Sq THE
NETWORK
The Network CIO
Charity Number: 1167775
Trustees, Annual Report
for the Period
1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Charity name: The Network CIO
Charity number: 1167775
Charity's operating City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln, LN11 DD
address:
Names of the Chari
Trustees who mana
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
Tlna Ramsay
Graham Metcalfe
August 2023
August 2023
August 2023
Names & Addresses of Advisors
of advisor Name
Address & Postcode
The Co-operative PO Box 250, Delf House, Southway, Skelmersdale,
Bank
WN8 8￿Vr
Bank
Independent
Examiner
Saul Fairholm
12 TenterGroft street, Lincoln,
LN5 7DB

structure, Governance & Management
Descri
tion of the Chari
.8 Trusts
Type of Governing Document: Constitution
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
How the Charity is
Constituted:
Trustee Selection Methods:
Appointed by existing Trustees
Objectives & Activities
Summa
of the Ob'ects of the Charl
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 assistance 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.
as set out in its Governin
Document
b)
Summa
of the Main Activities Undertaken for th8 Publlc Benefit In Relation to the
Charit
'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 serVI￿S 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 guidance on
public benefit published by the commission in exercising their powers or duties.

Achievements & Performance
umma
of the Main Achievements of the Charit for the Year
Young people supported during the year: 253
Young people supported into employment: 30
Confirmed to have engaged with trainingleducation: 36
Confimied into volunteering: 43
Engagement in groupslreduced lonelines818ocial isolation: 56
Other,. 31 (Including gaining housing, accessing Cost of Living Support, accessing clinical mental
health support etc.)
Year In Review
Wè stay consistently busy, with 253 clients seen this year. This continues the trend of seeing around
200-250 young people a year. This number was achieved with minimal outreach, and just our
standard referral channel8 (DWP, word of mouth, family connections). This suggests to us that this is
a number that we will consistently see and are able to manage at the staffing levels we currently sit at
(Increased over the last few years to 2 time FT equivalent on delivery).
1-1 Person Centred Support: Continulng Rise of Increased complexity
We are once again seeing another year of increased complexity, exacerbated by overwhelmed public
sector services like the NHS and Housing. We have gone more into depth on this topic further on in
the report, and you will see the way we're already focusing further on the research and collaboration
needed to tackle these issues on a systemic level.
In the meantime, its meaning longer client journeys, clients returning to us more often when they hit
barriers even after progression into workltraining and us providing more advocacy and untangling of
the complex situations.
Not all doom and gloom
Whilst it has been a year of significant challenges, it has also been a year of celebration, of the
strength, and resilience, of our young people. We've been able to watch them overcome adversitie8 to
start on truly amazing paths including University, work and further education and training. Some of our
young people have started their own freelance businesses, and olhers have been published in poetry
anthologies. We've moved young people into housing, and other have started University degrees.

i*
Raising Young Volce8: a Journey of Systems Change and Empowerment
AS of April 2024, our collaboration with LoGalMotion evolved to include working together to look at
involving young people in the systems change work happening in Lincoln,
This started with the Youth Led organising of a research conference (similar to our conference in
2020), looking at the key themes in Lincoln and what young peoples experiences were and what they
wanted to see change.
This involved collecting "professionals" from various sectors such as the police, housing, benefits and
revenues, the NHS etc. to facilitate conversations on tables to get feedback and thoughts on Lincoln's
current situation, It was a very enlightening day, with excellent youth engagement and you can find
out more and read the full report (well worth reading!) here:
htt .'Illocalm
tion.or
.ukJ lacesllincolnl
Ral8ing Young Volces (RYV) Steering Group
So￿lIGPEOp1erO
OPPOR Tuthrt
From there, we started the Raising Young Voices
Steering Group-a constantly evolving core group of
young people passionate about systems change and
leading the way in this.
The core group started with 6 and has grown to around
10. It's flexible around the fact that the young people
are in a transitionary part of their lives and may move
into work or training.
Over last summer we worked with Localmotion and the
University of Lincoln around capacity building for the
group on the CAPE fund. Members did a place visit to
Nottingham to See how another organisation outside
the city works, did public speaking training with
Creative Rebel CIC and completed Civic Storytelling
activities. From all this, we created our "ljvhy" which
was to "improve the future for everyone and formed
the basis of our Golden Circle (seen above).
sin￿ then the group has gone from strength to strength with members from within the network client
base and outside. We're still focusing on capacity building, and are excited to see how the group
grows and where it goes moving forlvard.
IICIUSE IIE
NEED TQ
IMPkO¥Z THE
FIITURE FOR
E¥ERYONE
TEDX and Creative Rebel CIC Collaboration

