| Trustees' Annual Report | for theperiod | ||||||||||||
| Period start date | Period end date | ||||||||||||
| From | To 01 01 2021 |
31 | 12 | 2021 | |||||||||
| Section A | Reference and administration details | ||||||||||||
| Charity name | ACE YOUTH TRUST | ||||||||||||
| Other names charity | is known by | ||||||||||||
| Registered charity number (if any) | 1120282 | ||||||||||||
| Charity's principal address | The Parish Office | ||||||||||||
| St Oswald’s Church | |||||||||||||
| School Lane, Ashbourne | |||||||||||||
| Postcode | DE6 | 1AN | |||||||||||
| Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | |||||||||||||
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted **year ** |
if not for whole | Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|||||||||
| 1Louise Doble | Chair | Trustees | |||||||||||
| 2Philip Michell | Vice Chair | Trustees | |||||||||||
| 3Jane Stoney | Treasurer | Trustees | |||||||||||
| 4Robert Woore | Trustees | ||||||||||||
| 5Helen Wainwright |
Trustees | ||||||||||||
| 6 Madhuri Manley |
Appointed 2022 |
15thJune | Trustees | ||||||||||
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | |||||||||||||
| TAR | 1 | March2012 |
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Type of Name Address adviser None Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Not applicable
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Declaration of Trust dated 15[th] May 2006 and Deed of Amendment dated Type of governing document 18[th] July 2010 (eg. trust deed, constitution) Trust How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Trustee selection methods Appointed by existing trustees (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include The ACE Board of Trustees is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of children and young people supported by the charity and has additional information, where elected to adopt the Safeguarding Procedures developed by the Diocese of relevant, about: Derby as amended from time to time. Accordingly, the ACE Board of • policies and procedures Trustees accept and work to the Diocesan policy as it is deemed to form adopted for the induction and part of ACE Youth Trust’s policies. The Diocese of Derby processes all training of trustees; Disclosure and Barring Service applications on behalf of the ACE Youth • the charity’s organisational Trust. DBS certification is renewed every three years. ACE provides structure and any wider training in safeguarding and child protection for its staff (sessional workers, network with which the charity volunteers, and trustees) working with children and young people. Level 2 works; safeguarding training is refreshed annually. Designated safeguarding leads • relationship with any related complete Level 4 training. All safeguarding checks and training costs are chargeable directly to ACE. parties;
- trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
Advancement of the Christian Faith within the areas of Derbyshire/Staffordshire, in particular but not exclusively among children Summary of the objects of the and young people aged 11-19 resident in the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School catchment area, the Weaver Ward of East Staffordshire, or charity set out in its governing document surrounding areas, by the provision of recreational / leisure time activities and support / guidance intended to help them grow as individuals and improve their quality of life.
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The Trustees have had regard to the guidelines issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and are satisfied that ACE Youth Trust confers a public benefit. The charity provides a range of free services within the scope of its charitable objects to young people aged 11 to 19 particularly to those who are identified as vulnerable, disadvantaged, and disabled children and young people living in the Derbyshire Dales and East Staffordshire. In shaping its services, ACE Youth Trust considers how the individual needs of the young person – whether by reason of special need, social deprivation, or disability – can best be met to reduce social isolation, improve emotional and mental health, and build confidence, self-esteem, and self-reliance to prepare them for life at school, college and work and Summary of the main living in the wider community. By so doing, ACE activities achieve activities undertaken for the outcomes that are positive not only for the individual young person but also public benefit in relation to in terms of impact on their families and the wider communities in these objects (include within Derbyshire Dales and East Staffordshire. The cost to society of supporting this section the statutory young people referred to ACE is significant and is ameliorated by the free declaration that trustees have services offered by ACE. All services are paid for by grants, donations, had regard to the guidance and fundraised income. The charity is managed and operated by volunteer issued by the Charity trustees. In addition, a large proportion of operational and administrative Commission on public work is undertaken by unpaid volunteers. The organisation makes use of benefit) community facilities and community resources wherever possible.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
ACE is largely run and managed by a team of trained and DBS checked volunteers. Without their dedication and hard work, ACE would not be able to provide their services to vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. In 2021, the total number of volunteer hours offered to ACE exceeded 2,000. The charity provided operational project services for 42 weeks with administrative and planning tasks undertaken over a further 8 weeks. This essential work enabled ACE to offer a range of support services to local children and young people. You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about: • policy on grantmaking; • policy programme related investment; • contribution made by volunteers.
