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2023-03-31-accounts

the Ic)wdov: , supporting young people Trus ees. A pepDr

Reference and

Administration

Registered Charity number: 1197273

Registered Company number:

CE027753 (England and Wales)

Address:

3 Kingswell Street (off Gold Street), Northampton, NN1 1PP

Honorary Presidents:

Jan Jourard Dr John Toby

Current Trustees:

Chair - Stephen Edmonds Vice Chair - Andrea Martin Treasurer - Jonathan Smith Brendan Dunphy Georgina Bayliss Dr Mike Scanlan Dr Martin Clarke Matt Toresen MBE Dr Deborah Patton

Bankers: Metro Bank Northampton

Auditors:

DNG Dove Naish LLP

Contents

4[CEO Report ]

13[LGBTQ+ Services ]

14[Northamptonshire Support after Suicide ] Service

15[Fundraising ]

16[How to Support the lowdown ]

42[How to Contact Us ]

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 2

Keeping pace with this relentless growth over recent years, together with the need to maintain the highest clinical standards has required considerable effort in the areas of resource management, organisational change and governance with the Leadership Team, our systems, data, finances, and board now being unrecognisable from only a few years ago.

Chair’s Report

The number of young people supported has increased by 15%.

“Thank you to the outstanding lowdown – team every one of them is special.”

The last year has seen relentless levels of demand for our services to which we have done our very best to respond and, as Sharon mentions in her CEO report, the number of support contacts over that period has increased by an astounding 36%.

As I flagged in my introduction last year, the concerning trend is not just of sheer numbers but also the increasing complexity of issues that young people are presenting with and, regrettably, it continues unabated.

Whilst our counselling service remains the backbone of what we do, we have continued to develop additional flexible and wrap around services that can help young people who could not otherwise find this support elsewhere or where “one size doesn’t fit all”. A shining example of this is the RE:Start service, which is carrying out hugely valuable work.

The greatest continuing practical challenge continues to be that of available space and this has inevitably occupied a great deal of time and effort but, I am delighted to say that through the immense generosity of our donors, some astute planning, tenacity and good fortune we have been able to take additional space in nearby St Giles Street, develop and open the amazing Lowdown Lounge in our courtyard and, most excitingly, now plan for a major fully funded two-storey extension to our beloved historic building as well as making some very useful internal improvements.

As I touched on last year, the lowdown has transitioned from an organisation which, because of the nature of its funding, essentially could only plan a year at a time to a position where we can at last develop strategy and plan for the medium term.

As I move on to thanks, I feel that I am repeating my message from previous years but that makes it no less heartfelt. The Lowdown Lounge was many years in its gestation and at times we thought it would never happen, but it is now a wonderful addition. The Youth Investment Fund grant has turned our plan for a twostorey extension from a pipe dream into reality.

So, I need to express huge thanks and appreciation as ever to our long-term landlords Beckett’s and Sargeant’s, all of our most generous funders, fundraisers and supporters and our outstanding lowdown team – every one of them is special.

Steve Edmonds Chair of Trustees

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 3

CEO Report

What an amazing year for the lowdown! 97% of young people had a positive outcome from using our services.

The lowdown is going from strength to strength. In this financial year we supported 2,365 young people through 16,452 support contacts which represents a 36% increase through all the services we deliver. Most importantly, 97% of young people found they had a positive outcome from using our services. Our impact will continue to grow as demand for our services continues to increase.

To deliver this growth we have had to make changes to our infrastructure to manage this as the lowdown building is at full capacity; with our counselling and wellbeing services alone.

At the start of this financial year, we launched the new RE:Start service, along with our Reach partner Youth Works. This service provides practical support for young people transitioning from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to Adult Mental Health Services.

On the 27th March 2023 it was finally publicly announced that our application had been successful! With nearly £1.3 million of funding over 3 years, we feel like we have won the lottery! The changes to the building will help us manage the increased demand for all our services and improve accessibility.

This also has been a huge success and we have supported 79 young people with a wide range of support needs, from securing housing; to helping build their confidence and self-esteem. This service is already expanding to support more young people and more space was needed.

planning permission - as we are in a listed building this process has taken longer than expected - but it was finally granted on the 3rd May 2023. Building of the extension will hopefully start in Autumn 2023 and be completed by Summer 2024.

So, we leased a new property in St Giles Street; in Northampton so that the Support Services team, which includes RE:Start, Youth Services, our Support after Suicide Service, and staff team could have space both for themselves and their clients. This was a massive task as at the same time we were finalising the building of our Lowdown Lounge , the outbuilding in the lowdown garden which has been transformed from a “shed” to a brilliant modern space for young people. It was named the Lowdown Lounge by one of our services users.

This funding also enables us to develop new services, such as weekly youth and wellbeing groups. The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) will be instrumental in supporting the development of these new services.

These new services mean we can continue to develop wrap around support for the young people we serve. There are details of all our current services and their impact later in this report.

