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2023-03-31-accounts

Annual Report 2022 - 2023

In Memory of Roger Bradshaw

1937 - 2023

Annual Report Year Ended 31[st] March 2023

Contents Page
Chairperson’s Report 2
Trust Manager’s Report 4
Girls Group 6
Holiday and Food Programme 7
Just for Me, Just for You 9
Roseworth After-School Club 10
Young Carers in the Lead 12
Young Carers Support Service 13
Youth Provision 19
Acknowledgement & Thanks 21

Registered Charity No: 519907 Company No: 02206156

1

Chairperson’s Report

This is my sixteenth annual report as Chair of the Trust. This has been the first full year post the Covid-19 pandemic allowing a return to ‘normal’ business with some significant achievements and successes including:

I must note, both in sadness and in tribute, the passing of Roger Bradshaw, the original founder of Eastern Ravens. At the family’s request, donations were made in lieu of flowers to his beloved Eastern Ravens to fund future creative art sessions as this was something Roger particularly enjoyed.

On a much brighter note we welcomed to the Board, Vicky (Veronica) Brown, who came with a background in childcare, training and development.

2

None of our achievements would have been possible without the continuing hard work and commitment of many people but not least our volunteer Directors and paid staff. On behalf of the vulnerable children, young people and families who benefitted from all this, I offer an unreserved ‘Thank You’.

Jim Beall

3

Trust Manager’s Report

This has truly been another great year for the isolated and disadvantaged children and young people we support and for the organisation. Following the covid-19 pandemic, it finally felt like we were getting back to business, especially as Young Carers Key Workers were able to recommence home visits again and the young carers groups returned to our/their base.

As I reflect upon the year, one word sums it up – networks. Without them, we wouldn’t have accomplished as much as we have and it has been an absolute pleasure to work with so many colleagues both locally and nationally.

One of my highlights of the year was Young Carers Action Day when a young carer supported by our organisation was invited to London with 5 other young carers from around the Country to deliver an open letter to 10 Downing Street. The letter asked the Prime Minister and MPs to pledge their time for young carers. Afterwards, the group went

for afternoon tea at the House of Lords to meet some of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on young carers and young adult carers. This event was organised by the Young Carers Alliance at Carers Trust and we were invited on behalf of The Children’s Society as part of their Building Connections project which we are involved with.

Building Connections is a project aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation amongst young carers by deepening the understanding of young carers’ experiences. Working alongside Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and the project, we were delighted to be able to offer professionals from our Borough 2 face to face learning events and 1 online learning event dedicated to the Young Carers in Schools Award. It was great to see the team from The Children’s Society and the 59 professionals from across the statutory, private and voluntary sector with very clear learning outcomes achieved.

Our positive network with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council led to the organisation becoming a placement provider for 3 Apprentice Social Workers.

The Apprentices were with us for 6 weeks and they all learned so much more about our work, young carers and the voluntary and community sector in our Borough.

We have been extremely fortunate to receive so many donations throughout the year with several being received to commemorate loved ones who are related to the organisation.

The fundraiser to enable young

carers to attend the National Young Carers Festival was supported by many local businesses and colleagues and young carers had the best time. Thank you all sincerely.

Our networks have led to many in-kind activities from other organisations to benefit the children and young people we support. Examples include Creative Village who delivered art workshops and Tees Swale who have worked with us to provide activities during the school holidays as part of their Naturally Connected project.

Our involvement in youth work has further developed this year and the commitment from partner agencies to work together has never been stronger and more stable. The developing local youth partnership facilitated by Young People’s Foundation Trust is something we are all keen to work together on for the benefit of children and young people in our communities and I am looking forward to seeing how it progresses over the coming year. The youth worker in me enjoyed being a guest speaker at the National Youth Agency Supper Club on ‘Young People – the true cost of the living crisis’ where I was able to talk about how we help households with food parcels and referrals to foodbanks in ensuring that children and young people have food to go home to and the importance of meals during school holiday programmes.

Needless to say, I am extremely proud of all we have achieved this year. I am very lucky to work with such an outstanding team of paid staff and I can’t thank you all enough for all that you do each and every day, it wouldn’t be possible without you. I am also extremely grateful to our loyal and devoted Board of Directors for their continuous support over the year. I hope you enjoy reading our annual report and finding out more about our wonderful charity and the work we do to make a difference to children, young people’s and family’s lives.

