THE JUNO PROJECT: ANNUAL REPORT 2024/2025
Contents
Our mission and vision ............................................................................................ 2 Background ............................................................................................................ 2 Legal overview ........................................................................................................ 3 Leadership ............................................................................................................. 3 A note from our trustees .......................................................................................... 4 Our Strategy and Theory of Change ........................................................................... 4 Our Year ................................................................................................................. 6 Our work in schools ................................................................................................. 6 Demographic data................................................................................................... 7 Our impact – work in schools ................................................................................... 8 Our work in the community ...................................................................................... 9 Our Impact – Community Work ................................................................................ 9 HAF – Summer Provision ........................................................................................ 11 Parent comment: .................................................................................................. 11 Junior Citizen – Crawley Borough Council ................................................................ 12 Thank you to our funders........................................................................................ 12
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Our mission and vision
The Juno Project’s mission is to enthuse, encourage and empower marginalised and vulnerable young women, whose circumstances may lead to a reduction in life choices.
Following its inception in 2017, The Juno Project has supported over 700 girls and young women to grow their confidence and self-esteem and to stay engaged in their education, using a strengths-based approach, rooted in lived experience.
Current research shows that young women make up the highest-risk group for mental health issues. A quarter of young women self-harm – more than twice the rate for young men, and this figure is growing. Numerous studies acknowledge that being able to manage emotions is critical for achievement, and the ability to establish positive relationships. Dysregulation due to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) impacts negatively on executive function and there is a strong correlation between poor mental health and ACE, which are now widely acknowledged as being detrimental across a range of ongoing and diverse life outcomes, including physical health and longevity.
As a result, many girls and young women (GYW) with unmet emotional needs and untapped potential, leave school without the environment or tools they need to grow beyond their trauma and challenge, nurture their self-worth and recognise their abilities and aspirations. This issue has huge implications for the life outcomes of all these young women, along with the family unit and society at large, placing strain on social institutions, health, well-being, and community resources.
We provide positive female role models, with lived experience of overcoming childhood challenges, to generate trust, and create safe and reflective environments in which young women can begin to explore their experiences and learn tools to help emotional regulation. All our work is framed by the question:
'What are your gifts and how will you use them?
Our vision is a world where all young women can develop the confidence, selfawareness, and empowerment to reach their fullest potential, share their gifts and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Background
The Juno Project was set up in 2017 by Ali Golds, a coach, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur who was named by The Independent as one of 20 female ground breakers of 2017. Ali is a survivor of childhood and adult trauma, and she set up The Juno Project to make a positive difference to the lives of young women and girls, with an initial focus on supporting participants to avoid school exclusion, through growing confidence, aspiration, entrepreneurism, and employability.
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The current CEO began her tenure in January 2022, pulling together with an all new, skilled, and committed board of trustees to provide robust governance, to generate financial stability and to use our agility as a small organisation to adapt our work to meet new and emerging issues and to better meet the needs of our stakeholders.
Legal overview
FOUNDER: Ali Golds
FOUNDING PROPOSALS: To advance in life young women of school age who have experienced significant challenges
BUSINESS LOCATION: 49 Station Road, Polegate, Sussex, BN26 6EA
LEGAL FORM: The Juno Project, Charity number 1176628
CEO: Sanchia Ryan
START OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITY: January 2017
FINANCING: Funded through donations from grant funders, foundations, and private individuals
FUTURE PLANS: To reach greater numbers of GYW by extending our work beyond the school environment and into the local community, and to grow our influence and impact through collaborative working, innovation and social action.
Leadership
CEO : Sanchia Ryan
Trustees:
Chair: Geoff Cherrill, appointed 6/6/22
Finance-focused trustee: Emma Banks, appointed 4/2/22
Marketing-focused trustee: Alex Gray, appointed 3/12/21
Youth Trustee: Farida Yahaya, appointed 26/6/25
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A note from our trustees
“We have seen another very positive year at The Juno Project. We have successfully built upon our core work with schools with a wider variety of workshops and sessions. These have allowed us to continue our work on creating a more sustainable organisation.
We are very proud to have secured additional funding this year and are looking forward to seeing the positive impact this can have on the young women with work with. Once again, our facilitators have worked hard to deliver our programmes, and we are delighted that they remain such a crucial group of staff. Our trustees have remained consistent and continue to work to support our CEO in delivering our vision.
As always, we remain fully committed to our work and are very proud of the positive impact we have had on the young women who we have worked with this year. We are looking forward to continuing this work next year.”
- Geoff Cherrill, Chair of the Trustees
Our Strategy and Theory of Change
As a small charity, working in an increasingly competitive funding environment and facing greater demand for our service, our strategic plan supports us to effectively direct our momentum and growth. The pillars of our current strategic vision are as follows:
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Our Year
In 2024–25, we made significant progress in strengthening the resilience and sustainability of The Juno Project. Alongside securing new sources of grant funding, we began reducing our reliance on grants by developing more diverse and sustainable income streams. This included commissioned work with local partners, and increasing our donation revenue by broadening our outreach to a wider range of potential supporters, including local festivals and community events. To support our continued growth, we welcomed a new marketing professional to the team—bringing fresh expertise and improving how we share our impact with the community. We took deliberate steps to widen representation within our organisation, actively recruiting from more diverse communities to ensure our team better reflects the young people we serve. We strengthened youth leadership within our governance by appointing a youth trustee who previously participated in our programme, and began planning the establishment of our youth board, which launched in late 2025.
