Let me be me Registered charity n[O.] 1154380
2024
A youth club for young people with high functioning autism and their friends www. jigsawyouthclub.org
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Management Committee
Chair: Vice Chair Treasurer: Secretary: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member: Committee Member:
Danek Jackowski Aleks Jackowska Jamie Norman Nadia Jackowska Darren Perry Kareena Perry Lewis Perry Dionne Arnold Zaid Harris Alec McDonald Tylah Smith
Accounts Examiner
Stefan Nowakowski
The Crew
Dionne Arnold, Jess Bullock, Juliusz Grabowski, David Grettin, Zaid Harris, Ewan Horsburgh, Michael Howard, Aleks Jackowska, Ania Jackowska, Nadia Jackowska, Ben Jackowski, Danek Jackowski, Micah Kelly, Robert Kotys, Jan Lichtarowicz, Tom Lichtarowicz, Alec McDonald, Tom McKenzie-Weaver, Jamie Norman, Darren Perry, Harrison Perry, Kareena Perry, Lewis Perry, Mankaran Punglia, Niamh Ryder, Robyn Smith, Tylah Smith, Tom Szolin, Shaun Underhill, Sarah Walsh, Annabel Wastell, Tristan Wastell, William Wastell, Ruth Watts, Murdoc, Alphy, Arlo
Awesome people who volunteer their time for others
A special thanks to everyone who has helped Jigsaw especially Albert Hunt, BCA Hedley, Beeston Youth & Community Centre, Brewin Dolphin, CT4N, Hays Travel, Nottinghamshire Clubs for Young People, Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire Community Foundation, Nottinghamshire County Council, Sherwin Road Community Garden, Thomas Farr, TQC, West Bridgford Youth Centre,
You are wonderful!
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Aims and objectives
The objects of Jigsaw are: To advance in life, relieve the needs of, and help young people with High Functioning Autism through the provision of: (a) recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life; (b) support, activities and educational opportunities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities.‟
Methodology
Young people who attend Jigsaw are vulnerable members of society and may experience, anxiety, hypersensitivity, depression and frustration, which can be demonstrated through tantrums, self-harming, aggression and obsessive compulsive behaviours.
The syndrome can lead to young people being bullied and isolated and therefore not feeling able to attend mainstream youth clubs and projects. Jigsaw provides educational or diversionary activities, out of school activities that build confidence in young people and vulnerable people. This includes a peer buddying scheme which increases the confidence of young people to participate.
Young people with Autism are able to learn through their experiences and Jigsaw has developed into a youth project where young people want to attend and where their own knowledge is used and developed to enhance their life. There is not another specialist youth provision in the city for these young people.
Jigsaw Youth Club works with young people on the Autistic Spectrum who would like to develop social and lifeskills. This is done in a variety of environments that are aimed to provide opportunities for lifelong learning.
Our approach is very practical, seeing a young person and their strengths and talents before any different abilities. We work with the young person to involve them
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in the planning of their journey to adulthood, helping them discover their future by taking control of the present.
We provide a youth club where young people can learn, in an informal environment, to interact and understand others.
As a youth club we provide a comfortable environment where young people can be themselves without fear of isolation, judgement and abuse, thus offering an alternative to therapy.
The hallmark characteristic for young people with high functioning autism is "marked deficiencies in social skills." This leads to incidents where other people can feel offended and this increases the reclusiveness of the young person.
We provide trips to various places to enable young people to understand the greater world whilst in a safe environment surrounded by friends.
We challenge young people to try things that they have never attempted such as catching a bus, riding a bike
Training is provided to improve young people’s skills in first aid, food hygiene and leadership
Through our work we empower the young person to feel part of the community and to contribute in a positive manner rather than feeling isolated and lonely. Our Jigsaw Basics Programme is centre based as this is where our members feel most comfortable and can adhere to a routine. The project helps young people to set goals, cook healthy meals including learning food hygiene. We offer team games and sports which helps young people to work as a team. Teaching fundamental skills such as numeracy, literacy and ICT helps young people to have the confidence to contribute to our programme. All these contribute to the young person being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and enjoying economic wellbeing.