Tracey Hamilton

5

Girls Group

The Girls Group was developed as part of the Satellite Club Programme via Tees Valley Sport. Satellite Clubs are local sport and physical activity clubs that are designed around the needs of young people and provide them with positive, enjoyable experiences that make it easy for them to become active or to develop more regular activity habits.

Satellite Club Principles:

Over this past year, 26 individual girls have accessed the group with the majority attending regularly on a weekly basis. The girls have lots of different conversations and the peer support for each other has helped them to navigate their way around challenging behaviours in school and how/why they occur, parental separation and coping strategies.

The regular staff who support the sessions will also refer/signpost the girls and their families to other services which may be of help, examples include the Young Carers Support Service and the NHS Cadet programme.

The group meets every Tuesday evening during term time in Roseworth and is open access for any girls within the age group. The sessions not only focus upon sport and physical activity they also provide additional activities which this year have included making fruit kebabs, picture frame making and a lovely in-kind session from our colleagues at Creative Village.

The girls group provides a safe space and a chance to talk about their issues which is improving their confidence/self-esteem and mental health and wellbeing.

6

Holiday and Food (HAF) Programme

This is a government funded initiative which was rolled out again this year in response to research which demonstrated that school holidays can be a particularly difficult time for many families which can have a negative impact on children and young people. The research revealed that children and young people from low-income households are:

The HAF programme is a response to this issue as evidence shows that free holiday clubs can have a positive impact on children and young people when they:

Stockton-on-Tees has above average numbers of children in low-income families, with over 7000 children eligible for free school meals (FSM). We began the year with delivery over the Easter holidays in Roseworth for children aged 5 to 16. Our Borough is very fortunate to be supported by Stockton-on-Tees Public Health during the half-term holidays and May half-term saw us extending our provision to the Primrose Hill area (from age 8) which has the second highest number of children/young people on benefits related free school meals. Over the year our programmes have been for 4 hours per day for 4 days per week. This year we have provided the following:

per week. This year we have provided the following:
Holiday Period Area Number of Places per Day
Easter Roseworth 40
May Half-Term Roseworth 40
Primrose Hill 20
Summer Roseworth 40
Primrose Hill 20
October Half-Term Roseworth 40
Primrose Hill 20
February Half-Term Roseworth 40
Primrose Hill 20

7

All of our holiday programmes include a healthy meal, healthy snacks, sugar-free drinks and a combination of enriching centre-based and off-site activities. This year we have continued to work alongside local partner agencies which includes Creative Village, Sprouts Community Food Charity and Tees Active. Attendance across all holiday provisions has been excellent often seeing the same children and young people each and every day of the holidays.

Just for Me, Just for You

This is a new short-term project funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland for parents/guardians of young carers to extend our support at a difficult time of the year. A large proportion of the families we support live on welfare benefits as they are unable to work for a number of reasons. As such, they miss out on opportunities to socialise and do something just for them and the financial crisis is leaving them vulnerable, lonely and extremely isolated. The project is aimed at:

ERT has worked alongside Stockton Globe since its opening last year. It provides a safe space in a central location in our Borough with excellent access via public transport; the venue is fully wheelchair accessible. Many parents/guardians would not normally have the opportunity to experience this setting due to financial constraints. Working alongside the Creative Director at Stockton Globe, we devised a 3-month programme of activities which includes:

The sessions take place each Thursday and provide refreshments and a hot meal at lunchtime. Despite this project being in the very early stages, attendance has been good so far with 12-15 parents regularly attending.

9

Roseworth After-School Club

This term time after-school club recommenced in September followed by a new 2-year (2022-2024) service level agreement commencing in November. All sessions provide refreshments and a healthy snack which children/young people very much welcome when they arrive straight from school.

The club is delivered from Elim Hope Centre every Wednesday from 3.30-5pm for children/young people aged 5+ living in the ward. The venue works well as we can provide suitable space for those children who require more quiet time after school alongside those who are energetic and like to take part in more physical activity games. Examples from the year include:

We have seen many positive outcomes for children and young people within this period of delivery which has included improved confidence/self-esteem and learning new skills. We have also seen several unexpected outcomes e.g. improving a child’s speech and expanding their vocabulary alongside increasing the attendance of children/young people from the local community in the school holiday programmes.

----- Start of picture text -----
I enjoy coming to see I’ve enjoyed making
my friends who go to pictures for Mother’s
other schools. Day.
I like all the sports
we do.
It’s good to have
I like the art and crafts. somewhere to go after
school.
----- End of picture text -----

10

The after-school club was originally set up to benefit children and young people. However, parents/guardians have also benefitted from this initiative. Throughout this period, the team have had many conversations with parents and guardians around issues which are affecting them/their family when they are dropping off/picking up their son/daughter/family member. This has resulted in signposts to:

The total number of individual children/young people who regularly attended the Roseworth After-School Club during September 2022 to March 2023 is 59.