None of this would happen without the amazing lowdown team (including our staff, volunteers, trustees, and counselling student placements) who continue to deliver quality services for the young people of Northamptonshire. I cannot thank them enough; they are THE BEST .

We have also started the refurbishment of the main building with the main highlight being the conversion of a stationary cupboard into a seating area for our staff to have lunch in our newly refurbished kitchen. We are maximising every bit of space we have.

From there we move onto another extremely exciting new activity which is the development of our Youth Advisory Board (YAB). They will help us develop the lowdown to ensure it meets the needs of the young people we are supporting. We have so far recruited 20 young people to make up the board and we look forward to working with them and listening to their input over the coming year as once again there are going to be considerable changes.

Our supporters, donors, funders, and Reach partners have also helped to make all this possible and we really appreciate their support.

Young people remain at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue to strive to expand and improve our services to give young people the vital support they so need.

In August 2022 we applied to the Youth Investment Fund for funding towards a two-storey side extension, finalising the refurbishment of the main building and developing new services.

Sharon Womersley CEO

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 4

Mission and Aims

Who we are

A Mental Health Charity, providing free and confidential support services for 11-25 year olds in Northamptonshire.

Our Mission

To offer a caring environment where young people are always supported on their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing.

Our Vision

No young person should experience mental health issues alone.

Our Purpose and Values

responsive, and adaptable.

Theory of Change

Young people have free and timely access to evidence-based early intervention services that improve their mental health, emotional wellbeing and resilience.

The lowdown changes lives and sometimes saves them!

Objectives

The lowdown is a Mental Health Charity, providing free and confidential support – services for 11 25 year olds in Northamptonshire. ·

Our services include counselling, wellbeing, LGBTQ+ support , practical support, and sexual health services. We believe there is no need for young people to experience difficult situations alone – we are here to support them.

The lowdown offers a caring environment where young people are always supported on their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing. The service is easy to access, as young people can either self-refer or be referred by professionals such as CAMHS, schools or their GP.

The lowdown services include:

The Out There Junior Group is for school years 7, 8 and 9, our Youth Group is for school years 10, 11, 12 and 13, and the Out There Plus Group is for 18-25 year olds. We also have a new group on Thursdays from 6.30pm -8.00pm for those based in Daventry. For parents and carers of young people in the LGBTQ+ community we offer a space to meet other parents/carers and receive support. They can also join the Facebook group by searching for ‘Out There Group Parent and Carers Support Network Northamptonshire’.

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 6

The lowdown’s impact

Our Impact 2022/23

young people were supported.

An increase of 15% on the previous year.

Through all the lowdown services we provided

support contacts for young people and their families. An increase of 36% on the previous year.

Main issues

What do our service users say?

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97 %
98 % 95 %
felt they had a positive
would recommend our outcome using our found the service
service to others. services. accessible.
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“Every day they positively impact
a young person’s life”
– service user aged 17
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Counselling Service

Case Study:

We also have a Rapid Response counselling service providing immediate access to counselling for young people who have significantly self-harmed and/or have strong suicidal thoughts or have recently attempted suicide. Referrals are made by professionals including the lowdown, who can also escalate high risk clients to this service so they do not have to wait for support.

A young female, aged 17 and of Pakistani origin, referred into the counselling service for support after a recent suicide attempt. She was feeling worthless, had suffered trauma in her life and was experiencing strong emotions. Her starting CORE score was 31 – which is severe.

11,070 counselling sessions provided for - 11 25 year olds.

88% of young people reported an improved or maintained CORE score.

We also provide outreach counselling services for 11-18 year olds in four local schools, again increasing the support available for young people.

A person-centred approach was used throughout counselling. She said she benefitted from having her traumatic experiences validated, as they never had been before. This was pivotal for her as she could explore her experiences without fear of being minimised or judged. Due to the suicide attempt, a safety plan was discussed and agreed with her identifying her support network, distraction techniques and an appropriate App to use as she would often isolate herself if feeling low and sometimes found talking too overwhelming.

The lowdown’s counselling service supports 11-25 year olds living in Northampton and the surrounding areas, 6 days per week. The counselling service is easy to access, as young people can either self-refer or be referred by professionals such as CAMHS, schools or their GP.

Our Therapy dog, Harper, has now been with us for 2 years, and continues to support young people within the counselling and wellbeing services. We are hugely proud to have her as part of the lowdown team. Seeing Harper provide much-needed support to young people, who would normally struggle to access talking therapy, has helped the counselling service become more accessible.

Counselling referrals increased by 13% compared to the previous year. The combination of extra funding to meet this demand and counsellor recruitment has given us the resources to manage the high numbers of young people needing our support.

Demand for our counselling service for 19-25 year olds also continues to increase. This is a valuable service that has been provided for over 20 years and complements our RE:Start service perfectly as it enables us to provide both practical and emotional support for our service users.

