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2023-03-31-accounts

Derwentside Detached Youth Projett Supportlng young people In the Communlty slnce 1981 Annual Report April 2022 - March 2023 DERWENTSIDE Dry¢ach•d Youth Prgi• Room 40, Glenroyd House, Medomsley Road, Consett, Co Durtiam DH8 5HL Tel: 01207501863 Emall.. Website: h Facebook: Derwentside Detached Youth Project Registered Charity No. 513336

Contents

Foreword------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3
Chair’s Report -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff Davison---------------------------------------------------------------- 4
Meet the Trustees------------------------------------------------------------ 5
Meet the Team ---------------------------------------------------------------- 6
ABOUT THE PROJECT--------------------------------------------------------- 7
Workers’ Reports
Diane Wordsworth – Youth Worker--------------------------------------- 9
Megan Sinden – Support Worker---------------------------------------- 11
Lynn Walton , Youth Worker & Hannah Lesley, Support Worker--------- 15
The Young People Comments-------------------------------------------------- 17
DDYP Accounts 2022 - 2023--------------------------------------------------- 19
Statement of Assets & Liabilities --------------------------------------------- 20
Independent Examiners Report ---------------------------------------------- 21
Acknowledgements --------------------------------------------------------------- 22

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FOREWORD

Another year with our Project and again many changes, new projects and activities and yet the focus remains the same – to support young people in the community without distinction of race, political opinions, religion or sex to make the transition to being a confident adult.

Our teams of dedicated youth workers are a true inspiration, I really can’t praise them enough.

Team 1: Diane Wordsworth & Megan Sinden. Diane has been with the project for many years, and now settled in the role she loves as Youth Worker. Although Megan is working as a qualified support worker to Diane she is now also a qualified Level 3 Youth & Community worker and is also taking on an extra position as Community Worker in the Moorside/The Grove area.

Team 2: Lynn Walton & Hannah Leslie. Lynn is a very experienced youth worker and has covered so many aspects of youth work and also working with families in the area. Hannah joined us earlier in the year, again we were lucky to find her, she is very enthusiastic and an asset to our Project.

Although we are a very small team, five in total, I feel we engage with so many young people from different areas, this is down to the dedication and determination of all the youth workers and their support workers.

Of course none of this would be possible without the support of our amazing funders, some who have supported us for many years, and I hope for many more to come. Not only have they been generous with their grants, they have given me so much support and encouragement, sometimes over the years when I thought “all is lost” they come to our rescue and I can’t thank them enough.

Having worked with so many youth workers over the years it has made me realise just how much a project like ours is necessary, some young people can get lost it today’s environment, they don’t have the confidence to ask for help and support. Our workers are there for them, giving them the support they need. Because of this when things have been particularly difficult it has given me the encouragement I need to push on and ensure we have sustainable funding. Funding is very challenging to say the least; however we are all committed, enthusiastic and determined to continue in the pursuit of engaging young people. Many small projects have sadly disappeared over recent years, we are still here which highlights our determination and tenacity, and we never give up.

We continue to look forward knowing we can and do make a positive difference in the lives of young people we meet and of those we will meet in the future.

Jackie Forbes - Project Manager

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CHAIRS REPORT

Yet another year has passed us by bringing with it many more challenges facing our team, I am happy to say they respond with their usual enthusiasm.

The vision of the Project back in 1981 was to provide some short term help and support for those young people who had no hope of employment when “the works” closed, closely followed by the coalmines.

It is interesting that the Project is now working with 3rd generations of families, highlighting the needs of local communities. Like any piece of youth work the project has had to be forward thinking and I congratulate the team for making this happen.

Facing the pandemic was difficult for the team and the young people we engage, since then we now have the poverty crisis. Families are struggling, it almost as if we have turned the clock back to 1981. A fact that is perhaps a little sad. However, the team have handled the crisis, not only working with young people but also now engaging with the families.