11

Young Carers in the Lead

Commencing in January for 12 months, this project is funded through #iwill to deliver a youth social action project which enables young carers to make a positive difference on issues that affect their lives. Young carers often miss out on opportunities and life chances similar to their peers due to their caring roles, as such, involvement in youth social action is not usually an option for this group of young people.

Over the coming year, the project will see young carers take the lead on a campaign to raise awareness and the profile of young carers and their issues in our Borough. The project has had a great start and is going from strength to strength. Young carers have spoken openly and honestly about their lives which will be used to influence their campaign.

----- Start of picture text -----
We don’t get
(Caring) enough time People don’t
affects your to see friends. understand that
mental health. we’re young
carers and what
we go through.
We don’t get
understood.
It’s really hard
sometimes. We don’t get
enough time
to ourselves.
It affects your
social life.
We get criticised,
people think it Schools need
can’t be that to do more to
hard. help.
----- End of picture text -----

Through this project we have also been able to link in with the Building Connections national participation group which is being delivered by The Children’s Society’s Include Project. Three young carers from Stockton-on-Tees met other young carers from around the country in Southampton to discuss schools, health professionals and their mental health. The 3 girls have began working remotely with The Children’s Society to develop a booklet for young carers centred upon supporting their mental health. We’re looking forward to seeing how this project develops over the coming year.

Young Carers Support Service

A young carer is a child or young person under 18 who provides regular and ongoing care and emotional support to a family member who is physically or mental il, disabled or misuses substances. Young carers provide practical, emotional and/or physical care and support to their family members often taking on the role of an adult.

This year, we have supported 315 young carers plus their families. With a bespoke and flexible whole family approach, the service aims to identify unmet needs within the home and offer guidance, support, signposts, referrals and respite for the young carer – all whilst building a trusting relationship with each family.

Young Carers and Whole Family Support

We encourage referrals to the service from a broad variety of services/agencies including schools, social care, health, voluntary sector organisations and self-referrals. Once initial contact has been made with the referrer and parent/carer, we arrange to visit the family in their home to carry out a young carers and whole family assessment. The three, full time Young Carers Key Workers create a plan of support for each individual family where there are identified young carers which aims to alleviate the caring role from the child/young person. This often leads to referrals to services and organisations such as Adult/Children’s Social Care, Early Help, Occupational Therapy, Change Grow Live, the Adult Mental Health team, Welfare Rights, counselling services and foodbanks. Where identified, we also support families to attend appointments, provide a listening ear and signpost to additional support, activities and help within the local area; examples from this year includes SNAPS, Stockton Parent Carer Forum, Daisy Chain, HAF, youth clubs, Citizens Advice and so many more!

During term time we have provided 2 x 2-hour drop-ins per week to 4 age-appropriate groups on a Tuesday and Thursday evening. The sessions are a chance for young carers to spend time away from their caring roles, have some fun and meet other young carers experiencing similar situations. Activities are dependent on what young carers would like to do and this year they have taken part in art and craft sessions, played games, confidence building sessions and team building activities.

During the school holidays, young carers have been offered one full day’s activity each week, where they can try many new experiences for the first time. Whilst these sessions are fun and informal, we recognise young carers may need different levels of support and where appropriate, one-to-one sessions can be offered.

13

Thanks to the HAF funding, we were also able to offer activities for the whole family – a chance for them to spend quality time together, meet others and enjoy a day out.

During the first week of Easter, groups enjoyed trips to the cinema followed by a meal at a local restaurant. On the second week, the younger groups enjoyed running around at Play Factory while the older groups headed to Billingham Forum for ice skating with a

meal to finish. All groups had the opportunity to visit Bowlees visitor centre with Tees Swale where they made clay faces on trees, bug houses, skimmed stones and caught fish in the river.

May half term was all fun and games with days at our lovely caravan at Cresswell Towers in Northumberland. Young carers had lunch onsite in the restaurant before heading down to the beach to jump the waves and build sandcastles. The days were finished with ice cream and a play in the park; the older groups also enjoyed a free-swimming session.

