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Engage Educate Empower

TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT MARCH 2024

CEO STATEMENT: ELIZA REBEIRO

Being the CEO of Lives Not Knives is both challenging and rewarding. I am very proud to see the impact my colleagues and our programmes - engage, educate and empower positively effect the lives of the young people and community we support.

Our mission is to offer our youth, in Croydon, more opportunities to grow, connect with positive role models, and discover new experiences that can help shift their outlook on life. Through mentoring, support, and tailored programmes, we guide young people toward safer, more hopeful futures—showing them that they have options beyond violence and fear.

I am profoundly grateful to our dedicated staff, Trustee Board, and supporters, whose passion and commitment make this work possible. Our staff members bring not just expertise, but heart, to everything we do. The guidance of our Trustees ensures we stay focused and accountable, while our supporters— whether through donations, time, or advocacy—are the backbone of our efforts. Together, we form a community working tirelessly to create real, lasting change.

However, the struggles faced by young people affected by knife crime are immense. Many live in communities where violence is normalised, and survival often feels like the only option. These young people need more than just interventions, they need hope, mentorship, and tangible pathways to ensure they believe in their own future.

The work we do is a long-term commitment, and the need for support is ongoing. We can’t do it alone. To continue offering these critical services and create lasting change, we need the continued support of our community.

Together, we can help young people build a future free from violence.

TRUSTEE STATEMENT: MONICA BECKLES, CHAIR

Educate, Engage and Empower! Our focus on these key areas is helping young people to make better choices and change the trajectory of their lives.

Youth violence and detrimental family dynamics, such as poverty, neglect, crime and abuse are inextricably linked. These factors, exacerbated by the pandemic and austerity measures, are pushing young people down the wrong path, and creating vulnerabilities to gang recruitment.

The young people we work with are telling us loud and clear about the challenges they are experiencing and the support they need to help manage them. The myriads of studies over recent years also echo these findings and highlight the urgency for interventions as we see youth violence increase year on year, whilst opportunities for funding decrease.

The impact of our team’s work through the generosity of our supporters is unequivocal. Our comprehensive approach to Educating, Engaging and Empowering young people in Croydon gives them hope and the methods to find a better way. Our case study discusses one such heartwarming example from our Educate programme, demonstrating the influence that our youth workers and mentors have through their tireless work. Work that is driven by their understanding through experience and their passion and commitment to making a positive difference and helping young people to succeed, in spite of their detrimental circumstances.

Thus, as I prepare to hand over the reins to a new Chair, I do so with complete confidence that the LNK team will continue to create lasting change, one step at a time. I would love to have the same confidence that we will see an increase in funding so that one step can become a march and then a widespread movement for change. A change that would see young people able to walk the streets without fear or resorting to carrying a knife for protection. How I pray that I will see this in my lifetime.

Until then, on behalf of all young people, their families and communities, I would like to express our gratitude to those who are committed to this aim. To Eliza, CEO, for her assiduous leadership and a lifetime of dedication to reducing knife crime. To our youth workers and mentors for their hard work, resilience and commitment to being there for our young people. To the teachers who identify young people at potential risk and refer them to our team for support. To our Trustees for volunteering their time, knowledge and skills to ensure strong governance and support for Eliza and the team, and to our sponsors, donors, volunteers and partners for the financial gifts, fundraising initiatives and hands on operational support they give so generously. Thank you!

I am honoured to have been Chair of LNK and while my tenure is ending, my support for Eliza and the LNK team will continue.

CHARITY INFORMATION:

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

Monica Beckles, Chair Kate Newton Walter Verkaik Rahim Hijri Christine Williams Charandeep Kaur Kaira

PRINCIPLE STAFF:

Eliza Rebeiro, CEO Jack Price, Programmes Manager Paul Bogle, Content Manager

BANKERS:

Metro Bank Centrale Shopping Centre CR0 1TY

CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS :

Maddox & Maddox 9 Commerical Yard Barnard Castle County Durham DL12 8FE

LIVES NOT KNIVES CHARITY NUMBER: 1153634 REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES REGISTERED OFFICE AND OPERATIONAL ADDRESS:

LNK UNIT, UPPER MALL, CENTRALE SHOPPING CENTRE, CROYDON, CR0 1TY

WWW.LIVESNOTKNIVES.ORG

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS:

At 31 March 2024, Lives Not Knives had 7 full time employees, and 6 Trustees. Over half live in Croydon or neighbouring boroughs and a quarter have lived experience of youth violence.

INCOMING:

A total of £412,654 was accumulated from Grants, Donations and Commissioned Work.

12% A total of £50,300 in Grants from Holiday and Food Fund, MeWe360.

70% £286,804 was raised from individual donors, fundraising efforts and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
18% Commissioned work came to a total of £75,550 for Lives Not Knives programmes.

We are grateful for the many volunteers from the local community and local businesses,

who support our events and projects through the year. During 2023/24, volunteers from Amazon Web Services, Amazon Fresh, Pension Protection Fund and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, provided Lives Not Knives with vital support.

EXPENDITURE:

A total of £309,002 was spent on Program Costs, General Administration and Utiities.

There were no trustee’s renumeration or other benefits, and no trustee expenses paid for the year end 2024 or for the previous tax year.

84% £259,347 paid for all programme costs, which incudes staff, training and equipment.

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000 the year end 2024, or for the previous tax year.