Commented [RW1]: Just wanted to check this bit, given that it says below “Volunteers provided 500 hours of voluntary time in 2020” - ?.
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Section D Achievements and performance
ACE Youth Trust delivers life changing youth work, providing high quality pastoral support and youth services to young people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, disabled and hard to reach, living in the rural communities in and around Ashbourne. Over the last decade, ACE has made a significant impact on young people’s lives, providing opportunities for those who are socially isolated to receive support and helping them to continue in education and to access college, work experience placements or employment. The services provided have grown steadily and today we support on average 65+ young people at any one time. Young people are referred to ACE by statutory organisations including Derbyshire County Council’s Children & Young People’s Services (Early Help Team and Social Care), local schools, safer neighbourhood policing team and other statutory bodies.
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
ACE provides a range of services which are targeted to meet the individual needs of the young people involved, including pastoral support, one-toone mentoring, recreational and leisure activities, opportunities for socialisation, support for schooling, training, and coaching as well as practical help and advocacy with CVs, work experience placements, interviews, plus advice and guidance and for Education Health and Care Plans.
ACE targets its services at children and young people facing troubling and serious issues such as poverty, poor family/peer relationships, instability at home, being a carer, being a care leaver, involved in youth offending, anti-social behaviour, bullying, truancy, missing education, alcohol/substance misuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, depression, low self-esteem, mental health issues, ADHD/disruptive behaviour, and social exclusion. Some have additional needs including autism and other learning disabilities. Typically, for the young people we work with, quality of life is poor, and the future is uncertain, particularly for those who are struggling with social isolation and lacking in confidence. Without ACE’s help, the impact on many of these children and young people would be protracted placing them at risk of developing a long-lasting dependency on expensive State interventions.
During 2021 much-needed support was provided to the referred children and young people in the following areas:
Wednesday Club delivered recreational and leisure activities and muchrequired opportunities for socialisation to 36 young people aged 12-16 on a referral basis. A total of 42 weekly sessions ran throughout the school term and school holidays. The project was delivered by qualified sessional workers and trained volunteers, the latter providing over 400 volunteer hours during the year.
Thursday Club delivered recreational and leisure activities and muchwanted opportunities for socialisation to 17 children aged 11-12 on a referral basis. A total of 36 weekly sessions ran throughout the year. The project was delivered by qualified sessional workers and trained volunteers, the latter providing over 150 volunteer hours during the year.
Friday Club offered nurture group therapy to 27 vulnerable children in Year 6 who were expected to struggle with the transition to secondary school. A total of 25 sessions ran throughout the year. The project was delivered by qualified sessional workers and trained volunteers, the latter providing over 50 volunteer hours during the year.
A Team delivered targeted group activities to 14 young people at risk of exclusion from school, mainstream services, and society to address anger - and aggression. A total of 28 four hour sessions were delivered by
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Section D Achievements and performance
qualified sessional workers and trained volunteers, the latter providing 340 volunteer hours during the year.
spACE4u delivered nurture group therapy to 12 young people affected by poor emotional and mental health. The project was delivered by professional sessional workers trained in nurture therapy and practice. A total of 16 sessions were delivered by qualified sessional workers and trained volunteers providing 80 hours of targeted intervention.
Hardship Fund provided help to disadvantaged local children and young people struggling to buy necessities such as school shoes, clothing, school sports kit, bed linen and other basic hygiene items. The fund is managed by trustees and items sourced and delivered by volunteers providing 30 volunteer hours.
1-2-1 Mentoring delivered one-to-one support to vulnerable young people struggling with social isolation, family breakdown and trauma seriously affecting their emotional and mental wellbeing. Mentoring took the form of regular outdoor walks and physical exercise which provided a safe space for listening, supporting, befriending, encouraging, and guiding vulnerable young people. The project was delivered by ACE staff and trained volunteers.
The above services are managed and run by a team of 20 volunteers with support and professional direction from 4 paid sessional youth workers and a project coordinator. Volunteers provided 2,000 hours of voluntary time to deliver front line services in 2021. In addition, volunteers provided management and administrative services. All staff completed first aid and safeguarding training.
