2025-03-31-accounts - Corbridge Youth Initiative CIO

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 01/04/24 (Period start date) To: 31/03/25 (Period end date)

Charity name: Corbridge Youth Initiative CIO

Charity registration number: 1154200

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objectives of the Corbridge Youth Initiative CIO are to support the personal development and resilience of all young people, through informal educational activities, to help them achieve their individual potential and contribute positively to society.
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	Corbridge Youth Initiative provides age- appropriate activities on 4 evenings every week in term time and during parts of school holiday periods for young people from ages 9-19. Young people have access to their own premises in the center of the village, staffed by qualified youth workers. Our attendance numbers remain high, on average we work with 100 to 120 young people a week. We run 4 Juniors groups covering school years 5-8, a Girls’ group, a Seniors group and a Drama Club, which is a new addition to our timetable. Also provided are two lunchtime drop ins at Queen Elizabeth High School and Corbridge Middle School. During the school drop ins, we offer support and mentoring, reaching new members who don’t already attend our centre sessions. 1 to 1 mentoring and help with job applications continues when requested. We have an Allotment which we use to further engage our young people in hands- on activities whilst developing new horticultural skills. Our annual Summer Scheme provides activities for 3 weeks during the summer holidays. The public benefit is that without Corbridge Youth Initiative and its qualified staff, young people in Corbridge would not have

		the support and opportunities that are made available to them through this project.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees keep in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and actively monitor the programme for its inclusiveness and openness. The responses of the young people, of stakeholders and of members of the public, to the work undertaken, are monitored through feedback and through independently assessed monitoring

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	N/A
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	Surplus funds which are not immediately required to pay for activities are placed on deposit to earn interest.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Volunteers are a significant part of the support system of the charity. There is an active fundraising committee of volunteers from the community. This group organises events throughout the year and raises funds to benefit young people by helping to finance the Summer Scheme and by keeping the profile of the charity at the forefront of the minds of members of the community. Businesses in the community are also active supporters of the project by helping to organise fundraising activities. Volunteers have also worked to help maintain and support the project’s allotment. This has enabled young people to get involved in the development of the allotment, growing fruit and vegetables, using it for barbecues in the summer and soup in the winter. Volunteers also play a role in leading occasional specialist sessions for the benefit of the young people, with youth leaders in attendance.
Other		N/A

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main 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.	Para 1.20	Corbridge is viewed as an affluent village but in fact a significant proportion of the resident families live in social housing, have low incomes, are single parent/separated families or are on the periphery of the local community without transport and suffering rural and social isolation. The CYI Youth and Community Centre offers an easily accessible safe place within the village where all young people can attend, whatever the income background of the family. The charity connects with young people and offers support to all, including those who are known to be vulnerable. Strong contacts have been made with multi- disciplinary agencies to ease access for those needing specialist help. The project in 2024-5 is staffed by a senior youth worker and all staff employed to work with the young people have appropriate qualifications for the work in which they are engaged. All are IT literate and know the area well including the problems that face families and young people. Juniors(4 groups from years 5,6,7,8, in different sessions) Basic cooking and craft skills, games, mini fundraising challenges, and trips out to activities for which the group has raised money. Opportunities are provided to enable young people to relax after school and mix with friends in a safe environment, to learn mutual respect for themselves, others and their community, learn about online safety and behaviour and have access to other informal educational activities, helping them to develop personal skills. Seniors (a group for years 9+) Young people can relax with friends, play pool, table tennis, darts, enjoy team games, access health and relationship information and support, and have access to small group discussions with youth workers. Young people are also able to learn about dangers online, access to contraception through C card and STI screening and where necessary access to other agencies. Issue based activities are provided and focused on topics that are relevant and important to the young people. Allotment Group. Available through March to October, young people can

		develop the site and grow fruit and vegetables as well as hold barbecues and meet outdoors in the summer months. At times they are able to enter produce in the Village Show and make soup for the Christmas Fair. Girls’ Group (Year 7+) This group enables girls to socialise and develop confidence, to discuss topics relevant to their experiences without fear of intimidation and participate in group activities. Informal activities include issue- based workshops, baking and cooking, crafts and sports. Access to information and support is also provided. Drama Club (Year 5+) The Drama Club was established by staff in response to requests from young people who wanted a creative and expressive space to develop their performing arts skills. The club runs weekly and offers participants the opportunity to build confidence, enhance artistic skills and develop teamwork as well as communication. The Drama Club attendance is healthy and is currently preparing for a musical production scheduled to be performed in February 2026 half-term. The performance rights have been purchased and authorised by MTI UK. The 1-1 Mentoring Service. This is offered to all young people who attend the youth project as well as the local high school and middle school. Mentoring is available for young people requiring support, particularly with issues of self- harm, substance misuse, negative relationships, family issues, anger management and mental health issues. Job Mentoring. Support is available for those who have already left education. Job mentoring provides help in developing understanding of responsibilities, understand CV writing and how to cope with interviews. How to apply for and gain apprenticeships or access college courses and how to apply directly for employment is rehearsed. Opportunities for young people to volunteer within the organisation are also available, supported by staff mentorship. Summer Scheme.Staff and young people developed a programme of activities organised for the summer to give young people opportunities to enjoy purposeful fun and skill-based activities and trips. Opportunities were also provided to allow