The summer holidays saw us running activities for 4 days per week for over 4 hours each day for 4 weeks as part of the HAF programme. We took groups to Saltburn beach, Adventure Valley, Alpamare outdoor pool in Scarborough and held games days at our centre. The 2 older groups also successfully completed a food hygiene course with Sprouts Community Food

Charity. Creative Village facilitated crafty sessions for the younger ones and Moneywise delivered a session around money and savings. We ran a family activity on 3 Thursdays and took coaches of families to York, Saltburn and Whitby. The family trips were extremely popular and the families thoroughly enjoyed them.

We were delighted to be invited to ‘Globefest’ with young carers as mini-VIPs to celebrate Stockton Globe’s 1[st] birthday. Twenty-five young carers enjoyed a day full of fun which included a magician, face painter, balloon making, storytelling and treasure hunts – fun for everyone. We also met some giant sloths too!

14

Young carers, alongside children and young people from Roseworth and Primrose Hill HAF took part in the Stockton International Riverside Festival’s Community Carnival. The theme was ‘Everything Under the Sun’ which saw many hours of butterfly wing making while the older groups took part in drumming workshops at Stockton Globe.

Thanks to funding from The Cohen Fund, we finished our summer holiday programme this year at one of our favourite places - Peat Rigg Outdoor Centre. The first two sessions were day visits which was followed by an overnight residential. Young carers enjoyed learning new skills as they took part in the low ropes course, team building activities, archery, orienteering and bravely abseiling from a viaduct. They also enjoyed some delicious home cooked food too. For many young carers this was their first time staying away from home and they all did so well.

During October half term, all groups joined us for a movie day in their pyjamas/onesies at our centre and a hot meal. Tees Swale were also able to offer us another activity and 14 young carers got the opportunity to visit Bowlees Visitors Centre to take part in ‘night sky’ activities. February half term saw a fun packed parents and young carers day at Stockton Globe which included cookie decorating, colouring, windmill making, tote bag decorating, card games and card making. For the second part of the session, young carers took part in a silent disco while their parents had just as much fun taking part in an action-packed quiz with prizes for the winner.

On the run up to Christmas, we were extremely lucky to receive lots of donations to help young carers and their families at what can be a difficult time. We received presents for all ages, food hampers, blankets and selection boxes from:

A whopping total of 44 families benefitted from these donations alongside the 27 families who we referred to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal – 71 families in total.

National Young Carers Festival (YCF)

The festival had been cancelled due to the pandemic for the past 2 years, so we were extremely excited to return this year. Twenty-six young carers and 3 staff made the journey to YMCA Fairthorne Manor in Southampton for a weekend of respite, fun and camping. Young carers enjoyed fairground rides, dancing at the silent disco, singing karaoke and making new friends. The Children’s

Society ran workshops in the Voice Zone to obtain young carers’ voices and lots of our young people had their input. There was a surprise visit from Oritse from the boyband JLS. He sat with young carers and wrote a poem on what it is like to be a young carer, 2 of our young people’s pieces were chosen to be a part of his poem:

“Every day, rain creates a pool around my heart.

But sometimes with the light I don’t know where to start. So I close my eyes, shut the storm out.

When I hide away from the world around, dark brings me a fleeting sense of calm. The hope appears for the people I love. And I will walk through the rain again.”

Improving Identification

A key area of work for the service is raising awareness of the needs of young carers and their families with teams and organisations in our Borough. There have been many opportunities this year face to face and online which has included:

During Carers Week, we met up with the Adult Carers Support Service at some of their drop-in sessions, pop up stalls and games days and to end carers week, we attended the Carers Market which took place in a marquee on Stockton High Street. The marquee provided a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues from various organisations and the opportunity for members of the public to come ask any questions about the service.

Raising the profile of young carers with local businesses is also important and we were delighted to be invited to the open day of Regus, serviced office spaces. There were many different professionals in attendance including the Regus Sales Director and Marketing Manager, Python Properties, Ingeus Partnership and their Employers Manager. While we were there we also met with the Senior Guest Service

Manager for the new Hampton by Hilton Hotel who later invited us to one of their Team Huddle meetings to let all staff know about the work we do here at Eastern Ravens.

The service continued to liaise with educational settings to receive referrals, undertake assessments, broker involvement of school support services and offered:

17

The Young Carers Card is for any secondary school aged children that have been identified as a young carer. The aim of the card is to support young carers’ health and wellbeing, prevent them from having to explain themselves to their many different teachers and provide a vehicle to ask for help. Between April 2022 and March 2023 39 Young Carers Cards were issued.

