Woking Youth Annual Report I" April 2023- 31" March 2024 wtIKING YOUTH upportlng the fulur Woking Youth Registered charity number: 1192098 Annual Report and Accounts I, April 2023- 31, March 2024
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Table of Contents
Introduc�on ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Chief Execu�ve Report ........................................................................................................................... 7 Governance ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Ac�vi�es ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Future work .......................................................................................................................................... 14 Achievements and Performance ......................................................................................................... 15 Case studies ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Mental Health and Young People ........................................................................................................ 20 Financial review .................................................................................................................................... 21 Trustee declara�on ............................................................................................................................... 22 Accounts ................................................................................................................................................ 24
Page 2 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Introduc�on
Woking Youth is a dedicated youth charity commited to making a posi�ve impact on the lives of young people in the community of Woking. This report serves as a comprehensive overview of the charitable ac�vi�es undertaken by Woking Youth during what has been a challenging past year, highligh�ng our mission, accomplishments, and the transforma�ve effect of our youth-focused ini�a�ves.
Who We Are and What We Do
Founded in 2020 by two local youth workers who recognised the growing need for universal, free, and accessible youth work in Woking, Woking Youth has been steadfast in its commitment to empowering young people. We firmly believe in the profound and posi�ve impact that sustained youth support can have on shaping the future of the next genera�on. Through the provision of safe spaces and purposeful ac�vi�es, coupled with the guidance of posi�ve role models, we strive to encourage, engage, and empower young people, regardless of their circumstances.
Our mission is clear—to iden�fy and address the needs of the youth in Woking. At the core of our approach is a dedica�on to placing young people at the heart of everything we do, valuing their knowledge, ideas, and skills as integral components in shaping our prac�ces and services. Central to our philosophy is a passionate commitment to championing and celebra�ng the successes of every young person we meet.
Collabora�on is a cornerstone of our strategy. We ac�vely partner with local agencies, working collec�vely to provide the best pla�orm for young people to access the support they require. By engaging with the wider community, we advocate on behalf of young people, fostering an environment where their achievements are not only recognized but celebrated.
Our Approach
Innova�ve:
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We approach our work proac�vely and dynamically, adap�ng to the evolving needs of young people and the youth sector.
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We seek out new and exci�ng ideas to con�nually develop and enhance the impact of our youth-focused ini�a�ves.
Accessible:
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Our commitment to accessibility is unwavering. We strive to provide the most accessible support to young people through local, universal, and free-to-access services.
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We ensure that our services are welcoming, inclusive, and non-judgmental, ensuring every young person feels valued and supported.
Collabora�ve:
- Working in collabora�on with local communi�es, we ac�vely advocate for young people, celebra�ng their successes and amplifying their voices.
Page 3 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
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Woking Youth Annual Report
- and effec�ve support to the young people we serve.
success of Woking Youth. Together, we con�nue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, fostering a future where they can thrive, grow, and achieve their fullest poten�al.
The Need
The need for our services over this last year has been proved �me and again by our work, and the feedback we have had from young people and the community. In June 2023 Woking Borough Council, who had been funding a number of community projects and had given us a large grant to con�nue services over this year, declared themselves bankrupt. The true impact of this on the community and the young people we serve is not to be underes�mated, nor can it always be easily measured, but its impact underscored much of this year, with parents, young people and other services all feeling the uncertainty of this period not knowing who would be worst impacted, and what this might mean in terms of need crea�on.
Throughout the year we con�nued to engage with young people in our weekly sessions, and the need for youth work became increasingly evident. Each interac�on delves into a range of issues affec�ng their lives— such as mental health struggles, iden�ty, poverty, social media, isola�on, and educa�onal challenges. These conversa�ons reveal these issues profound impact on daily lives, emphasising the resilience required by some to stay afloat. Witnessing these struggles reinforces our belief in the posi�ve impact of early interven�on through youth work. Through our efforts, we have had the privilege of assis�ng numerous young people in confidently confron�ng their challenges and mi�ga�ng adverse effects. Despite these successes, there is s�ll significant work to be done, and the demand for our services con�nues to grow.
could be diverted from its response. One of these was an interest in what works in the youth space. In 2023 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport commissioned the “youth evidence base” that found a “clear associa�on” between regular youth club par�cipa�on and improved educa�on, health and wellbeing (as well as reduced nega�ve behaviour such as crime) in the short term across the In studies. It also found strong evidence that these effects were sustained long-term into adulthood.[1]
a report on the impact of youth work on young people entering the criminal jus�ce system the Na�onal Youth Agency found something similar, but highlighted that the Open Access services like our needed to help remedy the situa�on has been reduced massively by funding cuts and the diversion of local authority funding to targeted only youth work approaches.