Through the counselling sessions she began to show compassion for herself and pursue things that made her happy rather than pleasing others. Her counsellor was authentic, non-judgemental and provided unconditional positive regard, which enabled her to fully accept herself and contribute significantly to her increase in self-worth and resilience. Her counselling sessions ended positively with an ending CORE score of 8 – mild. She felt able to implement boundaries and strive for a life that made her happy. Her suicidal thoughts had completely disappeared, and her depression and anxiety had significantly reduced.

To meet the demand for our counselling service we our RE:Start service perfectly as it enables us to provide have recruited additional Counsellors, Shift Managers both practical and emotional support for our service and Admin staff to ensure we have a smooth-running users. service, look after our staff’s wellbeing and, most importantly, provide a good quality service for our young people. Our Shift Managers work closely with our counsellors to support them with safeguarding and managing the complexity of issues presented by the young people. They also support our student Overall, we provided 11,070 counselling sessions from placements, as well as booking the clients’ counselling April 2022 to March 2023, a 31% increase compared to appointments, rooms etc. This ensures our counsellors the previous year. In March 2023, the referral to treatment can focus on the valuable work of supporting our service time was 7 weeks and 88% of young people reported an users. Our admin team has also expanded to support all improved or maintained CORE score, a measure of their our services and are now available 6 days a week to emotional wellbeing. answer email or telephone enquiries.

All this was achieved through 10 counselling sessions!

A selection of our clients’ comments:

The lowdown also provided 18 counselling student Additional funding (Tier 2.5) has been allocated to Reach, placements in the financial year. This is a significant by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to support higher investment by the lowdown team to support the need clients and bridge the gap between youth students but this helps us to grow our services to meet counselling and Child and Adolescent Mental Health the demand. Services (CAMHS). This enables us to offer longer interventions to support the increased complexity of the Thank you to our amazing counselling team for providing issues our young people are facing. this vital support for young people.

“I always felt safe to disclose what was bothering me.”

“I’ve adopted a much more positive way of thinking due to this great support.”

“I am more able to face feared situations, manage my anxiety, and see myself in a positive light.”

Thank you to our amazing counselling team for providing this vital support for young people.

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 8

: RE Start

A total of 93 referrals in 2022/23.

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Referral:
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Via 19-25 drop-in Anxiety, housing, finance, work, hearing voices, no support network

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Crisis:
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Driving Licence form, ☺ Mental Health forms, Budgeting, on where they are Online Shopping, Counselling referral now...

Mental Health Hub, A&E, GP, Sexual Health Clinic, protective behaviours

“I'm getting the help that I need to be a better person and accept myself more.”

Case Study:

This is an innovative new service to support young people making the transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) to Adult Mental Health Services. RE:Start is exclusively for 16–25 year olds, who live in Northamptonshire, and need additional support with navigating mental health services

“RE:Start are amazing, they have helped me through a lot of stuff. Having the help from my support worker Sophie has been amazing. She has helped me with my mental health and physical health.

Disclosure: NHS forms, Housing Safety Plan, A&E, Application forms, GP appointments, Housing meetings, Police, Rape Crisis, House viewing, S2S Moving

Sophie has always been there for me when I needed someone to talk about what I'm going through, and what I've been through. She's been very supportive and understanding when I told her about what happened to me when I was 15 years old. Sophie helped me to get the help that I needed and not to be afraid to talk about it and that's helped me out a lot.

What a year it has been for RE:Start in the West Northamptonshire area. Our referrals opened on the 20th April 2022 and the service has grown in demand and structure ever since.

We now have a team of 6 RE:Start workers - a team leader and 4 part-time workers and we were thrilled to receive additional funding from the commissioner in January 2023 to increase our team with a full-time worker.

The RE:Start team in the West received a total of 93 referrals with 32 of those from 16 and 17 year olds and 54 from young people aged 18–25 years old. Between them 779 support sessions were provided. The majority of young people are presenting to the service with anxiety and depression often alongside conditions such as ADHD, ASD, EUPD, Psychosis, OCD and PTSD amongst others. Coexisting with the young people’s diagnoses are experiences of historical sexual assault or abuse, historical trauma, domestic violence, issues involving immigration, housing, social isolation along with involvement from agencies such as the police and social services etc.

She's also helped me with moving out from my parents, food shopping and appointments which I'm happy with because I don't think I would be where I am today in a shared house and taking on responsibility. If it wasn't for RE:Start and what they do, I still believe I would be drinking the way I was and doing nothing for myself.

At the beginning of the year, we struggled with a base and location for the RE:Start service with Kingswell Street at full capacity with the counselling service. After managing through the first half of the year, we moved into our beautiful office in St Giles Street with a desk for everyone and 2 consulting rooms designated for RE:Start clients. The majority of clients live within the Northampton area, but support workers have regularly met with clients across the whole of the West of Northamptonshire.

I have a weekly session with Sophie, whether it's face to face or a phone call, it helps me out a lot and I can tell her anything without being judged or anything and I can trust her. It’s a relief to tell her on a weekly basis what's been going on or if I’m going through a really bad stage of depression, suicidal thoughts or self-harm. I'm getting the help that I need to be a better person and to accept myself more.

