2025-03-31-accounts

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Annual Report of Allendale Youth Ambition 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025

OPENING STATEMENT BY CHAIR

I am delighted to report on another successful year for Allendale Youth Ambition. Despite the usual challenges, 2024 saw the completion of our much-needed kitchen refurbishment programme, made possible through a Department of Culture, Media and Sport Youth Investment Fund grant of £55,000.00. This was a capital grant but included revenue for a cookery school project at our youth centre. Our own local Councillor also supported the project with a grant from his local capital fund.

After many meetings and consultations, we have become a member organisation of an exciting collaboration with other voluntary sector youth charities across the whole of Northumberland. Through this, we hope to be considered for any major youth work commissioning that may arise - which will safeguard youth work provision in the County. Already, the Big Lottery Reaching Communities have invested in what is called the Northumberland Youthwork Network .

I thank yet again, all our funders, donors and supporters - who over the years have risen to the challenge of funding what was at one time, statutory youth work. Because of your investments and trust in us – we have been able to maintain the jobs of our staff team of five local people, expand paid hours of work and commission other professionals and providers as required.

Your donations have provided our young people with a wide range of opportunities; to take part in residential experiences to Dukes House Wood, Hawkhirst Outdoor Centre, hosted the High Sheriff of Northumberland, completed their expedition and graduated in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Bronze Scheme, First Aid Training, Map Reading, Camping Skills, Cookery and Baking, Forest Schools learning, Skills for Life, Dance Instruction, Theatre Trips, Pool Parties, Outdoor Adventure, Easter Fun and treasure hunts, Theme Parks, curation and delivery of the Youth Stage at Allendale Fair, Creative Arts, Bowling and developing our seniors into youth leaders as part of their volunteering element of Duke of Edinburgh.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expedition 2024 (Don’t smile until it’s over!)

The Trustees wish to thank all our young people who have honoured us by spending their precious free time with us – in all weathers! And to our funders, donors and supporters who have taken the time to visit our project, to advise us, to meet with staff, talk to the young people and decided to invest in our project, we thank you.

“ A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall ….”

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT

The trustees are satisfied that the charity continues to be managed and delivered with due regard to public benefit and the wellbeing, support and development of Young People and is the sole reason for the existence of the charity and its work.

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Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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OUR OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

A youth resource for young people living in the Allen Valleys and surrounding areas where they can access support, informal education, advice and guidance and participate in programmes of physical, educational and other activities. Using positive activity programmes to support young people in developing their skills and self-confidence to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals. To provide young people with somewhere safe to go, something to do and somebody to talk to.

STRUCTURE AND CONTACT DETAILS:

Allendale Youth Ambition transitioned from a community organisation into a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2017:

Charity Number: 1172492 Registered Address: 4 Arnison Terrace Allendale Hexham, NE47 9BW Youth Centre Address: Allendale Village Hall Leadgate, Allendale NE47 9PR Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Website: allendaleyouth.org.uk

OUR TRUSTEES:

The Founder Trustees of Allendale Youth Ambition are listed below and serve as the Management Committee of the Charity. As can be found in our Constitution, existing members can propose additional individuals who have a skill that meets the need and who will be vetted and interviewed before appointment.

• Any proposed Trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the Charity Trustees.

• Emailed documents agreeing to resolutions are acceptable as allowed by our Constitution.

• Any proposed Trustee will be required to provide the personal details needed for the Charity Commission and to carry out background checks.

• The Chair will issue a confirmation email to the new Trustee, welcoming them to the Board, together with any relevant information.

Current Board of Trustees:

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Treasurer: Professor Stephanie Atkinson MBE Ph.D. Secretary: David Humes Trustee: Philip Walter Trustee: Zoe Bell

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Trustee: Joanne Clarke Trustee: Doug Ness

FINANCES 2024-2025

Finances was reasonably healthy in the reporting period and although we still await confirmation of one of our anticipated grants, we have applied to other sources to minimise any disruption to staffing or delivery of our work. We have a small reserve which would allow us to continue for up to 3 months.

