The Pink Place The Orchard Basingstoke Email: info@thepinkplace.org.uk Mobile: 07899 970841 _www.thepinkplace.org.uk_ _www.facebook.com/ThePinkPlace @ThePinkPLaceOrg_ Registered charity no: 1153494 ## _**- PINK PLACE ANNUAL REPORT 2021 2022**_ 4th October 2022 ## AIM and PURPOSE The Pink Place is a registered charity that aims to assist the wellbeing of those who have experienced or are experiencing the effects of cancer. The charity aims to offer a range of services to guests including hair services and advice, complimentary therapies, beauty (nail and skin care), counselling, and a variety of social activities. The Pink Place initially provided services to women and then in 2016, the charity expanded to offer services to support men experiencing any type of cancer through The Blue Space. ## ACHIEVEMENTS and PERFORMANCE Like many charities, The Pink Place has had another challenging year. This report relates to the financial year beginning April 2021. The effects of COVID continued to restrict the charity’s in person activities for the first part of the financial year, so regular 4 times a week support using ZOOM technology provided a lifeline and helped lift spirits, and share useful information at this time. The Pink Place appreciate how important social interaction is to good mental health and have increased the frequency and ways the guests can connect this year, including Whatsapp groups. In addition, staff delivered treats such as flowers and craft supplies to further boost morale. In summer when restrictions eased, The Pink Place started holding regular meetings in the parks of Basingstoke and Alton to bring people together in a safe environment. A meet up at an alpaca farm also proved hugely popular and was greatly appreciated. The staff focussed on ways to safely provide further support as the year progressed. In September, weekly well -being services started in a large well ventilated church hall in Basingstoke, and at The Maltings in Alton from December. Trustees and staff ensured best hygiene practises were followed and all staff, volunteers, guests and visitors to wellbeing sessions showed negative lateral flow tests to gain access. Guests’ confidence grew with these measures and they became very popular; many guests only left their homes to go to hospital appointments and come to these sessions. Some Zoom meetings continue are particularly helpful to those who continue to shield because of a specific condition or those who feel too unwell to attend in-person meetings. Guest numbers have increased by 53% over this period and 98% of people who required to speak to a counsellor were able to do so within a week and the remainder within 2 weeks. COVID 19 has proved extremely challenging to the charity, but the amazing staff team have worked well together to listen to the needs of guests and adapt quickly to their changing needs in new and innovative ways. All whilst supported and backed by the trustees who ensured all guidelines and procedures are followed. The Pink Place Cancer Charity provides wellbeing and support services for adults affected by cancer The trustees and staff team put considerable time and effort into finding a new home for the charity, In the interim, recognising people’s need to safely socialise, the charity hired a local hall once a week to offer wellbeing and taster therapies. All team members and volunteers carried out lateral flow COVID tests before coming to a session as some guests are still vulnerable. ## FUNDRAISING COVID pandemic restrictions and the cost-of-living crisis have inevitably had an impact on fundraising activities, with all in-person events having to be cancelled. The charity has had to rely on donations and the fundraising manager has successfully secured much needed funds from grants including those from National Lottery and Postcode lottery. A successful Golf Day was held late 2021 and a Sky Dive with 7 jumpers raising funds for the charity, and a further fashion show at The Apollo hotel. The team had a presence at Basingstoke Festival of transport, Alton Lions Party in the Park, and Basingstoke half marathon raising awareness as well as fundraising. Benefit is also gained from being part of Basingstoke Community Lottery. Going forward the charity is charity of the year for The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane from May 2022 and looks forward to benefitting from this publicity. ## FINANCIAL REVIEW Income of the charity fell by £35,514 compared to 2021. This fall arose from the difficulties in fundraising because of on going restrictions of the COVID pandemic. Expenditure, at £68231 was consistent with 2021 and the charity made a surplus of £11,345 for the year. ## PREMISES As had been planned pre-pandemic, and having extensively reviewed the needs of the charity, The Pink Place moved out of 3, Wote St, in May2021. The trustees and staff team then put considerable time and effort into finding a new home for the charity, meeting it needs for greater accessibility, flexibility of use and being more cost effective. In June 2022 the charity moved into The Orchard, home of BVA, (Basingstoke Voluntary Action). This great town centre location has full accessibility for all, a dedicated therapy room and flexible space for group activities. ## SERVICES UPDATE Our Blue Space for men with cancer is further developing, offering counselling, yoga, therapy appointments and social meetings in Alton. Q&A sessions with medical professionals prove popular. Our regular Alton Wellbeing sessions have expanded this year as awareness and need grows. This is open to men and women going through cancer. In January 2022 the charity was very fortunate to recruit a new therapist manager to build the therapy offer and enhance relationships with medical partners. This has been a very successful appointment with the staff team working extremely well together, often going the extra mile for the charity. The charity has re-established links with the local hospitals to raise awareness of support offered. Regular meetings have taken place with a broad range of specialist nurses which is mutually beneficial as the charity learns what is most needed and helpful for the guests, and The Pink Place Cancer Charity provides wellbeing and support services for adults affected by cancer the nurses are able to signpost their patients to the charity and explain how they can be helped. The charity belongs to Cancer Services Partnership, working in partnership with hospitals and other support groups and charities. Guests’ confidence is growing and numbers are increasing. More recently in-person support services have restarted for people with Stage 4 cancer with the PP extra group. The number of ladies diagnosed with Stage 4 cancers has increased over COVID and this group is growing; Opportunities to meet, chat, exchange information, encourage one another and have a bit of fun have proved invaluable for this group. Our PP extra activities have included a canal boat ride and pottery painting. Day trips have also been resumed for guests. The charity is very grateful to retain the support over COVID of over 50 volunteers who provide a wide range of invaluable skills and support to the charity. These include Trustees, therapists, counsellors, Mindfulness coaches, session helpers and bakers, speakers, Yoga instructors, event helpers, therapists, book keepers, hairdressers, and many more. Going forward The Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane has chosen The Pink Place (incorporating The Blue Space) as his charity for 2022-23. ## STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE The charity is managed by a small team of volunteer trustees who meet monthly and more often if required. In addition, the team is in regular day to day contact via email and phone. The charity benefits from the Trustees diverse experience and skills across a range of professions and has been able to sustain performance and expand services during the year. The Pink Place has in place appropriate insurances to protect operations and services and additional insurance is considered if needed for special events. The charity is supported by 2 part time and 1 full time employees. This ensures the charity has a stable resource to ensure delivery of services whilst also providing the flexibility of support to meet peaks in activity. The team have strong relationships with the charity’s volunteers and work together to ensure smooth day to day management of operations and fundraising activities. Looking forward, post COVID, our fundraising activities will be carefully thought through in terms of effort, current financial times and potential gain. The fundraising manager is increasingly skilled at grant applications. The charity is grateful for collaborations with Pom Pom London, Champions Basingstoke, Sun life of Canada. Work has been carried out to develop a new Pink Place website to enable us to better support guests and publicize our activities and events Another unpredictable year ahead, as the team continue to adapt services to meet the changing and growing needs of guests in this challenging world. 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