People often ask “what is detached work”? There is no easy way to define it so that others can comprehend what it is all about. It is the meeting of meeting of sympathetic adults with young people on their territory and on their terms, so that through purposeful relationships they can be encouraged to continue their personal social development.

As we look to the future our hope and vision is to see a non-judgemental and fair society where young people are accepted for who they are and the contribution they will bring to the community. Until then we will continue to provide the best quality of youth work, offering new opportunities, building self-esteem, giving them the confidence to take control of their lives and look forward to a better and more fulfilling future.

I personally can say I am proud to be part of this team for many years, first as a part-time young worker and now as a Trustee. I have seen the project overcome so many obstacles over the years, some they thought they would never have to deal with. Our longevity speaks volumes, the need for our work is as prevalent as ever and will continue to deal with future obstacles that come our way with positivity and enthusiasm.

Jeff Davison – Chair of Trustee

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Meet the Trustee’s

Jeffrey Davison – Chair

Anne Leech– Secretary

REV. Anne Jeffrey

Owen Temple – Treasurer

Jane Brown

Catherine Harwood

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Meet the Team

Diane Wordsworth – Detached Youth Worker

Jackie Forbes – Project Manager

Lynn Walton – Detached Youth Worker

Megan Sinden – support Youth Worker

Hannah Lesley - Support Worker

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ABOUT OUR PROJECT

Our Project was founded back in 1981 following the closure of the main employers in the area, The Steel Works and local coalmines. Unemployment brought with it many problems, families breaking up, depression, alcoholism, mental health, petty crime and anti-social behaviour. The main concern of the founders was for the young people in the area and their futures.

Today there has been very little change in circumstances, although new employers have come into the area, very few have stayed and there has been none on the same scale as the Steel Works. Although we are situated in Consett town centre, we are surrounded by many rural villages, most of which have no youth provision, or very little. The young people have a feeling of been “left behind” due to the lack of opportunities available to them. Our Detached Youth Workers target these young people considered “at risk” hanging around streets, parks, bus shelters etc. Our aim is to engage them in alternative leisure activities, usually initiated and planned by young people themselves.

Experience has taught us that boredom plays a major part in them becoming involved in antisocial behaviour, petty crime, dabbling in drugs and/or alcohol. By talking to them, and more importantly listening to them we can address issues and problems facing young people engaged. Alongside our detached work we run many residentials, outdoor activities, and issue based workshops often working in partnership with other agencies in the area. The workshops include many relevant topics, i.e. sexual health, healthy eating, drug and/or alcohol misuse, teenage pregnancy, emotional and mental wellbeing, and life skills. Our workers are here to listen to the needs of the young people and address them accordingly. Workshops are targeted at topics raised by the young people.

Emphasis is placed on improving quality of life, raising self-esteem, learning new skills, physical and emotional wellbeing. Our workers listen to their needs in relation to social, health and education, facilitating them in attaining their goals and become active members of their communities.

We are learning more young people are suffering from anxieties and mental issued, this came to light during the recent pandemic, they seemed to take on the stress that the whole family were dealing with. We can offer guidance and support, sometimes referring them to specialist agencies.

Our role is not to “get kids off the streets” but to work alongside the young people, guiding them through adolescence and helping them to make the successful transition to adulthood with the

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confidence to achieve their personal goals. It is important to allow young people to also enjoy their young lives and have fun, engaging with others, experiencing new challenges and letting them know they are never alone, there is always somebody to listen to them.

Detached work is as crucial today as it was back in 1981 with as many young people needing our support as ever. With the continued support of our funders, volunteers and staff we will maintain our high level of service in the area.