“a clear association between reduced funding for youth provision and an increase in some crime rates for some young people. This is particularly concerning given that youth service expenditure in 2019 experienced a real-terms decline of 70% since 2010. Since 2019, rising prices and increasing inflation rates are likely to have exacerbated this shortfall. Our own research found that open access youth service expenditure has been disproportionately affected, with expenditure levels just over half of that spent on targeted services.”[2]
1 (Uk Youth, Ins�tute for government, 2024)
2 (Na�onal Youth Agency, 2024)
Page 4 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Both demonstrated that there is a na�onal need for open access youth services, in helping Young People build the healthy, happy, and frui�ul futures they deserve. Though with funding in Surrey already aimed only at targeted interven�on, and the now bankrupt borough council unable to provide financial support, the ability to meet that need is reduced to only chari�es such as ourselves, with no extra resource to help enable this to happen.
The stark sta�s�cs on the well-being of children and young people in Woking underscore the pressing need for dedicated youth work ini�a�ves. One in eight children in Woking remained living in rela�ve poverty at the beginning of 2023. This highlights the economic challenges, with 24.4% belonging to absolute low-income families and 18% experiencing overcrowding.[1]
There is a growing need for mental health support; previously na�onally, one in nine children had a probable mental health disorder before the pandemic, surging to one in six in 2020[2] . a number that con�nues to increase with a suggested one in 5 having a possible mental disorder, and 12.5% having and ea�ng disorder.[3] This escala�on is troubling, associated with a decreased likelihood for young people to feel safe at school or have suppor�ve friends. The urgency is emphasised by a 39% increase in under-18s being referred for NHS mental health treatment in 2023[4] . Furthermore, online bullying affects one in eight 11 to 16-year-old social media users[5] , just over a third of 10-15 year olds had accepted a friend request online from somewhat they did not know and one in ten of the same age group has received a sexual message online,[6] illustra�ng that challenges extend beyond physical spaces to online spaces too.
escala�ng from around 1400 referrals per month in December 2020 to 1800 to 2000 per month from March 2021 through to June 2021. Children’s mental health services are facing unprecedented strain, evident in the extended wait �me for support, averaging 64 days at the �me[7] . date for the same corresponding period of 23-24 is not available however from the informa�on that is its evident adolescent mental health is s�ll very poor across Surrey with self-harm in Surrey for 10-24 year olds is increasingly ge�ng worse (468.7 per 100,000 in Surrey, 505.6 Regionally and 421.9 in England).[8] In stark juxtaposi�on, our doors are open now 3 nights a week, offering open access support with absolutely no wai�ng list. Here, young people aged 11-19 find a haven without the need to fulfil any criteria. Importantly, our support encompasses a broad scope, and it is long-term, extending for as long as young people need it. In a landscape where alterna�ves are limited, this dis�nc�ve feature accentuates our commitment to promptly and inclusively addressing the needs of the youth in Woking.
1 (Tuty, 2023)
2 Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2022 - wave 3 follow up to the 2017 survey - NDRS (digital.nhs.uk)
3 (Analy�cal Services, Popula�on Health, Clinical Audit & Specialist Care Team, 2023) 4 Child referrals for mental health care in England up 39% in a year | Children | The Guardian
5 Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2022 - wave 3 follow up to the 2017 survey - NDRS (digital.nhs.uk)
6
7 htps://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/documents/s81909/Annex%203.pdf
8 (Surrey County Council, 2023)
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Woking Youth Annual Report
Given these challenging sta�s�cs, the need for comprehensive and accessible youth work in Woking is impera�ve. Ini�a�ves offering long-term, free-to-access, and universal support are crucial to address the mul�faceted issues faced by the youth, fostering an environment where they can navigate challenges and develop into resilient, empowered individuals. Woking Youths’ commitment to championing and celebra�ng young people's successes takes on renewed significance, emphasising the vital role that youth work plays in shaping a brighter future for Woking's youth.
Page 6 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Chief Execu�ves Report
In this year we have con�nued with the establishment and growth of the two services we had started the previous year and the establishment of a new one in the Wes�ield area of Woking. Another area of significant recognised need. Due to the large grant received last year from Woking Borough Council we have not required any large grant applica�ons this year which has helped us ride out the impacts of the council’s recent bankruptcy, avoiding having to compete with other local services for funding. Our focus and achievements have therefore been in enhancing our local standing among various stakeholders, including parents, other services and, most importantly, the youth popula�on.
