## **CONNECT SCHOOLS WORKER PROJECT** ## **ANNUAL REPORT** ## **PERIOD 01[st] May 2024 - 30[th] APRIL 2025** ## **_________________________________________________________** The trustees present their report and the financial statements of the organisation for the full year period 01[st] May 2024 - 30[th] April 2025. ## **Reference and Administrative Information** ## **Trustees** Peter Burns (chair) Bob Clatworthy (secretary) Eileen Oates John Payne Mark Rowley John Watson ( _resigned wef 01November2024_ ) Chris Foggin ( _appointed wef 15January2025_ ) Trevor Jones (Treasurer) ( _appointed wef 15January2025_ ) ## **Principal office** The Centre 79 Silver Street Nailsea BS48 2DS England Tel: 07788 453819 e-mail: peter.burns@nailseabaptist.com ## **Bankers** Lloyds Bank, Clevedon ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The Connect Schools Worker project was established in 2013, working as an outreach project group within Christians Together in Nailsea and District (CTiNaD), Connect Schools Worker Project became a CIO, with its own group of trustees, wef 9[th] November 2022. This report covers the period of 12 months to the end of our traditional financial year on 30[th] April 2025 The purposes of the Connect Schools Worker Project are to advance the Christian Faith by appointing a Christian Youth Worker situated in Nailsea School; To work with teachers and young people across the Nailsea School Community and communicate effectively with the local church community in Nailsea. - To help the school fulfil their statutory responsibilities for assemblies and religious education and in related areas such as personal, moral and social education, by taking assemblies and lessons. - To support the school in providing pastoral and mental health care and Mentor support for individual students and staff. - Provision of Breakfast Club to feed hungry students who do not have breakfast at home - To develop ways of linking the school and churches so that Christian groups and individuals can support students and staff in informed and practical ways. This report seeks to define the specific activities of the Connect Schools Worker Project CIO for the period in question. All the activities of the Project are intended for public benefit, both spiritual and in service to the local community of Nailsea School. ## **Trustees** The trustees who served the group during the period are as shown above. New trustees are representatives nominated by the supporting churches to replace members who have resigned. The expectation is that each supporting church nominate a suitable member to serve as trustee. Trustees are made aware of the financial position of the Project and of their responsibilities as trustees. This includes regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. ## **Organisation** The trustees of the Connect Schools Worker Project hold the responsibility of running its financial affairs operating within a budget approved by the trustees at the beginning of each Financial Year. ## **Volunteers** Almost all the activities of the Project involve substantial work by volunteers, for example as trustees, office holders, activity group leaders and helpers. We do employ one individual, currently Becky Allison, as the schools worker. She is not a trustee. ## **Risks** The trustees have identified the major risks to which the charity is exposed. These risks are reviewed annually, and systems have been established to mitigate the risks. ## **Review of Developments, Activities and Achievements** ## **May 2024 – Apr 2025** The most significant event in the year occurred when our first Connect worker, Neil Wylie, tendered his resignation, to take effect at the end of the school year in August 2024. The trustees met to discuss the ongoing viability of the project and, after discussion with the school, concluded that there is very much an ongoing need for the work we offer. After advertising and interviewing we appointed a new Connect worker, Becky Allison who started on 08January 2025. Before Neil’s departure, and since Becky started, assisted by a volunteer youth worker who helps for one day per week, our workers continued to meet regularly with a significant number of individuals in need of pastoral care and mentor-type assistance. These have still included many opportunities to support the wider school pastoral care team by judicious and timely use of regular 1-to-1 meetings with students as well as times when he was called in by staff for ‘one-off’ assistance to combat behavioural issues. Aided by the volunteer helper, released by one of the local churches, Neil was invited to lead assemblies at key times during the Christian calendar which were well received. To date these have paused until Becky is settled in. She has though continued to lead the school Christian Union group who have engaged well with topics studied and encourage friends to attend. As another support, the weekly Breakfast Club for hungry students continued successfully. This has proved so useful that the school now organise another Breakfast Club on a different day. The Connect worker is available to contribute to RE lessons up to GCSE level. Financially, after the success of last year’s appeal, Connect is well provided for, however reserves are now diminishing. Local churches continue to support the work, covering 40-50% of costs, the remainder is dependent on external charitable giving. Connect is unashamedly a Christian project, where we are keen to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical care and support. The work is highly prized by the school community and local families, and we are delighted that God has faithfully provided for us in fulfilling these aims. ## **Financial Review** The financial review, together with independent examiner conformation is appended as a separate document. ## **2. Accounting Policy** The accounts are presented on a receipts and payments basis using the standard form of accounts and are independently examined.