2021 has been a challenging year. It was necessary to cancel several project sessions early in the year due to ongoing Coronavirus outbreaks affecting the children and young people. The negative impact of the COVID pandemic on young people’s development continues. Witnessing the effects on young people’s mental health and wellbeing this year has been deeply concerning. Observed emotional difficulties that young people are facing include low resilience, poor thinking skills, immature behaviour, panic attacks, school avoidance, unregulated emotions, heightened emotional sensitivity, and aggression. The significance of the charity’s project work to the young people has become very evident: ACE is the one and only local social hub and support network for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community. No other services are available in the area. Local authority support has dwindled to such an extent that it is virtually non-existent for many children and young people. There are no longer places to signpost young people to for extra help; CAMHS is stretched to breaking point, teachers are under immense pressure. Increasing challenges at home are putting strains on family life; parents/carers struggle with economic and social hardship, family breakdowns and domestic abuse are increasing, adult mental health cases are rising. ACE staff have found themselves tasked with resolving complex issues that previously would have been referred to statutory agencies. Furthermore, the palpable benefit of the consistency and continuity of ACE projects to the children and young people’s lives has been acutely apparent to all. Knowing that ACE staff can be relied on, trusted, available to listen and offer guidance matters hugely to the youngsters. For these reasons we have felt a heavy weight of responsibility and overwhelming sense of public service duty in holding young people’s lives together at this particularly daunting time. The dedication and commitment of the ACE team has proffered a lifeline to some of the hardest hit and most vulnerable in this testing period. A core team of dedicated staff, both sessional and voluntary, put together an amazing programme of interactive and engaging sessions throughout 2021 to provide these vulnerable, disadvantaged and
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socially isolated children and young people with socialisation and enrichment opportunities, physical exercise, and positive developmental experiences. Projects and services continued to operate in accordance with Government and National Youth Agency COVID-19 Guidelines throughout the year safeguarding the children and adult helpers alike.
For reasons previously stated, the demand for ACE services continued to grow in 2021 along with the extent and complexity of the needs of the young people referred to ACE projects. Of the 68 cases open at the end of December 2021, the array of diagnoses and social care status was as follows:
3 x ADHD 14 x Autism Spectrum Condition 3 x Anger Management 24 x Anxiety/Trauma 4 x Behavioural 1 x Bereavement 2 x Child in Need 4 x Child Protection Plan 3 x Domestic Abuse/Family Breakdown 1 x Dyspraxia 6 x Emotional/Mental Health 1 x Hearing Impairment 2 x Social Care
During 2021, the range of activities offered through the projects included: Quiz Night, Silent Communications, Sports Challenge, Clay Modelling, Candle-Making, Golf Challenge, Charades, Nature Trail, Bingo, Film Night, Outdoor Games, Indoor Games, Sensory Craft, Battleship Challenge, Dragons Den, Teamwork Challenge, Peak District hike, Gardening, Stone Decorating, Graffiti Art, Scavenger Hunt, Pumpkin Carving, Armistice Clay Poppy Making, Lantern Making for Christmas Parade, BBC CiN Rowathon, Christmas Wreath-making, and Christmas Candlelit Walk. Extended school holiday session activities included: orienteering and high walk challenge at Lea Green, a visit to NT Ilam Hall, a visit to Peak Wildlife Park for wallaby encounter, fishing trip, coding workshop at Derby Museum of Making, trampolining session at Oxygen, visit to dry ski slope, self-defence workshop, visit to climbing unit, bootcamp, equine therapy, mindfulness session, and clay pigeon shoot.