12% A total of £36,912 was spent on general administration costs, such as website, accounting, and insurance.
4% Utilities came to a total of £12,743 including light, water and other essential bills.

NEED FOR: LIVES NOT KNIVES

Croydon has historically been vilified for it’s increasing levels of crime, especially amongst young people. The growing issue of serious youth violence and knife crime has been highlighted over the years, alongside the decline of conditions and rise in social issues.

In 2021/22 Croydon recorded the most teenage murders in London, and was named the city’s knife crime capital, accounting for 17% of murders of young people in London.

In 2022/23, the number of knife crime offences in Croydon was 681; from March 2023 to February 2024, this rose to 834 knife crime offences in Croydon.

Croydon Council stated that “findings indicate that serious youth violence inordinately impacts young men, those aged 18-24, and potentially Black/African/Caribbean groups compared to their demographic profiles in Croydon”. They also went on to report that “Croydon Town Centre (including the High Street, shopping centres and North End) maintained its status as a primary hotspot, and West Croydon Station continued to be a highcrime area”.

Knife crime and Serious Youth Violence isn’t the only growing problem, Croydon Council, 2022/2023, reported there being an increase in overall crime, violence, theft and robbery. They also reported that there is an increase in open cases and children subject to a Child Protection Plan.

NEED FOR: LIVES NOT KNIVES

The quality of young people’s lives are declining, and it has gone from a cause for concern, to an urgent need to intervene and stop young people losing their lives.

Multiple agencies, stakeholders, organisations and communities have worked individually and collectively for years, conducting amazing work with young people. Through various modes and themes, there has been work focusing on: prevention, intervention, disruption and diversion; looking at providing support at various points in a young person’s life and journey.

Despite this hard-work, it is clear that there is still an issue that needs tackling. This is not reflective of the work that has been delivered - it highlights the problem of the complex and multi-factorial issues multiplying and growing - faster than support can be delivered.

With young people being more aware of the increase in trends, numbers, statistics, reports, and shared feelings of a troubled society, young people are no longer aspiring for success. Young people are dreaming of survival.

Young people need help seeing beyond their boundaries and barriers. They need help and support learning about a world beyond theirs. Beyond a declining state of society and towards a thriving community.

The 2019 Vulnerable Adolescents Thematic Review was commissioned by Croydon’s strategic partners through the Croydon Safeguarding Children’s Board to support the improvement and effectiveness of the multi-agency response to children and families in Croydon.

“The review considered sixty vulnerable adolescents in total and made five key findings with fifteen recommendations for consideration, which were far reaching and included:

early help and prevention is critical
greater recognition of, and response to children’s emotional health and wellbeing is needed an integrated, whole systems approach is needed across agencies, communities and families
schools should be at the heart of multi-agency intervention
disproportionality, linked to ethnicity, gender and deprivation requires attention and action.”

A study by HM Inspectorate of Probation Research & Analysis 2022/23 also found that:

“The nature of knife crime is changing, with participants suggesting it is both more prevalent and more serious than in previous years. This change has, in part, been driven by austerity and cuts to preventive services.”

These findings amongst others, recognise that knife crime is multi-factorial and with this there is a need for a multi-faceted approach.

SUPPORT IS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER.

PROGRAMME: ENGAGE

OVERVIEW

We aim to provide engaging enrichment for young people, that overall benefits their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing and development; doing so independently, with their peers, and with the wider community, i n their community. We have two programmes that support young people, outside of their daily school activities, that we run from the LNK Unit, Croydon.

YOUTH HUB

Our Youth Hub provides a space in a time where the Town Centre has been recognised as a cause for concern by the police and council. We aim to bring back hope amongst the community, by creating a safe environment for young people to socialise, do homework, express themselves, anything they want - but most importantly, be young people.

Many young people that we worked with, on different programmes, voiced that they wanted a “safe space to chill with friends”, “see mentors and staff’”, “play games” and “make new friends”. Following this feedback and the clear need for more safe, social spaces, we chose to improve our Youth Hub , to meet the needs of our young people, Our Youth Hub, used to operate only on Fridays, and is now open for drop -in Mondays and Fridays.

ENGAGE

Many families have voiced their struggles to provide for their young people during the holiday periods, therefore it is a priority to support young people and their families with Engage - Holiday. Engage runs during the school holidays, throughout the year, and specifically supports those on free school meals, or young people from low income families. Each holiday is slightly different however all programmes provide: enrichment activities, hot food, trips out of Croydon, skills development, and fun during the times that many disadvantaged young people may struggle to have a holiday.

PROGRAMME: ENGAGE

DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: 2023/24

Lives Not Knives supported 431 young people aged 10 - 14.

We provided activities on 32 out of the 65 days , across 5 school holidays .

Many of the young people who attended the programme have additional needs such as: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Autism and other Mental Health needs.

All young people on the programme are on free school meals and rely on us for a hot nutritious meal during the holidays. We provided 640 meals throughout the year.

100%[OF YOUNG PEOPLE SAID THEY:]

“Enjoyed the food” “Felt Safe”. “Felt Happy” “Made Friends” and - “Want to come again!”