Income: £52122.00 Expenditure: £60136.00

Unrestricted Reserves: £18542.00 (Please refer to our detailed Reserves Policy which is attached to this document)

Annual Accounts and Financial Statements

are independently examined by CM Welch FCA of Shilburn Road, Allendale, NE47 9LQ

Statement on Fundraising

We rely on grants and donations from those charities, organisations and benefactors that wish to support the lives of young people. We apply to those funders whose grant criteria meets our identified needs, which we obtain through staff direct observations of their work with young people.

The Charity does not raise funds from the public for general purposes. From time to time, for a specific aim or item - we may consider the occasional use of Crowd Funding, or hold a Bake Sale, Jumble Sale, Coffee Morning, where the majority of our supporters are parents and friends of Allendale Youth Ambition. Funds raised this way will always be spent on the specific purpose identified and for which it is given.

ADMINSTRATION AND STAFFING

All staff roles are entirely funded by our donors. Julie Humes, BA (Hons) Community and Youth Work, is Project Manager and Lead Youth Worker and responsible for the day to day running of the Charity reporting to the Trustees. Also responsible for safeguarding, supervision and development of other staff and volunteers, fundraising, policy and procedure, training, delivering quality, educational activities and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people accessing the provision.

Charlotte Reid supports the project as Deputy and Senior Youth Development Worker - and delivers our Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Forest Schools learning. Charlotte has successfully supported a cohort of 12 young people who have completed their Bronze Award through volunteering, new skills and physical exercise. Charlotte is currently studying her Level 3 Youth Work qualification with the National Youth Agency.

Amy Hood Bailey is our Lead Youth Support Worker - and takes the lead with arts and crafts sessions and our social media pages. Jamie Dover-Nattrass and Aaron Walter are

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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our Youth Support Workers , who started with us as participants, young leaders, then trainees. They now take their place as full members of the staff team. They support our young people and join in all the fun and games. Aaron is also our inhouse Maths, IT and Website consultant and Jamie is the best cheese toastie maker in town!

We are very grateful to our local volunteers as First Aid Trainers, Leaders and Assessors to our Duke of Edinburgh Award Expedition Team – including David Connolly, Phil Swaile, Bel Smith and James Birchall. These wonderful people committed so many volunteer hours to the essential training to prepare the young people so well for their Expedition. This took place on a “summer” day of 2024 in terrible weather and although no risks were taken with safety, it must have been a very challenging experience. (Thanks also to Samuel Emmerson, our DofE Manager at DofE HQ for all your support and guidance!)

Setting up DofE Camp – “Summer” 2024

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

• Charlotte Reid, already a trained Forest School Practitioner, is continuing her Level 3 Youth Worker Qualification with the National Youth Agency and funded by the DCMS Youth Investment Fund.

• All staff and volunteers regularly undergo DBS checks and safeguarding training takes place every two or three years as a minimum - as recommended by the local authority. All safeguarding and first aid training is up to date.

• Julie Humes is the trained Safeguarding Designated Person for the charity and manages the training record of all staff and volunteers. JH is also the first point of contact for any safeguarding or child protection concerns and receives update training every two years.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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• Staff have attended Key Plus training, which enables us to work with young people on specific projects, which when all required the outcomes are achieved (Plan, Do, Review), receive funding.

• All staff are trained in Emergency First Aid, and Charlotte Reid has Outdoor First Aid and Paediatrics.

REACHING YOUNG PEOPLE

We made contact with 150 children and young people aged 5 to 17 accessing our larger community events and activities and projects offered throughout the year, with more frequent participation from 60 young people that we see every week.

Our junior youth club now attracts so many in the Year 5 to Year 7 age group – we are planning on introducing a new session for the Year 6 cohort and the new Year 5 intake for 2025-2026. This is an appropriate split in age – as when young people reach Year 7, (aged 11), their interests and behaviours change as they transition through the adolescent phases.

POSITIVE FUTURES/SKILLS FOR LIFE (ADVICE AND GUIDANCE)

Young people have been helped with decisions over education, training and the workplace. Not everyone has a clear vocation before them (6[th] form? Gap Year? College? Apprenticeship? Job?). Talking these things through with a friendly youth worker they know and trust to help develop a CV and interview skills helps young people a great deal with those important life changing decisions. Informal learning in their contact time with us ensures the development of essential skills that young people can use in adult life.