Organised sports educate young people of the benefits of self-discipline, team work, mutual respect and fair play. It enables young people to channel their energy, competitiveness and aggression in a personally and socially beneficial way. Sport also improves people’s coordination and motor skills.
Our programme of informal education develops the young person leading to NVQs and non-vocational awards (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, British Canoe Union Awards). Our lifeskills programme enables the young person to learn independence.
Our methods are to encourage young people to lead activities, developing team work and leadership. We also involve young people who aren’t on the Autistic Spectrum, but who have a positive outlook towards young people who have a different view of our world.
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Our techniques are unique in that we do not focus on the disability, but we look at the individual, enabling the young person to bring their personality and traits into a wider society by being themselves.
Skills for success
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Enterprise I can undertake new ventures in a skilled and measured way Self-regulation I can understand how the expression of feelings impact on others and on myself. I can manage impulses and strong emotions through a range of strategies so as not to behave in ways which lead to negative consequences.
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Social skills I can achieve an appropriate level of independence from others, charting and following my own course while maintaining positive relationships with others
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Motivation I can identify barriers to goals and how to overcome them. I can view errors as part of the normal learning process and I can bounce back from disappointment or failure. I can look forward to long-term, and not short-term, benefits and I can break longterm plans into small achievable steps.
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Empathy I can see the world from other people’s points of view, taking into account their intentions, preferences and beliefs, and feeling with and for them.
Self-awareness I know and can label my own feelings, understand the links between my feelings, thoughts and behaviour and I can recognise and manage conflicting emotions.
Core Values
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A service that is based on the active and continuous involvement of young people in all aspects of Jigsaw
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A facility which operates on a regular basis that is safe, welcoming, accessible, dynamic and contemporary;
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A dedicated ‘chill-out’ space where young people can relax, meet their friends and enjoy their leisure time in comfortable surroundings;
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A quiet space where young people can access computers and the internet, study or read;
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Activity space(s) providing young people with a range of sports, arts and other opportunities;
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An up-to-date range of information, advice and guidance for young people on personal, social, careers and health issues;
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Opportunities for young people to volunteer in the community;
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Membership of Jigsaw, that enables young people to take ownership;
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Access to specialist services as required; and
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A service that is sustainable but affordable to all young people
Our young people are polite, have lively discussions and are able to use their skills to further their social interaction with others to combat loneliness and isolation by being part of a community
Daily programme
Gym Games Cricket Snooker Football Basketball Woodwork Gardening Swimming Badminton Crocheting Warhammer Team sports Conversation Music sessions Baking sessions Computer access Lifeskills Training Pool Tournaments Arts & Craft sessions
Computer access
Access to play, exploration and creativity in a safe environment. For young people with Autistic Spectrum Condition computers and games consoles can be an ideal environment for promoting education, communication, sociability, creativity and playfulness thus improving the young person’s quality of life.
Trips
Bowling Cinema Swimming Highfields Bramcote Fair Mablethorpe Parsley Hay Cycling Monsal Trail Cycling Sherwood Pines Cycling Clumber Park Cycling Sno-tubing Tobogganing Wollaton Park Attenborough Nature Reserve Monkey Forest Gedling Country Park Pantomime Kayaking Drayton Manor Park & Zoo Conkers Emergency Service Museum National Memorial Arboretum
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London Natural History Museum Rushcliffe Country Park Halle Christmas Concert New Leaf Triangle Horse Riding Shopping at McArthur Glen Various Garden Centres and DIY stores
Camp
We held a survival camp in Lincolnshire. The camp is a yearly event which enables our members to “survive” away from home. The group consisted of 30 young people, 6 adults and a support dog name Alphy. The programme was as follows:
Monday – travel. Visited Lincoln – Museum of Lincolnshire Life and the sweet shop at the bottom of Steep Hill. At camp the young people settled in and then explored the area. In the evening we played board and card games.
On Tuesday we went to Mablethorpe to visit the seaside. On Wednesday we had air rifle shooting and archery. In the afternoon we went swimming at Gainsborough swimming baths. In the evening we played board and card games, arts and crafts, hide and seek, badminton and football
On Thursday – after packing and tidying up, we travelled to Clumber Park for cycling and walking.
