OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2023-08-31-accounts

Southwater Youth Project Trustees’ Annual Report:

For the period:

From 1[st] September 2022 Period start date To 31[st] August 2023 Period end date

Charity name: Southwater Youth Project (SYP)

Charity registration number: 1197216

Objectives and Activities:

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document: SORP Para 1.17

Southwater Youth Project operates within the Christian ethos to advance in life and help young people aged 8 to 19 who are resident in Southwater and the surrounding area through:

(a) the provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life;

(b) the provision of support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.

In summary, we want to help them be the best that they can be!

Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts: SORP Para 1.17 & 1.19

Southwater Youth Project engages in open access youth activities to further general charitable purposes for the public benefit and for the benefit of children/young people in Southwater and the surrounding area. These activities include the provision of local community youth services, activities, clubs and events, mentoring, mental health support and advocacy, advice and information to children/young people within the Southwater community and surrounding schools. SYP has been in existence as an informal community youth work project and partnership since 2006 and became a registered charity 20[th] December 2021.

The key public benefits offered by SYP:

1. The provision of professional, open access, embedded community youth work to provide and signpost young people in the local community of Southwater and surrounding areas to a broad range of affordable and accessible educational, social, community and leisure based activities & opportunities, helping them develop and mature physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually as individuals and as contributing members of society.

2. The provision of various forms of social welfare support and interventions to children, young people, and their families, local schools and communities is of public benefit in helping relieve a range of needs, promote moral welfare, increase individual well-being and social cohesion, and build connections with others, all of which help create community and a wider sense of belonging.

3. The provision of opportunities to engage in and/or find out about Christian worship, spiritual education and learning activities in conjunction with local churches (e.g. through events such as Messy Church), and occasionally at local schools (e.g. through RS lessons/assemblies) to enable

1

children, young people and their families to benefit from growing faith in Christ and by being helped to understand the Christian faith in ways that make sense to them.

4. The provision of local voluntary opportunities for volunteers from across the local community as well as from the local churches, who in addition to gaining personal benefit from supporting young people are also making a contribution to their community’s needs.

Our main activities and achievements in relation to these purposes and 4 areas of public benefit listed are as follows:

1) Providing a professional, open access, embedded, community youth project: we do this by continuing to secure and provide the necessary funding to employ a full time professional Youth Worker. This funding is essential in enabling us to deliver and sustain a popular and successful youth project which helps move young people beyond their limitations, or perceived limitations, to be the best that they can be. Our youth worker and the volunteer team work with as well as for the young people, helping to create a culture of fun, of learning, and of respect, and also bringing short, medium and long-term attitudinal and behavioural changes which are of benefit to them and to wider society.

We continue to make good use of local resources and links with various organisations, with the Project now re-engaging with local schools, and other community groups. We continue to offer scheduled mental health and well-being one to ones, and informal well-being type conversations take place within various activities including the Duke of Edinburgh award, life skills sessions including cooking, art and craft clubs, and other youth friendly sport activities, events and trips.

2) Offering social welfare support to help alleviate local need, giving material, physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental support to children, young people and their families is a significant aspect of our provision. Children and young people’s mental health and sense of well-being was already in steep decline before 2020, and was severely impacted by covid on many levels, hence we continue to see this in significant numbers of our young people, as evidenced by their lack of purpose, and poor social, or mental well-being including suicide ideation, or a disinterest in school or career or future life conversations for example. Southwater has over 11,000 residents with the largest youth demographic in the Horsham District, a District which has seen a rise in youth suicide. The Association of Directors of Childrens Service (ADCS) ANNUAL CONFERENCE in June 2022 noted that “ within a 5 month period spanning May - September 2021, 6 young people in West Sussex appear to have died by suicide ”.[1] (“ appeared ” as inquests had not all taken place at that point). Key insights emerged, which indicated that children and young people's mental health and wellbeing are linked to 6 key themes: a history of self-harm, a history of suicidal ideation, a history of previous suicide attempts plus a plan, gender identity and sexuality, separated parents, a history of domestic abuse, and experiences of loss and bereavement. A suicide cluster was identified in Horsham District in accordance with public health guidance. SYP can confirm that these key themes regularly feature in one to one and other conversations with young people, and we consider our support to be part of a vital community response and resource to our young people, many of whom were impacted considerably by these recent events.