We also provided enrichment and learning activities such as:

Nutritional Workshops Visit to BBC Studios Brighton Beach Basketball Coaching Arts and Crafts Photography Workshop Cinema Arcade Sports Day

“I was too shy to speak to anyone before but now I have so many friends at Lives Not Knives ” - Child

“Because of his additional needs he usually struggles making friends and fitting in . He doesn’t like other holiday clubs, but he doesn’t ever want to leave you! ” - Parent

PROGRAMME: EDUCATE

OVERVIEW

The main aim of our Educate programme is that through mentoring, young people – who are subjected to (a number of) complex experiences, characteristics, needs and adversities, are best supported in schools. After identifying the most vulnerable young people, who are deemed to be at high-risk of school exclusion, trained mentors - from similar backgrounds, work closely with their mentees every week, to help them overcome their problems.

EDUCATE AIMS:

Keep mentees in mainstream education whereby they can further their own learning and development, to achieve their full potential

Teach young people the dangers and implications of making the wrong decisions; especially in relation to knife crime, antisocial behaviour and crime

Teach young people how to make the right decisions

Educate young people on how to navigate through their own personal problems, typically in relation to school and their own personal lives; whilst teaching them how to achieve their goals and dreams

Young people need education, advice, guidance, praise and support navigating through their own journeys. For those who are at risk or vulnerable, it may be harder to relate or take in this knowledge in the conventional way that is often delivered to young people ie, in the classroom. It is the young people that are exposed to disadvantages, hardships, barriers and social issues, that often go on to make decisions that have a negative impact on themselves and society. They need guidance, non-judgementally, from those that can understand, potentially relate, and teach - in a way that is best for the individuals specific needs.

Mentoring is used as a tool to prevent and intervene with the issues that young people are facing. Not only is mentoring used to tackle these problems, but is used to engage, educate and empower all young people, guiding them towards positivity and elevated levels of emotional, mental and physical wellbeing.

“MENTORING IS EFFECTIVE IN BOTH REDUCING CRIME AND THE BEHAVIOURS ASSOCIATED WITH CRIME AND VIOLENCE. THE RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT, ON AVERAGE, MENTORING REDUCES VIOLENCE BY 21% ALL OFFENDING BY 14%, AND REOFFENDING BY 19%.”

- YOUTH ENDOWMENT FUND

PROGRAMME: EDUCATE

We mentored 60 young people through the academic year: 69% Male and 31% Female, 65% Black and Minority Ethnic and 35% White British . All young people were referred due to being highest risk of permanent exclusion , as well as other lifestyle, and wellbeing factors such as:

70% Parental separation 72% Anger 80% Vulnerable to peer pressure 33% Household mental illness 71% Anxiety and/or depression 41% Violent tendencies 26% Household domestic violence 59% Poor self esteem 83% Inability to regulate emotions 61% Unstable family dynamic 44% Mental health issues 39% Regular exclusions 52% Friends and Family in gangs and 24% Verbally abused 52% Poor attainment levels criminality 13% Physically abused 44% High levels of truancy 80% Low-income household 15% Physically neglected 44% Involvement in antisocial behaviour 24% Known to police 28% Emotionally neglected 94% on Free School Meals

A questionnaire was given to all mentees each school term which enabled us to track the distance travelled in their mentoring relationships. Our mentors were looking at all factors that support a young person with an end goal of:

Increasing : Community Attitude and Behaviours - Attendance and Participation in School - Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing Decreasing : Criminal Attitudes and Behaviours - Barriers to Learning - Negative Influences

BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR:

98%

Identified of being at risk of permanent exclusion were not permanently excluded

79%

100%

Didn’t want to be in a gang and said they were not in a gang

Of those who didn’t feel confident now

feel confident

57%

Of young people admitted to committing crime before having a mentor

37% Of the 57% said they no longer commit crimes

96%

Did not think community was important before mentoring.

49%

Now think community is important

100%

SAID THEIR MENTOR

Was a good listener Helped them express their thoughts, feelings and emotions Helped teach them how to avoid conflict Helped them better understand and control their emotions Made them feel supported

PROGRAMME: EDUCATE (CASE STUDY)

We understand the importance of anonymity and for this reason, we have changed the name of the young person in the following case study, however all other details are true.

REFERRAL:

Tyler was originally referred to LNK by the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead in 2022 due to his high-risk of exclusion, challenging behaviours, inability to regulate his emotions, poor attainment levels and concerns around his safety in the community.

Tyler’s behaviours included displays of anger, fighting, inappropriate language to staff and peers, which in turn resulted in regular high-level consequences, including exclusions from school. The most specific reasons that led him to be a priority on the referral list were; being found in possession of a sharp object, susceptibility to peer pressure from friends and family in gangs/criminality and displays of what was described as “worsening and worrying behaviour”.

Health and Lifestyle Factors:

Suspected: ADHD (awaiting diagnosis) Known: Suffered a Traumatic Life Experience Anger Inability to Regulate Emotions

Household Factors:

During the 2022/2023 academic year Tyler worked with a mentor and showed positive growth and changes in behaviour. The school believed that the changes were significant enough for Tyler to not need any further support and the school would try a period without a mentor to see if Tyler could implement the strategies, knowledge and advice he received from mentoring on his own. This was successful for a period, until the school noticed a drop in his behaviour.

