From Period start date 5 May 2023 To Period end date 4 May 2024** **Charity name: Abingdon DAMASCUS Youth Project** ## **Charity registration number: 1098966** ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|The charity’s objectives are:_To promote_
_the development of the personal, social &_
_educational potential of all young people,_
_between the ages of 11 and 18, and up to_
_25 years where there are special_
_circumstances, who live in the area_
_encompassed by Vale of White Horse and_
_South Oxfordshire District Councils within_
_Oxfordshire; and in particular those who_
_are disadvantaged by adverse_
_socioeconomic conditions._
Our current work is embedded in the
contiguous rural villages of**D**rayton,
**A**ppleford,**M**ilton,**S**utton**C**ourtenay, and
**S**teventon (DAMASCUS), and Abingdon
which is the villages’ neighbouring postal
market town. Trustees live within these
neighbourhoods and have an
understanding of the local needs.| |Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|Recognising that ‘one size does not fit all’,
the benefits are delivered through diverse
but holistic and empowering approaches to
young people within their communities.
We have undertaken a number of open
access activities starting with_Grassroots_
_Street Work_by our volunteers and youth
workers. This enables us to have a visible
presence within the communities and form
relationships with young people -
particularly those who are vulnerable to
substance misuse; at risk of exploitation or
disengaged from any form of education,
employment or training; or experiencing
other personal setbacks. We are able to
identify needs early and provide bespoke
one-to-one support to safeguard their
wellbeing.| 1 |||We also ran in-building social drop ins for
young people they promote responsible
and respectful peer-to-peer social
interactions and empower young people to
make informed decisions through issue-
based workshops.
A key component of our work with young
people has been, to engender in them, a
positive sense of belonging within the wider
communities in which they live, as cohesive
communities strengthen young people’s
support network. This also has an indirect
benefit for the lonely and elderly within the
communities.
We have supported young people in
organising several intergenerational events.
During the covid lockdown we developed
‘doorstep bingo’ where the elderly would sit
comfortably at their doorsteps and young
people would lead bingo and other games
sessions. This has now become an
established feature of our intergenerational
work in the summer months. In the
autumn/winter months our intergenerational
activities have continued indoors.
Young people have taken part in
community litter-picking events,
participated in consultations regarding
provision of recreational facilities and
quality of life within their rural communities
and also in a consultation in South
Abingdon as part of a wider health
inequalities study conducted by Oxfordshire
County Council.
Through our work we have enthused young
people to volunteer and a few have
become young community leaders. A
previous beneficiary who subsequently
trained and became our senior youth
worker, is now a teacher as part of their
next career move but continues to support
the charity through becoming a trustee in
2023. Another beneficiary became a
trainee youth worker with us in 2023.
We believe in a holistic approach in
provision of support to young people and to
that end work collaboratively with other
statutory and voluntary bodies that are also
involved in the lives of our young people.| |---|---|---| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance|Para 1.18|In planning our activities as described
above, the trustees have given due regard
to the Charity Commission’s guidance on| 2 |issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit||public benefit in deciding what charitable
activities the charity should undertake and
they are evidenced to show achievement of
objectives through data collected and case
studies.
Staff are inducted in policies and
procedures and all activities are risk
assessed. Safeguarding is high on our
agenda with a constantly reviewed culture
of vigilance.| |---|---|---| **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Policy on grant making|Para 1.38|Not Applicable – grant making is not a part
of our charitable objectives| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Para 1.38|Not Applicable - although we do not make
grants, the ultimate outcomes of our work
programmes for which we seek funding,
are about supporting and strengthening
young people’s skills and capacities to
participate fully in education, employment,
training and have a safe, responsible, and
fulfilling social life in cohesive communities| |Contribution made by
volunteers|Para 1.38|Volunteers help in the youth drop ins, when
required with specific study support and
with arts and crafts and music activities.
