## **Annual Report Year End 2021 (31.08.19-30.01.21)** Listen-Hear! Registered Charity Number: 1173906 Registered Address: c/o Beacon Academy, North Beeches Lane, Crowborough, TN6 2AS Trustees: Sandra Andrew Steven Curtis Rosemary Jones Project Manager: Angela Kirby ## **Project Manager Comment** This financial year has been a difficult one, as the Uk and the rest of the world coped with Covid. We remained at the forefront of supporting our local community and deployed some funds in order to do this. We continued, where possible to support the young people that were previously working with us by way of text and email support during the day. We also had volunteers, and staff delivering food parcels, medicines and essentials to those in need, in an effort to support statutory services that were at breaking point. We have spent time building what hopes to be a new support service for the schools we are partnered with as Covid comes to end. I would personally like to thank our community partners and funders for this year; Beacon Academy & Heathfield Community College. Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, Sussex Community Foundation, Chalk Cliff Trust & Rag ‘n’ Bone Man. I look forward to what the next year has to bring, hopefully more stability for all of our young people affected by the crisis the whole world has encountered. Ange Kirby ## **Trustees Comments** We as trustees have been, like everyone in the country, struck by the difficulties emerging from the pandemic that has swept the world. The team of staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to try and offer some continuity to the young people and families they work with. This year has also seen the team try and support the local community further afield as Angela mentions in her report. The team have delivered essential items to vulnerable members of the community as part of the local community hub working with organisations within the area to best help those in need. The project continues to try and be autonomous, to this end is trying to be self-sufficient, with only small amounts of funding/grant bids. That said we have received funding from PCC Sussex, Chalk Cliff Trust & Sussex Community Foundation. We are lucky to have the ongoing support of Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and are grateful for his help this year. We all continue to be proud to be part of this, still sibling organisation that has big ambitions for the young people, families and schools they work with. We hope that the forthcoming plans for the support of young people comes to fruition as we hopefully come out of the pandemic and the stresses, losses and difficulties that has bought so many. We would like to thank Angela for her spirit and passion in all she does for the project and also the other volunteers, staff, partners and supporters of the project for their efforts this year. Steven, Rose & Sandra Listen-Hear is a CIO founded in July 2017 and is governed by constitution. ## **Summary of Objects (as set out in governing document)** - To act as a resource for young people and families living in Wealden - The promotion of social inclusion among parents and their children socially excluded from society - To relieve the mental and physical sickness/pain of young people and parents resident in Wealden suffering from mental health issues by provision of counselling and support for such persons - To educate young people (and parents) in matters of sexual health and develop amongst them a sense of responsibility with regard to sexual behaviour and personal relationships ## **Main Activities this year** - Support services to schools.1:1 drop in sessions for students Issues addressed have included; mental health and wellbeing, substance misuse, sexual health, family breakdown, sexuality, depression, education, behaviour, fostering, social skills, sexual health, anxiety, and budgeting. Approximately 100 young people have been referred (in varying tiers). There have been over 1000 1:1 (virtual and in person) sessions carried out during the year. The team delivered services across 3 Secondary Schools and the local community - Parent support services (in person and virtual) Advocacy support for parents in formal settings such as school meetings, education for parents around all of the issues above, 1:1 support sessions, parenting support work, signposting to services. Approximately 40 families have been supported with over 100 sessions carried out (virtual and in person). Families have also been supported with foodbank vouchers and hardship help - This year has also seen the team work with community hubs to help with the pandemic in the local community. We have provided support, food parcels, medicine delivery and general companionship to those in need/isolated during the pandemic ## **Financial Statement** (Reserve prior to gaining charitable status £10,000 on loan/gift basis, with further £20,000 on loan basis over 3 years (unoaid) and not accounted for in income & Expenditure.) Income: £24,782 Expenditure: £26,705 Accounts and annual report were approved at Trustees Meeting 1st July 2022 (overdue)