RE:Start clients often self-refer, but are also referred in by CAMHS, GP surgeries, the police and many other agencies across the county. We have an amazing resourceful team of support workers who work one to one with our clients and have completed a broad number of tasks including advocating, facilitating access to appointments and services, making referrals and signposting, supporting with benefits and budgeting, reducing isolation and reintegration into communities, education, employment, healthy relationships to name but a few.

The service has increased the lowdown’s ability to offer a variety of support according to the needs and presentation of clients. Many counselling clients have benefitted from more practical longer-term support through RE:Start, and many RE:Start clients have benefitted from a therapeutic intervention from the lowdown’s counselling team alongside the practical support they were receiving.

I'm in a better place than I was over a year ago. I still have a long way to go but I'm getting there thanks to RE:Start and Sophie, who are doing an amazing job and looking after the young people so thank you and good luck”.

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 9

Wellbeing Services

The Lowdown Lounge (name chosen by a regular attender of the café) opened its doors to young people in January 2023, and the impact of being in this beautiful new space has been incredible. Feedback from young people and staff has reflected a positive change in atmosphere which now is even more relaxing, calming, and enjoyable.

Espresso Yourself Café

1,227 support contacts provided by our wellbeing café.

In February 2023, two young people started volunteering at the wellbeing café, one being a service user who has experienced counselling at the lowdown and has regularly accessed the café for further support when needed. This young person felt the positive impact of her experience at the lowdown has inspired her to give back to the charity, and even explore career options within the mental health sector.

96% of young people showed an improvement in their mood after attending our café.

The Espresso Yourself Café is a wellbeing drop-in service for young people aged 11 -18 years old and their parents/ carers. Young people can access the cafés face to face or remotely via telephone or video call.

Comments from our service users:

“We were able to chat to a member of staff who offered information about next steps as well as immediate reassurance.”

The café is delivered in collaboration with St Andrew’s Healthcare and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) and the Reach Partnership. There are now a total of 9 cafés across the county, operating 6 days of the week.

“Can talk with them about everything and always listening carefully.”

“Café is a good place to talk and meet people. Feeling safe and comfortable.”

Our professional support workers offer a safe space, supporting service users who are struggling with their emotional wellbeing, mental health or are in crisis. They provide a listening ear, offer advice and guidance, signpost to relevant services, support with onward referrals, distractions, coping skills and so much more to meet the individual needs of young people.

We have seen our contacts grow throughout the year and, as the lowdown is the busiest café in the county, the opening of our brand-new building was a long time coming for a busy drop-in being held in a limited space.

Walk and Talk Case Study: at Espresso Yourself Café

Case Study:

An 11-year-old male with a diagnosis of autism and suspected ADHD was struggling with attending school, relationships with peers, and had

An addition to the café in June 2022 was our walk and talk service provided by Krissy, one of the lowdown’s counsellors, and her therapy dog Harper. Harper had been working at the lowdown for some time prior to this, with one-to-one counselling sessions. This has been a huge success, particularly with young people presenting with high levels of anxiety, learning difficulties and selective mutism.

challenges at home. His mum brought him to the café, as he loves dogs and loved meeting Harper.

To begin with, we would sit in the room with the lights off and the LED sky lights on while classical modern music played softly in the background. The young person would play with Harper while Mum and I (Krissy) spoke about how they had been doing at home and at school.

Following the pandemic, the walk and talk therapy became more popular as it allowed people to access therapy face to face safely with social distancing. Walk and talk therapies fall under the eco-psychotherapy umbrella. Rather than being enclosed in a room, sitting in designated chairs, which can feel quite intense for some people having a counsellor sitting opposite them. Walking alongside each other can feel, for some, more equal and less formal.

This support progressed to the young person taking her out for a walk and talk. He was always excited to take Harper out, and demonstrated real awareness and consideration of risks, and looking after himself and Harper whilst walking.

Sexual Health Service

This young person finds a lot of comfort in spending time with Harper and taking her for a walk; it is calming for him, and on returning to the lowdown conversations are opened, with mum present as well, about what is worrying him, and together we found solutions which helped him.

We are always looking at different ways we can offer support for young people and felt this would fit well within our wellbeing café. Weather dependent, Krissy can take a young person out with Harper for a walk.

Since relaunching our sexual health service, we have had 255 individual contacts.

In June 2022, we reopened our sexual health services, after closing them in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, our sexual health services were one of our most popular as young people found it helpful to access them in a non-clinical setting. They preferred a service which is young person friendly, safe, and non-judgemental so it was important to bring this back.

Using this service, he found a comfortable space to explore his worries, and improve communication and build on his relationship with his mum.

“The young person finds a lot of comfort spending time with Harper, the therapy dog.”

If the weather is not suitable, young people can work with Harper in a one-to-one session at the lowdown, giving them the opportunity to gain support in a less formal environment.