Suspected: Physical Neglect Known: Parental Separation Household Mental Illness Unstable Family Dynamic Low-Income Household Emotional Neglect Friends and Family in Gangs/Criminality

Following the summer holidays, Tyler was faced with new problems, and it was revealed that he had to start helping a lot more at home including cooking, shopping and caring for his mum due to her health issues. As a result, they requested that we continue working with him, to help him navigate through these new situations in a crucial time of his school life. At the time of the second referral made in 2023, Tyler was receiving 5 detentions a week, he had over 10 internal exclusions in one school term and 3 external exclusions in the previous academic year.

School Factors:

Known: Poor Attainment Levels Regularly Excluded from School Regular Behavioural Issues Vulnerable to Peer Pressure

PROGRAMME: EDUCATE (CASE STUDY)

SUPPORT:

Tyler needed a positive role model who understood and related to some of the problems and challenges he faced, as it seemed that he was spending time with people who didn't necessarily make the right choices in and outside of school. Tyler showed that he was extremely passionate about basketball and was allocated a mentor who was equally as enthusiastic and passionate about sport.

Tyler quickly took to his mentor. Basketball was used to motivate and engage him in sessions. Tyler became comfortable and able to confide in his mentor about matters bothering him. His mentor expressed the need to work hard, be resilient, and disciplined in basketball; this message was also transferable to his school, home and personal life. Tyler benefitted from weekly sessions; having someone praise him when he made the right decisions and guide him back on to the right path when he didn't.

At the end of each half term, he would complete a questionnaire as a measurement of where he was mentally, with school, home, personally and his overall well-being; helping direct the sessions. In January, he ticked a box on the questionnaire that he had committed crimes. His mentor prioritised speaking to him about the importance of making the correct decisions, and the impact of those decisions on himself and others.

Over the academic year his mentor also worked with him on regulating his emotions, to reduce the number of outbursts in school and helped him to see the impact and affects of his behaviour, and the ways that they might hinder him; but also went on to show him how positive and productive strategies could better his life.

OUTCOME:

By July 2024 there were huge improvements in his behaviour, with the number of highlevel incidents in school dropping significantly . Members of staff had lots of positive words to say about Tyler, realising a shift in his behaviour and mentality . By the last questionnaire Tyler strongly disagreed that he was committing crimes . He received some positive behaviour points and became an ambassador for basketball for his school. He also became a positive role model for other young people even hosting and

refereeing a basketball tournament for a local primary school.

PROGRAMME: EMPOWER

We help to Empower our local community by providing food and essential household items to families and those in need of a helping hand. We believe that easing the burden of purchasing home goods will allow our community to have more time for themselves and those around them, supporting their mental health and physical well-being.

We continued our partnership with Amazon Web Services who also gained support from TransAcct, Apvia and Amazon Fresh, Source Fuse and Levy & Co.

We supported 200 households with goods.

‘This was truly a blessing for me and my two daughters, I have been under great Provided 18 haircuts for the community financial strain this year and the chocolates and other treats will be Supported 6 people with flu jabs. wrapped up for them to open, thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Sign-posted those in need of services who can further support with mental health. Croydon Mum (Facebook Comment)

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: JASMINE LONG, YOUTH WORKER

I joined LNK because I wanted to work with young people and leave a positive impact on their lives. A lot of young people have problems that they don’t get help with because they don’t have someone to go to. I want young people to feel safe and supported, without feeling judged. I’m proud to say I have been a mentor for over a year now and have made a positive impact already, mainly through working on the Educate and Engage programmes that we deliver.

To make sure I can give the best support, it’s important that I’m organised and structure my week well. During the school term time I use Mondays to prepare for my day’s mentoring in schools; reviewing notes that I’ve made from sessions with my mentees and prepare for their 1:1 sessions. I’m then based across three different schools Tuesdays to Thursdays and have 1:1 sessions with up to 8 young people a day. On Fridays, I spend time organising my work, meet with my manager - reviewing work, communicate with teachers and then work with the young people who drop in at our Youth Hub.

In the past year, I’ve realised that a lot of the young people I support often don’t have many safe relationships with adults. Many young people have extremely hectic home lives and just don’t get on with their teachers; making the rest of the LNK team and I the only adults they have trusted relationships with. Building these relationships has been a priority in my work, as I’ve understood that when young people open up confidently, you can help them with their problems and goals. When first meeting my mentees, some of them are comfortable straight away and are very open to talk and share, others take a few weeks, but then when they open up, they tell me absolutely everything. As the relationship grows they share more and their progress increases.

Most of the sessions are very positive, however due to the nature of the referrals, I have had to manage a lot of safeguarding concerns and disclosures. In the past year I’ve supported young people with a number of different sensitive safeguarding issues; missing episodes, self-harming, gang affiliation, court cases, eating concerns, school exclusions and involvement in knife crime . I work alongside the school’s and LNK’s safeguarding policies to ensure all concerns are managed, with my main concern being the young person, their needs and how I can best support them.

All the young people I mentor appreciate having someone to talk to and have expressed that they feel more confident in making their own decisions after using me as a sounding board. I listen and give advice, but I aim to empower them to make their own positive decisions. They often tell me that they’ve been waiting to speak to me all week, or that they’re excited to have a session with me as it’s their only calm period of the week. This makes me feel like I’m doing a good job - so when I hear positive feedback from teachers, see other indications, like less exclusions and better engagement in school, I really feel like I’ve made an impact. I enjoy working on the Educate programme throughout the school year as it gives more time to build a relationship, focus on the young people, their goals, what they want to achieve, and help them travel a distance.

