**Activity Report** 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023
**The Stones Community Trust:** Official charity of Maidstone United Football Club
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The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Contents**
**Foreword 03 04 Funding**
|**Projects**|**05**|
|---|---|
|FitStones|05|
|U11 Boys Football|07|
|Tournament||
|U11 Girls Football|08|
|Tournament||
|Fit4Life|10|
|Schools Out|11|
|Holiday Club||
|MindStones|14|
|Maidstone United|15|
|Raiders FC||
|WalkingSTONES|16|
|Wildcats|17|
|FAWrient Express|17|
|Miscellaneous|18|
## **Summary**
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The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Foreword**
_I am delighted to write a few words to introduce this report into the activities of The Stones Community Trust in 2023._
_We set up this charity some six years ago in order to formalise the club’s community activities and give us an avenue to further funding in order to enable our presence and usefulness to grow._
_We knew there was a real need for support in so many different areas of the local community and that the football club could be used as an effective base for this._
_It has not been an easy ride but now after many years of hard work from Chairman Mike Littleboy, Mike Cogger and the rest of the team the Trust is in an excellent place, delivering valuable community projects and underlining the fact that Maidstone United is a force for good that goes way beyond a Saturday matchday._
_I am immensely proud of what the Trust is achieving through its thoughtful and steady management. Long may it continue to serve the local community in a truly meaningful way._
**Oliver Ash**
Joint-Owner Maidstone United Trustee
The Stones Community Trust (SCT) is the non-profit making charity of Maidstone United Football Club, delivering various community projects in the Maidstone area. The SCT is a CIO, has seven trustees and is registered at The Charity Commission under registration number 1184274. From 01 October 2023, we created a forward facing campaign brand, Stones In The Community (SITC).
The SCT has been in existence since 2018.It is financially and operationally independent from the Club. The Trust is funded solely by Grants from various bodies and sponsorship from community partners. It also governs disabled sport within Maidstone United Raiders (more than 150 junior and adult members) as well as Walking Football (more than 60 members aged over 50).
Our objective: to provide activity and interventions in support of the people of Maidstone in areas of Wellbeing and Health; Sporting development activity and social interaction. We also provide or assist in the provision
of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Funding**
Funding for our Activities during this financial year was received from numerous organisations including:
- Maidstone United FC
- The National League Trust
- The Education People (HAF)
- Kent County Council
- Golding Homes
- Safer Kent,
- Civil Service Insurance Society (CSIS)
- Wellbeing People
- Maidstone Borough Council
- Sibley Pares
- Costco
- Charities Trust (Barclays)
- Charlton Athletic
- T&L Pickett
- Charitable Giving
- Cohesion Design
- Clock House Farm
as well as funds from many Schools (for coaching) and from membership and training
fees from Maidstone United Raiders, Stones Wildcats and WalkingSTONES Football.
The Trustees offer huge thanks to all organisations who supported our activities this year.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Pro ects j**
## **FitStones**
## Primary FitStones
The SCT/SITC provided football and multisports coaching at 17 local Primary Schools during this financial year. These sessions took place at Allington, The Discovery School, Greenfields, Harrietsham, Hunton, Lenham, Mole Hill, North Borough, Oaks, Palace Wood, Park Way, Snodland, South Borough, Tiger, Tree Tops, VIAT East Borough and Wateringbury.
We also provided coaching and specialist kit and equipment at the special educational needs school, Five Acre Wood.
**Funding for these sessions was either provided free of charge, from school funds and/or by parents. B&B Coaching helped us by providing some of the coaches for this programme.**
Referees were provided by us for various tournaments for Maidstone Borough primary schools, most of which took place at Greenfields Community Primary School; we also provided referees at Langley Park and Valley Park.
Coaching also took place at some local Secondary Schools including Valley Park and Maplesden Noakes.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **FitStones**
## FitStones @ VIPS East Borough
During late 2022 and early 2023, and in conjunction with Strictly Fitness, Energise Fitness and Wellbeing People we delivered a wellbeing programme to around 20 children and parents over a 4 week period as a trial for a future wider programme. This was received well but some tweaks were needed to the course materials and delivery to make it more engaging for 5 – 11 year olds. Those who attended all the sessions were then invited to undertake a stadium tour of The Gallagher and had a really great time.