Key Workers have also joined the Solution Circles ran by School Support Advisors. Solution Circles offer schools the opportunity to collectively help and support children, young people and families. A wide range of professionals attend these sessions including school nurses, Alliance Counselling Service, CAMHS, Family Hubs, SMART Team and the 0-19 service. The meetings, held once per term in Thornaby, Norton/Stockton North, Yarm/Eaglescliffe, Ingleby Barwick, Billingham and Central Stockton gave us the opportunity to further identify unknown young carers.

Training

Our team of Key Workers have continued to refresh/expand their knowledge and skills in key areas linked to their roles. Professional development opportunities this year have included:

18

Youth Provision

Open-access youth provision has continued to be provided this year in the disadvantaged areas of Primrose Hill and Roseworth in Stockton-on-Tees. The provision takes place on separate evenings (Tuesday in Roseworth and Wednesday at Primrose Hill) during term time with the opportunity to signpost and encourage children and young people to sign up to the school holiday programmes.

The key purpose of youth work is to ‘ Enable young people to develop holistically, working with them to facilitate their personal, social and educational development, to enable them to develop their voice, influence and place in society and to reach their potential’ (Youth Work National Occupational Standards). Following the previous year’s covid pandemic, our main focus of this year has been to re-establish and develop new positive, trusting relationships with children and young people and engage them with positive activities in their own communities.

Throughout the year, children and young people have taken part in a range of activities which has included:

Children and young people have also taken part in specific projects and discussions on the following topics:

19

October saw us working alongside EPIC Teesside CIO to provide a Halloween Youth Zone for children in the Primrose Hill community on Mischief Night (we were the only youth provider who opened their doors on this evening). The staff team provided a range of fun activities and food which was also supported by Thirteen Housing’s Community Development Co-ordinator for the area. Over 30 children/young people attended the Youth Zone and over 40 families benefitted from a family Halloween party the following evening.

Commencing in January 2023, the youth club at Primrose Hill were given the opportunity to engage with a specific 6-week project around a problem that has been identified in the community – loan sharks. The group worked alongside ARC and Thirteen Housing to raise awareness of the danger of loan sharks and created a collage and production called The Story of our Time. The production was delivered to an audience of parents and carers at ARC in March.

20

Acknowledgements & Thanks

The work of EASTERN RAVENS TRUST would not be possible without the constant support of a devoted and enthusiastic team. Thanks go to:

Board of Directors Young Carers Key Workers Jim Beall – Chair Simon Honeywell Kenny McGarvey – Vice Chair Sue McGee Vicky Brown Star Wilson Lesley Cooke Evaline Cunningham Youth Work/Holiday Activities Team Pam Norman Jan Brown Barbara Hampson Trust Manager Emma Hayes Tracey Hamilton Sophie Hunt Julie McArthur Admin & Team Support Danielle Rollinson Ann-Marie Wilson Shirley Stenburge Mia Walker Gordon Wills

Thanks also go to our funders, partners and stakeholders.

21

If you would like to know more about Eastern Ravens Trust

and our work, please give us a call: 01642 678454.

or

send us an email: info@easternravenstrust.org

22

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST

(A company limited by guarantee not having a share capital)

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

COMPANY NUMBER : 02206156

REGISTERED CHARITY : 519907

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST

Contents
Page
Report of the Council of Management 2
Report of the Independent Examiner 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes forming part of the financial statements 10

1

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES)

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014 (as amended by Update Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016) .

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity name: Eastern Ravens Trust Charity registration number: 519907 Company registration number: 02206156 Registered office and operational address: Community Zone North Shore Academy Talbot Street Stockton on Tees TS20 2AY Board of Directors : Jim Beall Chair Kenny McGarvey Vice-chair Lesley Cooke Evaline Cunningham Pamela Norman

Company Secretary

Tracey Hamilton

Trust Manager

Tracey Hamilton

Independent Examiner

Mr J Gresham FCCA Gresham and Gale Accountants 14 Fountain Street, Guisborough, TS14 6PP

2

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT (DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES)

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION (continued)

BANKERS

Nat West Bank plc, Stockton on Tees Branch, 123 High Street, Stockton TS18 1NW

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT

Governing Document

Eastern Ravens Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 16[th] December 1987 as amended by special resolutions dated 13[th] April 1997 and 22[nd] April 1998.