Young People Walks

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Youth Worker Reports

Another year has quickly passed at D.D.Y.P. In 2022 we applied for funding to open a Youth Drop In in Medomsley after meeting and speaking to local young people while on detached in the area we felt there was a real need for youth provision in the village. We were successful in being awarded funding from The County Durham Foundation and opened the drop in at the Methodist Church Hall in August last year. The Drop In is well attended as the village is quite isolated and has very few amenities for young people without the need to travel elsewhere. We have discussed with young people what they would like to see in these sessions and what would best suit them and we have confirmed that in the summer months we will concentrate our efforts on Detached as young people prefer to be outdoors in the summer.

Our Drop In at Burnhope is still being well attended as again the village is quite isolated. Over the last 12 months young people have taken part in various activities and workshops including, Halloween Disco, Christmas trip to Winter Wonderland and workshops including Bullying and Drug and Alcohol Awareness .Young people have also taken part in lots of arts and craft sessions. We also work detached in the area on the same night as the Drop In, to try and encourage other young people in the area to attend.

Promoting Healthy Eating

The LGBTQ+ Group has been running for approximately 6 years now and is as much needed now as it was in the beginning. Young people are provided with a safe space to share their hopes, fears, issues and advice with others going through similar experiences while also giving them the opportunity to build new friendships.

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In April 2022 we took a small group of young people on a 2 day residential to Chartners Farm a Victorian Farmhouse which is 5 miles into Harwood Forest. Here young people experienced what life was like before technology as there was no TV or internet access. Young people took part in cooking all meals, and lots of nature walks. At the end of the trip all young people commented on how surprised they were that they did not miss TV or their mobile phones as much as they thought they would and that spending quality time together talking with each other and enjoying each other’s company had been one of the best parts of the trip. The group has also taken part in bullying and drug and alcohol workshops over the course of the last 12 months. Earlier this year we were invited to attend The High Sherriff’s Awards night where we were awarded £1500 in funding. It was a fantastic night and the 2 young people whom attended thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

2 Night Residential at Chartners Farm, Harwood Forest, Near Morpeth

High Sherriff’s Awards Night at Ushaw House

Last year we organised a trip to Lightwater Valley for young people involved in our Project. We hired a coach and took approximately 30 to the popular theme park. Aside from the blistering heat young people and staff had a fantastic time.

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Lightwater Valley Trip

Detached work is always challenging. One of the main reasons being social media and online gaming. Young people spend more time online which makes it difficult to engage with them in person as they are often at home in their rooms. This is why it is important to try to engage with them in “real life” where we can offer them support and guidance as I believe that detached youth work can play a vital role in building stronger, more resilient communities in the future.

Being a Youth Worker can be a hard at times but the rewards are worth it. Seeing the progress that young people make and the positive changes they are able to achieve reminds me of the importance of the work we do here at D.D.Y.P. … Hopefully we can continue to support and empower young people in the years to come.

“YOUNG PEOPLE NEED ROLE MODELS, NOT CRITICS”

Quote: John Woodon

Diane Wordsworth – Youth Worker

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DDYP has had another successful year. Diane and I have been working together to provide youth provision in the Derwentside area.

Burnhope Youth Drop In on Friday nights has been especially successful, with numbers growing every week. Although there was a sudden drop in attendance due to Covid, we are glad to see that it has slowly built back up over the weeks and has become one of our most popular nights.

Some of the YP at Burnhope Youth Drop in Halloween Party

The LQBTQ+ drop in is a great group which I have helped run since I first started in 2018, This particular youth drop in provides a safe and welcoming space for young people to connect with others who share similar experiences and challenges. It can help to reduce feelings of isolation

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and provide a sense of community. It also provides access to resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth who may not have it elsewhere

We were thrilled to be shortlisted for the High Sheriff Awards for 2023, and even more excited to learn that our project won £1500. We took some young people to the ceremony, and they had a fantastic time. After the ceremony, everyone was treated to a circus performance and a meal. During the event, we had the pleasure of meeting Christine, who runs a project called 'Building Self-Belief.' We discussed the possibility of partnering together on future projects, and we are looking forward to exploring this opportunity together.