This year Knaphill drop-in ran supported by its allocated funding from the previous year and was able to con�nue with funds from the WBC grant and support from the local Co-op, who accepted us as partners for their local Community Fund. Surrey County Council Commited to con�nue the previous year’s arrangement providing the venue at no cost. We have also this year been able to increase our local standing by partnering with the local Anglican church in helping widen the experience of their youth pastor appren�ce in different forms of Youth work, having him assist in the running of the dropin sessions. This has had the dual func�on of increasing our staffing, allowing him to see a different form of youth work but also to be able to advocate to members of his congrega�on on behalf of our young people very thus giving a voice to Knaphill young people who too o�en have been seen as nothing more than a nuisance.
These drop-in sessions, driven by discussions with the youth expressing their needs, have proven highly successful, par�cularly in reaching and engaging with some of the most isolated young people in our communi�es, these sessions con�nue to include a high number of those who are homeschooled and those with addi�onal needs.
The Lakeview drop in has also proved very successful and really found its place in the community. The last year has seen an increase in numbers, and par�cipa�on from the young people in the surrounding areas. In August 2023 this group ran a stall at a local community fair, with games they had devised and banners they had made. The young people directly ran the ac�vi�es, interac�ng with members of their community, and being seen. For many of those involved it was the first �me they felt they had ever been seen in a posi�ve light by their neighbours, or felt they could have a posi�ve place within their community.
We were also able to open a new project this year, on a pilot basis. In partnership with Metropolitan Thames valley housing, we opened our Kingsmoor Park youth drop in in November 2023. The club was successful almost immediately, with rela�vely high numbers and community support through volunteering. Many of the atendees had atended a previous council run club that had closed at short no�ce and which had led to some significant an�social behaviour. It has taken these young people some �me to trust us and It is s�ll early days but so far we have experienced none of the issues we expected and have had very posi�ve feedback from both young people and their parents.
However, amidst our successes, the year has not been without challenges issues with payroll the previous year, arose again in 2023-2024, as we became aware our payroll systems did not work as we thought, and we had to pay late filing fees and high es�mated PAYE bills. This situa�on led us to change our systems op�ng for a paid for system that automa�cally completed many of the tasks we thought our previous system did but did not. We also as an organisa�on lost our inaugural treasurer, who had to step down for personal reasons, with another board member taking on the role temporarily before being confirmed later in the year. Addi�onally, the mul�year bid we had been working on with ROC and other partners, failed to pass the expression of interest phase leading us to reformulate, with the
Page 7 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
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Woking Youth Annual Report
inten�on of resubmi�ng in the 2024-2025 period. This makes our future funding more precarious once the money from Woking Borough Council runs out which is expected towards the end of 2024 - 2025.
Looking ahead, our focus includes both sustaining and expanding our current ini�a�ves. The Kingsmoor pilot ends in March 2024, but we are confident we have proven the viability and need for the project and expect a con�nua�on of funding for this project beyond this. Despite the setback, collabora�on with other members of the Reaching our Communi�es Youth stream aims to develop a comprehensive joint bid for all youth work in Woking.
focus on future endeavours. Both our team and I embrace the upcoming opportuni�es with enthusiasm.
Adam Davey
Youth worker & Voluntary CEO
Page 8 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Woking Youth Trustees:
| WokingYouth Trustees: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trustee name | Ofce | Dates acted from: |
| Jane de la Rosa | Chair | 12/12/2020 |
| Edward Stokes | Treasurer | 19/12/2023 |
| Kris�na James-Talbot | 19/12/2023 | |
| FayKearley | 12/02/2021 |
| Name | Paid role | Voluntary role |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Davey | Youth Worker | CEO |
| BrionyFoat | Youth Worker | COO |
Structure, Governance and Management:
| Structure,Governance and Management: | |
|---|---|
| **Governing Document Type ** | Cons�tu�on adopted 31 January2020 |
| How charity is cons�tuted | Charitable Incorporated Organisa�on(CIO) |
| Trustee Selec�on Method | Apart from the frst charity trustees every trustee must be appointed for a term of one year by a resolu�on passed at a properly convened mee�ng of the charity trustees. In selec�ng individuals for appointment as charity trustees the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the efec�ve administra�on of the CIO. |
| Addi�onal governance informa�on | Woking Youth works with young people aged 11-25 within the Borough of Woking in Surrey Day to day running of services is managed by voluntary CEO and COO overseen by Trustees. |
| There are child protec�on and safeguarding policies in place for staf, volunteers, and trustees all of whom must have a Current Disclosure and Barring Check. These are renewed in line with statutory requirements. All trustees give their �me voluntarily and receive no renumera�on or other benefts. |
Page 9 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
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Woking Youth Annual Report
Ac�vi�es
The objects of Woking Youth are:
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To provide support, help and resource for young people between the ages of 11-25 living in the Borough of Woking, by providing advice and assistance and organising programmes of physical, educa�onal, and other ac�vi�es as a means of:
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a. Advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capaci�es, and capabili�es to enable them to par�cipate in society as independent, mature, and responsible individuals.
