2024-03-31-accounts

THAME YOUTH PROJECTS YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT A PROBLEM TO SOLVE BUT A WONDER TO BEHOLD ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

ANNUAL REPORT

INTRODUCTION

OUR VISION

At Thame youth projects we act as a platform for all young people, between ages 11-18, living in Thame and the surrounding area, by providing advice, assistance and organised programmes of physical and educational activities. Through the support we offer young people we hope it will enable them to advance in life, as we help them develop their skills, capacities and capabilities, enabling them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals.

OUR PRIORITIES

This financial year has been about continuing the rebuilding of the services we provide to the young people, providing consistent support and activities, recruiting a Since securing our full-time youth worker, Hannah, at the start of the lastyouth worker and continuing with the vision for a community/youth centre in Thame. financial year, we’ve significantly expanded, developed, and enhanced thehappen. This year we have seen Illya Teideman step down as a Trustee and some weekly volunteers moving on to other activities. All these individuals have contributedAs always, I need to start with a massive thank you to the incredible volunteers and committee who have once again dug deep over the last year to make everything hugely into the development of Thame Youth Projects Group (TYPG) and will be missed dearly. We have been fortunate to gain new volunteers throughout the year and youth services across Thame and its swe are in the process of recr u iting Trustees to fill the skills gap on the committee.rrounding areas. Our key priorities have been to strengthen our partnership with Lord Williams’s School (LWS) and offer tailored support to young people based on their needs. By providing a comprehensive and diverse schedule of events, we’ve been able to increase our engagement with young people, both during school holidays and throughout the academic term.

ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

OUR THANK YOU'S

Before diving into this year’s highlights, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible volunteers and committee members. Your unwavering dedication has once again made everything possible.

We’re thrilled to welcome Sarah Welford to the board as a trustee this year; her exceptional knowledge and experience have brought new energy to our team.

Kitt Scott Gilbert has joined us to lead our IT support. He brings a wealth of knowledge and is guiding us on how to leverage technology to move forward. Welcome, Kitt!

As we reflect on everything we have accomplished and the young people we've had the pleasure of interacting with, it's important to extend a massive thank you to Hannah. Without her hard work, none of this would have been possible. During this time, she has also continued her own development by passing her Level 2 Award in Youth Work Principles with flying colours. Hannah is truly vital to all that we do.

A special thank you goes out to the young people who joined our activities and brought so much joy, and to the parents for trusting us with their children.

We are particularly proud of four young individuals who began their journey with us at Youth Cafe, advanced to Youth Zone, and have now returned as indispensable young leaders. Watching them grow into their volunteer roles and prepare for the next chapter of their lives has been truly rewarding.

John Savell, our incredible treasurer, founding member, and dedicated volunteer, has announced that this will be his final year as Treasurer. Words can't express how grateful we are for his unwavering support, guidance, friendship, and expertise over the past 12 years.

From the very beginning of this project, John's contributions have been instrumental in bringing us to where we are today.

He has worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition to Linda Smith, whom we warmly welcome as our new Treasurer and Trustee.

We are deeply appreciative that John will continue his commitment to our work with young people by volunteering, leading cooking sessions, and offering support. Thank you, John, for 12 years of dedication, support, and friendship.

Linda Newton Chair

OUR YEAR

OVERVIEW

We are proud to maintain a safe and supportive environment for the young people of Thame and the surrounding areas, even as we navigate various challenges. Thanks to the addition of a full-time youth worker and the dedication of our incredible team of volunteers, we have expanded our services to offer a broader range of opportunities and support for our youth

Over the last 52 weeks.....

• We supported 1321 young people

• We welcomed 76 new attendees

• We ran 10 holiday activities

• We hosted 141 young people at our holiday activities

• We hosted 50 young people at the Christmas party

TERM TIME

This year, we’ve continued to offer our weekly Youth Café for students in school years 7-9 and our bi-weekly Youth Zone for those in years 10-13. Both programs provide a variety of engaging and exciting activities, offering the youth of Thame a safe and supportive space to socialize. We’ve been pleased to welcome new participants to both activities throughout the year.

We’re especially grateful to Monkey Puzzle for generously hosting our Youth Zone following the closure of The Coffee House..

OUR HOLIDAY ACTIVITES

During the summer holidays, we collaborated with local agencies, including the Targeted Youth team from Oxfordshire County Council, to conduct detached sessions. These sessions involve engaging with young people in the places they naturally gather, such as parks, play areas, and skate parks. This approach provides a valuable opportunity to connect with a broader range of young people, discuss their concerns, and offer support..