Demand for Juno’s support continued to rise throughout 2024–25, reflecting both the needs of young women across West Sussex and the trust that schools, wider organisations and families place in our work. We secured funding to strengthen our team’s expertise in supporting young people affected by domestic violence, enabling all staff to undertake specialised training. In addition, a further successful funding bid allowed us to develop and train in a new strand of work, expanding the scope and depth of our provision. In 2024/25 we also supported girls in a wider range of contexts—not only in educational settings but also in community spaces and through more flexible delivery models tailored to individual need. We focused our work in Crawley on reaching young women who were not able to access mainstream education, and ran workshops for home educated young women in Chichester.
Collaboration remained central to our approach. We deepened partnerships with schools, early help-based services, and community organisations, to ensure a more coordinated and responsive support system for the girls we work with. Importantly, we elevated young people’s voices within these collaborations, involving them as active participants in shaping their own support. To ensure our work remains responsive and youth-led, we carried out a survey in 2024 asking young women what they most needed from our support. Seventy participants shared their views, giving us a strong evidence base to shape future provision.
Our work in schools
We believe that early intervention with girls and young women who are struggling with the impact of ACE, SEN need and/or mental health issues is key. Applying an intersectional lens to mental health and well-being, we deliver a range of coaching to
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girls and young women aged 12-16, in secondary school, either in small groups of 6-8, or one-to-one. Our core modules include Managing Uncomfortable Feelings; Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviours; Your Amazing Teen Brain; Self-Esteem, Self-Talk and the Inner Critic; Goal Setting; Core Beliefs and Values, and Relationships and Communication.
Between April 2024 – March 2025, we worked with 83 participants aged 12 – 16, running 10 programmes in 8 schools across West Sussex.
Demographic data
Our participants in 24/25:
Health
2% had a physical disability (i.e. hearing or visual impairment, or mobility difficulties)
23% were neurodivergent (incl. autism, ADHD or additional education or learning needs)
Engaging with school
20% struggled to engage with learning
30% had issues around attendance
23% created concerns about their behaviour
Personal information
26% are on pupil premium, with 25% entitled to free school meals
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11% are in a black or minority ethnic group
5% had been the victims of crime
3% engaged in risky behaviours, were on the Child Sexual Exploitation Register, or had been subject to child sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation concerns
2% were care experience young women
18% had been subject to abuse or neglect or were involved with statutory social care
Our impact – work in schools
Evaluation data over 24/25 showed that:
91% of young women reported improvements in their self-awareness.
92% of young women reported greater emotional regulation.
89% of young women reported improvements in their relationships.
82% of young women reported a greater sense of purpose.
Participant feedback
Here are some of the things our participants said about how the programme had impacted them:
“After the sessions I've been a lot happier. School was a struggle for me but these made school a better environment for me. I came in for these sessions.”
“Everyone gets time to talk about their own experiences. I like learning what's going on for other people. I feel less alone.”
“[I’ve learned] that I actually had a lot in me the whole time. I just kept putting it to the side and letting my worries take over.”
“One of the best groups I have ever been to. Fun, great #learntalot, creative, amazingly fun”
Feedback from teachers
In our feedback form, teachers frequently tell us that attendance has improved, engagement with the school and their lessons is more positive, and that the young women who attended the Juno Project have improved confidence and resilience.
We asked teachers, ‘What changes have you seen in students since the programme started?’
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“Students [are] more open with their feelings and speaking with staff and parents about how they are feeling.”
“I believe that some girls have become more open and trusting in the pastoral team and other adults in the school environment. I think the experience of the Juno Project also helped them to realise that many other students are experiencing similar concerns/anxieties, but often these concerns cannot just be 'solved' and can be complex.”
“For those that engaged in the programme well we have seen a more willing and open attitude to support. A reduced amount of internal truancy from some also.”
“The program has been great for our students, they all engaged and took a lot away from it. Attendance has improved for most and their confidence has grown.”
“All but one of the girls have been settled and proactive in lessons more with fewer referrals to their pastoral.”
“All the students engaged really well, and we have received great feedback from them all - one student told me that through the course they were able to identify that they had experienced manipulative friendships and how to handle these situations better. Others told me that it has helped with their attendance in school and with their relationships with themselves and others.”
Our work in the community
In the community, we delivered a range of programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of young women beyond mainstream education. This included one-day preventative programmes focused on domestic abuse awareness and healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, as well as broader 121 and group wellbeing support for girls unable to access our services through schools. We also developed a specialist wellbeing provision for home-educated young women, ensuring they had a safe, supportive space to build confidence, connection, and emotional resilience. We reached 58 young women across West Sussex, through partnership working with statutory services, youth clubs, and other community-based organisations, in addition to working directly with parents.