Participants are continuously supported through the different issues and trends that present risks to young people. This can include themes on vaping, drinking alcohol, online risk, the dangers of exploitation, the dangers of cold water, threats from County Lines, managing friendships and what bullying and exclusion is. This ensures young people are making fully informed choices about the threats presented to them from all directions. We are working with Northumberland Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS) to develop sessions for our young people, which will be rolled out throughout the year. Staff member Aaron is on hand to support young people with their maths and science homework and assignments – as he is a bit of a whizz on these subjects!

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Charlotte in Active Listening Mode

Young People Make the Rules!

POSITIVE ACTIVITIES

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Activities and outings continue to form a large part of our offer and these help build on the essential relationship between young people and staff which is entirely based on trust and respect. In particular, adventurous activity centres provides personal challenge and, in the right location, often offers a complete digital detox. Activities include paddle boarding, climbing, high ropes, abseiling, canoeing, archery, swimming and zip wire.

As part of the DCMS Youth Investment Fund grant – revenue funding was made available for cookery sessions that took place across the six weeks summer break. Many wonderful three course meals were created which the young people took home for the main family meal. Starting in October, the young people also made their own Christmas Cakes from scratch, iced and decorated.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Culinary Masterpieces!

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Christmas Cakes – Marzipan Stage (the trickiest bit!)

Our Key Fund Group, the Walkie Talkies, worked hard on their activity idea, presented to a panel of adults and were awarded £250.00 for their activity. The group learned how to plan and budget to keep within their target. The trip is due to take place in April 2025 – so the success of the activity will be reported on in next year’s report.

During the refurbishment phase, we had to vacate the youth centre, and so to maintain contact with our young people, we hired village and church halls for Beetle Drives and Movie nights. We visited our local Fire Station visit, held Forest School sessions - as well as offsite trips Bowling, Soft Play centres and Pool Parties.

Talkin Tarn – Mystery Box Challenge Summer 2024

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Preparing for Canoeing on Talkin Tarn 2024

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

12 young people completed their expedition in the Summer of 2024 and graduated their Bronze Award. (We are hoping they will go on to do Silver). New cohorts are recruited each

September as young people move into Year 9. A lot of help is received from the DofE itself to run the scheme - and this has helped us very much to support the young people.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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DofE Expedition “Summer” 2024

FUN & FRIENDSHIP

Young people had fun simply being together every week through youth club (Somewhere to Go, Something to Do, Someone to Talk To) and benefit from an extended offer of residentials, outings and projects, where they can spend overnight experiences together, outings at pool parties, trampoline park, cinema trip, go-karting, theatre, afternoon tea and learning how to sword fence - to name but a few.

With Friends at Youthy

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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LEADERSHIP, VOLUNTEERING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We are very proud of our older young people, who prepare for adult life through demonstrations of leadership, decision making and volunteering at youth club. Young people have taken part in representing the charity at the High Sheriff Awards Evening and the Remembrance Day Commemoration service. In 2024, our independent Cooperative Society held its 100 Year Anniversary Celebration - and our older young people were invited to run arts and crafts activities to the younger children of the village.

Isla & Esther Enjoy Meeting Xander from Pointless (and Lucia - The High Sheriff!)

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Young people took part in many sessions related to arts and crafts, visits to the theatre, singing and music making. Allendale Youth delivered a highly successful Youth Stage at Allendale Fair in 2024, providing DJ Decks, Circus Skills and performance in dance routines. They made their own dance costumes from recycled materials, procured and delivered live on-stage performances and a children’s tea party. Many life skills develop from participation in activities like this.

Allendale Fair Youth Stage Community Event May 2024

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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TYNEDALE YOUTH FORUM

We are committed to our participation in the Tynedale Youth Forum - of which Julie is Chair. Sharing joined up activities and training with our five main local youth charities and colleagues from across the District (Haltwhistle Young & Sweet, Corbridge Youth, Hexham Youth, North Tyne Youth and Prudhoe Youth). We are now formally part of the new Consortium known as the Northumberland Youth Work Network , led by Berwick Youth Project. This has enabled us to bid as a collective for any commissioning of youth work services and give us strength to equal that of the large youth charities.

