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2025-09-30-accounts

ASHDON JAZZ ACADEMY

TRUSTEES’ REPORT & ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Contact Details:

Patricia Muirhead, CEO

Ashdon Jazz Academy

The Old Library, 14-16 Knights Hill, West Norwood, London SE27 0HY

07949875605

ajacademyinfo@gmail.com

www.ashdonjazzacademy.org.uk Charity Number: 1161413

(From left to right) Our staff team for 2024-25: Kalliyah, Trisha, Beth, Fabiah & Naga (Athena not present)

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10 Years of Empowering & Inspiring Girls and Young Women in South London!

I am delighted to introduce our latest annual report celebrating our 10[th] year as a registered charity. The details and commentary below set out our achievements and challenges over the financial year for 2024-25. This report demonstrates that the girls and young women who make contact with the Ashdon Jazz Academy remain at the heart of all we do and are clearly benefitting from all the hard effort, creativity and expertise we offer. This would not be possible without the commitment and energy given by Trisha Muirhead (Founder and CEO), the small team of part time staff, the volunteer mentors and the supporters of our charity. Along with the other Trustees, I am consistently encouraged and amazed by what is achieved.

On 25[th] May 2025 we held our annual gala and this was an opportunity to hear from many of the girls and young women who are currently or had been previously engaged with one or more of our programmes of support. These testimonies relayed the significance of the Ashdon Jazz Academy and gave a unique insight into the difference we can make. In this report we have given over space to repeat the speeches given at that event.

On behalf of the Trustees, it is our hope and our determination that every girl and young woman who contacts our charity and uses our various programmes of support will be empowered and inspired – and that they will find their lives positively enriched for the present and the future.

Kevin Howell, Trustee Chairperson & Treasurer June 2026

I’m Rachel Dunford. A mother of two, a lifelong champion of people who cares deeply, and someone who runs an award-winning business that helps organisations understand, articulate and amplify the positive impact they create. Much of my work focuses on exploring the difference people and organisations make. Not just through data, but through real stories, lived experiences, and the ripple effects that unfold over time. So, when I was invited to become the Patron of Ashdon Jazz Academy, it felt like a natural fit. This is an organisation that lives and breathes impact. It offers support that is both practical and profound. What moved me most was the charity’s unwavering commitment to creating safe, empowering spaces for young women. That commitment changes lives. You can see it in the confidence that grows, the choices that open up, and the sense of self-worth that is nurtured. It is impact at its most human level, and it matters deeply. As Patron, I hope to offer both encouragement and practical insight. I want to help amplify the charity’s voice, evidence its impact clearly and credibly, and support its continued growth and sustainability.

In the time I’ve been connected to Ashdon Jazz Academy, I’ve been struck by the authenticity of its work and the passion of the people who drive it forward. The impact is visible not only in the lives of the young women it supports, but in the wider community it creates. A network built on trust, compassion and belief in what is possible. It is a privilege to walk alongside the charity as it looks to the future. And, to play a small part in helping that future be even more impactful than the past ten years.

Rachel Dunford, Patron June 2026

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The speeches on this page were made at the Ashdon Jazz Academy’s 10th year Gala Event in Croydon, London on 25th May 2025

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BACKGROUND

The Ashdon Jazz Academy (AJA) was started in 2015 by Patricia Muirhead, the charity’s CEO. This was a year after the tragic death of her daughter Ashdon who ended her life aged 14 years. As a teenager Ashdon - who liked to be called “Jazz” - struggled with peer pressure, peer aggression at school and lacking confidence about being herself in a society that pressurises young women to be and act a certain way. Whilst our charity’s name is in memory of Ashdon, the term ‘Academy’ relates to giving young women a place and opportunities to learn skills for life.

Through our Empowering and Inspiring initiatives, we engage vulnerable girls and young women to enable them to feel confident about themselves, develop personal life skills and deal better with the negative challenges they face. Our core aim is support them to find their place in society and mature as responsible young women. We are led by women for girls and young women. Although our offer is open to all girls across four south London boroughs, we note that 95% of our service users are from black and ethnic minority communities.