Our sexual health service now runs on Mondays and Fridays between 5.00pm-8.00pm during the Espresso Yourself Café, offering free condoms, pregnancy testing and chlamydia and gonorrhea testing for young people aged 14-25. We can also support young people with onward referrals and someone to talk to, give advice and support.

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 11

~~H~~ appier Families

The Happier Families Programme is a countywide service and delivered as part of the Reach Collaborative. It aims to help families by supporting them to learn about and try out tips, skills, and tools to boost wellbeing both individually and as families, and to improve the quality of the time they spend together.

It provides a toolkit to help participants:

Happier Families attendees’ comments:

“It has helped my family to talk more and brought us closer.”

“It has helped with using different techniques on how to manage emotions.”

“Gave us tools to be more mindful and present with each other.”

“Helped us to better our communication and understanding... To think about ourselves and our lives more positively.”

Youth Advisory Boar ~~d~~

The programme entails 6 facilitator-led workshops, each focusing on one of the 10 Keys to Happier Living as developed by Action for Happiness.

Wellbeing Outreach

The lowdown is an ever-growing service, and with constant changes and developments to the organisation, it was time for us to get young people more involved in this.

Our team delivered two programmes with two primary schools between April and August 2022 which were the final few months of the pilot stage of this project, supporting a total of 14 families across both programmes.

Through our outreach work during this year, we have supported a total of 54 young people.

At the latter end of 2022 work began with research, plans and preparations for the lowdown’s first Youth Advisory Board (YAB). The YAB will be a group of young people selected to represent the voice of young people, to share their feedback, ideas and views on our services and to support the development of the lowdown and the services it provides.

In addition, 79 drop-in sessions were held in these final stages of the pilot phase.

The wellbeing team has been busy with outreach work stages of the pilot phase. this year. We have delivered bespoke assemblies and August 2022 saw the end of the pilot stage of this Happier workshop sessions to several local schools and Families Project, with Phase Two launching in September community organisations including: 2022. Phase Two has provided the opportunity to work one · Scouts Group -to-one with families, and further flexibility with activities.

By setting up a Youth Advisory Board, the lowdown will develop a greater awareness of the issues affecting the community and youth, as seen from the perspective of the young people within the community. The members will provide a fresh energy and perspective which will make for innovative ideas and solutions.

Since the launch of Phase Two, we have delivered 6 programmes, one to a group of families at a primary school, and others involving one-to-one work with families.

In February 2023 we launched recruitment for young people aged 11-25 to become a part of the board, and in March we began our selection process. We received a remarkable 27 applications from young people wanting to join our new Youth Advisory Board.

The drop-in element of this project has been removed since the start of Phase Two. The lowdown has numerous drop-ins internally where young people can be supported, however we felt it was important to continue the support for parents and provide a drop-in for them. This is provided in the Espresso Yourself Café.

Through activities, interactive discussions and psychoeducation, our assemblies and workshop sessions can be tailored to the needs of the group, and aim to improve wellbeing in an engaging way, whilst also informing young people of the support on offer at the lowdown.

Watch this space...

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 12

LGBTQ+ Services

Out There

1,332 contacts across all the groups, supporting 115 young people.

115 young people. In July we threw our annual Prom in the lowdown garden, which was swiftly followed by our second residential, this time held at the University of Nottingham with 21 young The last year has been people and 5 leaders attending. Fun was had row a huge success again for boating, t-shirt designing and competing in our sports Out There in Northampton, embedding day. In August we attended the very warm Deanshanger and growing our Junior group and expanding into Pride and September had us heading off on a train with Daventry. We continued the fun with our second 14 young people and 4 leaders to join the Birmingham residential, another prom and more Pride events. Pride Parade. Our legendary Halloween party was the Over the year the Northampton group ran 144 sessions highlight of October and in November, as well as the across the three age groups - Out There Juniors, Out Daventry group launching, Out There, the Northampton There Youth and Out There Plus with 1,332 contacts service, turned 10 years old and was celebrated with the made with 115 different young people. most amazing birthday cake. Our Christmas dinner and party games for 30 young people finished off the year We expanded into Daventry starting with holding a Big and made way for a more relaxed start to 2023.

We expanded into Daventry starting with holding a Big Gay Picnic in partnership with Daventry Mind in June to build awareness of the LGBTQ+ community in that area and gauge the demand for an Out There group along with engaging with the local secondary schools. Out There Daventry was launched on 3rd November 2022. It takes place on Thursday nights during term time at the Mind building and so far has held 18 sessions, making 85 contacts with 19 individual young people.

We gave a warm welcome to Callum, our volunteer Youth Leader, and Ash, Sophie and Cami as paid Youth Leaders. In March we also welcomed Kelly to the team as our Youth Services Co-ordinator who will manage the day-to-day running of our LGBTQ+ services and be involved in some exciting projects happening later in 2023. Kelly is an ex-volunteer Youth Leader, and we are very excited to have her back on the team. Sadly, Parker left us in August to be closer to family and take on a new exciting LGBTQ+ role in Nottingham. Will has also left us and moved up to Manchester. He has been an integral part of the growth of the Out There service; the residential, parent and carers group and GSRD training would not have been possible without his input and dedication to the group. Will’s absence will be felt greatly by leaders and young people alike; however, I am sure his impact will be felt for a long time to come. We wish both Parker and Will all the best on their new adventures.