When schools are closed, we run our Engage programme to ensure young people have a safe place to go to during the break. Engage is full of trips, activities and often a first time-experience for those on the programme. Sign ups are open to everyone, not just referrals, which means that every Engage programme is different due to the mix of attendees. We see some that we have known for years through Educate and previous Engage programmes, and some fresh faces. Engage can be challenging due to the number of young people attending and their needs, however it’s a challenge that keeps me on my toes, and I have lots of fun keeping them entertained, introducing them to new skills, opportunities and support they deserve.

With both Engage and Educate , I believe I have had a positive impact on the young people. Both programmes support young people from various backgrounds, with issues or challenges in their home, school and personal life. I personally feel that having them open up and use the support, is an achievement in itself and something they should be proud of.

My favourite day working at LNK so far has been our ‘Giving Day’. I enjoyed speaking to different people in the community , seeing lots of parents whose children we support, and them recognising the relationship that the mentors have with their kids. Helping the community and giving back.

Safeguarding Level 1 -3 Mental Health First Aid Domestic Violence Designated Safeguarding Lead Counselling Level 2 First Aid Food and Safety Sexual Health

LIVES NOT KNIVES CHARITY NUMBER: 1153634 REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES REGISTERED OFFICE AND OPERATIONAL ADDRESS: LNK UNIT, UPPER MALL, CENTRALE SHOPPING CENTRE, CROYDON, CR0 1TY WWW.LIVESNOTKNIVES.ORG

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER.. CE1100143 (Enoland and Wal•8) REGISTERED CHARITY NUM8ER. 1153634 U audtled F rial Stale ents for t eye ded 31 Maddox & Maddox Llmited 9 Commercial Yard Bamard Castle Co Cxjtham DL12 8FE

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Independent •xamlnerfs report to the trustees of Lives Not Knlws {Ihe Companrf) I report lo the charity trusieès ¢)n my exanination of the accnunts of Ihe Cornpany for the year ended 31 March 2024. R•sponslblliiles and b•sls of report A% thA Ini8lp.A nf thft CxJmp#ny (Anrt Al.qn Ill dirftrlnrq hr thA pl1rq4 ol efJmpAry lsw•) you arè rnsponsible for the préparation of the afxounts In accordanc vAlh th• requlrements of Ihe Cowpanies Act (Ihe 2iJ)6 Act,). Having satisfied nrysell Ihal the a(tounts of the Company are not required to bè audited urthr Part 16 of the 2006 Act arKI are eligible for Independent examln8tion, I report #i respect ol r examination of your charity'¥ accounls as caffied out under Section 145 of the challe5 Act 2011 Cthe 2011 Ac). In carrylng oui my examlnation I have lolloKed the Olredons glven ty Ihe Gharfty Comission under Sedion 145(5) (b) ofthe 201 I AGI, Indepèndent èxamlnefs •tatem•nt SineA your tharity'3 grrJss Income èxceed¢d £250,000 your examiner must be a member of 8 listed body. I can o)nfimi Ihat l am qualified lo undertake Ihe examination bec4use l am a member of th• Assoaation of Chartered Certified Accountsnls, vthith is one of the lisled bodles. I have Complet examination. I c¥)nffirn that no matters have o)me to ry atteOn In connethon wlh Ihe examinalion gNirvJ me cause lo believe: actounling records were rnt kapl in respect of the Company as required by Sedl¢M 388 ¢f the 2008 Acl; or Ihe accounts do nol accord %%ith those r•cords; or the accthinls do not compty Yath the accounting requirements of Seclion 3 of the 2006 Act other than 8ny requiremenl that Ihe accounts give a Inia and lair viwl %thich is not a rnatter o)nsidered 85 oart of an indeoendenl examination,. or the accounts have not been prepared in accordance the methods and principl85 ol Ihe Statement of Recommpjnded Practice for a¢untIng and reporting by charities (appIlble to tharities preparing their accnunls in axordanc8 V*ith the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). I havo no u)ncems and have corrE acmss no other matters In ¢onnediM vdih the exarninat to attenlk)n shrjjld be draym in Ihi$ report in onler to enable a prr understanding of Ihe iWJUTil¥ lu b¥ ItJadi¥d. &mon Maddox FCCA The Assoc ol Chartered Cerbfied Ac£ountsnt$ Maddox & Maddox Umii8d 9 Commercial Yard Bamard Castle Co. Durham gu12 8FE Page 2

tate nt of Financial Activities ear Unrestri¢Xed Restrided fund funds Totsl funds Total funds Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Ck)nations arKI legacies 286.804 337,104 92,383 Charitable activities Education and life Sll development 65,500 65,5C(I (33,112) Othertfading activities 10,050 10,050 Total 296,854 115,8C 412,654 63,935 EXPENDIIURE ON Raising fvnds 6.736 Charftable avItieS Education and life skill development 186.466 115,8 3f2.266 343,509 Total 1932(r2 115.800 209.002 352,993 NET INCOMEI(EXPENDITURE) .- 103.652 103.652 (289.058) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds broughl forvrdrd 311243 311.243 600,301 . TOT AI FLIAIg3 CARRIED FO•IAIAori The notes fomi part of these fnancial statements Page 3