Recruitment and appointment of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors (who are trustees of the charity) composes of not less than 5 but not more than 12, as the members of the Trust think fit. The Board of Directors are elected by the members of the Trust at each Annual General Meeting and hold office for a period of 3 years from the Annual General Meeting at which they are elected. At each Annual General Meeting one third of the Board of Directors retires but they can offer themselves for re-election. Those retiring are those longest in office since their last retirement. The Board of Directors has to meet at least 6 times a year. Trustees are recruited from the membership of the charity.

Trustee induction and training

New trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under company and charity law. They are provided with a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the most recent audited accounts, as well up to date management information. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate their role.

Risk management

The trustees monitor progress against budget and objectives and review their strategic objectives at their regular meetings. They also review the risks faced by the charity and implement strategies to mitigate those risks. This included the computerisation of the accounting records to ensure that management reports can be produced on a timely basis.

Organisational structure

The trustees are responsible for administering the charity and for its strategic direction. A manager is appointed by the trustees to manage the day to day operations of the charity.

Related parties

The charity does not have any related parties other than trustees and their immediate families.

3

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT (DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES)

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

Objectives, activities, achievement and performance including public benefit statement

The principal activity of the Company in the year under review was the informal education of young people aged 8 to 16 years who are experiencing social exclusion and/or disadvantage.

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning its future activities.

Chairperson’s Report

This is my sixteenth annual report as Chair of the Trust. This has been the first full year post the Covid-19 pandemic allowing a return to ‘normal’ business with some significant achievements and successes including:

I must note, both in sadness and in tribute, the passing of Roger Bradshaw, the original founder of Eastern Ravens. At the family’s request, donations were made in lieu of flowers to his beloved Eastern Ravens to fund future creative art sessions as this was something Roger particularly enjoyed.

On a much brighter note we welcomed to the Board, Vicky Brown, who came with a background in childcare, training and development.

None of our achievements would have been possible without the continuing hard work and commitment of many people but not least our paid staff and Directors. On behalf of the vulnerable children, young people and families who benefitted from all this, I offer an unreserved ‘Thank You’.

Jim Beall

4

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT (DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES)

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

Investment powers

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to make any investment which the Trustees see fit.

Reserves policy

The trustees aim to expend all funds on their charitable objects but recognise the need to maintain a certain level of reserves as a cushion against possible future funding difficulties. Free reserves (i.e. those reserves not tied up in fixed assets, designated or restricted funds) of £70,000 would allow the charity to continue its operations for around 4 months, while alternative funding sources were sought.

At 31[st] March 2023, free reserves amounted to £42,815.

5

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF MANAGEMENT (DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES)

YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also directors of Eastern Ravens Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

By order of the trustees:

J Beall Trustee

6

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Eastern Ravens Trust

I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31[st] March 2023 which are set out on pages 8 to 19.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

Mr J Gresham FCCA Gresham and Gale Accountants

14 Fountain Street Guisborough TS14 6PP

7

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

Total Total
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds		 Funds
Note Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Donations & legacies 2 3776 - 3776 18796
Income from charitable activities
Youth activities 2 21884 194472 216356 181652
Investment income 97 - 97 1
────── ────── ────── ──────
TOTAL INCOME 25757 194472 220229 200449
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
EXPENDITURE
Expenditure on charitable activities
Cost of youth activities work 3 29247 192495 221742 204356
────── ────── ────── ──────
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 3 29247 192495 221742 204356
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Net income/(expenditure) for the year (3490) 1977 (1513) (3907)
Transfers between funds 7 1302 (1302) - -
────── ────── ────── ──────
Net movement in funds (2188) 675 (1513) (3907)
Total funds brought forward 76910 29510 106420 110327
────── ────── ────── ──────
Total funds carried forward 74722 30185 104907 106420
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

8

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31[ST] MARCH 2023

NOTE 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS 7 6072 7844
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 8 700 8829
Cash at bank and in hand 120208 109699
_ _
120908 118528
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING
DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 9 (22073) (19952)
_ _
NET CURRENT ASSETS 98835 98576
_ _
NET ASSETS 104907 106420
_ _
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Funds
Restricted 10 30185 29510
Designated 10 31907 32746
Unrestricted 10 42815 44164
_ _
104907
_		 106420
_

For the year ending 31[st] March 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors’ responsibilities:

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by the Trustees on 22[nd] November 2023 and signed on their behalf by

J Beall……………………………………..Trustee

9

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) General information and basis of preparation

Eastern Ravens Trust is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity. The address of the registered office is given in the charity information on page 2 of these financial statements. The nature of the charity’s operations and principal activities are the informal education of young people aged 8 to 16 years who are experiencing social exclusion and/or disadvantage.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 (as updated through Update Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.