Monitoring and observations showed that 100% of attendees experienced significant or some reduction in social isolation and improvement in confidence and self-esteem which led to improved emotional and mental well-being. 50% experienced significant improvement, and 50% started to experience progress particularly after attending the holiday outings where the focus is on developing self-confidence, experiencing new activities that require perseverance, and overcoming fears such as fishing. All the young people have experienced significant or some progress in developing greater independence and self-reliance benefitting their attendance and experience at school and enabling them to cope with changing home life circumstances, particularly those young people who have experienced bereavement and change of living arrangements such as entering the care system due to familial loss. Young people unanimously reported that attendance at ACE makes them “feel happy”, provides an opportunity “to make friends”, “feel safe” and “experience new things”. All the young people and their parents/carers have remarked that attendance brings significant and/or improvements in mental health and emotional wellbeing, this has been especially important for those young people whose emotional and mental wellbeing has been affected by limited access to other services. Staff observed an increased willingness by the young
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Section D Achievements and performance
people to try new things rather than resist over time as their trust in ACE staff grows. For example, this was evidenced by a fishing trip; a significant number of the young people especially girls were reluctant to go fishing because of fear of water and contact with fish. Young people’s scores on how they rate ACE out of 10 range from 8.5/10 to 10/10. Comments include ‘I never feel unhappy at ACE’, ‘it makes me feel good about myself’, ‘we laugh and laugh and joke at ACE’, ‘ACE is inclusive’. Observations: good eye contact, smiles, willingness to engage in conversation, sharing stories, laughter, and positivity “I do love my ACE experience”. Furthermore, parents have observed improvements in behaviour and mood at home after attendance ACE project sessions.
The following case studies illustrate the benefits experienced by young people from participating in ACE activities:
A (14) PTSD, witnessed mum’s suicide attempts, moved into foster care. Significant progress in mental health and wellbeing, less anxious and willing to try rather than sit out, less volatile, and emotional, increased socialisation and engagement with other young people. “I love the people that come to ACE. The staff are very kind, trustworthy and funny. The staff make me laugh. I feel excited on Wednesdays. It makes me feel so happy. I loved our trampolining trip. It was such fun to hang out with everyone.”
B (12) autism and neglect. Significant progress in socialisation, confidence, and mental wellbeing. “I love to come to ACE to see my friends and do fun things. I get chance to talk to people. It makes me feel happy. I like that we get to do sports and be outside playing games.”
C (14) poor mental health, high anxiety, low self-esteem due to witnessing domestic abuse. Significant improvement in socialisation, some improvement in mental health and wellbeing. “The best thing about ACE is not being at home. It’s so much quieter and calmer here. I can laugh and be myself. I have fun with friends. I love it when we go outside to play games. I love the freedom and the space to run and be myself.”
D (12) ASD, family breakdown. D made significant improvement in socialisation, mental health and wellbeing and independence. “ACE is the best time for me. I can tell people about anything that’s happened to me. It’s a good place to talk. I like the creative activities that we do. I loved the visit to Peak Wildlife Park being together with the animals. It makes me feel happy coming to ACE. There’s no one at ACE who yells at me. Everyone is kind.”
E (14) dyspraxia and parental bereavement. E has made significant improvement in his mental health and wellbeing. He has grown in selfconfidence and independence. “ACE is better than anything else. I love it. It makes me feel happy. I feel so good about myself.”
F (15) Child Protection Plan, Looked after Child, severe anxiety and depression and bereavement. F was referred for socialisation and low selfesteem. F struggled to form friendships and was prone to confrontations. Initially observed to be aloof with anxiety masking as aggression. F engaged well with others forging new friendships. School reported improvements in behaviour. “ Coming to ACE has benefitted me a lot; I’ve improved my physical fitness, I’m not as lazy as I used to be, and I’ve made friends. My attitude to school has changed and I engage in class. My reports have improved. I’ve become more mature and am willing to give things a go. I’m definitely more resilient. ACE has taken me out of my comfort zone. It was tough at times. I’m much more hopeful about the future now. ”