One volunteer coordinates and ensures
DBS certificates are up to date.| |Other||The trustees use their professional skills
and give their time freely to ensure
accountability and management of the
finances, fund raising and compliance with
grant conditions, and all health and safety
and safeguarding obligations. We do not
have a paid manager or chief executive. In
addition to the Chairman, Treasurer and
Secretary, the charity also has a trustee
who is the designated voluntary Line
Manager and is responsible for managing
staff and other volunteers and ensuring the
day-to-day operational activities are
delivered in line with the objects of the
charity as well as raising funds for the
charity.| 3 ## **Achievements and Performance** SORP reference Summary of the main Para 1.20 achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. ## **Community cohesion** We have created a safe space in which community members of all ages can interact and share experiences, building a greater sense of community. Young people have helped set up and run stalls for the village fetes; contributed to a village mosaic project; organised events for the elderly and also taken part in community litter picks. These all promote positive images of young people and young people develop a sense of pride and wellbeing when thanked by adults in the community for their positive contribution. Litter Pick **Drayton Mosaic – community project in which young people contributed.** **Vulnerable young people** We have established a culture of support in which young people feel comfortable to approach staff to ask for help with a variety of issues Our trained youth workers have provided 1- 2-1 support to young people who have reached out due to personal setbacks – either with family, relationships, education training or employment. The advantage of our support being rooted within the community is that it is not time limited and 4 **----- Start of picture text -----**
||| |---|---| |young people come back for a reassuring| |chat when further temporary setbacks occur.| |Training young leaders| |We are registered with the AQA Unit Award| |Scheme that allows young people to engage| |with informal learning and have their| |achievements formally recognised through| |the presentation of certificates. We have| |used it to support the development of young| |leaders through undertaking training to| |develop competency in the AQA units| |related to leadership.| |Quote from a young leader -|“Made me| |confident to build on my skills to become a| |young leader and get involved with things I| |wouldn’t have done normally|”| |Equality, Diversity & Inclusion| |Addressing needs picked up in street| |conversations, we have challenged| |oppressive attitudes & behaviours and| |offered alternative narratives for reflection| |through delivery of ‘teaching in the moment’| |activities.| |We have mapped new opportunities and| |supported young people to step out of their| |comfort zones and experiment with new| |behaviours and activities e.g. art, debates &| |critical thinking| |We have developed a large range of| |resources & activities to generate thoughtful| |& meaningful discussions that encourage| |critical thinking and problem solving.| |Engagement with other organisations| |We have supported Oxford United in the| |Community to build relationships in South| |Abingdon with local young people and help| |establish a Premier Leagues kicks| |programme which combines football training| |with personal development.| **----- End of picture text -----**
Young people with Oxford United in the Community. We have provided wrap around support in schools for a number of individuals from the Caldecott ward and engaged with other agencies involved in our young people’s lives to support their education & training. 5 **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Achievements against
objectives set|Para 1.41|Not Applicable| |---|---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|Not Applicable| |Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|Not Applicable| |Other||Not Applicable| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|On 4th May 2024, the charity held total
funds of £148,138| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|Trustees place all funds not immediately
required in the Charity’s gold account with
CAF Bank Limited (CAF Bank Limited is a
subsidiary of the Charities Aid Foundation).
The trustees have a policy of maintaining a
reserve to enable the recruitment and
retention of proficient and credible youth
workers in the event that no new income is
received in the year. Thus, in setting a
level of reserve, trustees give due regard to
the stability of employment of staff over at
least a one-year period, as at the core of
our work is building strong and trusting
relationships with young people. The
trustees are also aware of the elapsed time
from applying for a long-term grant to the
award of such a grant and the need to
ensure that there are sufficient finances to
keep the project going in the interim| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|On 4th May 2024, the charity held total
funds of £148,138 of which £90,000 are
earmarked reserves as described in the
reserves policy above.| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|Not Applicable| 6 |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|Not Applicable| |---|---|---| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|Suitable qualified and experienced youth
and community workers are important to
the difference we make to young people
and their communities. As we deliver direct
face-to-face youth work to young people, of
necessity it involves working anti-social
hours. As existing staff gain more
experience and move on to more strategic
and managerial jobs as part of their career
progression, we recruit new staff.
However, the local college offering a youth
and community degree has shut down its
course and hence recruitment of competent
qualified staff has become a challenge.| |**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements||where relevant about:| |The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|Para 1.47|In 2023-2024, the charity’s principle source
of funds came from the local town and
parish councils (85%) and the rest from
donations, gift aid, local fund raising and
nominal contributions by young people for
specific activities.| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|Not Applicable| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|Financial Risk for the year was minimal.| |Other||| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|
Para 1.25|Constitution| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|Unincorporated registered charity| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Para 1.25|All trustees retire from office at the AGM
though may seek re-election. Nominations
for the Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and
Line Manager are invited and elected at the
AGM. Additionally, up to four members
may be elected at the AGM. The
DAMASCUS Parochial Church Council
may appoint a trustee.| 7 ## **Additional information (optional)** |**Additional information (optional)**|**Additional information (optional)**|| |---|---|---| |You may choose to include further statements||where relevant about:| |Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees|Para 1.51|The Charity has a Designated
Safeguarding Lead. All trustees,
volunteers and staff are enhanced DBS
checked. Trustees have a Safeguarding
policy in place and all staff and relevant
volunteers receive safeguarding training.| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|The Charity employs both qualified and
trainee youth workers whose day-to-day
work is managed by the voluntary Line
Manager who is also a trustee and
responsible for safeguarding and the
induction of new staff and volunteers.