## FitStones at the Gallagher
Weekly exercise and wellbeing course at the Gallagher Stadium in partnership with Strictly Fitness, Energise Fitness and Wellbeing People.
We ran two x 13-week programmes during 2023 aiming to improve men and women’s wellbeing, fitness, provide lifestyle guidance, weight and nutritional guidance.
This programme was supported by Maidstone Borough Council as part of their
**A total of 208 places have been provided on our FitStones programme. The cohorts gained a combined total of 119 wellbeing years by completing our courses.**
Health Inequalities initiative. Partial funding was also obtained from The National League Trust.
FitStones 5 took place on Wednesday lunchtimes between March and June 2023 and involved 13 weeks’ work for only 3 participants who completed the course, a total of 39 places provided. This cohort gained 17 wellbeing years by completing this course.
FitStones 4 took place between April and July 2023 and involved 13 weeks’ work for 13 participants, a total of 169 places provided. This cohort gained 102 wellbeing years by completing this course.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Under 11 bo s football tournament y**
**Funding for this event was kindly provided by The National League Trust, CSIS and Wellbeing People.**
On Wednesday 12 October 2022, 36 of Maidstone’s Primary School Teams (Allington, Archbishop Courtenay, Barming, Boughton Monchelsea, Bredhurst, Brunswick House, Coxheath, The Discovery School, East Farleigh, Greenfields, Harrietsham, Hunton, Kings Hill, Kingswood/Platts Heath, Laddingford, Langley Park, Lenham, Loose, Marden, Molehill, More Park, North Borough, Oaks, Palace Wood, Park Way, Roseacre,
Senacre Wood, South Borough, St Johns, St Marks, Tiger, Tree Tops, Ulcombe/Leeds and Bromfield, Valley Invicta Aylesford, Valley Invicta East Borough and West Borough) or around 360 male footballers took part in a Mini World Cup tournament at The Gallagher Stadium with a chance of representing Maidstone United at the South-East Regional finals.
Despite finishing third in their group, The Discovery School, representing Morocco, were crowned champions after a 3-0 win in the final against Loose Primary School, representing Spain, who were runners-up. They progressed to the South East Regional Finals at Bromley on 16 March 2023 but were unlucky not to make it to the South Regional Finals at Slough Town.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Under 11 irls football tournament g**
**Funding for this event was kindly provided by The National League Trust, CSIS and Wellbeing People.**
On Monday 27 February 2023, 34 of Maidstone’s Primary School Teams (Allington, Archbishop Courtenay, Barming, Boughton Monchelsea, Brunswick House, Coxheath, Greenfields, Harrietsham, Hunton, Kings Hill, Langley Park, Leeds and Bromfield & Kingswood, Lenham, Loose, More Park, North Borough, Palace Wood, Park Way, Roseacre, Senacre Wood, Snodland, South Borough, St Francis, The Discovery School, Tiger, Tree Tops, Trottiscliffe, Tunstall, Ulcombe & Platts Heath, VIPS at Aylesford, VIPS at East Borough, VIPS at Leybourne Chase, Wateringbury and West Borough) or
around 340 female footballers took part in a Mini World Cup tournament at The Gallagher Stadium with a chance of representing Maidstone United at the South-East Regional finals. It was a great success and we even got some screen time on BBC South East Today!
A special mention and thanks goes to the girls and boys who joined us from both Maplesden Noakes and Valley Park Schools as helpers. Thanks also to The Mayor and other representatives of Maidstone Borough Council who kindly provided their free time on the day to help with giving out medals, certificates etc. Equally, to the
helpers who attended from sponsors CSIS (who also kindly provided their free time on the day to help with giving out medals, certificates), Golding Homes and Wellbeing People. Thank you also to another funding partner, The National League Trust for their support. Palace Wood Primary School (Paraguay) won in the final 2-0 against a strong Coxheath (Australia) side.
