Group Manager Report
I would firstly like to thank you all for coming our AGM is well practiced and will be really short so we can all enjoy the rest of the quiz evening.
As you know RUSH 2The DEN is a unique place run by very dedicated DBS checked volunteers.
I really can’t believe it has been 11 years since we opened the doors for the first time.
RUSH 2The DEN Building is Nonprofit Community venture housing 2 local charities: RUSH 2The DEN Tots & Adults – 1172562 AND RUSH 2The DEN Youth Club – 1175976 with just 3 serviceable rooms, - The main hall, Independence room and Snug. we move things and adjust layouts continuously to enable the numerous usage options that help to support over 6300 people annually.
What a year we have had!
RUSH 2The DEN have been honoured with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. This nomination is the highest Award offered in the UK. To be nominated is a huge honour.
Last year year we launched our Onwards and Upwards fundraising campaign to lower the ceiling in here, put in a mezzanine floor to house 2 family/ befriending rooms, a counselling room, Group meeting room and a much needed office space and oh so needed dedicated food donations area too.
We raised the £10k required to get the planning application underway last year and I am very pleased to be able to report that after 10 months of waiting, the planning permission has been granted. Further to that we are already 25% of the way to raising the money estimated to get the project done. On Thursday of this week we received a cheque to cover the Mezzanine floor, from Asda Foundation for £20k, Last month Rusty and Rainbow completed the 5 Peaks Challenge as a sponsored event and DSV donated £1015 towards storage. We still have a long way to go but we have the starting blocks with the Mezzanine floor and everything is starting to look very real.
Tots & Adults is open to all babies, tots & adults 9.15-2.45 daily. Where, through play activities, we believe in 'Inspiring young people to achieve' offering opportunities to gain, increase & develop skills. Sessions usually include Messy Play, Stay N Play, Sensory Play, Crafty Fingers Soft Play, Interactive & Push Pull play. Dad’s Stay N Play Sessions monthly too. The Tots groups have grown in momentum each year and having remained at only £2.50 per child since the start we have every intention to continue this high value, low cost learning through play that so many have benefitted from through the past decade.
Seeing those first babies through the doors, now an active part of our Youth Club.
Youth Club, we are an award-winning unique youth club;
The activities are varied and will meet the needs of all who wish to attend between 5 and 17 years old. Our sessions provide a learning opportunity through weekly themes including cooking, crafts, team games, music, canoeing, camping, life skills.
Given its 'inclusive policy' no young person will be denied access because of affordability. Sensitive arrangements will be put in place where and when necessary to enable our special events to be attended by all.
I am very pleased to say that this year has once again seen a very steady growth throughout the age ranges.
Youth Club leader team helped fundraise at our stall and at the coffee shop in Rushden Hall at The Party in the Park and the Rushden Town Light Switch On event, all whilst increasing awareness for RUSH 2The DEN.
I would like to thank NCKC for assisting us with their equipment and qualified Coaches during our canoeing and kayaking at NCKC in Northampton where each session was fully attended.
Our resident DJ’s Pumbaa entertained us with discos at Halloween, Christmas, our Onesie Disco for Valentines and other various parties held at RUSH 2The DEN
Stay-Awake was a fabulous success with shattered youth club members plus their leaders left our building shortly after 8am having stayed awake all night, yet surprisingly were still smiling ☺
This year I was unable to attend the Waendel Walk, Rainbow Took up the reigns and led the team. Our young people (and older) walked with walkers from across the globe, always in high spirits and very determined to complete the 18 mile (30 km) over the 3 days, with only a couple of blisters between them! Some staying away from home for the very first time too… ☺ I am exceptionally proud of each and every one of our young people and the volunteer team supporting them.
The challenge week this year I was relegated to the minibus as support, yet again Rainbow and Rusty, joined by Pumbaa led our 11+ on the 65 mile Northumberland Coastal Path..
I am proud to report that we have had over 160 young people through our doors this year alone with approximately 90 regularly attending Youth Clubs each week, this is due to the fabulous team of voluntary leaders and supporters making Youth Club so enjoyable for the young people and 4387 Tots visited in the past year.
Many people sometimes forget that our leaders are all volunteers, giving up their time and effort for the young people to enjoy youth club activities. All Volunteer Leaders in all sections are the backbones to what makes RUSH 2The DEN Youth Club and Tots & Adults the success it is and without them RUSH 2The DEN would not be here for the young people and their families.
For Youth Club We have a small executive committee to run the administration of the group. This consists of the Primary Leaders, Rainbow & Sunshine representing 5:7’s,
Speedy representing 8:10’s, Pumbaa 11:14’s, Kiki , Freedom & Freedom Fliers, Rusty & Gruffalo for IndepenDENce and the very welcomed help of Beverley who are group treasurer, Rafiki Vice Chair, Kiki is our Safeguard Lead, Rusty as group secretary providing much needed support in this area and Pumbaa our group Chair who keeps us under control at our meetings.
For Tots & Adults We have another small executive committee to run the administration of the group. This consists of the Primary Volunteers for each day, Rainbow, Daffodil, Sunshine, Meadow, Nala and the very welcomed help of Jewel our group treasurer, Meadow Vice Chair, Dragonfly is our Tots Safeguard Lead Daffodil as group secretary providing much needed support in this area and Rainbow our group Chair who keeps us under control at our meetings.
I would like to say a special thank you to Bomber for not only fixing the floor, sorting the leaky pipes and all the other maintenance bits and bobs this old building needs to keep it up to code and safe for us to use.
We could do with a couple of parents to help us on the executive and be the independent voice of our Young People for each charity. We do try to keep meetings to a minimum and meet 4-5 times per year; help would be gratefully received please contact me if you are able to assist.
I hope I have not forgotten anyone, but I would like to say a few more thank you’s… to the teams at NAYC for their support and particularly DBS checks, Rushden Town Council members for their ever continuing advice and encouragement, the Ladies from Inner Wheel, and Rotary members for their support and Donations, Mark at First Aid and Richard from NAYC for your invaluable support and numerous crafting evening options and for our Paddle Coach Bomber from NCKC ☺
Thank you to the parents who bring their children each week and for your support in the fundraising events which the groups have run.
Finally but most definitely not least, my grateful thanks to all the volunteer leaders in both charities for the time and commitment they give providing the fun, safe environment for your babies, children and young people..
Kindest regards
River
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