Tynedale Youth Forum Residential at Hawkhirst Outdoor Centre 2024

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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FINANCES/FUNDRAISING

We were very grateful to have received support from many grant makers and local donors - who funded the charity in 2024-2025

• Department of Culture, Media and Sport

• Northumberland County Council Communities

• Ballinger Trust

• Hadrian Trust

• Farmers Ball

• Sir James Knott Trust

• Rothley Trust

• EC Forster Belford Trust

• High Sheriff of Northumberland

• Allendale Parish Council

• Duke of Edinburgh Award Bursary and Training Schemes

BUILDING/REFURBISHMENT

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport Youth Investment Funded capital works is now complete – and following excavations works and a new dampcourse - we now have a damp-free kitchen and toilet, with new kitchen units, appliances, and new flooring throughout. The grant also provided a new main entrance door. The difference in the dryness and warmth to the youth centre is obvious – and will save on energy costs going forwards.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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The Kitchen Before …

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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The Kitchen After!

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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ONGOING/FUTURE PLANS

• Maintain the sustainability of Allendale Youth Ambition as a whole.

• Continue fundraising for security of staffing, project work and related activities

• Continue fundraising for the ongoing refurbishment and improvement programme of the youth centre.

• Expand provision through a separate, additional session for Years 5 and 6

• Increase use of The Key funded projects

• Water Safety Work Shops

• Continue delivery of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

• Visit the local Secondary school to meet with young people

• Development of Forest Schools Learning

• Project work with the Allen Valleys Drama Group

• Rolling programme of Life Skills Learning project work and Job Support

• Continue Homework/Job Clubs

• NDAS Programmes exploring friendships and healthy relationships

• Cookery Programmes

• Young people’s own fundraising activities

• Community Volunteering (e.g. Allendale Fair and local community groups)

• Introduce a Youth Council – so that young people can have an active say

• School Holiday 2025 programme of positive activity

THREATS/RISKS/SOLUTIONS

The challenges have not changed significantly since the last reporting period. However, the trend suggesting grant makers are willing to fund core costs, continues to be more commonplace. We are pleased this is so – that more donors recognise that the survival of charities comes before any activity can take place.

For small charities with a limited staff resource, fundraising is very time-consuming process - even for relatively small amounts. Success rate is now around one in eight applications. As local authorities place what resources they have for young people directly with the Family Hubs, and still more voluntary projects enter the field – this makes fund-raising opportunities more competitive than ever before,

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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We are confident that being a member partner organisation within the Northumberland Youth Network Consortium will address this difficulty as larger donors are showing signs of a preference for consortium bidding.

Finding staff who wish to work with young people is always a challenge, particularly in rural areas. Small projects cannot provide sufficient hours to make a worthwhile career path for many, who would like a career in youth work. Talented people have to leave and go further afield to find full-time work. Our solution has been to “grow our own”. Like many rural projects, four of our five current staff either started with us as young people themselves or came as volunteers - and have stayed with us in part-time paid work, while holding other jobs. This makes formal training difficult, so we ensure inhouse training is provided until experience is gained.

Maintaining the interest and commitment of some older participants is always a challenge as they become more independent, preferring to be remote from adult supervision. The youth worker/young person relationship developed in earlier years sustains the ongoing relationship in different ways - and the activities offered must involve the older young people in the decision making. The Duke of Edinburgh Award helps us maintain effective contact with our 14+ young people.

Junior youth club – welcoming younger children aged 9 and up – is definitely the key to attracting young people to the service and this develops a strong bond with staff, and they are much more likely to transition to seniors. We also believe the solution lies in the offer of enjoyable activities that the young people choose to be involved with and want to commit to.

Whether you gave us money, delivered workshops, lent us space, baked a cake - we thank all our funders and supporters past and present (not forgetting parents, grandparents and young people!)