31.3.24 Total funds 31.3.23 Tota5 fundg Unrestricted Reslricted fund fundy Nolas FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 12 2,585 2,585 1 1,. 1.808 CURRENT ASSETS Lbtors Cash at bank and in hand 13 545 422,645 422,645 335,015 423,1 423,190 ' aa5,559 1 CREDITORS Amounts falling due ithin ona year 14 (10,880) (10,880) (26,124) NETCURRENT ASSETS 412,310 412,310 309,435 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT UABIUTIES 414,895 414,895 311.243 NET ASSETS 414,895 414,895 311,243 FUNDS Unresln'¢X•d funds 15 414,895 311,243 TOTAL FUNDS 414.895 311,243 The tharitable company is entitled to exemptlon frorn audii undor Section 4T1 of the Companies Aci 2(X% for the year ended 31 March 2024. The members have noi required Ihe company to obtaln an audit ol Its flnancial statements for th6 year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance wilh Seclion 476 of the Companies Act 2(. The trustees a¢knovledge their responsibilities for (a) ensuring that the tharitable o)mpany keeps ac¢ountlng records that Comply th4th Sedims 386 and 387 of Ihe Companies Acl 2006 and (b) yeparlng financial stalements vthlch glve a true and falr vlew of the state of affalrs of the (¥iariTaiiie 1MpanY as ai itie enu of eaoii iinanciai year anu oi ils sulUS or deTIc4i Tor ea( fjnantial year in aCrdance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise ¢>)mply wth the reqU1ments of the Companies Ad 28 relating to financi81 statements. so far as applicable lo Ihe5haritable company. The finan¢4al ststements vRre 8pproved by the Board of TNstees and aulhorised for issue on .:.X>2. W and yre signed on its behalf by: The rKJtes fom part of these financial stalemenls Paqe 4 continued...

lan TNsle8 The notès fomi part of ihese finan¢i81 statemerrts Page S

31.324 31.3.23 Cash Ilows frvm 0ratIng a¢llvttM$ Cash generated frpm operatsons Fir*nce costs paKI (272,101) (259) Net cash womded tryl(us•d In) operaling (272,360) Cash flovm from IntIng acll¥ftl•s PthIS6 of lange fixed assets (2,(Y20) {1,764) NetYth used in iNesliTr3 activities (2,020) {1,764> chan In 8h and cash •ouivalents in thè I00rting perl¢)d Cash and cash equivalents at the beglnnlng of the reportlng perfod 87.630 (274,124) 335,015 809,139 Cash and Cash equivalents attho •nd of the reportlng perlod 422,645 335.015 Page6.

LNOt Knives otes to tho Cas ear En ed31Ma RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOMW(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING AcnMnES 31.3.24 31,3.23 Net Incomel(expenditure) forth• rnportlng perfod (as p•r the Statement of Flnan¢ial Activities) Adjustments for. Depreaalion tharges Loss on disposal of fixed assèts Fnance costs Irrfxease in debtors (Deueaseyintxease in creditorn 103,652 (289,058) 1243 837 5.246 259 (544) 11,159 (1) (15,244) Net cash provlded byl(used In) operntlons 89,650 (272,101) ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS At 1,4.23 Cash tlow At 31.3.24 N•t cash Cash al bank and in hand 335,015 . 87,630 422,645 335,015 87,630 422,645 ??&n4R trWVV The notes form part of these fir*noal statements Page 7

ACCOUNTING POUCIES Bsls of prnparlng th• flnanclll ststemènts Thfv finAnrial stAlftmAnt8 rtf thA rtIAriIAhlA (YfflPAny. vthirh 14 A pthlip. hftnAfrt 8nlity iJnAAr FRS 102, have been prepared In accordance valh the Charllies SORP {FRS 102) 'AccountirKJ and Reporting by Charilies.. Slatemenl of Recommended Practice applicable to tharities wèparina their accrunts In a¢oJrdanc8 wlh the Finandal Reporting Standard applicable in Ihe UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effectlva 1 J8nuary 2019),, Flnana81 Reports'ng Slandard 102 Thè Flnancial Reporting Standard applicAble in Ihe UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Companies Act 2006. The finarKlal slalemenls have been prepared under the histortcal a)si conventlon. In¢tsm• All income Is rewnlséd in Ihe Statement of FSn8ndal Aclivi118s once the charfty hag enlitlement to the fvmds, il is pr¥)bable Ihat Ihè inctsrn will be received and the amwnt can be measured reliably. Exp•ndlturn Liabiliiies are recconised as expenditure as soon as Ihere is a leaal or construcaive oblioation <>)mnJtting the tharity to that expendituro, it is probable Ihal a Iransfw of economic benefrts will be quired in Settlernt and the awthnt of the obligalion can be ffEasured rdiably, ExFenditwe is &cUnted for on an accruals basis and has been Classified under headings Ihat aggwate all cosl relaled to the category. Where costs cannot be dire¢tty attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to aGbvitses on a basis nSistent with Ihe use of f8SLWfces. Tangible fixed assets tpreoabon Is prowded at followng annual rates In order to vnite off each assel over rts estiThted usefijl life. Taxatlon The tharity is exempt from corporation tax on ds tharilable adiNities. Fund accounting Unrestricled *Jnds can be used in a¢cordan¢e wth Ihe tharitsble objectives at the dis(¥elion ofthe trustee& Restricted fvnds can only be used for partiojlar restricted purposes wlhin the objecls of the tharity. Restrictions arise when speofied by th8 donor or bthen funds are raised for partilar restricted ppose$. Futher explanalion of the nature and purpose of each fund ts IrbSuded in the notes to the finanoai staiemerrts. Pension costs and other post-rptirement beneffts The charitable c>Jmpany operates a defined contribution pensiffi scheme. ContriL¥Jtions payable lo the charitable MpaS pension stheme are tharged to the Statemenl of Finanaal Actiwlies in [>10d to they rela18. Page 8 cfjnlinue(L..