The South East Regional Finals were held at Bromley FC on 16 March 2023 and Palace Wood finished second overall which meant they were through to the Southern Regional Finals at Slough Town. On Tuesday 18 April 2023, Palace Wood attended the
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Under 11 irls football tournament g**
Southern Regional Finals at Slough Town and won the Tournament! Playing as Maidstone United in Stones colours, they defeated Bromley Girls 2-1 after extra Time. On 13 May 2023, Palace Wood Primary School wearing Maidstone United kit played the National League Trust U11 Girls final at Wembley Stadium and National League Play Off day beating Scarborough Athletic on Penalties after 3-3 draw. What a day for all concerned especially the Girls!
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Fit4Life**
## Fit4Life
Working with Safer Kent, The Young Lives Foundation and Kent Police; our courses were held over 12 weeks offering Football Coaching and an Educational Qualification in Football as well as some Social Activity for disengaged youngsters from Maidstone Secondary Schools, aged 11 to 16 years old. This was fully funded by Safer Kent (Kent Police Charity).
Fit4Life 3 started in September 2022 and eventually completed in December 2022. We were able to provide 55 free places to Participants. Sports Connect, a local Kent business, helped us with delivery of some of this particular programme.
## Fit4Life @ Valley Park
From January 2023 and for the remainder of the Academic Year ending in July 2023, we worked at VIAT Valley Park School delivering a Fit4Life programme offering football coaching and educational teaching 1 or 2 days a week for disengaged youngsters, aged 11 to 16 years old. Over the duration of this course, all students who took part benefitted from attending. It has had a positive effect on their behaviour and overall school life. During Terms 3 to 6, 92 students attended our Sports Leadership course. In addition, 14 Students attended our 6th Form Open Careers Forum. There were also 15 students from Year 7 attending our practical football session(s). That’s a total of 121 students attending our courses.
**This was fully funded with thanks by VIAT Valley Park. B&B Coaching and Nathan Baker helped us with delivery of this particular programme.**
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Schools Out Holida Club y**
**A total of 529 places were provided at our October 2022 clubs.**
We have been running this Programme during school holidays and half terms since our existence in 2018 in Shepway and Parkwood, Maidstone and in Tovil, Maidstone since Easter 2022.
## October 2022
In October 2022, we ran a 4 day programme at Greenfields Community Primary School in Shepway, Maidstone ME15. We provided 102 places with free snacks etc over the half term.
In October 2022, we ran a 4 day programme at South Borough Primary School in Tovil, Maidstone, ME15. We provided 319 places with free snacks etc over the half term.
In October 2022, we ran a 3 day programme at VIPS @ East Borough Primary School in Maidstone ME14. We provided 108 places with free snacks etc over the half term.
## Christmas/new Year 2022
At Christmas/New Year 2022, we ran a 4 day programme at Greenfields Community Primary School in Shepway, Maidstone ME15. We provided around 96 places with free hot meals and snacks over that period.
**A total of 148 places were provided at our Christmas/New Year 2022 clubs.**
At Christmas/New Year 2022, we ran a 2 day programme at Tree Tops Primary Academy in Parkwood, Maidstone ME15. We provided around 52 places with free hot meals and snacks over that period.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Schools Out Holida Club y**
**A total of 303 places were provided at our May/June 2023 clubs.**
## February 2023
In February 2023, we ran a 4 day programme at Greenfields Community Primary School in Shepway, Maidstone ME15. We provided 146 places with free snacks etc over the half term.
In February 2023, we ran a 3 day programme at South Borough Primary School in Tovil,
**A total of 374 places were provided at our February 2023 clubs.**
Maidstone, ME15. We provided 96 places with free snacks etc over the half term.
In February 2023, we ran a 4 day programme
at Tree Tops Primary Academy in Parkwood, Maidstone ME15. We provided 132 places with free snacks etc over the half term.
Due to personnel changes, we didn’t run a
schools out programme over Easter 2023.
## May/June 2023
In May/June 2023, we ran a 4 day programme at Greenfields Community Primary School in Shepway, Maidstone ME15. We provided around 191 places with free snacks over that period.
In May/June 2023, we ran a 4 day programme at South Borough Primary School in Tovil, Maidstone ME15. We provided around 112 places with free snacks over that period.
