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← After18

2024-03-31-accounts

AFTER18 ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Trustees’ Report 2
Review of the Year 5
Tasil’s Story 10
After18 in 2023-24 12
Financial Summary 13
Governance Information 14
Acknowledgements 16

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT

After18 is a Leicester-based charity, charity number: 1158210 , registered at St. Andrew’s Church Vicarage, 53b Jarrom Street, Leicester LE2 7DH.

For over ten years now, After18 has been providing the only specialised service solely for unaccompanied young refugees in Leicester. From when they first arrive in the city, without their families and with little knowledge of what life is like in the UK, After18 is there to offer a range of support and activities developed over time to best meet their needs. We strive to be flexible and innovative, adapting our services in response to the feedback we receive from our young people, changes in the wider asylum environment and unexpected local or national events.

In 2023 we wished farewell to our two longest-standing Trustees, Sheila Mosley and Helen Everett with our deepest gratitude for the time, effort and commitment they have given to After18 over the years. Sheila’s departure left the position of Chair vacant and I was very pleased to have been appointed to the role. We have also welcomed two new Trustees, Ella Neale and Olivia Venning, and are grateful for their active participation over the past year.

As the need for our services grows, and becomes more varied, we appreciate the efforts of our Senior Management Team, comprising Alison Birch as Programme Manager and Sarah Danby as Operations

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Manager, to ensure we are able to consistently deliver the highest quality of services and ensure their long-term stability. We are now providing support to over 250 young people each year, demonstrating the considerable contribution After18 is making to service provision for refugees in Leicester.

We remain very grateful to all the staff and volunteers for the commitment and enthusiasm they bring to their roles at After18. Our thanks as well to all the

organisations and individuals who have supported us financially over the last year enabling us to continue this vital work.

The Trustees confirm that they have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

ANN CARTER

CHAIR, ON BEHALF OF AFTER18 TRUSTEES AUGUST 2024

“It is a really good organisation, I recommend them. They are very helpful in improving your language and doing the things you like.”

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“After18 is really useful to come to, especially if you are new to the UK. They can show you how to develop your life.”

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

ALISON BIRCH, PROGRAMME MANAGER

This year has been a year of stability and growth, as we have seen our team of staff expand and our programme develop. In April we welcomed Mohammed Dable as Education Project Worker. Mohammed is a qualified teacher and his recruitment enabled us to increase the number of classes offered to newly arrived asylum seekers and grow the education drop-in.

With the asylum system under pressure nationally and high numbers of young people being sent to Leicester, we have seen a steep increase in the number of new arrivals. This has put pressure on local colleges and left many young people without an educational place for long periods. As a result we’ve seen a significant increase in demand for our services and have been making rapid adaptations in order to meet this rising need.

In September, the members of our young women’s group headed off to university, a fantastic achievement for them all. We also said goodbye to Bee, our Young Women’s Project Worker who had been with the group for ten years and was key in shaping it into its current form. We recruited Evie Ridgway to take on the role and she has been rebuilding the group with a new cohort of young people and increasing our capacity to provide them with wraparound support.

“They have helped me find a college, maintain good grades and prepare for an interview for an internship.”

1 Improving educational opportunities for young refugees

New Arrivals Group

We established the new arrivals group in 2021, when we started providing one weekly session of orientation to the UK education system for newly arrived young people. This year we have been able to increase this offering to a day of English and a session of maths per week, with plans for an ICT class as well. This group is for young people who are waiting for a college place to become available, which may not be until the new academic year starts the following September. While they wait, our sessions give them a routine, a chance to learn and an understanding of the British education system.

When a young person leaves the new arrivals group they are given a pack containing items of stationery and equipment they will need for school, and shown how to use them to organise their

work and support their learning. This year 40 packs were kindly donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints (Leicester). The young people are also invited to join the homework club at our weekly drop-in for additional support.

80 young people attended the new arrivals group over the year, an increase of 60% on the previous twelve months.

Progression

This year our work supporting local sixth forms to facilitate progression for asylum seeking young people has continued. After18 ran a stall at the progression fairs held by Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College and Gateway Sixth Form College to advise on advancing to higher education for those whose options may be impacted by their immigration status. We have also been taking referrals for asylum seeking students who require some additional advice and support on their university applications.