The charity has applied Update Bulletin 1 as published on 2 February 2016 and does not include a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is applying FRS 102 Section 1A.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

The charity adopted SORP (FRS 102) in the current year but this has not affected the financial position or performance.

(b) Funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

10

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(c) Income recognition

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.

Donated facilities and donated professional services are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control over the item. Fair value is determined on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity. For example the amount the charity would be willing to pay in the open market for such facilities and services. A corresponding amount is recognised in expenditure.

No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP (FRS 102). Further detail is given in the Trustees’ Annual Report.

For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received. At this point income is recognised. On occasion legacies will be notified to the charity however it is not possible to measure the amount expected to be distributed. On these occasions, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed.

Investment income is earned through holding cash in a deposit account and is recognised when it is earned.

(d) Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All direct costs relate to the charity’s charitable activities.

11

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(e) Support costs allocation

Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at Headquarters. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources.

The analysis of these costs is included in note 3.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure arose.

(f) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost (or deemed cost) or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows:

Equipment 25% straight line

(g) Debtors and creditors receivable / payable within one year

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.

(h) Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the charity has an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount can be reliably estimated.

12

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(i) Employee benefits

When employees have rendered service to the charity, short-term employee benefits to which the employees are entitled are recognised at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid in exchange for that service.

The charity operates a defined contribution plan for the benefit of its employees. Contributions are expensed as they become payable.

(j) Tax

The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.

(k) Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.

13

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

2. INCOMING RESOURCES Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Donations & legacies
Legacy - - - -
Core - JRS - - - 10633
Sundry donations 3776 - 3776 8163
────── ────── ────── ──────
3776 - 3776 18796
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2023 2022
£ £ £ £
Income from
charitable activities
SBC carers’ grant - 105123 105123 105123
Young People’s Foundation Trust (YPFT) 1200 - 1200 -
Freemasons of Durham - - - 10250
Roseworth Holiday Programme - 7060 7060 20703
CDCF Young Carers in the Lead - 10000 10000 -
YUS Income - 5140 5140 9460
Fundraising 4684 - 4684 1187
Street Games - 1600 1600 -
Primrose Hill Youth Club - 4419 4419 2764
Roseworth After School Club - 3659 3659 6538
Roseworth Detached Youth Work - - - 846
Public Health - - - 742
Caravan Income - 5910 5910 6950
Ballinger Charitable Trust 16000 - 16000 16000
Primrose Hill HAF - 18076 18076 -
Roseworth HAF - 16883 16883 -
Young Carers HAF - 9315 9315 -
OPCC Bright Sparks Newtown - 840 840 -
OPCC Young Carers in the Lead - 6447 6447 -
Core - - - 1089
────── ────── ────── ──────
21884 194472 216356 181652
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

Of total income of £220229 in 2023 (2022: £200449), £194472 (2022: £163376) was credited to restricted funds and £25756 (2022: £37073) was credited to unrestricted funds.

14

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

3. EXPENDITURE

Basis of Charitable Governance 2023 2022
allocation Costs costs Total Total
Costs directly
allocated to
activities
£ £ £ £
Staff costs Direct 88200 - 88200 90087
Professional fees Direct 1476 - 1476 1351
Activities Direct 80758 - 80758 65133
Transport costs Direct 100 - 100 275
Subscription Direct 744 - 744 744
Sessional staff Direct - - - -
Insurance Direct 1228 - 1228 1126
Staff travel Direct 1505 - 1505 1928
Training Direct - - - 324
Advertising Direct 265 - 265 467
Independent Exam Direct - 1746 1746 1590
Miscellaneous Direct 283 - 283 294
Support costs
allocated to
activities
Staff costs Staff time 31774 1672 33446 32281
Depreciation Usage 1822 202 2024 2615
Premises costs Usage 4896 544 5440 4000
Professional Usage 1134 1134 2268 659
Office costs Usage 2033 226 2259 1482
────── ────── ────── ──────
216218 5524 221742 204356
Total ══════ ══════ ═════ ══════

Of the £221742 of expenditure in 2023 (2022: £204356) £192495 was charged to restricted funds (2022: £166717) and £29247 was charged to unrestricted funds (2022: £37639).

15

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

4. NET (OUTGOING)/INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR

This is stated after charging: 2023 2022
£ £
Trustees’ emoluments and expenses Nil Nil
Independent Examiner’s Fee (including VAT) 1746 1590
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 2024 2615
══════ ══════

5.