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b. Advancing educa�on.
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c. Providing recrea�onal and leisure �me ac�vity in the interests of social welfare for people living in the area of benefit who have need by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, poverty, or social and economic circumstances with a view to improving the condi�ons of life of such persons.
In the past year, our charity set ambi�ous goals and achieved remarkable milestones:
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Capitalizing on the successes of last year, and maximising service poten�al.
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increasing community engagement and volunteer recruitment.
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Establishing and beginning the Kingsmoor Youth drop in.
Throughout the year, our dedica�on of the past couple of years translated into tangible results as we reached 109 young individuals through our services, had 1032 individual atendances and delivered 303 hours of support. This number not only reflects the success of our ini�a�ves but also reflects the growing relevance and influence of our charity within the community. As we reflect on the past year, we take pride in these accomplishments and look forward to con�nued growth and success in our mission to support the youth in Woking.
Knaphill Youth Drop-in
Following the successful start of the project in July 23[rd] 2022, The youth club has con�nued to grow, and develop. Many of those first contacted in the detached work con�nue to atend and have brought along friends and rela�ves swelling the size of the club to 61 registered members and allowing for different types of work as they bring different needs to our aten�on. A major one of these has been around drug use with some of the home school popula�on, we have run drugs educa�on sessions, voluntarily engaged with by the young people on the risks or both drug use and concurrent risks such as county lines, youth violence and engagement with the jus�ce system. This has been backed with signpos�ng and referrals to appropriate services.
We have also been pleased with a partnership with the local church providing us with a trained youth pastoral appren�ce to help assist in running our sessions, this has allowed us to run more ac�vi�es and in a different way than we could have with just the 2 staff members.
The Drop-in operates every Monday evening from 7:15 to 9:15 pm. Throughout this repor�ng period, we dedicated 129 hours to delivering support, and had 476 individual atendances. .
Page 10 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Lakeview Youth Drop- In
Lakeview youth drop in runs weekly on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, and has become a vital community fixture. Our numbers have grown from 13 registered members to 28, the group has also changed in character greatly from last year. Ini�ally it was a very male focussed group, but this was changing towards the end of the 2022-2023 period and this change has con�nued with it becoming a very mixed group.
Many of those atending are ac�vely experiencing poverty. It became clear this year that for many of the females in the group period poverty was a real issue, one young person clearly expressing that for them and their parents some months there was a real dilemma around the decision to buy food, or tampons. Therefore, with support from Surrey County Council and an organisa�on known as the Pad Project we installed a free-to-use sanitary dispensary for the young people in all our clubs, where young people can take as much as they need anonymously. Alongside this many in this group, had felt damaged by Covid and isolated from the wider community. A number are home schoolers, and most where unable to access other services or leisure �me ac�vi�es, either being unable to afford transport or the service itself. That we situated ourselves in their community, and at no cost to them has been greatly appreciated and helped speed rela�onship building.
Of all the groups this Lakeview has led to the most signpos�ng referrals and advocacy work. In one instance we were able to assist a young person in accessing the funding to sit GSCE’s they would have missed otherwise and then was enabled to go on to start college.
It is also with lakeview that we ran a stall at a community funday to raise awareness, and funds for the club. The young people planned and ran the ac�vi�es (Hook a Duck) with support from youth workers, raising £89.77 which they decided to save to fund the stall the next year. For many it was a perspec�ve changing moment as they felt seen for the first �me as individuals able to do something posi�ve for the first �me by members of their community. This posi�vity from them was matched by some of the feedback from the community when asked by the lakeview ac�on group who ran the event, who said:
“11-19 age category feels like a forgotten group. There not much going on for them in the area, that's why I've picked up one of these flyers for the youth club (11-19 year olds). All they want to do is hang out with their mates, they end up making their own fun and it's not always the best. They need a 'hang out' space.”