We also expanded our holiday activity offerings, providing a wide range of experiences for our young people, including:

• Laser Tag Golf

• Movie Nights

• Activity Day

• Bowling

• Book Club

• Farm Walks

SCHOOL WORK

This year, Hannah has worked closely with Lord Williams’s School to support our young people through various initiatives. We have provided:

• 1:1 mentoring at the upper school

• Lunchtime engagement at both the lower and upper schools, connecting with new students

• Support during ACE (Alternative Curriculum Experience) week

• Assistance during summer school to welcome the new Year 7 students

• Participation in Future Fest, an event for Year 9 and above, featuring over 50 employers, colleges, universities, and training providers to discuss opportunities

• A Year 10 assembly on youth work, highlighting our services and how we can support students

• Guidance for young people exploring career opportunities

EVENTS

The Community

We work closely with the local community to support our activities and are fortunate to receive incredible backing from local organizations.

• Theo’s Skate Jam: We were honored to support this event in aid of Little Hearts Matter, raising £5,000. This is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting and empowering those affected by a diagnosis of single ventricle heart conditions. We look forward to partnering with them again in 2024.

• Summer of Skate: We partnered with South Oxfordshire District Council and ATB to deliver the Summer of Skate for young people. Despite the weather, the sessions were fun, interactive, and well-attended, with everyone having a great time. Santa Fun Run: We collaborated with Invictus Fitness Centre to host a Santa 5k run, raising £390 to support our work with young people in Thame. It was wonderful to see so many Santas, reindeer, and elves running through the streets of Thame!

• Lucy Electric:Their Christmas Jumper fundraiser supported our Christmas party and ongoing projects, raising over £400. Additionally, they generously donated the time of some of their engineers for our Activity Morning.

• CPM: A member of the CPM staff team completed the Three Peaks Challenge, provided graphic design support, and helped print our leaflets.

• A1 Martial Arts Kindly donated their time to run a session during our Activity Day. Thame Shed: Also generously volunteered their time to lead a session on our Activity Day.

• Red Kite Radio: Hannah joined John Reid-Hanson’s Sunday show to discuss TYP and our ongoing work. Red Kite Family Centre: Hannah attended an ND evening hosted by Red Kite, where she engaged with parents and professionals about the work we’re doing.

• TAG (Thame Alliance Group): We work alongside the Thame Alliance Group, which consists of representatives from various charities in Thame, collaborating on how best to support each other and the local community.

NEEDS

THE NEEDS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE

20% of children and young people have a mental health disorder (2023). There is also an increased risk of exploitation, involvement with the criminal justice system, increased risk of online harm, and the ongoing impact of the covid-19 pandemic.

Youth Workers are vital to addressing these issues and supporting our young people to overcome these barriers. However, England currently does not have an adequate workforce to meet this growing demand, as 4500 youth workers have been lost from the front line. From the NYA Manifesto - references at end of report.

Thame Youth Projects have provided support to a diverse group of young people, including those impacted by:

Poverty

• NEET (Not in education, employment, or training)

• Those experiencing domestic violence LGBTQIA+ issues

• Loneliness and social isolation Learning/physical disabilities Mental health Refugees and migrants

There is a growing need for more mentoring and one-on-one support to address their emotional wellbeing. While we strive to meet these needs, our current capacity, limited by the availability of youth workers and appropriate facilities, prevents us from fulfilling all the requests we've received. It's clear that incorporating this into our growth strategy is essential..

and many other young people

experiencing vulnerability and hardships.

NEEDS

OUR NEEDS

To continue and expand our work, we require the following :

• Funding: To ensure financial stability, support growth, and maintain our services.

• Volunteers: To strengthen our team and enhance our programs.

• Space to Meet: A permanent facility with dedicated spaces, including:

• Storage

• Office space

• Secure administrative areas

• Meeting rooms

• 1:1 spaces for private discussions

• Drop-in rooms for young people and parents

• Financial Stability: A regular income stream to sustain and grow the organisation.

• Ongoing Community Support: To maintain and build our presence in the community.

• Expansion of Our Team: Growing both our volunteer and paid staff to meet increasing demands.

PROJECTS

OUR COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTRE

Over the past year, we've collaborated with TTC to develop a Community Youth Centre on the recreation ground at Southern Road. With planning permission granted by SODC in March 2024, we're now refining the building's design to maximize its use for the community and young people. The next steps include obtaining cost estimates, finalising plans, and continuing our fundraising efforts to ensure the future of this important space.

ACCOUNTS

Financial Report Year 2023-2024

This is my last report as both Treasurer and Trustee, and I have handed over to the new Treasurer Linda Smith. The statement of accounts is as presented. The year has been one of reduction in income causing the charity to draw down heavily on the reserves.

We have received some income from the Town Council by way of a grant albeit substantially lower than in previous years, thankfully rectified this current year. Also, donations from Rotary, Inner Wheel, the Mayor’s charity, Paul Cowel, Thame Runners and CPM all of whom have been supportive of the charity.

The drawing down of the reserves is a matter of concern, it is approximately £45000 a year to cover the running costs providing the range of activities all free of charge at the point of use, no young person pays. Whilst the charity does not wish to preclude any person without substantial and regularly income, decisions will be required.