The Ballinger Trust DCMS Youth Investment Fund The High Sheriff of Northumberland Police Commissioner – Kim McGuiness Police VRU/Home Office The Key Karbon Homes The Schofield Trust Sir James Knott Trust Cllr Colin Horncastle/NCC Northumberland Domestic Abuse Service Debbi’s Doodles The Museum of Classic Sci Fi Allendale EC Belford Trust Co-operative Foundation Allendale Co-op Hadrian Trust The Key

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Queens Hall Arts Tynedale Youth Forum Arts Council/Youth Music Sherburn House Charity The Joicey Trust The Rothley Trust Allendale Fair Committee The Community Foundation Northumberland Communities Together/Big Lottery Helen Allinson Trust UK Youth CAF Covid Response Covid Resilience Fund Rotary Club Hexham Allendale Parish Council Allendale Village Hall Allendale Primary School Allendale Forge Arts

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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ALLENDALE YOUTH AMBITION RESERVES TABLE APPLYING TO 2025/2026

	FROM REPORTING YEAR 2023-2024	COMMENTS
Year End Closing/Opening Balances (as stated on Audited Accounts)	92262	Restricted Closing Balance:£73720 Unrestricted Closing Balance:£18542
Restricted Funds	58461 7607 471 3021 20 4140	Staf & Provider Costs (Belford/Ball/Wellesley) Positve Actvity Duke of Edinburgh Bursaries Refurbishment Young People’s Own Fundraising Agreed Reserve
Total of Restricted Funds	73720
Unrestricted (General Account)	18452	Designated to Core Operatonal Overhead as set out below
Designated Core Operatonal Overhead from Unrestricted Budget of £18452 -	2024-2025 1720 2875 548 2463 995 672 2023 3728	Opening Balances Session Resources Rent Insurance & Subscriptons IT (includes for proposed new Lap Tap) Admin Account Bank Charges Training & Safeguarding Parents Donatons & UR Grants allocated to Actvites and Transport for young people
Total of Designated Core Operatonal Costs from Unrestricted Budget	15024	This is our Designated Core Operatonal Budget as allocated above for 2024-2024
Non-Allocated Funds Remaining (£18452 - £15024)	3428	Free funds - not assigned to any essential core costs or specific purpose but available to respond to repairs, replacing equipment and furniture.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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ALLENDALE YOUTH AMBITION RESERVES POLICY 2025-2026 (developed from 2024/2025 Accounts)

Introduction

The Trustees of Allendale Youth Ambition (AYA) have agreed the need to secure the charity’s viability beyond the immediate future. In order to be able to provide reliable services over the longer term, AYA must be able to manage and absorb setbacks and to take advantage of change and opportunity. The Trustees will provide for this by maintaining, and where possible, putting aside, when afforded, some of our unrestricted income as a reserve against future uncertainties. When carrying reserves forward, the charity refers to three general descriptors of reserve funds:

Restricted Reserves

Restricted Reserves are those funds provided by donors/grant-makers for specific intended or future use. The level of restricted reserves varies from year to year in accordance with the amount of restricted funds raised, expenditure, the purpose and timescales. Restricted Reserves may also include planned for and extended periods of carry forward funding; for example, three-year salary projections and other core costs which are often typical subjects for core funding donations as compared with close ended activity projects.

Unrestricted (Designated Reserves)

Although Unrestricted Funds (those not earmarked by donors) are often considered to be free reserves, such funds form the basis of the annual budget for our essential core spending and fixed costs - usually allocated to the overhead/ operational costs of running the charity. Unless specifically grant based - these include essentials such as admin, banking, rent, insurance, maintenance, Training, and IT costs.

Similarly, AYA also designates a budget for session and related activity delivery costs – as this is a core function of our face-to-face work with young people. As such, these designated funds, because they meet the need of our core overhead costs, cannot be treated as absolute free reserves. Therefore, to assist grant-makers in their decisions whether to award funds to the charity – a Reserve Table of how funds are allocated is attached to this document - and this includes the agreed reserve. This demonstrates that funds are designated to where they are needed to run the core operations of the charity – and that large reserves are not being hoarded.