Two of our Young people at the High Sheriff award

Our Medomsley youth drop-in began in October 2022 and was very successful. However, once the lighter and sunnier weather arrived, we saw a drop in attendance. Diane and I have discussed this and believe that the youth drop-in would be better suited to running in the winter months.

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While out on Detached, we bring a bag of business cards to distribute to young people. We also inform young people of what is happening in the area, including Lynn and Hannah's youth dropins. Additionally, we carry a C-card bag with us and have various locations on Wednesdays where young people can find us, such as Allensford Park, Blackhill Park, and Consett Town Centre.

I am excited to announce that I have been offered a new role as a community worker in Moorside. Thanks to additional funding becoming available, I will be able to put all my efforts into this new position. I am eager to make a positive impact and contribute to the community in this new role.

Young people at Chartners Farm, 2 day Residential

Megan Sinden – Support Worker

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St John’s Community Hall Drop in.

We have had a very busy year, numbers of young people attending our drop-ins and offsite activities have been constant. We are aware that our work in the area of Moorside and The Grove is much needed and appreciated by both young people and parents.

A family event in partnership with “The Family Centre’s”, Children and Young People’s Services was well attended by over 70 young people and adults. We raised the profile of our project with a display board highlighting our service and groups. We also offered craft activities which parents and young people enjoyed.

A further event facilitated by P.A.C.T. was attended mostly by our young people. The Police were disappointed that very few adults in the community attended but commended the young people for their attendance.

In the August School holidays some of our young people attended a trip to Lightwater Valley, these young people being from Blackhill and Consett. Being a great opportunity & day out, for young people who do not normally get the chance to get away for the day

Hannah Leslie joined us in August, as a support worker and has been a great asset to the project. Her first offsite trip was to the Empire Theatre Consett with a group of twenty young people and myself. We enjoyed the Christmas pantomime which was Aladdin.

We also distributed 20 Christmas food parcels to those in need in Moorside. These were much appreciated by families suffering financially hardship, these enabled them to enjoy the Christmas holidays knowing they had food for the duration. The funding for these had been secured by Jackie from “Holiday Hunger Grant”.

Group Walk

Some of the young people went on a wildlife walk supported by Hannah, Jackie and myself. We walked through the woodland areas of Moorside and Castleside and had a picnic before we went back to the hall (see Front Cover image). It is quite often the case that some young people have never explored these beautiful areas which are within walking distance from their homes.

Blackhill - Roots and Wings

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We have had a number of young people attending some of whom have been with the project since year 6 and are now ready to go to College. However we have new young people joining us and our numbers are increasing.

We had a fun community event in the October holidays which was attended by parents and young people as well as members of the church. Activities included badge making, arty crafts and chocolate apples which the young people made with Megan.

Some young people attended the pantomime with the Moorside group as had previously attended Lightwater Valley in the summer. The group made decorations for the church to be displayed during the Christmas services. These were much appreciated and enjoyed by the church community.

Whitsun half term a group of boys and one girl went to Go Karting. Once again they had a great time and thanks to the volunteer driver for his patient endurance when we had to stay an hour longer so that all the young people could have a go.

Wednesday - Therapeutic Art Group

Therapeutic Art Group, has accepted referrals from Children and Young People’s Services as well as schools. We have had a mixed age group with younger children who will be going to secondary school attending. These young people have anxieties and 2 of them had bereavement of parents, lost their mothers in the same sad circumstances. We have been able to offer them support which has been appreciated by their carers. We will encourage them when they feel confident to join the Blackhill or Tesco’s Friday group.

Tesco Friday group

Is a small group of no more than 7 young people at the present time; however we do have space for more? The young people who attended have been involved in confidence building sessions and some completed “Who Am I” life story book.”

Some have been given worry work books which they can use at home.