1 https://adcs.org.uk/assets/documentation/AC22_WorkshopA.pdf

2

The cost of living has risen post pandemic and we are aware of many more families struggling to afford basic essentials including school uniform, food, and money for school trips or extended activities.

Re-establishing the cohesive community provision and local volunteering that have been a key part of SYP’s DNA for 17 years has continued to be a challenge post lockdown, but we are building on the progress made last year at the Jubilee Jamboree. Our active participation in, and the provision of free community events, such as the King’s Coronation Community Event in May and the Community Fun Day in July brought great benefit to families, children and young people, helping rebuild social cohesion and providing free access to activities that promote well-being and community engagement.

3) Providing opportunities to learn about faith is improving as the patterns of community life are reestablished. Young people helped to take part in the village Remembrance Service, and faith conversations, whether about Christianity or other world faiths, occur on an ad hoc basis, often triggered by events in the news or questions about meaning and values raised by the young people. Young volunteers assisted again with SYP’s contribution to the village Christmas community festival, and informal faith conversations and activities also arise here.

4) Providing opportunities to volunteer was impacted last year by people being reluctant to volunteer post covid, hence we continued to seek to rebuild and increase our volunteer base in this period. All those who volunteer for SYP including Trustees are given induction support, and each receives a copy of the current Volunteers Handbook and core policies including our Safeguarding Policy, which is reviewed annually. All Trustees and volunteers are required to undergo the necessary DBS processes, and trained in safeguarding to the appropriate level.

Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity

Commission on public benefit: SORP Para 1.18

SYP Trustees confirm that the CIO does not exist in order to benefit ourselves, either personally and/or corporately, and that in working to fulfil our Objects and provide public benefit, we have had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

Additional information:

Policy on grant making SORP Para 1.38

None

Contribution made by volunteers SORP Para 1.38

We estimate our volunteers give 80% input of the overall time, energy, experience and talents needed to meet SYP’s aims and objectives, whether through offering specific, one-off or ongoing logistical or governance support, or admin support including website creation/maintenance, or through supporting and helping supervise young people at SYP activities/events etc. No volunteers are paid for their contributions, save for out of pocket expenses e.g. petrol.

3

Achievements and Performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. SORP Para 1.20

SYP is much more than the occasional club. It is an embedded youth work which enables relationships to grow, building bridges into young people’s lives where other agencies, groups and schools can struggle to engage. SYP builds upon local connections, networks and organisations in engaging with children & young people through what is a widely respected professional community youth project. Our creative, innovative, personal one to one engagement running alongside our various clubs and activities is widely appreciated, and our main achievement is that all of this makes a real difference to our young people. We deliver: Schools work: via Southwater primary schools & Horsham secondary schools, including assemblies/RE & other lessons/student residentials; one to one engagement/mentoring; year 5 residential & year 6 secondary transition/ support; crisis &/or ongoing mental health support; liaison with home schooled children & special interest groups where needed

Community youth work: a wide range of after school clubs/activities; DofE; online support; ongoing mentoring, mental health support, suicide ideation & crisis intervention; engaging with young people at risk of or engaging with ASB, & other detached work; assisting with youth employability; holiday clubs/trips Community & church engagement: involvement with local events: e.g. community events such as the Village Christmas/Kings’ Coronation Community Event/Community Fun Day; advising other community youth projects, & attending funding bodies’ & Trustee Board meetings including local churches as required Partnerships : linking to local/area youth projects/schemes/advisors; attending Social Service Case Conferences; supporting young people in the criminal justice system liaising with TAC, Police, the courts; developing contacts with other secular & church youth support agencies.