Unrestricted (Not Designated)

These are funds that are not restricted by a donor, nor are they designated to any actual essential or anticipated spending on overhead and operational costs. They are also a useful resource to meet new opportunities for young people that may arise, or an unexpected essential repair. Such funds can also contribute to building a small free reserve, that would safeguard the operations of the charity for a short period of time, should new or anticipated income streams fail. During years of healthy and regular donations, such funds will be diverted to specific projects for young people or to meet a specific delivery need.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Setting a Free Reserves Value

AYA aims to retain sufficient financial reserves to protect against failure to meet fundraising needs, unforeseen costs, and general risk to the viability of the charity. The Trustees recognise that financial reserves can only be built up through the receipt of unplanned, unrestricted income. The accumulation of unrestricted financial reserves will therefore be, in the main, opportunistic.

A formal policy on reserves was agreed at a meeting of the Board and the Trustees have set a reserves policy which requires:

• Reserves are built, maintained (or reduced) at levels to secure 3 months of the organisation’s current activity outputs to enable continuation during periods of unforeseen difficulty. For the current year (2025-2026) following our annual audit, the Board will continue the aim of building the free reserve up to the sum of £5000.00. This sum will consist of funds that have not been designated for any other purposes or used and will be reviewed annually, at the year-end by the Board.

• In deciding where and how to invest financial reserves, Trustees will always consider the need for balance between short-term cash needs and investing for better returns for the charity. Therefore, for the financial year of 2025-2026 , the nominated free reserve of up to £5000.00 will continue to be the aim alongside other funds in the existing accessible charity bank account.

Achievement of the Goal

If AYA achieves an unrestricted and non-designated surplus position within the reserve figure achieved, it will aim not to spend the surplus, unless the needs of our service users dictate an intervention or unexpected major repairs. If AYA were to receive significant, unexpected funds (wherein the donor has not specified expenditure), Trustees will decide, on a case-by-case basis, whether the income should be designated for a particular purpose, or to boost the unrestricted financial reserves. Trustees will always monitor the growth and size of any free reserve and have responsibility to decide if excessive reserves should be diverted to increase the outputs of the charity.

Measurement of progress towards the goal

Achievement or otherwise against the Financial Reserves Policy will be measured and reviewed annually.

Trustees will review progress against the policy, and the policy itself, alongside approval of the Annual Report and Accounts each year. Decisions on designations, or changes to designations, will be recorded. In addition, consideration will be given to the following:

• Risks associated with each stream of income and expenditure being different to that budgeted

• Planned activity level

• Organisation’s commitments

£5000.00 is agreed to be a reasonable level of free reserve and the charity will seek to reach/maintain this level over the next 12 months.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Allendale Youth Ambition Financial Reserves Policy (supporting information)

Definition of Reserves

For the purposes of this policy, the term “reserves” is applied to that part of AYA income that is freely available for its general purposes, aims and objectives. Reserves are the resources that AYA has, or can make available to spend, for any or all of its purposes once it has met its commitments and covered its other planned expenditure.

This definition excludes unspent money from restricted grants, i.e. where a funder has specified what the money must be spent on and thus the Trustees do not have the power to spend the money on anything else. In any case, funders generally require the return of any significant unspent funds. In terms of Charity Commission guidance, it excludes the following:

• i. Permanent endowment/capital

• ii. Expendable endowment/capital

• iii. Restricted income/funds

• iv. Designated income funds

• v. Income funds which could only be realised by disposing of fixed assets held for charity use.

Although there are no legal restrictions on the use of Designated income funds or expendable endowment as reserves, this is generally not recommended by the Charity Commission. If part of an Unrestricted fund is ear-marked for a particular project it may be designated as a separate fund. Funds could be designated for a project that AYA is seeking to build resources for. Designation does not restrict the Trustees; they can change their minds. But the initial decision should be a genuine one, not a method of hoarding funds.

Any Designations will be recorded in the minutes of a board meeting – as will any subsequent redesignation. It is important that a policy providing for transfer between funds and allocations to or from designated funds as well as the reasons for setting up a fund are explained, specifically in notes to accounts.

Reserves will therefore generally only include:

Unrestricted Funds – General

This is money that can be spent on anything which furthers the objectives of AYA. Often this is money that has been generated through public fund-raising (raffles, donations and so on), unless the money was promoted as being raised for a specific purpose.