participants to catch up with friends and relax for 3 weeks during the summer holidays. Corbridge based activities were ran at the centre, allotment and local parks, there were also trips to Inspired Pots, Forum Cinema, Haltwhistle Lesiure Centre, South Shields Surf School and Flamingoland. All these sessions and activities encourage young people of the village to be participants and to accept and manage challenges. The activities offer experiences and help, which enable young people to understand how to accept responsibility, how to manage aspects of their lives and to cope with the choices they will need to make. The activities provide stimulating leisure time pursuits. None of these activities would be available in the village without CYI. The extended support to more vulnerable young people and their families has helped them to access external multi agency services which would otherwise not be available within the village or the immediate area. CYI has worked with 265 young people across all groups during the year.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	By the provision of the facilities, the well qualified staff and activities described above, the charity achieves its objectives to the benefit of the participants.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	By the provision of the facilities, the well qualified staff and activities described above, the charity achieves its objectives to the benefit of the participants.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	The only investments that the charity makes is in the form of bank deposits to gain interest.
Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The funding landscape has been a challenging one. The Charity has had to apply for smaller grants from a range of funders including; Corbridge Parish

		Council, Wellesley Trust (Community Foundation), Awards for All (Lottery), NCC Community Chest, High Sheriff of Northumberland (Community Foundation), EC Belford Trust & The Hadrian Trust. Corbridge Parish Council remain committed to supporting our work with a core grant annually. Local Businesses, individual donors and income from the volunteer fundraising committee have been critical in supporting the finances. It is labor intensive work, much of it carried out by Trustees and the Project Coordinator. Reserves are committed to cover long awaited bills for service and maintenance charges provided by our landlord Northumberland County Council. Income generation has remained a key focus over the year with an action plan agreed to support.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Corbridge Youth Initiative Trustees have determined that an appropriate level of free reserves should be equivalent to not less than six months operating costs plus a sum for exit costs. Our policy is therefore to build up this fund again and when it reaches this level to maintain the reserves which will be carried forward for future core activities as identified by the Trustees. This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that it still meets the needs of the project.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£23,000
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	Challenges facing the charity include - 1. The necessity for constantly fundraising and relying on small funders rather than having a single large reliable funding source leads to uncertainty about the financial welfare of the charity for long term development work. 2. Negotiations about the lease renewal are still ongoing with Northumberland County Council. The trustees monitor all these issues at regular meetings to safeguard against such failures. Funding bids are prepared regularly to cover the costs of the service, its changing needs and to upgrade facilities.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including	Para 1.47	EC Belford Trust, TNL Community Fund, Community Foundation, Northumberland County Council, William Webster and Karbon

any fundraising)		Homes, The Parish Council and local organisations. Volunteers fundraise for CYI at a range of fundraising events, some conducted as joint activities with other charities in Corbridge, allowing greater reach for public support.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	CYI does not invest in the stock market or in social investment funds.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The principal risk is the failure to secure adequate finance to employ the suitably qualified staff required to lead the project. Adequate finance is also required to pay the rental and heating costs of the premises. Further risks would be the loss of the premises which are rented from Northumberland County Council before other suitable accommodation is secured. The possibility of a failure in safeguarding or failure in leadership and appeal to young people are also issues which are monitored. An Away Day in November 2022 with the young people has enabled us to draft our three-year business plan and programme requirements, this will be revised and renewed in early 2026. The trustees meet quarterly and sub committees more frequently, to monitor accounts, staffing, programme and activities. Policies and procedures are also monitored and updated to try to minimise all such risks
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution adopted August 2nd2013
How is the charity constituted? (e.g. unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Charitable Incorporated Organisation
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	Trustees are recruited with regard to appropriate skills, knowledge and experience needed to administer the charity CIO. They are interviewed by at least two trustees and are appointed at the AGM after recommendation by the interviewers. Trustees can be re- appointed to post every 4 years after nomination and election at the AGM.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	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	Prospective trustees are given a copy of the CYI constitution and are referred to the Charity Commission website and advised to read the publication “The Essential Trustee”. DBS checks are carried out and there is a child protection policy in place. A member of the trustees will also discuss roles and responsibilities of a trustee. There is a staff handbook of CYI policies and procedures which is also available to trustees.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The charity’s trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits or remuneration. They work on a variety of committees e.g. staffing, management, fundraising, all of which complete minutes and report back to the trustees at quarterly trustee meetings, where minutes are also kept. Trustees take advice to revise policies and procedures regularly to bring them in line with current legislation and the Charity Commission’s requirements. The chair of the charity meets regularly with the senior youth worker to supervise and monitor the delivery of the programme and discuss any issues which have arisen. The charity works on occasion with Hexham Youth Initiative, local middle and high schools, Tynedale Youth Forum, Northumberland Youth Work Network, Corbridge Health Centre, Co-op Foodshare programme, Children’s Services, CAB, DWP and Northumberland Youth Service, Jobcentre Plus, Northumbria Police, Northumberland Homefinder/Homeless Team and Adult Social Services. The Charity works with Corbridge Community Partnership, Corbridge Cricket Club and Charlotte Straker Project on fundraising events.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	N/A
Other		N/A

