Sq THE NETWOkK The Network CIO Charity Number: 1167775 Trustees. Annual Report for the Period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Reference & Administration Detalls Charity name: The Network CIO Charity number: 1167775 Charity's operating City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln, LN11 DD address: Names of the Charit Trustees who man e the Chari Trustee Name Office ointed Retired Gall Dunn Chair June 2016 Ben Rollett Treasurer June 2016 Gavin Warhurst July 2016 July 2016 October 2016 Mike Johnson Amanda Bouttell Diane Slapp Tina Ramsay Graham Metcalfe August 2023 August 2023 August 2023 Names & Addresses of Advisors e of advisor Name Address & Postcode Bank The Co-operative PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale, Bank WN8 6wr Independent Examiner Saul Fairholm 12 Tentercroft street, Lincoln, LN5 7DB
Structure, Governance & Management Descri tion of the Chari 's Trusts Type of Governing Document: Constitution How the Charity is Constituted: Charitable Incorpcrated Organisation Trustee Selection Methods: Appointed by existing Trustees Objectives & Activities Summa of the Ob'ects of the Chari as set ut in its Governin Document The objects of the CIO are.. To act as a resource for young people aged 16-24 living in the City of Lincoln and the surrounding area by providing advice and assistanGe and organising programmes of educational and other activities as a means of., advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals., advancing education. relieving unemployment. b) Summa of the Main Activities Undertaken for the Public Benefit in Rel tion to tha Chari 's Ob'ects The Network CIO has undertaken the following activities: Encouraged and supported young people with appropriate advice and guidance on training, education andlor employment. Developed the skills and knowledge amongst young people to enable them to participate in training, education and employment. Focused on researching and removing barriers to employment and training for young people, where possible. Developed employment opportunities for young people with employers. Raised employer awareness of the positive impact of employing and investing in young people. Provided facilities by which volunteer members can support young people. Ensured that the activities, opportunities and services that The Network may offer are open to all young people. Developed partnerships within The Network with local partners and providers and national organisations that assist young people in achieving their aims. Statuto Declaration The trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidan on public benefit published by the comrnission in exercising their powers or duties.
Achievements & Performance Summa of the Main Achievements of the Chari for the Year Young people supported during the year: 243 Young people supported into employment.. 35 Confirmed to have engaged with trainingleducation: 24 Confirmed into volunteering: 27 Year in Review We continue to see the fallout of the Covid pandemic, and continuing impact of the Cost of Living Crisis. We continue to see increasing engagement and need for our service and an increasing number of long termlreturning clients, which prompted our increase in age range to 29. Due to the compounding effects of the Pandemic and Cost of Living Crisis, in essence we've seen almost a developmental pause of 2-3 years at least for young people as they transition into adulthood. In essence, the normal opportunities, milestones etc. that would be expected or available were put on pause, and we're seeing the consequences of this. This prompted us to increase our age range, so that those who need us can still receive our support. We have been funded across various streams, wtth some being demographically focused e.g. deprivation, lack of maths etc. We continue to work in close partnership with the DWP, with Youth Employability Coaches still hosted in our offi. We have found this partnership to be highly effective in supporting young people to navigate complex barriers and enable joint, holistic working between ourselves and the work coaches. Alongside our 1-1 support. we've also started delivering more group sessions. Social anxiety, loneliness and isolation continue to be significant barriers for our young people, and there is a gap in the community for 18-29 group spaces that are affordable and social anxiety friendly. We have been establishing support in a variety of forms to frt with staff delivery strengths, and client demographic interests. This includes Nerd Herd, Crafternoon and Hairy Violets. Barriers and trends Health condition Health condition No health condition Undiagnosed but suspected Unknown Percent 440 Barrier Mental health Social anxiety Confidence Percent 460 700 16% 270 Transport Physical health substan misuse Housing Benefits Debt Lack of mathslEn lish Convictions AutismlASD ADHD Dyslexialdyscalculia Other 8% 16% 140 15% 90
Barrier tracking is pulled from initial assessment data. As such, there may be some gaps as issues unveil themselves further along a clients support journey. It asso fails to capture the complexity of other things such as difficult home environments, previous emotionally based School avoidan (EBSA), and the layering of issues for those experiencing multiple barriers. Pro SHINE Innovatlon-Hairy Violets In response to our young people's increasing social anxiety, isolation and low aspirationslhope, we test ran a creative writing project in collaboration with WiSdflower Storytelling's Tanya Akrofi. This project focused on using creative writing to flip negative life-scripts, supporting young people to develop toolkits to reframe their life experiences, and resilience. Alongside this, young people received the 1-1 personoentred support that Is core to The Network. This project was SUCGessful, with unexpected additional outcomes. We utilized various green spaces across