Lynn Walton Youth Worker & Hannah Lesley - Support Worker

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SOME COMMENTS FROM THE YOUNG PEOPLE -KH Being able to have a place where I could hang out with friends and meet new people. Yous were always there when I wanted to open up and talk about struggles and challenges Emllie Being able to have a safe and supportive environment. To be able to talk to amazing youth workers that would support me and help me in anyway possible. And being able to meet with my friends in a safe SDace. 17

The Project has helped me in many different ways because when I first started coming to the art group I was a very shy girl who never really spoke, would just sit down and do my own thing. As time went by I soon started to come of my shell so this group has given me a chance to build up confidence, ambitions and resilience. All of this have been built through the group. Lynn has been a massive help and support for me over the past six years, with my school and bullying as well as home situations. Being able to come to the group I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity. Hannah, Lynn`s support worker has also been fantastic to me during the past year because she has come to the group with enthusiasm and is really lovely. I am now encouraged to volunteer and sometimes talk to new young people who come along feeling the same as I did some years ago. I am forever grateful to be part of this group. Charlotte Age 19

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CCDYP Accounts 2022 - 2023 Derwentside Detached Youth Project A￿Unts 2023 21 Total £ 107,299. 120.tr) e¢el Grants I)on￿lOng.. Churthes & IndththJak% Fund R8is¥ Gfft Ald Rtdiim Interest ot￿r IncLNne bu5 Hires Tothi iecel Unr•stslrte 49,556.ts) 1ostrkl•d £ 2&297JO Total 77J5J3Q 60.00 372.65 432.47 2.723.00 52.644.12 3n.65 432.47 2.J3.QO £ 80.Yi.42 3,054.67 959ffj0 E 113,439.51 £ 2829730 rn•nts Satsrles Nl & Pensl)n Staff E Staff Train Activlts AC￿1￿ E ul CounselH Posia e Prkni& Sttlonery Tetephgne In$urat)ce EquipFWrt & oihrr Rent & rjtes Volunt¢ef & CcrnwNttpe ei Trusiet & 5uII de%*[ eftt gus Co5rs B•t)k c￿rge& 28,833.08 145 $0 252 20 809.30 119.20 £ 27JJ36.37 É $5169.45 E 71,379.12 318,68 525.40 5,172.21 3,693.02 J,760.CQ 582.77 1,639.74 ID39.54 194.41 3,0(NJ.lY) enses 252.20 ,922.15 1,769.50 .113.55 L650.30 ent & Oihei costs 155.84 L788.30 524.77 40.16 2.015.00 13.50 165.24 692.04

21.08 524.77 15116 112.lyj LC#xJ. 61.40 30.tAJ 74.70 .13 149.00 2,627.95 191. 774.181 2,143. ioi.00 696,66 169.59 Unspent ¢r•¢rt Mi5celLryneous Tts￿1 P•ym•nts NEY R£￿IPT￿pAYmE￿Ts returned 37A94.50 É 39,$32.79 £ 77127.29 £ 95J73 14,749.62 -£ 11,235.49 3514.13 £ 16.266A9 Tot•1 Funds hl lo￿1¥d 58J12.94 E 34.920.23 £ 93233.17 £ 76.966.68 Sub t￿ 73.C62.56 £ 23.684.74 £ 96.747.JO É 93,233.17 TTrnsfers and adlustments ca>¥p FVNOS AT YFAR Er40 1.48 73￿64.04 1.48 f 23,683,26 £ 96.747.30 £ 93233.17 19