Clock House Farm kindly provided free fruit and vegetables for both the above clubs.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Schools Out Holida Club y**
## Summer 2023
During Summer 2023, we ran a four week, four days a week programme at Greenfields Community Primary School in Shepway, Maidstone, ME15. We provided 742 HAF and non-HAF registered places with free hot meals and snacks over that period.
**A total of 1,028 places were provided at our summer 2023 clubs.**
We ran a four week, four days a week programme and provided 286 HAF and non-HAF registered places with free hot meals and snacks over that period.
Due to building works, we were unable to run any courses at Tree Tops Primary Academy in Parkwood, Maidstone ME15.
**In summary, from October 2022 to end of the Summer 2023, we provided around 2,382 registered places at our Schools Out programme funded partly by Kent County Council via The Education People (HAF), The National League Trust and Golding Homes.**
We were also able to use South Borough Primary School in Tovil, Maidstone, ME15.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **MindSTONES**
each week in order to benefit their mental health. That’s 860 places during the current financial period! Initially, the crop of players didn’t want any new members but recently, this programme has expanded with new players attending each week training out of Valley Park School.
## A Head In The Game legacy project
Prior to November 2022, The SCT/SITC were approached by another local Organisation (now a Registered Charity) known as Head In The Game (HITG) about taking over their Men’s Mental Health and Wellbeing programme. To the end of September 2023 (around 43 weeks), we have been funding and providing football for around 20 players
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Maidstone United Raiders**
Maidstone United Raiders FC are part of the SCT/SITC. With more than 150 pan-disability players registered from ages youth to adult, they are the largest pan disability club in Kent.
The Raiders continue to break records and setting new milestones in disability football; the Club has grown in teams and numbers every year by proactive recruitment in the community and signposting players to local teams.
Some Raiders players are also taking the Duke of Edinburgh award, some work experience and employment at Maidstone United Men’s First Team games to help them find jobs in the wider community.
Raiders also have a mental health champion to support players and parents and have an in-house network to support players, identify and assist with ongoing issues to support the Raiders families.
2024 will see 20 years of Maidstone United disability football.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Walkin STONES g**
Maidstone United Walking Football FC are part of the SCT/SITC catering for Men over 50 years old. There are around 60 members playing matches in a Kent League, friendlies and Tournaments as well as training at The YMCA in Maidstone.
On Sunday 30 April 2023, we delivered a Walking Football Tournament with teams from all over London, Kent and Sussex held at The Gallagher Stadium. This was also a huge success.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Wildcats**
On 7 August 2023, we started a 1 hour programme each Monday evening to encourage young girls to participate in football. This is a paid initiative and runs from The Gallagher. There are currently around 20 to 30 girls playing each week – this is for girls who don’t belong to a team but just wish to come along and play football in a safe and secure environment with their friends. This is partnered with Maidstone United Women’s and Girls section as well as Kent FA and Weetabix.
## **FAWrient Express**
a café to be run on behalf of Costa. We also assisted with purchase (at no cost to the SCT/SITC) some Railwayana for the new Café which will be open in Autumn 2024.
Using our various contacts and at no cost to the SCT/SITC, we were able to provide a 64ft 1970’s first class buffet car to Five Acre Wood School (Special Needs) in Maidstone. This was for a pathway for their students via
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Projects** continued
## **Miscellaneous**
## Sponsorship
The SCT/SITC sponsored the Maidstone & District Schools Girls U11s team and provided some training kit.
We also donated funds to some of Maidstone United’s Academy (supported by Cornwallis Academy) coaches to purchase SCT/SITC branded training kit and essential equipment so they could work in schools. We also put some of the coaches through an FA Level 1 coaching course. We also attended some School Fetes to widen the name of The SCT/SITC.
We funded Referee course for 11 Valley Park Students in January 2023 and around 10 MUFC Academy students in March 2023.
We provided some new nets at VIPS East Borough.
We provided some new School kits for Tree Tops Primary Academy and Lenham Primary School.
Students from some schools including Maplesden Noakes given free entry
to Maidstone United Men’s First Team home games.
We hosted and delivered a girls only sporting event day at The Gallagher during March 2023.