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We have continued to support students on a health and social care pathway who want to work in nursing and this year saw our first students enter the workforce as Healthcare Assistants on a nursing apprenticeship pathway, as well as students commencing nursing degrees at De Montfort University and the University of Manchester. We are working in partnership with the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust to provide this opportunity for students. We have also been able to assist students to obtain the English qualifications needed for progression on this pathway and provided mentoring from a healthcare professional to better understand the working culture of the NHS.

2 Increasing skills, knowledge and understanding to participate in life in the UK

For the third consecutive year, After18 ran a summer school in partnership with the University of Leicester. The week-long programme included workshops on what to expect from university life and

navigating the application process, as well as campus visits and English classes. This year, 11 young people attended and whilst it was aimed at students who would be applying for university in 2024, three young people were able to secure places for the 2023 intake year as a result of the summer school. One of our former service users who contributed to the workshops

“After18 helped me learn how to read and write English. I also was helped with number work. I didn’t know these before coming to After18. ”

Enrichment

This year the Art Club has provided some additional learning experiences for young people attending the weekly creative sessions. This included a visit to the Degree Show at Loughborough University, where the group took part in a tour and gained lots of inspiration for their own work, especially for those about to start arts degrees. They also visited Yorkshire Sculpture Park in the summer where they were excited to engage with the sculptures, landscape and exhibitions.

by sharing his experiences as a student has now moved on to Harvard University.

After18 is always looking for ways to supplement and enhance young people’s qualifications to improve their access to learning opportunities and future employability. In 2023 we were able to add the opportunity to achieve an ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network - a nationally recognised qualification) in football, which the young people work on following our

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football training sessions run in partnership with Leicester City in the Community. Our art students continue to work on their Arts Awards and have received support to make portfolios for their applications to college.

With the growth of our team this year we have been able to increase the amount of one to one support offered to young people attending both the Education Project and Young Women’s Group. Young people have been supported to learn how to navigate the asylum system, housing and benefits, as well as receiving help to find solicitors and access college.

3 Improving social support networks

This year we formed a partnership with The Bike Project which provides reconditioned bikes along with new helmets/locks for refugees. Nine young people received bikes, enabling them to

travel around the city more easily and access social activities and college.

We also added some additional time to the end of the weekly football training sessions in order to provide food and refreshments. This gives young people time to socialise and make friends with others from a similar background instead of leaving straight after training.

We applied to Vodafone for free sim cards, which we have been distributing to young people in hotels so that they can continue to stay in touch with family and to make socialising and making friends easier.

In the summer we again provided cricket coaching in partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club. This gave newly arrived young people the chance to meet others and make friends. We were also able to support young people in finding a club to continue playing after the summer holidays.

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4 Encouraging confidence in own cultural identity

Ramadan fell twice within this reporting period and as usual After18 was able to provide iftars for the young people. There were events hosted at our centre with generous support from the local community who provided food, goody bags and items to meet their religious needs. Leicester City in the Community also provided iftars for our service users including a tour and a delicious meal at King Power Stadium.

With many of the young women living in hotels with no kitchen facilities, cooking and sharing food has become an important part of the young women’s group. As the participants come from a wide range of countries they have had the opportunity to show off their food culture and recipes and gain confidence to try dishes from other

places.

We facilitated various opportunities for the young people to share their heritage, including working together to make a table for Nawroz (Persian New Year) and to decorate the classroom for Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

This year the young women’s group visited Ruth at her artist’s studio. They learned some glass art techniques and found it inspiring to listen to her story about how she had built a life in the UK after arriving as a child refugee in 1939.

After18 continues to help broker young people’s adjustment to life in the UK, by providing opportunities to meet others from the same culture or similar background, or through interactions with staff and volunteers.

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TASIL’S STORY

“I have been studying with After18 since 2020. I have a lot of good experiences and great memories with After18. When I came to the UK I could not even speak English to be able to solve my personal problems through communication. I still remember when I was an asylum seeker, Alison helped me to write an email to my MP about my interview decision.

“After18 tried to register me with a school

but there were some problems which prevented me from studying at school or college.

“How did I improve my English and Maths? Firstly I started at myonlineschool in 2021 which After18 helped me to find and enrol with. I was also studying in a group with Mel at After18 at the same time.

“Secondly, I’ve been studying at Leicester

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College since 2022, where After18 also helped me to enrol. When I first started college my English and Maths levels were already at Entry Level 2, so I passed the assessment and started Entry 3. When I was studying at Entry 3, I spoke with my teachers and told them that I have the ability to pass Level 1 in the same year as well.