Statement of Assets & Liabilities DerY4entsld• Detsched Y(Mrth ol Astsand UbHftles. Yer ENled 31 Marth 2023 Rtstrktld Funds Funts Or ' Cash at 8ankaNI in haThl 313.21 53.913.30 J9.319.87 76.966.68 "5uipluslldefkitl thls y¢w 7r•n%fw$ L4,749.62 -11,235.49 1&2f6A9 C¥h at bank•nd In hand 3LI.12 68.664.40 28,IX2.90 747.30 93,233.17 Bank 3nd C¥5h Il•la CAF Curr•nt kcoui CAF Gok¢ kcouni CAF C4sk•d Accouni Tax & Nl 0￿￿￿￿¢1-&Ind￿rP1Id PttyC•sh 18.09LI.07 . 49.929.80 09Q07 n,012,70 58&46 $1237A2 IQ697A4 Its36 56.99 12756 28m2.90 55.67 55.67 68.664A) 94747JO 93,233.17 Plxlocofv lestlmltsd vaMl Computer$ IestirA￿ed valu•1 Ofv Furniture lestlmatedl 2QQIKJ 2((t. Oth•rA%Sets{R•strict•d tund> mknlk¥lWrl￿th #own25%wrr•rt vwl U•btlSb IIIL NIL Ig, 2tsZ3 20

Independent Examiners Report Thls rtpxt ￿ on the ac¢¢unt of Oe￿nr5rfj DÈtxhtd Youth Prtslettichoflty NumbÈr 5133361 for the endèd 3111 Marth 2023. R•wh51bllltkn and bDilsof reprt. A5 the Charity¢s tru5tttS, YOU afe re5wftslbl¢ forthe preparation Df tht ictount5in accordiKe lh• rtqutrèfflentsof￿ Charities £t 201111￿ Act'l imeTrded. I report h) re￿¢1 of my exèmlfta￿trrt olthe pro]ttVs accounts caffled oufvnder sectlon 145 ofthe Art ONI. Sn carryhw out my exwnlnatkm, I have lolh)we¢l allthè ipplkable Olrect(tsns¢6n bythe Chaiity CLyThnisshJn under sett)n 14y5llbl of the ACL I haw COrnF4eted myexamination. l£onfirm that no rnaterw matter5 come w myartentkn inconnedion with the eX￿lA3th?ftttt1¢h0WA meouse 10 b¢lle¥e tht￿ •ry materèl r•sp•cL • Ihe x¢ountln8 rn¢ords were not kepi In accorf•r￿ w5thsedon l>)olthe ACL. or • Ihe dtyllot4¢cord with ￿¥(0)unting I no concernsand have come acr055 DDOtlr ftRtters In ¢ohne¢ikin wlth Ihe enmln•tknnto whoch ￿￿￿k)n shoubj ￿ drawn In ihls ￿pOrt In orderto enablt è WOFer ur¥Jerstandlng ofthèatto￿￿tts ￿ reathed. lft cooneeuon with my examlnatiort, m•ttef has comè to my 3llentiorJ: 111 whlch Aive$ reasonable cJu5e to b?1￿¥ that in iny matsrt•l respect the fequfjreffnts: to keep awountlr¢ records In ￿(ordanCe wlth sectlon IJO of the Charltles ACL" and to prepare a¢counts whith accord wiLh the accounting records •nd wlth •etountlns reqtsl¥emtnts of the Cha￿t￿SAct have not been met,. or 121 to whKh, ￿ rny opinh?n. attentiDn ihoukl ￿ drawn In ord•T to emble a ￿0￿er￿K1YSlaod1￿ I¢¢0￿1$ to be ned.. /CMLL(- 23 Xeffin•th 28 Wnamlty WaV.C￿E$*Y Con5ett. )N89QN a￿1[fi¢ll10￿S. .<.A Approved It the ¥ Genqnl tsl Dttrwentside Detathed Youth Pmlerton Dated 11 7.2g D•ttd 11-l-l3 21

Acknowledgements

The support we have received over the years has been immense, allowing us to continue to provide a valuable and much needed service in the community. From everyone here at our Project we say a big thank you to all who have given their support. Without this our work would be impossible.

Also a big “thank you” to our volunteers who are essential smooth running of any project. They give their time and commitment their support is immeasurable and very much appreciated.

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The Rothley Trust

Derwentside Detached Youth Project (DDYP) Annual Report 2022 - 2023 23 Published by Jackie Forbes, Project Manager on behalf of the Trustees Design & Layout by DDYP Design Team