The camp enabled the young people to develop their knowledge and skills in an outdoor environment. Outcomes were improved team work. Young people experienced a residential resulting in a greater contribution to their physical and environmental education. The residential also contributed to their personal growth and social awareness. For some members it was their first time away from home.
Narrowboat
During the narrowboat weekend the young people were able to steer the boats, operate the locks, play games and cook as a group. The eggy bread was a favourite. We travelled from Nottingham to Sutton Bonington. Young people slept on the boat.
Personal Development
We facilitated a kayaking course and a climbing course. Four young people undertook their work experience and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award volunteering with us.
The garden
We have access to a community garden where we are able to grow crops and to practice DIY skills. We have grown potatoes, beans, tomatoes, peas, courgettes and rhubarb. The garden is a place where young people are able to learn about the cycle
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of seasonal growing. We have also upcycled items including garden furniture. We have made bird boxes and a pallet shed.
In the community
We have worked with various groups to help raise awareness of Jigsaw and to enable young people to be listened to. The group volunteered at a primary school, building their outdoor furniture. The group has also started a new project “gardening in the community.”
Aims and hopes for the future
Sports Politeness Keeping fit Healthy eating Cooking on a budget Develop basic skills Developing woodworking skills Interpersonal Communication Skills Residential Experiences – narrowboat and camp Establishing a gardening in the community project. Trips and activities which challenge and entertain the young person Training – safeguarding, first aid, food hygiene, tennis, climbing, swim safety, BSL A series of challenges where young people develop their social knowledge aiming towards independent living
Sustainability
Personal Budgets Fundraising Grants
Weekly Programme
Saturday 10am to 1pm Beeston Youth and Community Centre, West End, Beeston NG9 1GL
Monday & Thursday 11am to 2pm Bestwood Scout Hut
Tuesday 11am to 2pm Sports Activities – Harvey Hadden Sports Village
Wednesday 11am to 2pm Sherwin Road Community Garden, Sherwin Road, Lenton, Nottingham NG7 2FB
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Jigsaw Youth Club
Let me be me Registered Charity: 1154380
Jigsaw Youth Club Income and Expenditure Accounts 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024
Income
Direct Payments £ 21797.02 Grants £ 8500.00 Donation £ 3100.00 Subs £ 2241.20 Trip £ 664.00 Cafe £ 791.36 Tuck Shop £ 657.14 Residentials £ 300.00 Total Income £ 38050.72
Expenditure
Salary Tax/NI /Pension £ 16915.82 Building Rent £ 7228.00 Transport £ 6481.43 Residentials £ 1492.63 Insurance £ 1314.19 Trip £ 1239.21 Equipment £ 1217.66 Cafe £ 861.10 Lifeskills £ 855.04 Sport £ 844.10 Tuck shop £ 603.22 Admin £ 485.80 Miscellaneous £ 9.00 Total Expenditure £ 39547.20
Grants and donations received from:
| BCA Hedley | £ | 3500.00 |
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| Thomas Farr | £ | 3000.00 |
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| Albert Hunt | £ | 2000.00 |
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| Hays Travel | £ | 1600.00 |
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| Brewin Dolphin | £ | 800.00 |
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| Family Donations | £ | 700.00 |
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| Total | £ | 11600.00 |
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| Income 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024 | £ | 38050.72 | ||
| Expenditure 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024 | £ | 39547.20 | ||
| Total | £ | -1496.48 | ||
| Balance from 2022/2023 | £ | 28879.94 | ||
| Balance from 2023/2024 | £ | - 1496.48 | ||
| Balance carried forward to | 2024/2025 | £ | 27383.46 |
Danek Jackowski Chair
Stefan Nowakowski Accounts Examiner
Jigsaw Youth Club
Let me be me Registered Charity: 1154380
Jigsaw Youth Club Income and Expenditure Accounts 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024
Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of Jigsaw Youth Club
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Jigsaw Youth Club for the year ended 31[st] March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of Jigsaw Youth Club you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of Jigsaw Youth Club’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of Jigsaw Youth Club as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records;
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: ma
Name: Stefan Nowakowski Date: 31/12/2024