Our Impact – Community Work
83% of young women reported improvements in their self-awareness
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83% of young women reported greater emotional regulation.
100% of young women reported improved relationships.
83% of young women reported a greater sense of purpose.
Comments from participants:
“I like being able to express my feelings without being judged.”
“Everyone is kind. It helps me to understand myself and express my feelings. It puts me in a good mood!”
“I’m more able to cope with things. My whole personality has changed. I feel more confident in who I am. I feel like I belong.”
Parent comments:
“[My child] never engaged with any previous help until you guys. You are the most amazing people.”
“I think this is an amazing service for girls their age, the leaders were wonderful and incredibly sensitive to all the girl’s needs. Thank you so much!”
“Being in a girls only safe space, and able to discuss different topics freely [was positive]. It has been a good opener to conversations at home.at home. [My daughter] seems to have really taken on board the affirmations and this is helping her selfesteem.”
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HAF – Summer Provision
We contributed to the county’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme through a series of workshops funded by West Sussex County Council, offering our structured holiday provision ‘Summer Glow’ for young women in receipt of free school meals, which combined wellbeing support with positive, creative activities. We focused our work on Bognor Regis, Chichester and Horsham, offering 4 hours of daily provision, over 4 weeks, in each area. We saw 51 young women during this time and feedback from our sessions was overwhelmingly positive, from both parents and participants.
93% of participants said that they had enjoyed our sessions.
55% said they had learned something new about staying healthy.
88% said that they had made new friends.
92% said that they had been more active.
Parent comment:
“My daughter was very apprehensive about going to The Juno Project, as she never enjoys social groups and finds it difficult to interact with her peers. However, she came back from the first session absolutely buzzing with confidence and wouldn't stop talking about all the fun she had, and the friends she made - which doesn't normally come easily to her - and she asked to sign up for all the sessions! She has had the BEST time at the Juno Project and has really come out of her shell. I've never seen her enjoy a social group like this before. It is clear that the team really know what they are doing and have a gift and understanding to instil confidence in girls to see them grow into their potential. Thanks for giving my daughter a boost.”
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Junior Citizen – Crawley Borough Council
Every year, Crawley Borough Council organises an event called Junior Citizen, which teaches children life skills and how to stay safe. The Juno Project provided a workshop on body image this year to around 1000 Y7 children over 2 weeks.
Thank you to our funders
Allen Lane Foundation
Another Way Women’s Foundation
Crawley Borough Council Littlehampton Town Council
Mid Sussex District Council
Shanly Foundation Gatwick Airport Community Trust
Tesco Stronger Starts
The Albert Hunt Trust
The Henry Smith Charity
The National Lottery Community Fund
Woodward Charitable Trust
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The Juno Project 1176628 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period 01/04/2024 31/03/2025 To from
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 17,439 5,526 45 - - - - - 23,010 - - - 23,010 2,841 25,631 1,113 - - - - - - 29,585 - - - 29,585 - 6,575 - 15,711 9,136 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ 40,823 2,253 - - - - - - 43,076 - - - 43,076 21,142 - 1,418 - - - - - - 22,560 - - - 22,560 20,516 - 11,787 32,303 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 58,262 7,779 45 - - - - - 66,086 - - - 66,086 23,983 25,631 2,531 - - - - - - 52,145 - - - 52,145 13,941 |
Total funds to the nearest £ 58,262 7,779 45 - - - - - 66,086 - - - 66,086 23,983 25,631 2,531 - - - - - - 52,145 - - - 52,145 13,941 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant income | 17,439 | 32,008 | ||||
| Donations | 5,526 | 5,365 | ||||
| Bank interest | 45 | 89 | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
23,010 | 37,462 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | - | |||||
| Sub total | - | - | ||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||||
| 37,462 | ||||||
| Facilitators | 2,841 | 22,217 | ||||
| Support Services | 25,631 | 23,488 | ||||
| Office costs | 1,113 | 2,046 | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 29,585 | 47,751 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | ||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| 47,751 | ||||||
| - 6,575 | 20,516 | - | 13,941 | - 10,289 | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 15,711 | 11,787 | - | 27,498 | 37,787 | ||
| 9,136 | 32,303 | - | 41,439 | 27,498 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
22/01/2026
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Details Details Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 9,136 32,303 - - - - 9,136 32,303 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name G Cherrill |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| G Cherrill | 27.01/26 | ||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
22/01/2026
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's RÈport Report to the trusteesl members of The Juno Project CIS On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Charity no {if any) 1176628 Set out on pages 1 and2 I report lo the Irustees on my examination of the accDunls of the above charity I the Trust I for the year ended ) I MM l Yf Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basi5 of report of the aGcounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1 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 14515llbl 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.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the ac¢ounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statsment I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if Éhey do not apply. Signed: Date: 22 January 2026 Name: Vinela Cable Relevant professional qualification{sl or body {if any): F.C.C.A Address: Hammett Associates Limiled 8_1Q Queen Street, Sealon. Devon, EX12 2NY IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight mallers of concern (see CC32. Independent examination of charity aGcounls.' directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018