As part of Raising Young Voice8 we partnered with
Creative Rebel CIC who ran a public speaking
I confidence workshop that was highly effective,
boosting up our young people Confiden￿ to join
the Trustee Meeting we had scheduled.
This led to further collaboration, with an invitation
for our RYV group to join the TEDX Brayford Pool
with funded tickets to see speakers and an
opportunity to support Georgia in running
manifesto workshop around the findings of the
RYV conference.
We were also honoured the TEDX selected Gabby
as a speaker this year, who used the platform to
highlight the systemic injustices young people face and the power of community action and inclusion
to tackle them.
Nerd Herd and The Lincoln Museum Collaboratlon; Games: Enter the Unknown
Nerd Herd (facilitated Table Top Role Play Games sessions for social
confidence) has continued to grow, with more young people joining
and more training as Volunteer Games Ma8ters, allowing the group to
be fully youth led.
We were approached by the local museum who had plans to run an
exhibit on table top and board games, their history and their place in
our communities. Mernbers of Nerd H8rd were able to get involved in
paid freelance positions to help shape and curate the exhibition, with
named shout-out in the Community Corner which held game8 selected
by members of the group.
The group continues to be very effective in boosting and building social
confidence, with the 1-1 mentoring alongside allowing our young
people to See the progress they've made and start applying this to
other settings.
Communlty
Corfier
Crafternoon, includlng Lincoln Lights Collaboration
Crafternoons run in tandem with Nerd Herd and provide a gentle space for people to take part in
'parallel play with their own craft projects or to learn new skills from each other or Georgia as the
facilitator. This has included swapping crochet skills and drawing knowledge.
Again, the confidenca built in the group is able to be applied outside of the setting to help young
people thrive.
Further, this group was approached by Tanya of Wildflower Storytelling for a workshop around
growth, where their words were formed into poetry that was shared across Lincoln as part of the
Lincoln Lights Festival, with one direct quote seen through the link below..
htt '.Ilwww. insta
ram.coml
DGSSR dofv81

Hairy Violets
We were fortunate to be able to continu8 our Hairy Violets sessions
this year via the SHINE sustainability Fund, meaning it should be
able to run for the next 3 years.
The group has evolved to the shape and needs of the young people
who take part. This year they've focused on the idea of poetry and
writing providing not just wellbeing aGtivities, but also opportunities to
have a voice and share experiences and thoughts in your communily.
Towards the end of the year, the group has started created a Zine
around a "Lincoln Witch" (in the style of Esme Boggart) who will
provide young people with a way to have their voice heard in a
creative fomat, sharing experiences of mental health, wellbeing and
hope.
We would like to especially ￿lebrate a young person who'8
confidence and the skills and support offered them allowed them to
enter a poem into a competition, which has now been published as part of an anthology of poems on
Lincolnshire (Lincolnshire: Not of this Wold)
Intsrgeneratlonal Connection8: Llquorice Park Supportad Voluntaering
As part of the natural evolution of our partnership with Liquorice Park, we started discussions about
more formalised and shored up support for young people passionate about green spaces, horticulture
and conservation.
We had already had a few young people start volunteering there, and saw the magic that happened
as they connected with the predominately retiree volunteers in the park. The benefits all parties
experienced was phenomenal, wrlh our young people especially finding confidence and more
importantly perhaps, aspirational role models. For the existing volunteers, they got lo create valued
connection8 With young people.
What we did identify was that a support staff member was needed, 80 that any more intense barriers
or issues that came up amongst the young people could be handled appropriately. Since January
2025, Billy's role has grown to include this strand of delivery, supporting young people to engage with
the volunteer sessions on Wednesday morning8 alongside providing them with 1-1 support where
needed.
Barriers and Trends
Health condition
status
Yes
No
Undiagnosed but
suspected
Percenta
130
240
Initial assessments-150 total on system
erc
Mental Health
Social Anxiety
Low Confidencelself
esteem
48%
670/0
40%
640
110
Transport
Physical Health

Substance Misuse
Housing
Debt
Lack of MathslEnglish
Autism
3%
13%
130
43%
19%
ADHD
DyslexialDyscalculia
Caring Responsibilities
15%
9%
5%
As seen above, Social Anxiety, transport and mental health continue to be the biggest barriers
identified in initial assessments.
One thing to note is that this data is captured in initial assessment only. This means that more
emergent issues such as unstable housing, struggles to access neurodivergent diagnoses etc. are
coming to the fore later in our work with the person.
We also can't capture information that is less quantifiable, like comp18x home issues, incidents of
being victims of violent crime, trauma etc. but anecdotally we're seeing this emerge more and more
often during our work with young people, which then involves us working to link the young person in
with appropriate housing, counselling and Victim Support services.
Cllent Feedback
'The Network gives me a reason to leave my house when I'm 8t my absolute lowest, and still giv8S
just as much support when I'm feeling bettgrf,
"I have found the network tremendously useful and supportlV8. Gabby has bean very helpful when it
comes to finding infonnation, emailing people, signing up to other seNices and finding volunteering
vacancies."
'It helped me to explore myself and my r81ationship to the wortd around m8. It Was 8 really safe
space. I could cre8t8 there which was very healing. Ev8rybody was so supportive."
°It s been a lifeline to my son, with all the groups that he is now involved with through them. l4Vith his
ASD, he cannot find wort(, so the Network has helped him meet 8nd connect with people his age,
which can be very difficult"
'Gabby and Georgia are nice people and they give th8 bgst advice and will always do their best to
help you,"
°Person-centred, empathetlc support. The Network actualty is a safe spaGe, not an organisation that
just claims to be one"
'The Network are always compassionate, understanding and hardworking. The person-c8nte￿d 1-1
chats are useful as I find it s nice to talk to someone about my career stuff without the fear of
judgement, Th8 groups are gre8t to meet new people enjoy doing fun activities..
'The groups are so inclusive and welcoming. I dony know what we would have done without Gabby,
Georgia and their 8m8zing team"
Financial Review
Brief Ststement of the Chari
's Polic
The Trustees regularly review the reser￿eS of the charity. This review encompasses the
nature of the income and expenditure streams and the need to maintsin 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.
on Reserves