Following Southwater Parish Council Working Party’s recommendation that SYP continue as the local youth work provider, further negotiations throughout 2022 resulted in SYP regaining access to the Youth Centre in Beeson House via a Licence to Occupy, in January 2023. Our presence there gives young people a space that feels like their own. Our growing provision in this period both in the Youth Centre, across a range of other local venues, and within the schools, continued to break through social isolation, encouraging young people to get together and engage with lots of great activities. Offering practical help, confidential mental health support, pastoral care, counselling and mentoring continues to help young people be the best they can be, affirming our Christian ethos and our community focused values. Having a specific place to work makes a clear difference to our ability to achieve some of our aims. For example, being back in the Youth Centre helped us to fulfil the National Lottery Community Fund award awarded to us in August 2022 for the provision of a confidential One to One Mental Health Programme from September 2022 to July 2023.

Horsham District continues to face the realities of a hugely serious ongoing youth mental health crisis and SYP’s services are seen as a vital part of our community’s response. Urgent emergency mental health intervention has continued to be vital at times, but one great achievement of our embedded approach is that young people’s needs are understood much earlier, which helps them feel there are solutions to their concerns and someone to turn to before things escalate. Issues raised in mentoring and One to One sessions have included: self-harm; suicidal ideation; physical & sexual abuse including rape; parental cancer diagnoses; anxiety & anger management; self-confidence; self-worth; grief; gender identity; exam worries; stress moving to secondary school; school attendance/refusal; faith questions; bullying; boyfriend

4

/girlfriend/general friendship issues; body image; anti-social behaviour/fear of anti-social behaviour; drug/alcohol & solvent abuse. We have also supported a young person in court following a sexual assault, given support with college applications/part time job applications, and offer ongoing encouragement to 1[st] Year university students.

We aim to provide good volunteering opportunities, and so we were delighted that the difference our volunteers’ work is making to our young people and our community was recognised by Horsham District Council when in the summer of 2023 SYP’s Chair achieved the honour of being given HDC Volunteer Chair of the Year Award, alongside one of our young people who received the Young Volunteer of the Year Award. Feedback from our volunteers is helpful in recruiting new ones:

“ I volunteer because I believe that every little helps and makes a difference, young people are our future and we need to help them become their best, being part of a community, I want to give back; each experience shapes us, and this one definitely has taken me out of my comfort zone”.

“ I volunteer because I believe in community and giving back and contributing to society. I actually like and see the potential in young people and love to see them grow in confidence and self-esteem by belonging to a group. I believe in the value of youth work and the benefits to society of engaging and encouraging young people to be part of their community, it’s also important to me - I have a rewarding experience and I’m part of a team .”

Key highlights drawn from our termly programmes between September 2022 and August 2023 give an indication of the range of SYP’s provision, performance and achievements:

Throughout 2022 - 2023 our 1:1 mentoring and support sessions were reviewed and adapted as necessary in consultation with schools, young people and their families. Additionally, we ran regular groups such as:

Numbers accessing clubs and activities have grown throughout the period which is a great encouragement and a real achievement as we emerged from lockdown realities. In the Easter holidays 2023 we engaged face to face (clubs/events/activities) with almost 100 youngsters, and over each half of the summer term we engaged face to face with 400 youngsters, and these numbers continue to grow. Additionally there were many informal (and often very significant) interactions during the outreach sessions/detached work contexts, and the popular trips “out”.

5

Helping young people take ownership of aspects of the project is a regularly achievement of great benefit to them, their families, and the community. Having young people step up as young volunteers has been a great achievement, building their self-esteem and confidence as “SYP Ambassadors”.

The young people are clear about what SYP is achieving for them - at the King’s Coronation event one SYP ambassador said, ‘ we had a ball, I didn’t have to go round with my parents, we kept dry-ish (!) in the sweet stall, we got to talk to lots of people, and I was with my friends .’

Here are just a few further testimonies:

“I like the chilled atmosphere at youth club, it helps me relax and keep calm when I want to blow up!” J aged 12

“Youth club has helped me to socialise, especially after lockdown, I didn’t want to come out as I was afraid but youth club and you have helped me be less fearful”. M aged 11

“This is the only thing I do outside of school, I feel safe and welcomed here .” Anon

“Thanks for listening, I never thought about stuff like that before, it has really helped me to see a way through all the rubbish stuff, you’ve made me feel worth something”. A aged 15

And, from parents –

Additional information (optional): You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set SORP Para 1.41 Primary objectives

The current overall and long term objectives for SYP are to:

The trustees’ objectives have been achieved in the immediate short to medium term by:

6

Other objectives

To find appropriate permanent premises in Southwater to deliver a fully rounded programme of embedded, indoor youth work in one venue:

To secure ongoing funding:

Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41

Fundraising and grant income available for core costs was 6% below the minimum requirement, and 28% less than the preceding year, in which 2 substantial one-off grants were received. Reserves were therefore used to make up the shortfall.

Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41

None of the charity’s financial assets were invested during the financial year.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21

Income for unrestricted funds was 19% lower than in 2021-22, and expenditure was 4% higher, resulting in a deficit for the year of £7,280. As a consequence, the accumulated balance reduced from £34,341 at the previous year end to £27,222 as at 31[st] August 2023.

Employment costs represented 77% of the Charity’s total expenditure for the year and it is vital that core costs funding is secured in future years to keep the Project financially sustainable.

Restricted funds are not a significant feature of SYP’s activities, but a small surplus for the year (£160) was generated.

Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Para 1.22

The charity’s policy for holding reserves is that an amount equating to 6 months’ budgeted expenditure should be held. This is intended to ensure that in the event of either unforeseen operational costs, or a significant reduction in income or the charity being wound up, there are sufficient funds available to meet financial commitments, particularly regarding payments that would be due to employees in those circumstances. Reserves are freely available to be spent for any purpose consistent with the Project’s charitable purposes, and at any time. The policy is reviewed annually.

Amount of reserves held Para 1.22

£25,126

Reasons for holding zero reserves Para 1.22 Not applicable

7

Details of fund materially in deficit Para 1.24

No fund was materially in deficit either during the year or at the year-end.

Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern

Para 1.23

There are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) SORP Para 1.25 CIO Foundation Constitution

How is the charity constituted? SORP Para 1.25 CIO

Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees SORP Para 1.25

In selecting and appointing new Trustees, Section 10 “Appointment of charity trustees” and sub clauses (1) and (2) of our constitution have been followed in the appointment of new trustees in addition to the first charity trustees. Before being appointed at a duly constituted Trustee meeting, new Trustees are each invited to submit a brief personal statement outlining any relevant experience and interests that they bring to their role.

Additional information (optional):

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees SORP Para 1.51

In accordance with Section 11 of our constitution, “Information for new charity trustees”, a copy of the current version of the constitution, the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report, and statement of accounts are provided to all new Trustees. All Trustees are required to have a DBS, avail themselves of training in Safeguarding for Trustees, and are given a copy of the current Safeguarding policy and Volunteer & Policies Handbook. Additionally all Trustees receive an invitation to meet the Lead Youth Worker and see the Project in action.

The charity’s organisational structure & wider network with which the charity works SORP Para 1.51 Governance, HR, and safeguarding, and the oversight of our aims, object, purposes and finances, are undertaken by our Trustees in line with our constitution and Charity law requirements. Membership of the CIO is as detailed in Section 16, and consists of Trustees only for the time being. Trustee responsibilities, decisions, delegated powers, meeting requirements, procedures and record keeping are as detailed in the constitution Sections 4 – 7; 9 - 15, 17, 20 - 28. In relations to Sections 26 – 28 there have been no new rules or byelaws created, no disputes, and there have been no amendments to the constitution.

Relationship with any related parties SORP Para 1.51

Stewardship continue to oversee payroll and associated services.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name: Southwater Youth Project Registered charity number: 1197216 Charity’s principal address: c/o 32 Sloughbrook Close Horsham West Sussex RH12 5JD

8

Names of the charity trustees in office during the year 2022 to 2023 (reappointed annually):

Trustee name Office Current appointment Appointing body Reverend Kathryn Jones Chair 4 years until 24.01.2026 SYP Trustee Board Mr Iain Jones 3 years until 24.01.2025 SYP Trustee Board Mr Michael Neale 3 years until 24.01.2025 SYP Trustee Board Mrs Ilanit Slowly 2 years until 24.01.2026 SYP Trustee Board Mrs Fiona Lowther Treasurer 2 years until 24.01.2026 SYP Trustee Board Mrs Sylvia Leach 1 year until 24.01.2025 SYP Trustee Board Mr Neil Worth 1 year until 24.01.2025 SYP Trustee Board Mrs Caroline Paul 1 year until 24.01.2025 SYP Trustee Board Mrs Jennifer Nagy Secretary 3 years until 31.08.2025 SYP Trustee Board