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Corbridge Youth Initiative CIO
Other name the charity uses	CYI


Registered charity number	1154200
Charity’s principal address	Corbridge Youth Initiative, Youth and Community Centre, Hill Street, Corbridge, Northumberland. NE45 5AA

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Chris Bray	Chair	04.12.2025	The trustees themselves and CYI members at the AGM when positions are confirmed byelection.
Abbie Foster	Secretary	10.07.2025
Chris Nevis
William Cunningham
Karren Spowart
Helen Mason
Lisa Graham
John Liddle
John Shackleton
Daniel Gennery
Susan Graham

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name	Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity	N/A
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects	N/A
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets	N/A

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Advisor	Name	Address
Independent treasurer	Mandy Senior	7, Stonecroft, Horsley, Northumberland, NE15 0AF

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information):

Chris Bray, Chair of Trustees.

Amber Robinson, Senior Youth Worker

Additional information (optional)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

N/A

Declarations

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 (e.g. Secretary, Chair, etc.)

Date

CORBRIDGE YOUTH INITIATIVE

Corbridge Youth Initiative

Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2025

Corbridge Youth Initiative CIO Reg. Charity No 1154200.

CORBRIDGE YOUTH INITIATIVE

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Corbridge Youth Initiative

I report on the accounts of Corbridge Youth Initiative for the year ending 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 3, 4 and 5.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year Section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Examine the accounts (under sections 43(3) (a) of the 1993 Act) To follow the procedures lad down in the General directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 43(7) (b) of the 1993 Act); and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of the independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance 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. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.

Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act

Have not been met; or

To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

CORBRIDGE YOUTH INITIATIVE

Cashflow Summary from 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025

Business receipts Business payments Cash deficit generated by the business Net cash inflow Bank and cash balance at 1 April 2024 Bank and cash balance at 31 March 2025 Increase in bank and cash balances for the period	£ 103,253.85 75,162.32
	28,091.53 28,091.53 40,860.59 69,161.72 28,301.13

CORBRIDGE YOUTH INITIATIVE

Corbridge Youth Initiative 2024-25 Receipts & Payments Income Premises - Rental Income Sessions Donations Grants Fundraising HMRC JRS Grant Miscellaneous - interest, refunds Bank account interest Expenditure Premises/Administration Costs of sessions / Staffing Consumables Allotment costs Training Fundraising costs Trips/Workshops Transport Sessions and centre running costs Net Income Balance brought forward Balance carried forward Current Account Deposit Account Petty Cash Being restricted funds: Staff Project Co-ordinator Sessional staff Allotment Premises Pending rent/maintenance charge Reserves	01 April 2023 31 March 2024 £ - - 3,942.95 41,910.00 3,068.99 1,209.76 - - 50,131.70 14,615.03 40,308.72 294.28 725.28 1,096.45 312.13 329.82 1,811.00 59,492.71 (9,361.01) 50,054.53 40,860.59 7,897.58 32,795.94 167.07 40,860.59 12,420.94 7,456.50 994.39 4,988.76 15,000.00 40,860.59	01 April 2024 31 March 2025 £ 59.89 2,719.99 89,680.00 8,233.80 1,140.48 1,419.69
		103,253.85
		14,835.71 54,874.07 138.99 1,560.00 376.67 1,972.00 304.88 1,100.00
		75,162.32
		28,091.53 40,860.59 69,161.72 7,446.00 61,313.03 464.04
		69,223.07
		14,814.86 7,528.01 762.45 8,617.75 14,000.00 23,500.00
		69,223.07

CORBRIDGE YOUTH INITIATIVE

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st March 2025

Monetary Assets - All Restricted

	2025	2024	2023	2022

Bank Current Account	7,446.00 £	7,897.58 £	19,515.43 £	4,712.44 £

Bank Deposit Account	61,313.03 £	32,795.94 £	30,539.10 £	70,469.13 £

Cash	464.04 £	167.07 £	167.07 £	394.34 £

TOTAL	69,223.07 £	40,860.59 £	50,221.60 £	75,575.91 £

Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Report to the trustees/ Corbridge Youth Initiative members of ~~2 po~~ On accounts for the year 31 March 2025 Charity no 1154200 ended (if any) ~~po~~ Set out on pages 3-5 of attached Financial Statements (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) ~~Po~~ Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's statement (other than that disclosed below *)

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Date: 22/01/26 Signed: ~~=~~ Name: Christoph Atkins ~~oe~~

March 2025

IER

Relevant professional ACA - ICAEW qualification(s) or body (if any):

Address:

2 Intake Way Hexham NE461RU

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

March 2025

IER