STAFF COSTS & NUMBERS 2023 2022
£ £
Wages and Salaries 144403 141912
Social Security Costs 10726 6454
Pension costs 3310 3311
Recruitment costs - -
______ ______
158439 151677
══════ ══════

There were no employees whose emoluments as defined for taxation purposes amounted to over £60,000 (2022: NIL). The average number of employees during the year was 14 (2022: 14) being the manager and support staff. In addition sessional workers are employed.

6. TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS

These relate to transfers which account for management and other charges from unrestricted to restricted funds.

16

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

7. FIXED ASSETS

FIXED ASSETS
Equipment
£
COST
At 1stApril 2022 20617
Additions 252
______
At 31stMarch 2023 20869
══════
DEPRECIATION
At 1stApril 2022 12773
Charge for the year 2024
______
At 31stMarch 2023 14797
══════
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31stMarch 2023 6072
══════
At 31stMarch 2022 7844
══════

There were no commitments to capital expenditure at 31[st] March 2023 or at 31[st] March 2022.

8. DEBTORS
2023 2022
£ £
Other debtors and prepayments 700 8829
══════ ══════

17

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

9. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year

2023 2022
£ £
Trade creditors 193 1749
Accruals 1880 1880
Deferred Income 20000 16000
Pension - 323
______ ______
22073 19952
═════ ══════
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
**At 1st ** Incoming
Outgoing		 Transfers At 31st
April Resources
Resources		 March
2022 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Restricted Funds
Young Carers - 105123
(107520)		 2397 -
Tristar Homes Buzzin 8665 - (3962) - 4703
Roseworth After School Club 3235 3659 (5315) - 1579
Roseworth Detached YW - 5140 (5140) - -
Primrose Youth Club - 4419 (4419) - -
Primrose, Roseworth & YC HEF - 44274
(44274)		 - -
Teesside University 4559 - (1729) - 2830
OPCC - 7287 (3961) - 3326
Butterwick Partnership Pilot 4230 - - (4230) -
Roseworth Holiday Programme - 7060 (7060) - -
Freemasons of Durham 6026 - (568) - 5458
Street games 1882 1600 (222) - 3260
CDCF Young Carers - 10000 (971) - 9029
Caravan 913 5910 (7354) 531 -
____________
Total Restricted 29510 194472
(192495)		 (1302) 30185
____________
Unrestricted Funds
General 44164 25757
(28408)		 1302 42815
Designated
Kathy Lindsey Memorial Fund 3181 - - - 3181
Lucy Eyers Memorial Fund 8726 - - - 8726
Redundancy Standby Fund 20000 - - - 20000
Terry Wood Memorial Fund 839 - (839) - -
____________
Total Unrestricted 76910 25757
(29247)		 1302 74722
____________
Total Funds 106420 220229
(221742)		 - 104907

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

18

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS continued

PURPOSES OF RESTRICTED FUNDS

Young Carers Bespoke & tailored support to young carers and their families within the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. Tristar Homes This funding is to deliver a project that gives young people in need, Buzzin’ accredited outcomes and life skills. Roseworth Big These grants from Big Local are to provide for positive activities for Local young people in the Roseworth Ward of Stockton. Youth United Delivery of 30 open access youth session per year for children from Stockton age 10. Primrose Hill Delivery of a term time open access youth session for children from Youth Club age 8 in the community. Teesside Delivery of a term time girls only group (Tees Valley Sport) in the University Roseworth Community. Butterwick To improve support for children & young people affected by a family Partnership Pilot member’s cancer/life limiting illness, increase capacity of the children’s support group and further identify hidden young carers. Roseworth Free school holiday activities and food provision for children and Holiday young people at a time which can be particularly hard for some Programmes families. Freemasons of Regenerating Young Carers – increased access to respite breaks in Durham communities. Caravan Holiday To provide young carers with a respite break and holidays with their Home family.

PURPOSES OF DESIGNATED FUNDS

Kathy Lindsey Memorial Fund , may be used at the discretion of the trustees to make grants to families in need.

Lucy Eyers Memorial Fund is to be used to provide one-off grants to support children and young people in achieving their aspirations where little or no assistance is available elsewhere.

Redundancy Standby Fund is a contingency against any future redundancy costs.

19

EASTERN RAVENS TRUST NOTES FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2023

11. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Unrestricted Restricted
Funds Funds Total
£ £ £
Fixed Assets - - -
Net Current
Assets 74722 30185 104907
______ _____ ______
74722 30185 104907
═════ ═════ ═════

20