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| Section E Financial review | Section E Financial review |
|---|---|
| Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves Details of any funds materially in deficit Further financial review details Youmay chooseto include additional information, where relevant about: • the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); • how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; • investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. |
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| The charity’s policy is to maintain reserves equivalent to 12 months’ operating cost. In this way, the Trustees aim to ensure that funds will be available to continue to provide services to support the needs of young people for a reasonable period, if there is a failure or shortfall in funding. |
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| (Optional information) | |
| During 2021 the principal sources of funding for our projects were: ▪ BBC Children in Need - Wednesday Club ▪ Derbyshire County Council – Thursday Club ▪ National Lottery Community Fund – Friday Club Donations were received from local churches, local charitable trusts including Ashbourne Partnership Trust and individual donors. |
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Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louise | Doble | |||
Chair |
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| 31 October 2022 | ||||
| 31 October 2022 |
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ACE Youth Trust Registered Charity Nun&er 1120282 StateMt of Financial ActivilRs for the yw ended 31 December 2021 oce Vouth Trust woykirtf i¥r•h yloplc RECEIPTS AND PAYMEKrs Unrestrickd Reslricted Total F Fund5 Funds 2021 Totsl Funds 2020 REIpTs Planned GNlng Othèr LJ)nat T(lal toIS Grart I(ffle Grant Incrxffw fYt)rrt ldren In Grdnl from Lottery 170. 1.020.00 1.190.00 B.032.00 3.590.26 11.622.26 5,676.00 6.8t4.28 12.490.28 Zsm.26 1Q432.26 1QOOQ 10.0111) 19.7&SthJ 10.000.00 10,000.00 19.755.00 10,000.00 24.660.00 1.000.00 4.orx¢.00 2,950.00 2.975.00 2.000.00 47.$85.OQ Gnt frixn 29th 1961 cr Grant frun LK Youth FuTrJ Gr8nt from Et CF Other Grant IncoN Trtal Grart IKane otlw Incine 0.00 39.755.00 39.7(X1 94 5.546.35 6.885.94 5,99119 2.412.47 3,744.86 15.06 145.39 6.317.78 66 393.06 FuNIrni%N¥J Interest Irmy Other lncoff1r PESfA Total Total RESOLRCES 1,YJO.00 14.368.97 74623 377.29 PAYMEP415 C1witae ktlvities 1.42& 24.427.12 I90 11386.18 1CK].98 4197T.18 25,8&3.W2 2.068.30 13,416.18 3.100.SY ¥439.38 25.147.51 3.871.46 9,876.14 11.511.16 5D,41k33 Trnvel & N4eage Food, & Essential PTh[sK5 1.46120 Staff Training IT. TdopE. Posta PrintirwJ & Stath)r 216.IX) 241.(M) 18&15 347.63 1.Z35.29 2.01107 989.25 457.rxj 581.95 560.65 1.747.94 592.21 528.00 1.149.59 213.02 512.65 Total Otlw Costs Trtal PESOURCES EXPElaED 1797.67 2.138.49 138.49} o.oo SiliPLUSI(DEFICJI) IN TrE PERIOD 11.709.76 249.55 Balan ht Fcyyard Incorrry ResoUr&S 31.766.42 20.8x41 la.94 51377.29 (2797.67) {44.989.251 1138.49 2138.49 43 476.18 52.6tMJ.83 65.746.23 (47.786.92) 0.00 39,437.40 66,393.C (53.229.63} TraIer BetEen Funds SIgnl ckn Behalf d the Trustees by [rSer & Ttwtee) Date N)proved:
ACE Youth Trust Registered Charity Number 1120282 Statement of Financlal ktivits for the yw ded 31 December2021 oce Vouth Trust vJitk yon pevFIc T(tsl F A8SEfs uUmEs 43.47&18 27,96 lo..14 38,145.41 17.087.27 .631.85 52.6110.83 STATEPENT OF FUNDS T<al F15 2W20 20 43.47&18 43.476.18 31.766.42 343.51 18&42 5.730.31 121 Mentoiing ATthm CCSF I.) &5W.24 3.59024 spACE4u Thutsdayuub Wèjnsdwclub FBPP Tthal 1591.48 7.219.12 I.28 I1A8 7.219.12 2.36&28 5.$25.52 1,179.21 n560.14 StW cn BeFdf (rf the Tntstees by Jare & Trust} te Approved:
ACE YOUTH TRUST Reglstered Charity No. 1120282 INDEPENDEKf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES n5ibilities and knis of the requirements of the chariti Art 2011 I-the Art"). I report in respert of my exarnlnath of c(xts carried (xrt u)(kr section 145 of the 2011 Att and in canykng out nry exarninath, I ha* folloMEd apFlicabie l)irectKJr6 by Charity Comissk>n unts SeCtn 145(51{b) of the Art. (otr than that di5d(wJ td(hV") give cause to tliVIe that in ary material respect: drawn In order to enable a of to be rea£hed. Signed." Date: /3/ua Name: Addre Hill(th Fami, Kniveton, Ashtrne, DE6 1JH