Young people make an input into the
services through the development of young
community leaders. The Charity is
affiliated to Oxfordshire Youth through
whom the DBS checks are undertaken.| |Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51|| |Other||| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|Abingdon DAMASCUS Youth Project| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|ADYP| |Registered charity number|1098966| |Charity’s principal address|9 Chapel Lane
Sutton Courtenay
OX14 4AN| ||| ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Patricia Napper|Chair||Elected at AGM| ||Anne Whitehead|Secretary||Elected at AGM| ||Hans Sundin|Treasurer||Elected at AGM| ||Rita Atkinson|Line Manager||Elected at AGM| ||AudreyHolloway|Member||Elected at AGM| ||Simon Murray|Member||Elected at AGM| ||Mark Whittaker|Member||Elected at AGM| ||RoxyElford|Member||Elected at AGM| 8 |9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20|LucyDalby|Member||Co-opted| |---|---|---|---|---| ||SallyHoodless|Member||Elected at AGM| ||Gareth Noakes|Member||Elected at AGM| ||Chris Wilding|Member||Elected at AGM| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved **Director name** Not Applicable Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**|| |---|---|---| |Not Applicable||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets Not Applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not Applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not Applicable safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets 9 ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** ||**Name**|**Address**| |---|---|---| |**Bank**|CAF|25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19| |||4TA.| **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** Not Applicable ~~Pd~~ ## **Exemptions from disclosure** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details Not Applicable ## **Other optional information** ## **Declarations** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s)** re Kita Rita Atkinson **Full name(s)** Patricia Napper **Position (eg Secretary,** Chair **Chair, etc) Date** 16. 02.2025 10 Table 1 Ablngdon DAMASCUS Youth Project, Registered Charity No. 1098966 Finance Report for th• pariod of May 5. 2023 to May 4, 2024. Grants Abingdon Town Council (incl 2024 - 2025) Drayton Parish council Sutton Courtenay Parish Council Steventon Parish Council Milton Parish Council 25000 4000 4000 2500 2000 Total Grants 37500 Donatlons C¢>op Local community fund va￿ of White Horse District Council (Art Project) Damascuss PCC 2041 500 358 Personal Donations Steventon Causeway Trust Radley Wl Totsl Donatlons 187 100 99 3285 Oth•r Income Interest 2293 Youth club tskings Takings Drayion fete Gift aid 725 400 Total Other Income 3452 Grand Total 44237 L4£/LCJ" (CHAIQ) P t rl}f . Ablngdon Damascus Youth Project statement of Flnanclal Activities For the period from 05 May 2023 to 04 May 2024 LlYetstrhAod Totsl Prkf spar trAalftnts IrKxJrniwresourr*sfrom genw8twJftrfs un*in(xJrne AYiiiti85 forg8rttatw fund8 lnKeslmenliru￿e Ir￿¢mIng resourc*sffom tharttsUe**4tie8 rin))miryreswr 41.218.63 41.218.63 S9,￿ 57 2,2¥2.57 725 2,29267 725 70163 2512.70 Tt*al 44237.10 44237.10 63.140JO C051ofgweratry Fu￿raisi￿ mstOfg(￿S S￿d￿d 0tr*r￿sts In￿￿entManageMent￿x6ts (JaritsNe ao*iibe5 37fi53.19 1.407.LKI 39.￿.19 52,439.00 1knrre5￿rw us Tots1exF¢￿kWè 37,65&19 IA17.00 39,0É0.19 $14J9.00 PktIrw7EllexrK￿jtre1 rnsCAr￿$ ￿crfetrdrthr 6,561 11A)7.001 5.17&91 10,701.90 Tr8r%fers.' oss bd4Yeenfurth.o insA05ses on irnestmenlassets G￿￿8 onfewluatiOn,l*d assets, charitys ¢￿TrUSe 6*3.91 5,176.91 1Q701. TrAalfini4 Wfcnyard 141.SM66 IA07.00 142.961.68 132259.78 TLtslfwd5 cwrkdfcfward 148.13859 148.1M59 142.￿1.68 or li 42 /12tsJ/Tr?