es an DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 31.3.24 31.3.23 Dcr.at¢n- 337,104 OTHER TrADING ACTIVITIES 31.3.24 31.3.23 Commissioned wr)rk Commission 10,015 35 4,627 37 10,050 4,es4 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 31.3.24 31.3.23 Actlvty Education and life skill developmenl Education and life skill developmenl YEF Grants (92,912) 59,800 IWV (?? 14ry RAISING FUNDS Othertrading acllviths 31.3.24 31.3.23 &,74S CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Support costs (see note 7) Cosls Totals Education and tsfe skill 004 aAI l*V7V Pagè g conlinued...

SUPPORT cosrd ' Flnanc F¢*rAtIe Ard lifA qkill dAVAltryI EfiNCOMEfjEXPEMXTUR Not inoxnd(expendrtwe) Is ataled after thawW(ue(%tky).' 31.3.24 31.3.23 Depreoalion- ¢x4fied assets Deffisit on disposal of [ed assets 1,243 837 5,246 TRUSTEE8' REMUNERATION AND BENERT8 ' There rK truee$, remuneration or olher benefits for the aT ended 31 March 2024 nor lor IM year ended 31 March W23. Thèr• •(• M InJsle&s' gxponsos paid for the yw ended 31 Marth 2024 nDr for th8 year ended 31 Mafth 2023. STAFF COSTS 31.3.24 f 1 31.3,23 Wages arKI salarios Sor481 Snty o)sts Other penslon sts 196,C65 13,935 230,691 17,941 3,016 213,&80 , 251,648 The average monthty ThMrtJer of emthees during Ihe yewwas as fol 31.3.24 31.3.23 Paga 10 c£Jntinued...

Lives Not l(ntves Notes t rthe an+1 arch 20 11. CvrnrMRAThEo rvr4 i ric • 1•4 1 CAENT GF CITIC Lknrestrxled RestsirAed fund nd Total fund$ INCOME AND ENOOWMENIS FROM Datis and lega(ie$ 92,383 Charltablo activities Education artyl hfe skil develowitt (¥2,912) (33,112) 4.657 Total 1.840 (92.905) 63,935 ExPENDlRE ( RaisirvJ fvn(ts 8,097 , 1,387 Chafltable activtties EdUtiOn aThl kfe skill develownit 175,519 167,99) 343,509 Total 183,616 . 169,3TI &52,993 . NET INCOMMEXPENDITURE) (26.776) P82.282) (289,058) RECONCIUATION OF FUNDS T¢)lal fvnds brrwht foNtsrd 338.019 262,282 600,301 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED ?11 ?A? Page 11

11 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSET3 Compuler equipmenl COST At 1 April 2023 Athaitr'ons 5,032 2,020 At 31 Marth 2024 7,052 DEPRECIATION t l Aprm i4i23 Charge for year ,224 1,243 At 31 March 2024 4.467 NETBOOKVALUE Al 31 Marth 2024 2,585 At 31 March 2023 11 DE8TORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE THIN ONE YEAR 31.3.24 31,3.23 545 1& CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUEWITHIN ONE YEAR 31.3.24 31.3.23 Soual Srity and other taxes Olher ueditors Acuued expenses 6,238 14,425 611 11,088 3,000 10,880 26,124 Page 12 continued...

otes to the Finanaal 15. MOVEMENTIN FUNDS m0verrn1 In funds At 31,3.24 At 1.423 Unr•strlthd funds General fimd 311243 103,652 414,895 TOTAL FUNDS 311,243 103,652 414,895 Mov1 in fvmds, kncluded in the abw arn as foUThvs: InrnIng Resources Movemenl resources expended In lunds Unrpstricted fvnds General fund 296,854 (193,202) 103,652 Restslcted funds LNK Educate Programff* 115,800 (115,800) TOTAL FUKIDS 103,e52 Nel rrvjvement in funds At 31.3.23 At 1.4.22 Unrutricted funds General furKI 338,019 (26,776) 311.243 Restrictéd funds Y4Xrth End(fiMnI FL¥¥J 262282 (262.282) TOTLI CIIAIDS 6CQ,301 ?80 QLQ 344 4A? , J? Page 13 continued...

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- conunuqd Conparntive not movemenl in finjs Indled in tho abM we as foll<Yws.' IncomiTrJ Resources Movemenl resources oxpended In funds UnrMtrf¢ted fund• General nd 156,840 (183,616) (26,778) . R•stslated fvnds ' . Ywlri Endomnent Fund (92,W5) (169,311) {262282) TOTAL FUNDS 63,935 (352,993) (289,058) A QKrert yw 12 fith$ ar fv year 12 contined posilim Is as fol<M: Net At 31.3.24 Al 1.422 kn"fiJnds . Unr•stslcl•d funds General fvnd 338,019 78,876 414,895 Pthstrfct•d fvnds 282,2 (262,2tr2) TOTAL FUNDS 6.301 (185.rtK) 414,895 ' A wrrwrt year 12 and yw 12 rTr)nths comblrjed net rrnwmenl in fiKMI4 ir1?1 in Arn follrh%' IrKomlr¥J Resouw Movement resre*S expanded in funds Unr•stri¢t•d funds General 453,894 (376.818) 76,878 stslcted fvnds Youth Endt)mne Fund (92.5) (169,3ri) (262,2ff2) 115,e(x) (115.8CA)) 22,895 (285.177) (262.282) TOTAL FUNt)s 476,Sg9 {661,995) (185.4C6) Page 14 (x)nlinued...