. The ongoing success of these ini�a�ves underscores our commitment to fostering posi�ve change and empowerment among the youth across Woking. We delivered 138 hours’ worth of sessions and had 500 individual atendances
Kingsmoor park youth club
Our Kingsmoor project started in November 2023, a�er long nego�a�on with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing. In the few months it has been running we have had 21 registered members, roughly split 50/50 between those from the Kingsmoor Park estate and the wider south Woking area. This has been par�culay beneficial as it has allowed young people from different areas, schools and with different needs to associate and develop different social skills. We were warned due to the way the previous club shut down that we may experience some an�-social behaviour, however having the wide mix of young people, and running from a local church seems to have forestalled this crea�ng an environment where the young people are able to learn, adapt and thrive together. This collabora�ve feel has also been greatly benefited by having members of the direct community volunteer.
Page 11 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
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Woking Youth Annual Report
Kingsmoor project is directly funded by MTVH who pay on invoice for work done and provide refreshments, equipment and pay for building hire.
Kingsmoor Youth drop-ins run from 7-9pm, Thursdays at St Marks church, Wes�ield. In 2023-2024 we have delivered 36 hours work and had 56 individual atendances.
Reaching our Communi�es & Youth prac��oners Forum Woking
Our ongoing collabora�on with ROC Woking remains important to us, as we ac�vely par�cipate in this collec�ve of diverse individuals and exis�ng community groups within Woking. Together, we explore innova�ve avenues for collabora�on, pooling resources for the greater good of the community. Our commitment extends to consistent involvement in the Youth Work commitee, where we contribute to discussions and strategic planning.
We have par�cipated in a number of the Youth prac��oners forums and have taken a leading role in pu�ng together a joint bid with mul�ple youth organisa�ons over Woking. Unfortunately, our first EOI from this group to the na�onal lotery was not accepted, but we were given guidance and encouraged to re submit later in 2024 with a new EOI.
Volunteering
are equally as valuable. Unfortunately, the two volunteers who has started with us ended up both having to stop volunteering for their own reasons, one leaving to take up a management posi�on in youth work for Surrey County Council. Both are grateful for the support and experience we have given, and both intend to con�nue in the youth sector in some form. They have, thankfully, been replaced by two new volunteers, one a trainee youth pastor/worker from a local church in Knaphill who was interested in expanding their knowledge of youth work. With them and their line manager, we were able to nego�ate an agreement where they could serve weekly in Knaphill, with the church taking responsibility for DBS, and supervision while direct line management in our sessions and safeguarding was to go through us. This has been a great success, and the volunteer wants to con�nue with us should it be possible at the end of his traineeship. We were also able to atract back a volunteer to Kingsmoor who had previously been a part of the previous work done there. With Woking Borough Council services being limited, we were uncertain as to whether we would s�ll be able to process DBS through them. Therefore, to ensure that we were compliant with safeguarding we purchased our own DBS HR so�ware which we used for this DBS. Her presence has greatly increased our standing with the local community and atracted young people back who openly admited they were angry at how the old service closed and didn’t want to atend something new that didn’t feel it was theirs. Her presence encouraged engagement and comforted them that this service could again be relevant to them.
Fundraising
Thanks to the large grant given us at the end of the 2022-2023 period we have been able to focus more on opera�onal maters than fundraising. However, this doesn’t mean we have not been successful in this area, rather it has been less of a priority over this period.
We received £ 1,316.26 in November 2023 from the Coop community fund, this figure was based on our aplication the previous year but also our social media fundraising and local awareness directly relating to votes from Co-op members using Co-op provisions in the Knaphill area. We were also successful in a bid to Costco for their members fund, receiving £311.00 after a staff member put our
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Woking Youth Annual Report
name forward as a worthy cause. Otherwise much of our income has been from individual giving, something that will be a focus going forwards. As previously men�oned, we are ac�vely involved in a collabora�ve endeavour to submit a mul�-organisa�on bid, with the goal of obtaining a more substan�al funding alloca�on to enhance our charity's financial stability, but we won’t know any more on this un�l the 2024-2025 financial year.