Another Out There swim was held in April and we attended the HeadFest Event and I’m Still Me virtual conference in May. June bought us the Big Gay Picnic in Daventry and Northampton Pride where 21 of our Out There Northampton young people paraded along with 12 young people from the Out There Wellingborough group. Our stall was as popular as ever, selling the usual flags and laces along with our talented young people’s jewellery and art, turning over £900 meaning a profit of around £300 going back into the Out There groups.

Quotes from our Group members:

“I am so glad for the friends I have gained while being here, everyone is so nice and so lovely.”

“From having attended The Out There Youth Group for almost 4 years now, I can say that it has been the most supportive group I have been able to be a part of, and they have provided both support, and community in the times I have needed it most. Group has been a big part of figuring out my identity and my true self, and they have been there to support me through it.”

“The activities and trips they have provided has also helped me to develop stronger bonds with the friends I have made there, most of which I have had since joining, and continue to talk to outside of group.”

“I would recommend this group, and I have done to a few people over the years. Group is a welcoming, friendly and supportive community, and I have thoroughly enjoyed attending, and even with the recent move to Uni, I still look forward to attending every time I come back home.”

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 13

. Northamptonshire Support after Suicide Service

One of our clients sent Anna, our Support Worker, the following letter. Her partner died by suicide, and this is her story. Warning. This is a very emotional read…

I have worked in the care sector for 26 years mainly within managerial positions. I can say without any question that Anna is the most caring, compassionate, considerate, kind, committed professional I have ever met . Without doubt I can say that she saved my life. I am here because of her. She helped me to accept what had happened and find a way to carry it.

“The Northamptonshire Coroner’s Office referred me to your service. Quickly I received communication from Anna and an appointment was arranged for me to see her.

On the day of the appointment I was completely broken, I did not know how I was going to even begin to accept and understand what had just happened.

I am still on a very long road; Anna gave me the tools to somehow drag myself to a year since his passing. Although I now have a diagnosis of PTSD, I am getting out of bed every day, I am working full time, I am socialising, I am attending regular group and individual sessions and I am living. Without doubt, I am now his eyes and ears.

I walked into the lowdown and was greeted and asked to sit in the reception area. Everyone who walked through said hello to me providing a reassuring smile that put me at ease. Anna then came and introduced herself and took me into a private room. Within a very short period of time, I was able to share with her how I was feeling, I felt completely listened to, she took in absolutely everything I said to her, providing reassurance, support and guidance during the session. I spent a very long time with Anna during that appointment, not once did I feel rushed. She sensed that I needed the time, and she gave it to me. I felt so comfortable, I literally shared everything with her that day.

I recently took a trip to Scotland and wanted to share the below photograph with you. I was there and so was he. Without Anna all of this would not have been possible, and I cannot thank her enough for all the support she has given me.

Anna kept telling me “You can do this”, she was right.”

A picture that says a thousand words!

Following the meeting I felt overwhelmed, but validated, completely listened to. Finally, someone understood where I was coming from.

Anna ensured I was safe and in a good frame of mind to leave, and checked on me to ensure I was home safe.

Anna explained so much about suicide, things I did not know, how would I, I never had to deal with something so tragic before. She advised me to trust me and my own instincts and not take in other people’s judgements but for me to come to my own conclusions so that I could then begin to accept what had happened.

Following the initial meeting Anna and I spoke frequently either by telephone calls, text messages and emails. She kept in contact with me, particularly on key dates, she never missed one.

Although this may sound strange, but it was almost like I had my own Guardian Angel by my side reassuring me that there was going to be a better day, and somehow, I was going to get through this.

Fundraising

Yet again we are blown away by the support we have · had from people in our community who go above and beyond to help young people on their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing.

We have seen the return of fundraisers and donations from:

We are always delighted to be supported by local businesses and this year did not disappoint.

We are so thankful for the continued support; it means so much to be repeatedly chosen.

“All too often, as a community, we see the devastating consequences of the growing mental health crisis. That’s why we are supporting the lowdown in their work with children and young adults. If, together, we can change the path that one individual is taking, we have the responsibility to try. Thank you to the lowdown for all you do.”

We also give thanks to those who donate monthly, buy tickets for the Northampton Lottery, took part in Amazon Smile and easyfundraising purchases and support us at various events, fundraisers; and promotions.

Thank you to each and every one of our donors, fundraisers, funders and supporters who have contributed, you are amazing!

How to Support the lowdown

Your support and donations are vital so we can continue to provide our services for young people. Our work helps us to increase young people’s resilience and equip them with the tools to help them cope with future challenges in their life.

: There are lots of ways you can support us

  - Set up a monthly donation

  - Make a one-off donation

Or scan this QR code to instantly donate

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 16

Who’s Who?