During Spring and Summer 2023, we assisted Charlton Athletic Community Trust with their football and sports delivery every day for around 12 weeks around the Borough but specifically Marden, Shepway, Parkwood and Tovil.
And much more!
## Staff and training
During the financial year, we continued to
provide access to training for our Delivery Partners as well as ensuring they had the appropriate DBS and Safeguarding certificates in place.
A number of key personnel also took the Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Lead training to enable us to further help young people with the programmes that we deliver.
Schools Out summer staff completed courses in Safeguarding as well as Food Allergy Awareness, Food Hygiene, mental health awareness as well as First Aid.
Lorraine Humm as Community Development Officer and Dillon Rogers as Assistant Community Development Officer were both appointed in January/February 2023 to develop and grow our Charity.
## Academy partnership
We had numerous Maidstone United Academy players (supported by Cornwallis Academy) working with us to assist delivery of our Programmes; we want to develop this relationship over the next financial year.
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
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## **Summary**
The Trustees are extremely pleased with all the activities that The SCT/SITC has undertaken to year ending 30 September 2023. We helped and made positive changes to so many people from the Maidstone Community.
The change in personnel in March 2023 took some time to transition but we are now excited and re-energised to develop and grow The SCT/SITC to be the premier provider in Maidstone.
The Trustees of The Stones Community Trust For Year Ending 30 September 2023 End of Activity Report
The Stones Community Trust: **Activity Report 01 October 2022 - 30 September 2023**
The Stones Community Trust Gallagher Stadium James Whatman Way Maidstone Kent ME14 1LQ Tel: 01622 606449 Registered charity number: 1184274 © The Stones Community Trust, 2024 **stonesinthecommunity.org** stones in the community **@stonestrust** The Stones Community Trust
## **The Stones Community Trust**
## **Profit and Loss Accounts from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023**
**Profit and Loss Account as at 30 September 2023**
|||**Totals**|
|---|---|---|
|**Income**|||
|National League Trust|£|12,600.00
|
|The Education People (HAF)|£|14,721.43
|
|Goldings|£|6,500.00
|
|Safer Kent|£|2,140.00
|
|CSIS|£|1,500.00
|
|Maidstone Borough Council|£|10,000.00
|
|Snack Bar (Tournaments)|£|1,058.38
|
|Primary FitStones|£|19,868.00
|
|Charlton Athletic Coaching|£|2,462.50
|
|Wildcats|£|665.00
|
|Schools Out Donations|£|560.00
|
|Donations|£|1,494.90
|
|HITG Legacy|£|-
|
|Walking Football|£|1,430.00
|
|MU Raiders FC|£|5,515.00
|
|**Total Income**|**£**|**80,515.21**
|
|**Expenditure**|||
|Staff|-£|11,970.00
|
|Pitch/Room Hire|-£|5,581.80
|
|IT/Auditors/KCFA|-£|4,994.95
|
|Coaching|-£|60,366.00
|
|Refereeing|-£|1,825.00
|
|Kit, Equipment & Medals|-£|6,873.77
|
|Resources|-£|5,611.55
|
|Walking Football|-£|1,814.00
|
|MU Raiders FC|-£|4,005.00
|
|HITG Legacy|-£|1,674.98
|
|**Total Expenditure**|**-£**|**104,717.05**
|
||||
|**2022/2023 Deficit**|**-£**|**24,201.84**
|
|**RECONCILE CASH POSITION**|||
|Actual Cash Position at Bank as at 1 October 2022|£|61,674.27
|
||||
|Actual Cash Position at Bank as at 30 September 2023|**£**|**37,472.43**
|
|Less Monies Yet to be Paid|£|-
|
||£|37,472.43
|
|**Balance:**|**-£**|**24,201.84**
|
## **The Stones Community Trust**
## Independent Examiner's Report
## To The Trustees Of The Stones Community Trust
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Stones Community Trust for the year ended 30 September 2023.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation 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 all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. The accounts to not accord with those records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
## Loucas
Loucas Chartered Certified Accountants The Carriage House Mill Street Maidstone Kent ME15 6YE
Dated: 24 April 2024