Financial management
Financial management has been of par�cular concern this year, we became aware going into the year that our systems where not working as expected in filing a record of wages and tax paid with HMRC. This led to late filing fees, and other payments to HMRC. This was compounded by the loss of our treasurer in early 2023. However, on recogni�on of these issues we sought advice from HMRC and with the new treasurer decided to purchase SAGE accoun�ng so�ware. Since doing so we have not had any issues with HMRC and are confident in running payroll going forwards.
Due to forces outside of our control we were in the posi�on of poten�ally having to hand back a significant amount of funds to the Community Founda�on for Surrey. We had including in the bid last year a large figure for expected rental costs for the Lakeview project, expec�ng the building to come under new management mid-project. This did not happen, and with the Council focusing elsewhere we were fortunate enough to be able to con�nue to use the space rent free and so we returned the funds allocated for this, and for volunteer costs for that project. The funders where very understanding and le� us a significant amount to spend on training for staff and volunteers should we be more successful in recruitment in the coming year.
Safeguarding
dynamic ac�vity deeply woven into our mission. We priori�se the con�nual refinement and upda�ng of staff training to ensure our team stays well-equipped with the latest knowledge and best prac�ces in safeguarding. This proac�ve involvement highlights our dedica�on to maintaining a vigilant and responsive safeguarding culture within our charity. By regarding safeguarding as an ever-present and integral element of our daily ac�vi�es, we enhance our ability to cul�vate a secure, nurturing environment where the wellbeing of every young individual takes precedence. This dedica�on ensures that safeguarding is not merely a Policy, but a vital and ac�vely embraced aspect embedded in the very fabric of our work. This year we were able to train and designate Briony Foat as our DSL, to take a lead on all organisa�onal safeguarding maters, and lead safeguarding policy reviews. Safeguarding is also a priority standing item minuted at every trustee mee�ng.
Publicity and Community Engagement
This year we have been able to do less community outreach work than the previous year, necessarily focussing our limited resources on providing the best we can through our drop ins. However, we have not abandoned our publicity completely. We have focussed on using social media, Facebook and Instagram, as a means of spreading our work, messages and keeping young people and parents up to date. A part of our High Sherif funding was to create a video showcasing out work for their feedback and to publish on their website. With help of a local videographer, we ended crea�ng 3 short videos to share with them and then on social media, each with a different focus. One video, explained who we are and why we do what we do, the next was feedback from young people on why our work is important to them and the final one was a short combining both giving an overview of who we are, what we do and why it’s important to send to poten�al funders and anyone interested in our work.
Page 13 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
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Woking Youth Annual Report
The trajectory of our future work is characterised by a holis�c and forward-thinking approach. Our commitment to the community remains steadfast as we priori�se the con�nua�on of our current services, ensuring the sustained provision of essen�al support and resources to the youth we serve. We have ambi�ous expansion plans dependent on the success of the mul�-agency bid, however our focus un�l this �me is to consolidate and maximise the poten�al of the work we are currently delivering. A large part of this will be to further develop capacity through volunteering and wider community involvement.
Recognising that our ability to reach and support more young individuals hinges on community engagement, we are placing a heightened emphasis on volunteer recruitment. The indispensable role of volunteers in augmen�ng our services cannot be overstated, and their contribu�ons will be pivotal in suppor�ng our growing numbers across all areas.
Addi�onally, to foster a culture of collec�ve responsibility and engagement, we are diligently working on the development of an individual giving strategy. This ini�a�ve aims to inspire and involve community members in contribu�ng personally to our mission, crea�ng a network of supporters. To do this we aim to invest in social media usage, and to develop an online giving pla�orm to encourage and make easy the act of giving.
In essence, our future work is a dynamic blend of con�nuity, expansion, collabora�on, community engagement, and strategic ini�a�ves designed to con�nue to upli� the youth we serve.
Page 14 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
TOTAL
Total registered with Woking Youth – indicator of mul�ple visits: 109
Total foo�all for the year: 1032 atendances Average young people at every session: 10 Hours of support provided: 303
Lakeview Knaphill Kingsmoor Registra�ons: 28 Registra�ons: 61 Registra�ons: 20 Foo�all: 500 Foo�all: 476 Foo�all: 56 Average young people per Average young people per Average young people per session: 11 session: 11 session: 5 Hours of support Hours of support Hours of support provided: 138 provided: 129 provided: 36
Page 15 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Knaphill sessions covering specific topics
----- Start of picture text -----
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
KH
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
Kingsmoor sessions covering specific topics
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
KM
----- End of picture text -----
Page 16 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
areas that surpassed our goals set for the year. Our dedica�on to making a posi�ve impact on the lives of young individuals has been realised. Throughout the year, we had the privilege of connec�ng with inspiring young people who not only achieved remarkable feats but also demonstrated unwavering resilience in overcoming the challenges they faced. We take immense pride in the collec�ve growth of our charity and, moreover, in the individual achievements of each young person we've had the honour to work with. Witnessing their progress has been truly rewarding, and we look forward to con�nuing our mission to support and empower them in the coming years.