the city to host the Sessions, which led some of our young people to start volunteering in these same spaces, such as Liquorice Park. This project created a peer-shaped space that allowed young people to explore thèir creativity and develop their resilien. Nerd Herd and Crafternoon Nerd Herd and Crafternoon's were formed in response to the increasing social anxiety and isolation of our young people. Starting with small groups, we test-ran one shot Table Top Role Playing Games, using boundaries and staff facilitation to create an inclusive space for young people to engage. At first, these groups were very quiet and required intense facilitation to pull the young people out of their shells. However, as time has gone by, the group has become a peer-led space with some of the original members now volunteering to help run games, organize the lore of the sessions they're running etc. The response and growth of our young people in this group has b&en beyond our wildest expectations. The nature of table top games, with their clear structure, problem solving and elements of chance and randomness, has really helped our young people to thrive. ongside Nerd Herd, we also developed Crafternoon so that we could create options that cater to different demographics, These were both funded under Awards4AII as the test run at first as part of a Resocialisation Scheme. Crafternoons create a space for'parallel play" where people can bn'ng their own crafts, or leam new techniques alongside Georgia. This is a space to create and 'go wrong. whilst engaging in gentle conversations. Again, seeing the connections forged in this group has been amazing to see, with the importance of peer-to-peer facilitated spaces being undeniable. Nerd Herd and Crafternoons has received various funding, depending on the eligibility criteria of the participants. This has included Multiply, A4A, Winter Pressures and Community Action Fund. Catalyst Counselllng We continue to strive to provide non-clinical, integrative counselling via Georgina at Nurture Garden Therapy to our marginalized clients who don't fit typical NHS Talking Therapy support (e.g. socially anxious, bereaved, trauma-informed etc.) Finding funding for this has been an ongoing challenge, not many funders will cover counselling support despite what we see to be a clear gap in provision for integrative counselling locally, especially for those who are financially disadvantaged. Fortunately, we were able to find funding via Evan Cornish to fund Catalyst Counselling, and the 1-1 mentoring work The Network team do alongside to support young people to engage with this counselling, and apply the transformative self-lessons they16arn as part of it.
Support Our 1-18UPPQrt continues to be the heart and soul of our work. We continue to deliver in a person- centred style, whilst adaptlng to increased needs for advocacy for our young people navigating health S6rvices, housing etc. Our partnership work and networking has been integral to this, and compliments our 1-1 work in the ways that our conneGtions can help untangle situations our clients find themselves in. We have received funding from various sources, but all aligned with the themes and barriers we see. For example, many of our clients come from postcodes that fall into areas of high deprivation, as evidenced by our time on Health Inequalities, a fund targeted on 8UPPOrting people from these postcodes. Our fund over the winter months was under Winter Pressures with the NHS, which we exceeded our targeted numbers with minimal outreach required. The natural flow of young people from partnership routes and word of mouth continues to be steadily inGreasing, In January we were successful in reIving WLDC funding, which 15 allowing us to explore and increase capacity for delivery in the West Lindsey outskirts of Lincoln where there is an ongoing support gap. What is clear to us is that having an 'open door. service to anyone who falls in the socio economic footprint of Lincoln, continues to be essential. Young people have also retumed to us, as they hit their next life stage or come across new barriers and we have been honoured to be able to support them to continue to thrive. For those who lack Social or familial support networks, it feels like The Network forms a space for them to come and gain the advice and guidance they need as they move into and through early adulthood. This has all been funded In parts by.. Evan Cornish, ICB Winter Pressures, Multiply (budgeting support), WLDC Community Action Fund and SHINE. Client Feedback °The Network are supportive and helpful with giving you the knoedge and resources you nead with networking and job searching. They hav8 empathy and understanding with their clients." °The Network gave me sornething to leave my house and SOGialise for. One of the things that really pulled me through 2023." "Gabby was - and is - absolutely wonderful. So welcoming, empathetic and kind. She could not do enough for my son and Gontinues to do so. .Just keep going. the support Gabby and The Network provides is incredible and has saved my son from his isolation and loneliness" 'Its good to know that you can talk to people about anything you want advice on" "I hava been provided with a lot of useful links and info to support me. Gabby knows straight away what will b& useful to me. "The Nelwork allowed me to access senlices I wouldn't have know about othetwise also all working me grow as a person which helped me overcome personal obstacles of getting into work" 'The network has gotten me to be mor8 sociable and it does make a differsnce" "They helped me explore new opportunities and hobbies as well as giving me advice. A while after I joined l explored some new options and they allowed me to speak to another member who knows mor8 about the subject(s). They also show every stsp 117ave taken which makes me appreciate my process even if it seems small."