Our Youth worker Hannah does remarkable job, and it is essential that we are able to keep her going forward.

As already stated, it is my last year and also that of our Independent Examiner Gordon Taylor who has been very supportive of the charity over a number of years and also of myself as the Treasurer and I thank him for his advice and support.

The signed accounts are below having been duly examined by an independent accountant.

G John Savell Treasurer/Trustee 2023-2024

ACCOUNTS Thame Youth Projects Group {ClO) Accounts Year ending 31st March 2023 31st March 2024 Balance B/fwd £ 66,076.06 £ 94,329.53 Interest 31/0312022 402.00 £ 1,021.11 Donations Grant Income £ 13,222.09 £ 32,500.00 £ 8,366.99 £ 5,400.00 Internet, Telephone, Mobile Phone Mobile Phone Activity Cost Refreshment Costs Employment Costs Insurance Advertisin8 and Promotion Rent/Room Hire Staff Entertaining Staff Training Sundries Computer/Office Costs Legal, Professlonal Subscriptions 36S.30 327.72 £ 6,325.98 660.32 £ 4,981.22 603.64 740.95 £ 5,335.21 491.05 £ 27,697.65 622.52 200.69 £ 4,288.68 £ 3,027.25 295.00 160.19 964.00 160.00 64.20 267.26 668.25 78.00 Balances £ 112,200.15 £ 17,870.62 £94,329.53 £ 109,117.63 £ 40,454.46 £ 68,663.17 Bank Balances Current Account Savings Account Total £ 2,608.00 £ 91,721.15 £ 94,329.15 £ 3,901.59 £ 64,761.58 £ 68,663.17 Signed 3/4 I have examined the accounts and supporting papers of Thame Youth Proejcts Group CIO, Charity No 1187553 . for the year ended 31st March 2021*. I confirm no terial matters have come to my attention and believe the accounts are a true and fair statement. Signed Gordon Taylor Dated I THAME Y•UTH PROJEcrs

LOOKING FORWARD

OUR PLANS

Looking forward we are focusing on both the next 12 months together with the developing a longer term strategy for youth provision in Thame.

Our focus is to

grow youth work

grow volunteer and staff team

• 2024 more and varied activities for young people

• continue to work with LWS

• continue to work with TTC for the youth centre

• and develop the strategic growth/business plan to secure the future of Thame Youth Projects.

In 2024, we are projected to deliver:

• 22 Holiday Activities

• 37 Youth Cafés

• 25 Youth Zones

Additionally, our youth worker will continue providing weekly lunchtime support at both the lower and upper campuses of Lord Williams’s School, offering weekly mentoring at the upper campus, and assisting with non-curriculum activities.

FEEDBACK

Feedback on the year

‘Great fun, thanks to all TYP for organising another fantastic event’ Parent/Guardian via social media

‘Thanks to yourself and all the other volunteers for their time and help’

Parent/Guardian

‘I really enjoy everything we do at youth cafe’

Young person

‘You are doing a great job. My son loved the golf and the laser activity activity in the past. It's great to have holiday activities catering for the teenager age bracket as most holidays clubs are for younger or purely focus on sport.’

Parent/Guardian

‘Thank you for providing us with new food activities every week’ Young Person

‘A huge thank you to all of the volunteers for organising and running a wonderful event and of g course to Tom for being a brilliant host. It was a pleasure to meet you all.

My son had a fabulous afternoon and has learned so much about farming! The work you do for the young people is truly amazing’ Parent/Guardian via social media

‘Thank you for taking the time to do this and helping us’

Young Person.

‘It’s great to see children from different school years interacting and having fun with each other (who probably wouldn’t normally mix) in a kind and welcoming environment.’ Volunteer

‘I just started helping and I am blessed to have the opportunity in helping young people have fun in a safe environment and enjoying themselves with freedom and guidance without discrimination.’ Volunteer

‘The message on the website really resonated for me "young people are not a problem to solve...". I think giving young people the opportunity to have a safe "third space" outside their home and school is essential. Hopefully it will also provide them a chance to recognise their value, grow their confidence and maybe even discover some skills, talents and interests they never knew they had’

Volunteer

CONTACT US

OUR SOCIAL MEDIA

Contacts and social media www.thameyouthprojects.org.uk www.facebook.com/thameyouthprojects

www.instagram.com/thameyouthprojects/ [e-mail]

NYA Manifesto References: https://nya.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NYA-Manifesto-2024-%E2%80%93-Youth-work-for-all-young-people-1.pdf

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-inengland/2023-wave-4-follow-up#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20about%201%20in,20%20to%2025%20year%20olds.

https://nya.org.uk/youth-work-withschools/#:~:text=The%20Better%20together%3A%20Youth%20work,and%20the%20impact%20on%20pupils.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities-youth-provision/statutory-guidance-forlocal-authorities-on-services-to-improve-young-peoples-well-being