Corporate trustees: names of the directors at the date the report was approved: None/not applicable

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity: None/not applicable

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others None/not applicable

Additional information (optional):

Exemptions from disclosure: None/not applicable

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Annual Report.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s):

Full name(s): Kathryn Jones Iain Jones Position: Chair Trustee Date: 24[th] June 2024 24[th] June 2024

9

Southwater Youth Project CIO RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 August 2023 R•g￿tered Charlty- Reglstratlon number 1197216 Chair of Trustees Rev Kath Jor Trustees Michael Neale Caroline Paul Ilanrt Slthvly Sylw'a Lexh lain Jones Jenny Nagy Fiona L¢Jvlher Nwl W¢J1h Approved by the Twste8s on 244K J Chair.. Trustee: 1of5

ACCOUNTS FOR ThE PERIOD ENDED 31 August 2023 Totsl$148t SECTION A FUN a1 RECEIPTS Grants 36.240 36.240 1A99 50,536 1,681 543 a3 Fundr81SI Job Retention Scfrme recthpts retsin￿ in SYP DolE FundiwJ and fees Club8 Subs¢ripkn'ons and Tuc Shop Sale8 TOTAL RECEIPTS a5 240 1.247 54.247 a6 5.821 5.821 44.160 {a71 SECTION B b1 PAYMEKrs b2 Salarf8s and b•n8fft8 39.162 7.831 2,935 525 39.162 39.513 5,197 1,478 b3 Act￿￿9 and Resources b4 Tuck S stock and snacks 2.935 525 bs Wellbein and Mentorin DotE 439 439 387 1.534 653 48,743 b7 Other payment8 TOTAL PAYMENTS 387 b6 439 51.279 b91 SECTION C c1 NET RECEIPTSIPAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR 161 119 5,504 Total funds bro ht fO￿ard fr¢xn last •r 34.341 34.341 28.837 Sub totsl ¢1+¢2 27.C61 161 27,222 34,341 Transf•ts AtMI Ad'ugtments 161 161 c7 TOTAL FUNDS AT END OF YEAR Ic34¢41 27,222 27,222 34,341 SECTION D FOR INFOIIMATION ONLY: I￿Ey RECEIVED AND PASSED ON TO EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS (these ￿ounts •r• notto b• Includ•d lft total rK •nts d1 B81anc ht foTrvv4d tr￿n18)t d2 Collectiork8lGrfb. rÈ(*Nad fN •xtwnal d3 CollectionslGrfi8 . pa88ed to extomal d4 BALANCE STLL TO BE PAK) (d1+d24131 a￿ityR￿JP 2015

SECTIIYI E Resth¢￿ funds unkss tt cujkl be cbarty Ikwttrw t￿k1 be for￿￿4￿￿￿ INTERNAL ¢J ¢7 912 Charfty •¢cr￿n1 (tot brou4htfoThY•nl from ¥ty• 2- iotsh ¢fAthMnl 44.100 $1279 17.119) Ic7) 34,341 ZT,222 BY ¢FWRrrY 44160 51279 34,341 27,222 Comnw on a awrnte aho TQTAL REC￿pT8 TOTAL PAYIIEIITS lolh forwwd SE¢nON F 4t". CL081PIG BALAP4CE8 CHARrrY-CA8H FUNDS ￿LD￿l J1 AL31tsTXt3 C••h in h•nd 319 f4 OlhllrthJndB SUB TOTAL-Ch• Tot•lfinvJ•W ty Intém￿ CWknIttL bAknctotd fromJtvi•llo121 341 TOTAL CASH FUIIOS ￿EL0 BY CHAiiirY 34.341 SE¢TICI O OTHER A88ET8 UA￿Lrn 31ALTr22 314utr23 Other ￿¥1￿185 ChwhyP¥knJPJ Jds