Young Person Feedback
The invaluable insights provided by the feedback of young people serve as the most important indicator, reflec�ng the true measure of our achievements and performance in suppor�ng the future.
“I don't have a great relationship with my dad, Adam at the Youth Club is the only man I can really open up to. ”
“I don’t think you realise the impact you have on the young people under your care, them small 2 hour sessions mean a lot to some of us on the estate and basically keep us going”
“Youth club means hanging out with friends, meeting new people and trying things I haven’t done before”.
“It makes me feel more like myself, no one will judge me for being excited and hyper they are just cool with it. Gave me something to do rather than sitting in my room. Gave me something productive to do and to make new friends”.
Email from young person a�er Lakeview funday:
“I just wanted to thank you on behalf of the young people for taking time out of week to come down and spend today raising money for us; It has not gone unappreciated. I really did enjoy today as I'm sure the other young people did as well. It genuinely was a very good day, and I hope we can do things like this again. We really do like having you guys as our youth workers, you're good people and you make a difference.
Thankyou.
Page 17 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Case studies
(names changed to protect young people’s identities)
Ivan
This year we started our Kingsmoor project, and with it met a number of new young people. One of those was Ivan.
Ivan was a young person who had previously atended the old Kingsmoor project before it had closed. Before he even atended sessions, we had been told about him by someone involved in the first project, he was described as aggressive and had been a part of an�-social behaviour at the previous club.
session but pushed as many boundaries as he could and was aggressive towards some of the younger members of the club, o�en boas�ng about figh�ng and his poor behaviour in school. His next week it looked like this could be similar, so it was decided for the staff to directly engage him and get to know him. By the end of these second session, he was beginning to open up and was listening to staff when the asked him to stop certain behaviours, and the next week he was seeking out youth workers to talk about his life.
It quickly became clear he had a troubled home and school life, with close family in prison and a feeling he had to be tough to survive or he might get hurt. He had been kicked out of a local school for figh�ng and was o�en in trouble at his new one for the same thing. He was able to talk about all of these without fear of judgement and ask for advice and support in how to deal with his emo�ons on these topics. Each week following he would seek out the youth workers to discuss the previous week and process it.
This patern con�nued, and in a rela�vely small amount of �me, he developed to a stage where he rarely pushes boundaries and feels safe expressing himself. Despite his behaviour elsewhere, in club it was open and honest, respec�ul and kind. Young people he once in�midated he now calls friends.
Its early days, but he already knows he can be himself our sessions, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Mark
homelife as the young carer for a cri�cally ill parent. Alongside this they had also le� their school recently due to extreme bullying over their sexuality and were educa�onally off role living at home.
In discussion with youth workers, Mark made us aware of the situa�on and their fears they could never make anything of their lives. They were a gi�ed student before leaving school, but with their parent unable to help as so ill they felt hopeless, and it was having a real impact on their mental health.
With their permission, we contacted the parent and schools to see if we could help. Working alongside all par�es, we were able to find a place they could take their GCSE’s and were donated the books they required to sit them. We were able to help them apply and gain a place at a local college to take some
Page 18 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
GCSEs alongside a course and found funding for them with a local charity to pay for the other required GCSE courses, as well as travel costs to get to college.
At this point in �me, they are registered to sit 4 GCSEs and have just started a course at a local college. Needless to say, life is s�ll difficult, but they have hope now - and they aren’t le�ng it go.
Page 19 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
Mental Health and Young People
Over the course of the year Woking youth found ourselves working with an increasing number of young people with poor mental health. Every drop-in having at least one young person who was either working with or awai�ng a CAMHS appointment. O�en, they had been wai�ng for some �me and where repor�ng a worsening of wellbeing over this period.
Woking youth took a pragma�c approach, we could not change the wai�ng �mes or the young people’s feelings about CAMHS, but we could work with what they brought, be this self-harm, social anxiety, processing trauma or any one of a number of mental health related topics we were being brought. We did this by working alongside the young people in our care, and developing approaches, resources and signpos�ng/referral pathways for other, o�en non-statutory services.