Detsils of An
NIA
Funds Materiall
in Deficit
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustse8' Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees
Signature(8):
Full Name(s):
Gail Dunn
Ben Rollett
Position(s):
Date: 16'jii I
Chair
Treasurer

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examinerfs
report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the tru8tse81
members of
The Network CIO
On accounts for the year
ended
31 St March 2025
Charity no
(if any)
1167775
Set out on page8
11-13
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
Gharity ('the Trust.) for the year ended 3110312025.
Re8ponsibillties and As the charty 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
respect..
accountlng records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of
the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
Independent
examlner'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
letg the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed:
Date:
Name:
Roger M White
Relevant professlonal
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
ICAEW
Address:
Saul Fairholm 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).

Glve here brief details of
any items that the
examiner wlshes to
dlsclose.
10

Receipts and Payments
Accounts
Charlty Name..
Charlty Number:
Perlod from (start date):
The Network CIO
1167775
01104/2024
to (end date):
31/0312025
Unrestrlrted Restrlrted Endowment
funds
funds
funds
Totsl funds
Last year
Al Recelpts
City of Lincoln Council Iln-kind)
Clty of Llncoln Council- UKSPF
Shine - Sustainability Fund
Other {Miscl
The Natlonal Lottery Community Fund
CareerNet Project
Multiply Pro}ect
WLDC
The Foyle Foundatlon
D'oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Shine - Innovation Fund
NHS Wlnter Pressues
Evan Cornish Fund
LPFT- Vlrtual Autlsm Hub Fund
LVET- Research Fund
12,000
41,970
23,250
12,000
41,970
23,250
9,862
19,125
11,500
9,862
1,500
19,125
4,634
9,130
7,CrfJO
9.500
9,500
15,228
5,000
3,500
15,228
5,000
3,500
9,850
9,875
5,480
8,503
8,503
4,150
152,088
4,150
32,012
5,000
63,969
Sub totol
A2 Asset & Investment sales, etc
Total receipt5
120,076
32,012
120,076
152,088
63.969
A3 Payments
staff costs
Rent
65,805
65,805
12,000
1,580
215
61
1,650
915
132
51,936
11,500
490
200
104
1,481
78
140
12,000
1,580
215
61
1,650
915
132
Staff travel & expenses
Stationery, printing & advertisin8
Professional fees & insurance
Resources & events
Participant Expenses
Training
Other Icoun5elling Support & workshops)
Sub total
A4 Asset & Investment purchases, etc
Total payments
Net of receipts/(paymentsJ
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash fvnds this year end
16,202
86,560
16,202
98,560
7,536
73,465
12,000
86,560
53.528
12,000
98,560
53,528
73,465
9.496
6,365
59,893
6,365
59,893
15,860
6.365
li

Statement ota5sets and Ilabilitie$ at the enloi the peri￿1
Unrestricted Restrlcted fvnds Endowment
funds
funds
Detai15
Current account
Bl Cash funds
27,327
32,566
Total cash funds
27,327
32.566
Unrestrlcted Restrlcted funds Endowment
funds
funds
B2 Other monetary assets
Details
Fund to
whlch asset
belongs
Co$t loptlonal) Current value
(optlonal)
B3 Investment assets
Detalls
Fund to
whlch asset
belongs
Cost (optlonal) Current value
(optlonal)
B4 A55et$ retalned for the charltles own
use
Detalls
Fund to
whlch
Ilablllty
relates
Amount due
{optlonal)
When due
loptlonal)
85 Uabllltle5
Detalls
Slgned by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees
Slgnature
Name
Date of approval
Ben Rollett
26- 11. i#z,r
Gail Dunn
a6[11 [JS
12

Notss to tho accounts
Gengral
The Netr￿Tk CIO has nothin9 to di$¢lose wlih regard lo following..
a) p8rticularg of 8ny guarantee given by the CIO. where any potential Ilabllty under guarantee 55 autslanding at the d8te of the
statement of asset8 and liabilities., and
b) particulars of nay debt outglanding at the date of the $tst8menl of assets and Ilabllltles whlch is owed bythe CIO gnd which Is
$e¢ured by an express charge on any os8ets of the CIO.
Trustees Renumeratlon
The Charity Trustee5 were not pald or recelved any other beneflts from employment with the Trust in the year12024.. £NII
neither were they reimbursed expenses durlng the year12024.. £NIII. No Charity Trustee received payment for professlonal or
other servlces supplied to the Charlty12024.. £NIII.
13