All unrestricted funds come within the definition of free reserves so long as they are not currently Designated. Money from restricted funds can only be included in free reserves if the funder has given written permission for this to happen.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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Justification for Holding Reserves

Any organisation which enters commitments – through the agreement to deliver services, the employment of staff, the rental of premises, the purchase of goods or services etc, must ensure it has sufficient resources to cover the related costs. Even when an organisation operates in the most stable of environments, there will remain an element of uncertainty about a grant coming in. Against this background it is considered good practice for AYA to seek to build some financial reserves which allow us to meet future commitments or unforeseen expenses without a negative impact on its ability to deliver services in the manner planned.

AYA will hold reserves to enable the organisation to:

• a. Absorb setbacks, to take advantage of change and opportunities and expansion of services where appropriate.

• b. Demonstrate that we have thought through how we might secure our viability beyond the immediate future an provide reliable services over the longer term.

• c. Demonstrate to potential funders that we are effectively managing our resources and have considered our long-term plans and viability.

Documentation, in the form of this Reserves Policy, provides the public, existing and potential funders with a clear explanation of the nature and purpose of any reserves held. The essential point here is that it can demonstrate to funders/donors the reasons to retain a particular level of income as a reserve.

The Reserve Policy is based on a realistic assessment of need and covers as a minimum:

• i. The reasons why AHA needs reserves

• ii. The level or range of reserves needed

• iii. The steps AYA is going to take to establish or maintain reserves at the agrees level of range

• iv. Arrangements for monitoring and reviewing the policy.

Setting a Reserve Level

There is no absolute level of free reserves that AYA should hold but when looking at the level of free reserves considerations should include:

• How secure is AYA’s present funding?

• How long would it take to find alternative sources of funding?

• If AYA had to close, how long would it take to wind it up in an orderly manner?

• What costs may be involved in winding up? Consider:

• Staffing

• Rent

• Other commitments

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

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AYA declare that an acceptable level of free reserve is to maintain level of service for between 3 – 6 months.

Reserve Policy – Timing

The AYA Reserves Policy will be reviewed/updated every financial year end and will reflect the prevailing financial circumstance. This will be completed in preparation for any applications going forward for funding in the new financial year.

Chair: Margaret Stonehouse Allendale Youth Ambition CIO Registered Charity No. 1172492

ALLENDALE YOUTH AMBITION CHARITY NO .1172492 Financial Statements forthe Period from 1st April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Unrestricted funds Rgstricted funds Endowment funds Total this period Total last period Recelpts Granis and donatlons Other Trading (Tuckshopl Training 12122 1.043 1.13S 14.300 37.822 49.944 1,043 48,395 3.631 Total Receipts 37.822 52.122 52.526 Payments Aclivilie51YIFltbE Youth ¢JevelOpn￿n1 Contribution to H811 Cost8 othèr Trading ITu¢k$hopl Refurb15hrrEnts Insurance Wab co$ts Ad￿￿statIOrw c05t$ Bank Cth8rges Tralnlng Total Payments 5,$81 12,601 32,763 18,182 32.763 1,085 789 5,792 438 346 96 16,465 27.561 1.545 1,486 500 213 205 789 5,792 438 346 96 389 127 519 127 519 130 528 Not rocelptsllpaymontsl Transfers bètween funds Cash funds al slarl ol period Cash funds at end of perlod 5,320 113,3341 18.0141 3,525 13.222 18.542 87 054 73,720 100 278 92,262 100.276 Unre8trlctod funds Restrlcted funds Endowrnant funds Total th18 perlod Total thls perfod Cash BalanGes Communty Account 18,542 73,720 92,262 100,276 There are no other monetary assets, investment assets or liabilitles. There are no assets retained for the charity's own use For and on behalf of the truslees Signature Print Name Dale of approval ....trro. rtrH.o)cJsS P8ge 1

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end cco erfsR f All ley for ded rch2 492 Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examiner The charity's trustees are responsible forthe preparation of the accounts. The charitls trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144 of the Charities Act 20111"the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 14515)Ibl of the Charities Act, and; to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent Examiner's Statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view. Independent Examiner's Statement In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with s.130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning 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. The only other matter in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report is that four restricted funds brought forward with very Small balances have been consolidated into another larger restricted fund of similar purpose. C M Welch FCA, Shilbum Road, Allendale 29 May 2025