We now have young people, who signposted through us have access to mentors, face to face and online youth councelling, wellbeing apps and trackers, self-harm support and harm minimisa�on resources. We have young people, who have been supported and encouraged to talk to schools, parents and professionals and feel safe and confident enough to know they won’t be dismissed.
This would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the voluntary nature of youth work, and the safety we have created in our drop ins. The young people feel safe to be themselves in the sessions, and safe talk to staff knowing they will be listened to and taken seriously.
Page 20 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
| Statement on reserves | Cash in the bank on 31 March 2024 was £17896.00in unrestricted funds. The charity aims to have a reserve that will cover four months expenditure based on projected business. This will remain a priority in the next fnancialperiod |
|---|---|
| Funds materially in defcit | None |
| Principle sources of funding | Small grant funding from grant givers and local authority One-of individual giving from donors made the majority funding in this period. We also received a small but consistent amount of repeat individual giving. |
| How expenditure has supported objec�ves |
All funding goes directly into the development of projects, business ac�vi�es in support of projects or reserves. All projects are designed to ensure they meet our charitable objec�ves. |
Page 21 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2023 - 31[st] March 2024
Woking Youth Annual Report
The trustees declare they have approved the above trustees report.
Signed on behalf of the charity trustees.
Full name: Jane de la Rosa
Posi�on: Chair of trustees
Date : 21/01/2024
Signature:
Full name: Fay Kearley
Posi�on: Board member
Date: 21/01/24
Signature:
Page 22 of 20 Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2022 - 31[st] March 2023
Woking Youth Annual Report
Accounts
| Charity Name | Charity Name | Charity Name | Charity Name | Charity Name | N if | N if | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ary ame | o ( any) | CC16a | ||||||||
| Woking Youth | 1192098 | |||||||||
| Receipts andpay | ounts | |||||||||
| For the period from |
Period start date | Period end date | ||||||||
| To | ||||||||||
| 01/04/2023 | 31/03/2024 | |||||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | Last year to the nearest £ 670 20,013 12,909 - - - - - 33,592 - - 33,592 - - - - - - - - - - - - 33,592 - - 33,592 |
|||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||||||
| to the nearest £ |
to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | ||||||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||
| Donations | 243.20 | - | - | 243 | 670 | |||||
| Unreserved Grants | - | - | - | - | 20,013 | |||||
| restricted grants | - | 2,795 | - | 2,795 | 12,909 | |||||
| petty cash dontion-lakeview | - | 90 | - | 90 | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
243 |
2,885 | - | 3,129 | 33,592 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Total receipts | 243 | 2,885 | - | 3,129 | 33,592 | |||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||
| cost of charitable activities | - | 929 | - | 929 | - | |||||
| governance costs | - | 2,215 | - | 2,215 | - | |||||
| insurance | - | 707 | - | 707 | - | |||||
| stationaryandprinting | - | 366 | - | 366 | - | |||||
| internet and telephone | - | 326 | - | 326 | - | |||||
| wages/salaries & NI | - | 7,961 | - | 7,961 | - | |||||
| return of unspent funds | 3,030 | 2,500 | - | 5,530 | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | 3,030 | 15,004 | - | 18,035 | - | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Totalpayments | 3,030 | 15,004 | - | 18,035 | - | |||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | - 2,787 | - 12,119 | - | - 14,906 | 33,592 | |||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| A6 Cash funds lastyear end | 20,683 | 12,909 | - | 33,592 | - | |||||
| Cash funds thisyear end | 17,896 | 790 | - | 18,686 | 33,592 | |||||
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Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, T22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
1[st] April 2022 - 31[st] March 2023
Woking Youth Annual Report
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories | Details | Details | Details | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||||||
| B1 Cash funds | Woking Youth account | 17,896 | 700.00 | - | |||||
| petty cash lakeview | - | 90 | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| Total cash funds | 17,896 | 790 | - | ||||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
OK | OK | |||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
|||||||
| Details | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||||||
| B2 Other monetary assets | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
||||||
| B3 Investment assets | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
||||||
| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
- | - | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Details | Fund to which liability relates |
Amount due (optional) |
When due (optional) |
||||||
| B5 Liabilities | - | ||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Print Name | Date of approval |
||||||
| J de la Rosa | 06/12/2024 | ||||||||
| E Stokes | 06/12/2024 |
Address: 2 Vale Cotages, Downs Lane, Leatherhead, T22 8JH Registered Charity Number: 1192098
24