MISSION STATEMENT

“Our mission is to work in partnership with vulnerable and disengaged girls and young women aged 11-21 and provide a dedicated emotional well-being service which in turn supports positive mental health from the boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton and Croydon.”

AIMS

The charity provides vulnerable young women aged 11-21 years with the insight, confidence and resilience to overcome the negative impact of feelings of isolation, peer pressure, bullying, family breakdown, stress and anxiety, the risk of or involvement in criminality and gangs and those who may be at risk of school exclusion. By working in partnership with parents/carers, youth clubs, schools, children’s social care and other statutory and voluntary organisations, the charity is able to target young females who may benefit from being referred or may wish to self-refer directly for mentoring or to attend one of our events.

Over the last year the charity has offered:

OVERVIEW OF YEAR

Mentoring Project

Mentors give girls the opportunity to build a trusted and supportive relationship for up to 12 months. They work with their mentee to identify their needs, desired outcomes and how best to achieve better resilience and self-confidence. The mentor will have regular communication with the mentee (e.g. in person, messaging, video phone calls), including checking in on their welfare when appropriate. On average, sessions take place every 2 weeks.

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The Ashdon Jazz Academy mentors continue to be trained using the XLP Mentoring – a nationally-recognised mentoring programme which matches at-risk young people with a trained and supervised mentor. Mentoring provides young people with a safe space to talk with a committed adult, who helps them work hard to achieve the goals they set and encourages them to make informed and positive choices.

Mentors are appointed through a rigorous recruitment process, including interview by the CEO and the Mentoring Co-ordinator, vetting procedures and completing specialist and safeguarding training. Mentors are required to undergo further training each year, regular supervision (every 6 weeks) and attend mentor network meetings. Mentors are required to follow the charity’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Working Alone Procedure. Quarterly evaluation summaries are being completed by mentees to help evidence the impact of mentoring.

44 girls were referred for mentoring (with 7 girls on the waiting list at any time during the year):

Lambeth Croydon Merton Lewisham Other
19 5 17 2 1

Those girls who waited to be matched with a mentor, were offered our weekly drop-in sessions or other interim support. Referrals were mainly made by the Merton Family Services, Lambeth Social Care and Wellbeing Practitioners across all boroughs. 32 girls completed mentoring during the year.

**Evaluation ** 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Percentage of girls
with increased self-
confidence/esteem at
end of mentoring
(Target 85%)		 76% 80% 100% 100% 100%
Percentage of girls
meeting personal
targets at end of
mentoring
(Target 85%)		 73% 80% 100% 100% 100%
Mentors 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Number of vetted and
trained mentors at
end of year		 31 23 17 21 27
Number of new vetted
and trained mentors
during the year		 17 7 5 12 5
Percentage of vetted
and trained mentors
with up-to-date DBS		 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Percentage of vetted
and trained mentors
with up-to-date
safeguarding training
every 2 years		 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Percentage of vetted
and trained mentors
receiving regular
supervision once a
month		 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

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Drop-in Sessions (Girls’ Night)

During the year, we facilitated 48 weekly drop-in sessions in Lambeth with a total of 56 individual girls attending and an average of 13 girls at each session. Nearly all the girls attended more than once - with many taking part regularly each week. We started the fortnightly drop-in sessions in Merton in July 2023 and we have been able to deliver 24 Girls’ Nights in that borough, with most sessions taking place at Pollards Hill Youth Club. An average of 8 girls attended each session with a total of 15 individual girls attending during the year. Over the last year we have continued to see a high percentage of girls stating they have increased self-confidence/esteem at the end of the weekly or bi-weekly drop-in sessions.

Number of Drop-In
Sessions Held		 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Number of weekly
Drop-In Sessions
(Lambeth)		 66 61 46 48 65
Number of individual
girls attending Drop-In
Sessions (Lambeth)		 available 71
Data not
Number of weekly
Drop-In Sessions
(Merton)		 10[1] 24 24
Number of individual
girls attending Drop-
In Sessions (Merton)		 Data not available 24

[1] Drop-in sessions started in Merton in July 2023.