“Honestly I was working so hard to pass my Entry 3 and then I started preparing for Level 1. I was practising for around three months with teachers at the After18 drop-in. I took four exams: speaking and listening, maths, English writing and reading, and I passed all of them except English writing. I had one more chance to retake my exam and finally I passed the writing test as well. I am very happy and really thankful to After18, especially to Alison because she helped me and supported me in every difficult situation.

“After18 offers a good opportunity for everyone who wants to improve their education. I am really thankful for After18.”

“I have been on three trips with After18. They all were amazing and I really enjoyed them. Every year we celebrate Nawroz, which is the new year in the Islamic calendar, but the best things have been the iftars with After18 in the last few years since I joined them.

“Finally I would like to say After18 offers a good opportunity for everyone who wants to improve their education. I am really thankful for After18.”

AFTER18 IN 2023-24

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young people receiving support

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Volunteers

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Young person countries of origin

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trips

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events

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COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS

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YOUNG PEOPLE SUPPORTED TO START UNIVERSITY

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FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Income and expenditure reported for the 2023-24 financial year

Income Income
Grants £135,328.71
Grants to individuals £0.00
Donations £4,161.62
Fundraising activities £0.00
Gift Aid and Interest £124.98
Total £139,615.31
Expenditure
Core Costs £5,369.14
Staffing £83,360.63
Activities £14,345.61
Individuals £0.00
Development £230.58
Equipment £1,033.62
Total £104,339.58

We carry forward some restricted income to continue to deliver on funded projects and our reserves to secure ongoing running of the organisation. For a copy of our full financial report, please contact us.

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GOVERNANCE INFORMATION

After18 Reserves Policy

After18 Objectives

After18's Board of Trustees has established a Reserves Policy.

After18 is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

The purpose of the policy is to safeguard the charity’s service commitment in the event of delays or shortfall in grant funding or other income and to protect the charity against risk and uncertainty.

The Trustees review the policy annually and have agreed to aim to maintain unrestricted reserves at the equivalent of three months’ running costs.

At 31/03/2024, unrestricted reserves were £47,876, equivalent to four months’ running costs and a designated amount of £12,500 ring-fenced for staff capacity to strengthen volunteer support.

If an emergency arose, both the unrestricted reserves and designated reserves could be called upon.

The objects of the CIO are:

Our principle activities during the 202324 year were:

Date policy reviewed: 23 September 2023

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“In this country you don't know about anything, like culture, how to live and how to go to college. This kind of thing you can learn from After18.

“If you come here at a young age it's not that simple because you can easily get stressed, feel lonely and get depression, but After18 has the key to solving these problems.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We are grateful to the funders who contributed to our work in 2023/24, namely:

“They help me with a lot of things like learning English and maths. I really appreciate After18. They helped me to find a job which is how I am working as a healthcare assistant.”

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We would like to thank the following organisations who

have generously made accommodation available to

enable us to work with young people:

Our gratitude for their commitment and support for our activities to:

And a big thank you to all our volunteers for contributing expertise, skills and time to enable the young people to fulfil their potential.

This report and images were originated by After18 staff and volunteers.

“All I can say is that I cannot thank After18 enough for the services it is currently providing us.”

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After18 Board of Trustees: Ann Carter (Chair) Dimple Patel Ella Neale

Olivia Venning Yulduz Mazhitova

Registered Charity Number: 1158210 Registered Address: After18, St Andrew’s Church Vicarage, 53B Jarrom Street, Leicester LE2 7DH mail@after18.org.uk ⎪ 07851 411964 ⎪ www.after18.org.uk

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CHARITY COMMISSION | Independent examiner's report on the FOR ENGLAND AND WALES; . -AS accounts '

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report On accounts for the year, . Charity no ended| Sl: C3. YOM (ifany) |||5 @AIO | report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended : Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). | report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent [The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and | am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable. | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: e the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or e the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or e the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. | 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. * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

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IER
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Name:| J oSEPH PiHrLsP PRRKINSON
qualification(s)Relevant professional or body DB ) ose / JF,
1 Oct 2018
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Address:|

25 HOLMEIELD AVE WUE

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see'CC32, Independent examination of chafity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). ' ‘

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Oct 2018

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