- Prrr 7 > '/,,/zY 11 2ff24 4..Xl pnl P4* 1 d1 Ablngdon Damascus Youth Prok BalanGg Sheet (Summary) 04ffj5R024 Flxedassots cashA88nk￿ kn F*nd 148.01829 148,018.39 142.841.48 142,841.48 Uat4lh8 148,018.39 142,841A8 T(rtala888ts cwrwrtltstYltt￿% 148018.39 142,841.4 TctslTrta¥¥etst¢•s IlatllYdts8 148,018.39 142￿41.48 Unr88knded. (*rwal Fur 147.705.D7 141.124 16 ResbithJ-IhWII 1,407. Ttha 147,708A)7 142￿31.16 16,ULJ) Ov .AtHAL f/?SJ Yr-r IbrtJJi4J 11 2)24 4..￿ pnl 1 r11 hingdon Damascus Youth Project Anatysls of Receipts and Payments Selected period.. 05 May 2023 to 04 May 2024 Total G8neral Designated Rostricted Endowment Thi$ year Last year Recelpts Incoming r050urce5 Irom gentraled funds 0101- &ftaidgi%ing 06xl-(>ants1d￿8bO￿s R￿1￿j 08S3.Donator 0854-&8n 34.22 39.10 41.184.41 41.184 41 59,886.47 0901-&bsCnpl￿S 1021- Inwesl 1022. InÈrosi&idA**NJni I,(￿2.22 1270.35 1,02222 1,270.35 643.19 Incoming r850urces from 9ongratod funds Totals 43.5tl.20 43.511.20 60.627.20 Incomlng resources from chafltablo 8Ctlvltles 0851-Takiws.Ywhaubs o852-Tak￿gS-FUndraSir 72590 1,206.30 1,307.40 Incomlng resources from charitable activiti•$ Totals 725.90 72S.90 2,513.70 other incorning Te$our¢¢$ 99>3. RefiJrKIs Othor incornlng re$our¢•$ Toi•ls Recelpts Grand Totals 44237.10 44237.10 63.140.90 Payn*nts Cost of generatinq Co$t of gtneratlng funds Totsls Charltzble activlti•S 1200-Salarie5 etnFlwenicy)gts 1201-S&ffTraMing 1202- Nt*ile brYouthWs1 1%3. S¥ff eniertainm￿I 1204.YoLthYth*wews05 1209. S818ries 3228821 103.15 1,407. 33,79521 103.15 49.01651 184.80 18480 1210- In(x)meTax 1211. Naimll knsuorttconinbJfc I212-Pe￿i0￿c￿knbub0n 1213.Pdydl Fee 13W- ￿1 hire 1301. Proeclacliities forwng p￿)￿e 1302. Flefr&shwts 15￿. Insur8n(* &affiliabtr)fe8S 1227.(WJ 1227.rij 787.(X) 710.02 71002 1X11.AlministslKeeVr￿es 1502. CR￿&S￿$ts 1.441.46 1A41.46 1￿0.17 11 JJY 3r244..38 Pa38 1 c12 Total G¥neral Deslgnated R•$trl¢¢od Endowmènt This year La8t s*ar 1XM. ff and Sofwweojsts 1￿J.T￿l &T￿SpYI 1602.knmcthti 17r1j-￿ng PWeTrainng 1701-TrainiNJmateriais 1702- 1703-CotnmwityA￿￿1eS 18(Kl. Recnyknnimsts . Bank(*)arges 1,WO. 1,OWLY) $9855 598.&5 435.32 Ch8rltabl• a¢tlville5 Tota18 37,653.19 1,407.00 39,0fj0.19 52,439.00 Governance costs Governan¢* ¢•$t5 Totals Other resoufces used Oiher resour¢o$ u$•d Totals Payments i>and Total$ 37,653.19 1.407.00 39,060.19 51439.00 /4KLK 4RP&n [Li4,+iQAAiJ } f, t Nyp- 11 ￿Y ￿244..38 P4E 2 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ABINGDON DAMASCUS YOUTH PROJECT I report on the accounts of the Tnjst for the year ended 4th of May 2024 set Olrt on the above signed pages. Res ectlve res nsibilities of Tr nd he examiner. The charities trustees are responsib￿ for the preparation of the accoL¢nls. The chartties trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43121 of the Charil*es Act 1993 (the 1993 Adl and that an independent examination is needed. It is the responsibility to: Examine the accounts (under section 4313} of the t993 Acti. To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners year lunder section 4317llbl of the 1993 Acti To state whether particular matters have come my attention Basis of the examiner's re ort My examination was carried out in the accordan￿ with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. 11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosure in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Ifustees concerning such matters. The pro￿d￿re undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequentty I do not express an audil opinion on the view given by the accounts. Inde ndent Examlner's statement: ln connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention., 1. Vvhich gives my reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with sectK>n 41 of the 1993 Act.. and lo prepare accounts which accord with the accounting ￿COrdS and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act have not been met., or 2. To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enab￿ a pioper understanding of the accounts to be re￿hed. Signed: Dat8: 21%2* Name: NJKCt4z•fS Address: FItsET. furrchj XIL +hP