Evaluation 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Percentage of girls
with increased self-
confidence/esteem at
end of drop-in,
outreach or other
event -Lambeth only
(Target 85%)		 90%[2] 73%[2] 80%
Percentage of girls
with increased self-
confidence/esteem at
end of drop-in,
outreach or other
event -Lambeth &
Merton
(Target 85%)		 85% 85%

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The speeches on this page were made at the Ashdon Jazz Academy’s 10th year Gala Event in Croydon, London on 25th May 2025

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Holiday Projects

Various fun and creative activities took place during the Easter, Summer and half term holidays, including trips, cooking and presentations.

Half-Term October Easter 2025 Half-Term Spring Summer 2025
2024 2025
57 attended in 25 attended in 57 attended from 89 attended from all
Lambeth Lambeth Merton and Lambeth 4 boroughs

We were oversubscribed for the summer holiday project. The holiday projects are resourced in part by grants from the Lambeth HAF. We were able to secure an additional grant from the Nourish the Nation (London Community Foundation) for food and staffing hours which enabled us to provide extra places for 20 girls.

Older Girls Project (previously Ambassadors)

In the past the Ambassador’s programme had concentrated on developing leadership, entrepreneurial talents and social responsibilities for 18-21 year olds. The new Older Girls (OG) project is attended by some of the original Ambassadors and also a new number of young women who have previously used our services. We have 20 young women engaged in the OG project and over the last year we held two theatre trips for 11 attendees. The aim is for those who remain interested to eventually be trained as peer mentors.

Let’s Go!

Let’s Go! is a unique sports and physical activities project for girls and young women who use our programmes. The project started in early 2024 and we have continued to deliver this initiative through securing restricted grants for this purpose. The ideas for the Let’s Go! were originally requested by our service users during a consultation event in 2023. The aim is to improve mental and physical wellbeing and reduce loneliness. Let’s Go! is offered to 60 service users a year and provides:

In 2025 we provided places for 47 individuals (with 17 girls trying out Let’s Go! for the first time). Our Project Outreach Workers have planned and delivered Let’s Go! in conjunction with the girls’ ideas and requests. In 2025 the following activities were arranged:

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To avoid loneliness and increase the girls’ confidence and self-esteem, we will be introducing a ‘buddy scheme’ in 2026, so each new girl has someone in the group who will offer friendship and help the person feel included. We will focus more on healthy eating and will incorporate information and advice in sessions where this is practical. Whilst the wide range of sports taster sessions has been welcomed by many of the girls, they have specifically asked for swimming, football, netball, trampolining and roller skating. We will plan sessions to include these activities in 2026 as well as another residential weekend and a sports day event with other young people.

Stronger Minds

In October 2020, we started our Stronger Minds programme of mental health resilience sessions for Year 7–10 students in Lambeth schools. In 2025 we delivered this programme to 2 Croydon secondary schools (Coombe Wood, Becmead) and 1 Lambeth primary school (Holy Trinity).

Hi Five

Over the last year we introduced the innovative Hi Five project in 4 Croydon primary schools (Woodside, Ecclesbourne, Chestnut Park, Paxton Academy). We have delivered 6 group sessions and activities on knowing about and fostering healthy relationships, how to regulate emotions and how to increase self-esteem, confidence, motivation and resilience. Sessions last for 1 hour. 29 children have taken part. We assessed the impact of the project through pre- and post- workshop evaluation This enabled to measure any changes in the confidence, self-esteem, and overall wellbeing. The findings demonstrated a significant positive impact for primary school students, with 100% of participants reporting an increase in self-confidence, 97% reporting an improved understanding of self-esteem and their own self-worth. 100% of young people expressed a desire to continue participating in the sessions reflecting the projects relevance, engagement and value.

Starprise Project

In August 2024 we were able to start a new project to provide tutoring in Maths & English for girls in Years 8-10 living in Lambeth. In 2025 we were again able to support 15 girls. The aim of Starprise is to increase their Maths and English skills and increase their confidence, engagement and enjoyment in learning.

We became aware of some girls who were struggling academically and needed extra help with Maths & English outside of school and whose families could not afford private tuition. We also prioritised any girls for the programme who were at risk of school exclusion.

We have worked closely in partnership with Peppo Tutors over the last 2 years to establish this initiative. Girls are matched the girls needing this support with experienced tutors who are vetted and supervised by Peppo Tutors.