A list of all those who have worked or volunteered for the lowdown between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023.

The lowdown would not be what it is without our amazing team who are flexible and constantly help us to adapt to fulfil every opportunity we get to support young people.

Staff

CEO - Sharon Womersley

Counsellors

Catherine Burrows, Caroline Parnell, Adrian Shaw, Carol Jeyes, Ciara Cummings, Da-Sheena Fulford, Daniel Kwakye, Helen Heng, Hitomi Palmer, James Young, Jennifer Gee, Kanan Robinson, Kelly Lane, Kenny Pang, Kirsty Roberts, Kirsty Bees, Kristyana Jimdar, Laura Cooper, Matthew Price, Meghan Wright, Rebecca Wheeler, Rose-Marie Golaub, Toniiae Smith, Natalie Morrison, Rachael Moss, Stephanie Clayson, Chelsea Buswell, Laura Kaye, Leanne Allsop, Rachel Welsh, Ryan Parkinson, Stephanie Gardner, Anna Tutt, Gemma Ainge, Laura Farmer and Sophie Goode

Placement Counsellors

Office Manager - Lisa Braithwaite

Fundraising & Marketing Manager - Ellie White

Geraldine Ward, Katie Redding, Laura Farmer, Laura Kaye, Leanne Allsop, Rebecca Ibbs, Natalie Morrison, Rachael Moss, Stephanie Clayson, Helen Shouler, Anna Tutt, Becky Truman, Sophie Goode, Ryan Parkinson and Callum Crawford-McKellar

Clinical Manager - Rachel Welsh Business Manager - Laura Simms

Support Services Manager - Helen Heng

School Outreach Counsellors and Workers

Shift Managers - Chelsea Buswell, Becky Truman, Ryan Parkinson and Steph Gardner

Carol Jeyes, Chelsea Buswell, Gemma Ainge, Kelly Lane, Kirsty Roberts, Kirsty Bees, Matthew Price, Meghan Wright and Rebecca Ibbs

Administrators - Maxine Eborall and Alison Inglese

Wellbeing Co-ordinator - Chelsea Buswell

Wellbeing Workers (including Espresso Yourself Café)

Youth Services Co-ordinator - Kelly Emmanuel

Elizabeth Johnson, Emma Roddis, Emma Miller, Hazel Scott, Helen Shouler, Karoline Bardin-Bryant, Niamh Roe, Chelsea Buswell, Ciara Cummings, Da-Sheena Fulford, Kelly Lane, Kirsty Roberts, Kristyana Jimdar, Laura Farmer, Meghan Wright and Donna Shrubb

LGBTQ+ Co-ordinators - Kathryn Parker, Helen Heng and Kelly Emmanuel

Out There Youth Leaders - Julie Holt, William Beckett, Ash Harrison, Ioana-Camelia Martin and Sophie Turner

Suicide Bereavement Support Worker – Anna Tutt

LGBTQ+ Groups Volunteers

RE:Start Support Workers – Carol Jeyes, Sophie Goode, Kirsty Bees, Gemma Cort, Rebecca Kings and Laura Farmer

Maxine Bannard, Callum Crawford-McKellar, Adelaide Essex and Alex Webber

Clinical Supervisors

Trustees

Stephen Edmonds (Chair), Andrea Martin (Vice Chair), Kate Williams and and Matthew Price Jonathan Smith (Treasurer), Brendan Dunphy, Other Volunteers Dr Martin Clarke, Georgina Bayliss, Dr Mike Scanlan, Matt Toresen MBE and Dr Deborah Patton Marie Wallace

Kate Williams and and Matthew Price

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 17

Acknowledgements and Thanks

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the lowdown during 2022 and 2023. There are so many individuals, organisations, businesses, and schools who have helped us to ensure we can provide our vital services to young people. We feel very honoured to be recognised by so many in our community.

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 18

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Report of the Trustees

Public Benefit

The Trustees have taken due regard of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

The lowdown is a Mental Health charity, providing free and confidential support services for 11-25 year olds and their families in Northamptonshire. Our services include counselling, wellbeing, LGBTQ+ support, practical support and sexual health services. These services are provided free of charge and provide a caring environment where young people are fully supported in their journey towards positive emotional health and wellbeing regardless of their socio-economic circumstances, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, sexuality, or perceived disadvantage.

We aim to help children and young people feel valued and supported so that they can live safe, happy, and healthy lives, be part of and enjoy family and community life and achieve their full potential. The services we provide at the lowdown, along with our varied outreach services, not only benefit young people directly, but also the wider community.

The lowdown provides student placements for counselling trainees in order to develop the workforce of the future to support the escalation in demand for mental health services for children and young people.

Our anonymous service user questionnaires, regular internal reviews, and feedback from the organisations that use the lowdown enable us to keep abreast of any gaps in youth service provision and we continually develop our services in order to fill any such gaps. Surveys are also carried out when introducing new services to ensure that these services fulfil young people’s needs.