Noles lo the FInar Statement - for the Year End 1& RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES re were rK> related paty for the arer#ed 31 Marth 21r24. Page 15

31.3.24 31.3.23 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donatlons and legacles tX)nations 337,104 92,383 Oth•r tradln9 actlvltl•s Commissioned w>rk Cofffflission 10,015 35 4,827 37 10,050 Charltabl• actlvltios YEF Grants (92,912) 59,800 65,500 65.500 {33,112) 412,654 63,935 EXPENDITURE Oth•rtr4ding a¢tNitle• prOgrnffle expen 8,736 9,484 Charltabl• actlvlti Wages £Dcl81 Jeufflty Pensions Rotes arKI waler Insurance Light and h•al 196,065 13,935 3,860 3,230 773 7,811 597 230,691 17,941 3,016 8,566 354 7,686 Postage arKI stationery Advertising Sundries ConsultanLy AOuntanC Professional fees Counselling Websrte IT and conw Costs Subs(Yipb'ons Travel Carried forn*wd 1.187 5,418 457 43,200 2,880 900 3,335 4.789 2,326 44,272 3,WO 150 1,640 8.430 781 3,593 295.436 40 2,841 333,826 This page does nol form part of the stalulcry financial ststements Page 16

na 31.3.24 31.3.23 Charftable a¢tlvltl•s Brought ft)Phrd Cleaning Staff Traininp Repairs and rnnewalj Staff NNlfare Medic41 insuranc Ctsil)Pulvi ryuiPI)lsiil Loss on sah of tsn9iblo fix assels 295,438 291 2,050 1,975 710 241 1,2413 333,828 159 738 1,958 373 5,248 301,946 343.135 Support ¢o•t• Flnanc• Bank charges Inleresl paKI 320 115 259 320 374 Tolal resources expthxled 309,CM)2 352.993 let Incopxl(expendltureJ 103,eEo Vvi 058> This page does not form part ofthe statutrAy fffiancial statements Page 17

lan TNsle8 The notès fomi part of ihese finan¢i81 statemerrts Page S

MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- conunuqd Conparntive not movemenl in finjs Indled in tho abM we as foll<Yws.' IncomiTrJ Resources Movemenl resources oxpended In funds UnrMtrf¢ted fund• General nd 156,840 (183,616) (26,778) . R•stslated fvnds ' . Ywlri Endomnent Fund (92,W5) (169,311) {262282) TOTAL FUNDS 63,935 (352,993) (289,058) A QKrert yw 12 fith$ ar fv year 12 contined posilim Is as fol<M: Net At 31.3.24 Al 1.422 kn"fiJnds . Unr•stslcl•d funds General fvnd 338,019 78,876 414,895 Pthstrfct•d fvnds 282,2 (262,2tr2) TOTAL FUNDS 6.301 (185.rtK) 414,895 ' A wrrwrt year 12 and yw 12 rTr)nths comblrjed net rrnwmenl in fiKMI4 ir1?1 in Arn follrh%' IrKomlr¥J Resouw Movement resre*S expanded in funds Unr•stri¢t•d funds General 453,894 (376.818) 76,878 stslcted fvnds Youth Endt)mne Fund (92.5) (169,3ri) (262,2ff2) 115,e(x) (115.8CA)) 22,895 (285.177) (262.282) TOTAL FUNt)s 476,Sg9 {661,995) (185.4C6) Page 14 (x)nlinued...

Noles lo the FInar Statement - for the Year End 1& RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES re were rK> related paty for the arer#ed 31 Marth 21r24. Page 15

2024-03-31-accounts

Engage Educate Empower

CONTENTS:

CEO STATEMENT: ELIZA REBEIRO

TRUSTEE STATEMENT: MONICA BECKLES, CHAIR

CHARITY INFORMATION:

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

PRINCIPLE STAFF:

BANKERS:

CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS :

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:

STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS:

INCOMING:

EXPENDITURE:

NEED FOR: LIVES NOT KNIVES

NEED FOR: LIVES NOT KNIVES

SUPPORT IS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER.

PROGRAMME: ENGAGE

OVERVIEW

YOUTH HUB

ENGAGE

PROGRAMME: ENGAGE

DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: 2023/24

PROGRAMME: EDUCATE

OVERVIEW

EDUCATE AIMS:

PROGRAMME: EDUCATE

BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR:

98%

100%

57%

96%

100%

PROGRAMME: EDUCATE (CASE STUDY)

REFERRAL:

Health and Lifestyle Factors:

Household Factors:

School Factors:

PROGRAMME: EDUCATE (CASE STUDY)

SUPPORT:

OUTCOME:

PROGRAMME: EMPOWER

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: JASMINE LONG, YOUTH WORKER