Staff, Volunteers and Governance

The charity continues to resource and deliver its programmes through various grants from charitable trusts, our own fundraising and personal donations. We now have over 10 years’ experience as a charity. The charity continues to be managed by Patricia Muirhead (CEO & Founder) who worked 28 hours a week, plus extra hours as a volunteer.

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The speech on this page was made at the Ashdon Jazz Academy’s 10th year Gala Event in Croydon, London on 25th May 2025

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During 2024-25 she was supported by the following part time staff:

We are grateful to all the volunteer mentors who support the girls and young women they are matched with. We also express thanks to the other volunteers and supporters who help with facilitating activities, fundraising and improving the profile of the Ashdon Jazz Academy.

During 2024-25, five Trustees served on the Board and met quarterly to monitor the business plan, set the annual budget, review and confirm policies and conduct financial reviews. Each Trustee takes the lead on the charity’s policies and procedures (shown below after their name).

All Trustees have a current Disclosure & Barring Scheme check and have attended safeguarding training in the last 2 years. As at 30 September 2025, the trustees were:

Kevin Howell (Chairperson and Treasurer) Linda Neal (Human Resources)

During the year Donna Fraser, OBE, ended her role as our Patron.

Rachel Dunford became our new Patron from early 2025. She is an experienced specialist in helping organisations measure and evidence the impact they make in delivering the best outcomes for the people they support.

We continue to collaborate with a large number of local partnerships on projects:

Rathbone Youth Club Motivate Merton Norwood Consortium Garden Museum West Norwood Library Merton Connected Rathbone Society Lambeth Social Care Merton CAMHS Odd Eyes Theatre Lambeth Wellness Centre Croydon Social Care Becmead College Coombe Wood School Paxton Academy Woodside Primary School Holy Trinity Primary School Ecclesbourne Primary School Chestnut Park Primary School

We are extremely grateful for the grants given by charitable trusts:

The National Lottery (Reaching Communities), The Henry Smith Charity, UK Youth Fund, Lambeth Community Fund, Lambeth HAF (Holiday and Food programmes), Walcot Foundation, Woodward Foundation, Magdalen Hospital Trust, Daughters Arising, Merton Connected, Sport England (The Movement Fund)

We thank all our supporters who give by regular monthly, one-off donations and fundraise.

The Trustees confirm they have approved the Annual Report above.

Kevin Howell, Chairperson Linda Neal, Trustee Date: 10[th] July 2026 Date: 10[th] July 2026

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ASHDON JAZZ ACADE INDEPENDE￿ EXAMINAER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEE5 OF ASHDON JAZZ ACADEMY I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the at￿ve charity for the year 8nded 30 September 2025 which are set out on pages 14-18. Responsibilities and basis of report As the caiity's ttustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan£% wtth the requirements of the Charibes Act 2011 ￿he A￿). I report in respect of my examination of the Trusys &counts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying oui my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ib} of the ACL Independent examiners statement have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in cfjnnection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material resped: the a￿OUnts.ng r￿rdS were not kept in ￿￿rdan￿ wtth ction 130 of the Charities Act., or *he accounts did not accord with the accounting records" or the accounts did not comply wtth the appIl￿ty1e requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Retx)rts) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the acttsunts give a and faiff view which is not a matter considered as part of an independ￿t examination. I have no cOn￿mS and have coffE &ross no other matters in connection wtth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this reF(Jrt in order to enable a proper undefstanding of the ￿Unts to ￿ reathed. Michael Rowe FCCA Flat 9 l Ashby mews London SW2 SEQ Date: 10th Ju 2026 13

ASHDON JAZZ ACADEMY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
Incoming Resources NotesFunds Funds Total Total
Incoming resources from generated funds 2 62,000 109,795 171,795 179,751
Incoming resources from charitable activities 3 15,866 15,866 8,071
Other Income 4 17,181 17,181 6,483
Total incoming resources 95,047 109,795 204,842 194,305
Resources Expended
Charitable activities
Mentoring 5 64,977 64,977 52,882
Projects 6 17,817 48,500 66,317 39,557
Support costs 7 12,614 31,054 43,668 32,612
Total Resources Expended 30,431 144,531 174,962 125,051
Net expenditure for the year/
Net movement in funds 64,616 -34,736 29,880 69,254
Fund balance at 1 October 16,573 62,615 79,188 9,934
Fund balances at 30 September 81,189 27,879 109,068 79,188