Appointment of Trustees

New trustees are recruited by advertisements placed with the local volunteering centre, and organisations targeted for particular expertise and knowledge. The lowdown adheres to a policy of equal opportunities in the advertisement, selection, recruitment, and training of its trustees, and within all aspects of its service delivery.

Applicants are interviewed by the trustees and CEO, who then reach a decision as to the suitability of the candidate.

Successful candidates are appointed subject to a satisfactory DBS check and fulfilment of a three-month probationary period. At the next annual general meeting, they are officially elected, and all trustees are subject to re-election at our AGM in line with our constitution.

All trustees receive a copy of the lowdown Trustees’ Handbook. In accordance with good practice, governance is regularly reviewed.

continued...

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Treasurers Report and Financial Review

for the year ended 31st March 2023

Income from charitable activities has again grown significantly during the year due to the sustained focus on funding applications and has increased by £249,138 compared to the previous year. Donations have also increased by £128,478. A more detailed summary of income streams can be found in Notes 2 & 3 to the Financial Statements. The net effect of this is that Total Income has increased during the year by £377,616 (53%).

Facing the future from a position of considerable strength and flexibility. - With the vagaries of Covid 19 restrictions behind us, but perhaps partly due to those restrictions, the team have found themselves faced with a hugely expanded workload during the year.

Having reached a point where there is enough resource and stability to make longer term plans, one of the first strategic decisions has been to formalise the structure of the lowdown and the rates at which staff are paid.

Needless to say, they have all risen to the challenge and have made amazing efforts to maintain service levels while at the same time continuing to source and secure funding. The lowdown is now facing the future from a position of considerable strength and flexibility to offer whatever services are needed over the coming year.

Where practicable, counsellors have been offered employment contracts and all wage rates have been adjusted to better reflect the industry rate for the work performed. Hopefully this will provide more security for staff and serve as an indication of the high regard in which we hold all of them. The cost of staff salaries and counsellors continues to be the largest item of expenditure and during the year this amounted to 75% of total expenditure. The cost of salaries and counsellors amounted to £654,639 for the year which represents an increase of 76% over the previous year, due to increased staffing levels and pay increases.

As shown in The Statement of Financial Position, the Total Funds have again improved over the course of the year with Total Funds held at 31st March 2023 standing at £642,326. This compares to the balance at 31st March 2022 of £433,490, giving an increase in funds retained during the year of £208,836. Within the Total Funds figure are restricted funds of £230,195 which is the current value of the Lowdown Lounge.

The bank balance has fallen from £980,156 at 31st March 2022 to £600,853 at 31st March 2023, a drop of £379,303 which is mainly due to two major factors. During the year, capital expenditure was undertaken at a cost of £250,902. At 31st March 2022 there was a large sum of monies held which represented advance payments for contracts, shown in creditors, which had not yet been fulfilled at that point. This advance payment has not repeated at the current year end and the difference is therefore shown as a cash outflow of £317,565. These sums have been somewhat offset by the surplus for the year and other movements, further details are enumerated in the Statement of Cash Flows.

Overheads have been carefully monitored during the year and significant expense increases are related to the opening and running of the premises in St Giles Street, property repairs at Kingswell Street and audit fees.

The Trustees of the lowdown would like to thank the Beckett’s and Sargeant’s Educational Foundation for the generous provision of the premises in Kingswell Street, and also all the organisations and individuals who have made donations, given their time or supported the lowdown in any other way.

A special thank you this year must go to the funders who have made the Lowdown Lounge possible. They are the Beatrice Laing Trust, Beckett's and Sargeant's, The Wilson Foundation and Michael Jones Jeweller - they have provided a fantastic resource for us with this facility. It is already making a huge difference to the young people we support who are greatly benefiting from it.

The major capital work carried out at the Kingswell Street premises during the year was the build and commission of the Lowdown Lounge.

The cost of this, together with a new intercom system and fitted desks for the main building, totalling £250,902 has been capitalised as Improvements to Property. Other items of equipment purchased were an interactive display board and free-standing tables for the Lowdown Lounge which make up the £4,516 capitalised as Office Equipment. Each of these are shown in the Tangible Fixed Assets Note 10 to the Financial Statements.

Jonathan Smith Treasurer

the lowdown Trustees’ Annual Report 2022-2023 41

How to Contact Us

Call us: 01604 634385

Email us:

General Enquiries:

info@thelowdownnorthampton.co.uk

Fundraising, Events and Business Partnership:

elliewhite@thelowdownnorthampton.co.uk

Wellbeing Services:

wellbeingservice@thelowdownnorthampton.co.uk

LGBTQ+ Support Enquiries:

lgbtqsupport@thelowdownnorthampton.co.uk

RE:Start Enquiries:

helenheng@thelowdownnorthampton.co.uk

Youth Groups Enquiries:

youthgroups@thelowdownnorthampton.co.uk

the lowdown, 3 Kingswell Street (off Gold Street), Northampton NN1 1PP

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make a referral, visit our website…

www.thelowdown.info

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the lowdov supportlng young people