Financial Review Brief Statement of the Chari on Reserves The Trustees regularly review the reseNes of the charity. This review encompasses the nature of the income and expenditure streams and the need to maintain adequate working capital for all core costs and liabilities. The Trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds held by the charity should Include between three and six months Core costs. 's Polic Details of An Funds Materiall in Deficit NIA Declaration The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trusteès, Report above. Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees Signature(s): Full Name(8): Gail Dunn Ben Rollett P08ition(8)" Chair Treasurer Date. SO - 01- zoir 50-01.701
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of I'.hdl'ily N¢llTI The Network CIO On accounts for the year ended 31st March 2024 Charity no (if any) 1167775 Set out on pages 9-11 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above Gharity ("the Trust") for the year ended 3110312024. Responslblllties and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I 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, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respgct: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackgts if they do not apply. Date: 0910112025 Signed. Name: Roger M White Relevant professional qualificatlon(s) or body (If any): ICAEW Address: Saul Fairholrn Limited Chartered Accountants, 12 Tentercroft Street, Lincoln, LN5 7DB
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examlner wishes to disclose.
Recelpts and Payments Accounts Charity Name: Charity Number: Perlod from (start date): The Networ1< CIO 1167775 01/0412023 to {end date): 31103/2024 Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds funds funds Total funds Last year Al Receipts City of Lincoln Council Iln-kindl DWP {FSF Grant Funding) DWP (Kickstartl Other {Miscl The National Lottery Community Fund CareerNet Project Multiply Project WLDC Shine- Innovation Fund NHS Winter Pres5ues Evan Cornish Fund LVET Health Ineq ualities Fund Beyond Shame Fund UK Community Renewal Fund 11,500 11,500 10,701 13,040 2,088 2,500 9,475 5,709 4,125 1,500 1,500 4,634 9,130 7,000 9,850 9,875 5,480 5,000 4,634 9,130 7,000 9,850 9,875 5,480 5,000 5,000 9,019 61,557 Sub totul A2 Asset & Investment sales, etc Total receipts 52,469 11,500 53,969 52,469 11,500 63,969 61,657 A3 Payments Staff costs Rent ICT Staff travel & expenses Statlonery, prlnting & advertSslng Professional fees & insurance Resources & events Participant Expenses Training Other (Counselling Support & worlcshopsl Sub total A4 Asset & investment purchases, etc Total poyments Net of receipts/(pttyments} A5 Transfers between funds 51,936 51,936 11,500 490 200 104 1,481 78 140 67,096 10,701 11,500 490 200 104 1,481 78 140 267 135 1,204 711 io 300 5,000 85,424 7,536 61,965 7,536 73,465 11,500 61,965 9,496 11,500 73,465 9,496 85,424 23,767
Afj Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 15,860 6,365 15,860 6,365 39,627 15,860 Unrestrlcted Restricted funds Endowment funds funds Details Current account Bl Cash funds 6,365 Total coshfunds 6,365 Unrestrlcted Restrlcted funds Endowment funds funds B2 Other monetary assets Details Fund to which asset belongs Cost loptlonal) Current value (optlonal) B3 Investment assets Details Fund to which asset belong5 Cost (optional) Current value (optional) B4 Assets retalned for the charities own use Detalls Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optlonal) When due (optionall 85 Liabllltles Details Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Slgnature Name Date of approval Ben Rollett Gail Dunn io
Notes accounts The Network CIO has nolhlng lo dl8clo8e with regard lo followlng.. al partl¢ulars of any guarant86 glven by the CIO, where any polonllal liablllly under guaranloe 1$ out5tandlng al the dale of Ihe slalemenl of assets and Ilabllllles.. and b} partlcular8 of nay debt oulslandlng al the dale of the 8lalem8nl of as8$ and liablllli88 whi¢h is owed by the CIO and which 18 secured by an expr8S8 charge on any assets of the CIO. li