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ASHDON JAZZ ACADEMY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Notes
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
9
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS: due within one year
10
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
INCOME FUNDS
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
General purpose fund
RESTRICTED FUNDS
Funding		 2025
£290
£114,948
£115,238
£6,170
£109,068
£81,189
£27,879
£109,068		 2024
£5,920
£95,831
£101,751
£22,563
£79,188
£16,573
£62,615
£79,188

The accounts were approved by the Trustees on 6th May 202610th July 2026.

Signed on their behalf by:

…………………………………………….. Signature

…............................................................. Signature

Chair/Treasurer: Kevin Howell

Trustee: Linda Neal

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ASHDON JAZZ ACADEMY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation

The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the statement of recommended practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard issued in July 2014 and the provisions of the Charities Act 2011

1.2 Incoming Resources

Incoming resources are recognised in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed and the amounts are certain and measurable.

1.3 Allocation of costs

Direct activity cost are those costs which contribute directly to an activity and are allocated to the relevant activity. Support cost are those cost that are necessary to deliver an activity but in themselves do not deliver an activity, include cost incurred to meet statutory and constitutional requirements.

1.4 Funds

Restricted funds represent income received that is subject to donor restrictions on use. General funds are available for furthering the cause of the organisation.

2
GRANT AND SIMILAR FUNDING
Walcot Foundation
Lambeth Funding
EIPS Funding
The London Community Grant
Rosa Foundation
HI 5
Henry Smith Charitable Trust
Postcode Society Trust
Lets Go 2025
Tate the Future
LB of Lambeth (HAF)
UK Youth Primark
Nourish Nation
National Lottery
Lambeth Propel
Reaching Communities Funding
Jack Petchy
Merton Propel Funding - Merton Connect
3
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Wimbledon Foundation
Daughters Arising Project
Eater HAF 2025
Summer Haf 2025
Woodward Trust
Lets Go Lambeth
COOP - Funding
4
OTHER INCOME
Fund Raising
Donations		 2025
-
9,323
6,604
-
-
2,400
50,000
-
9,039
475
389
12,000
3,711
-
14,606
49,468
900
12,880
£171,795
2025
£0
£2,000
£1,555
£4,455
£1,750
£6,106
£0
£15,866
2025
6,345
10,836
£17,181		 2024
£7,760
£14,604
£3,108
£7,356
£6,152
£50,000
£15,000
£4,780
£10,000
£48,591
£900
£11,500
£179,751
2024
£5,000
£2,088
£7,088
2024
£0
£6,483
£6,483

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ASHDON JAZZ ACADEMY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

5
Mentoring
Facilitation & Supervision
Resources & Expenses
Training
6
Projects
Facilitation & Supervision
Gala event
Girls Night
Resources & Expenses
7
Support costs
Rent for office
Staff
Accountancy fees
Office supplies & Stationary
Dues & Subscriptions
Insurance
Postage & Printing
Travel & Transportation cost
Telecommunication cost		 2025
£48,955
£11,791
£4,231
£64,977
2025
£44,327
£6,099
£1,627
£14,264
£66,317
2025
£8,220
£21,251
£2,231
£1,600
£2,669
£1,074
£430
£1,363
£4,830
£43,668		 2024
£47,673
£4,473
£736
£52,882
2024
28,569
£2,512
£8,476
£39,557
2024
£6,746
£14,503
£3,772
£1,491
£2,458
£802
£507
£573
£1,760
£32,612

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ASHDON JAZZ ACADEMY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

8
Employees
2025
The average number of employees and volunteers during the year w
Staff
7
Volunteers and Mentors
40
47
Employment cost
Mentoring
44,327
Projects
41,416
Support
£21,251
9
Debtors
2025
Other debtors
£290
£290
10 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025
Other creditors
£6,170
£6,170		 2024
as:
6
40
46
38241
28569
£14,502
2024
£5,920
£5,920
2024
£22,563
£22,563

11 TRUSTEES

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses during the year.

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