are Y, 2 eo % PEEBLESSHIRE YOUTH TRUST (SCIO)
Annual Report and Financial Statements Year to 31 July 2025
INTRODUCTION
Peeblesshire Youth Trust was established as a charity in 2009, to address the need for support around transition to high school. We work with local children to help them achieve their potential. Our programmes include group sessions, individual mentoring, and programmes within schools. We also help local families via our Christmas hamper programme during the festive period to help families in need. Our strategic objectives are to help young people build resilience, achieve potential, form relationships and engage in the community.
In the last year we have worked with 111 young people with the support of our valued 100 volunteers. Fourteen of these volunteers worked one-to-one as mentors to individually support their mentee, having received training and supervision through PYT. Twenty of our volunteers were S6 pupils at Peebles High School who became buddies for the new S1 pupils at the school, easing transition into the new school year. Many of our volunteers assisted with our Christmas hampers programme, and others gave their time on the Board of Trustees, or to help organise our community fundraising events. The demand for our support continues to grow and we are very grateful to our army of volunteers and our excellent staff team. It is also possible due to our kind sponsors, donors and funders, which include many local businesses and notably Young Start by the National Lottery Community Fund and BBC Children in Need.
As a charitable organisation, the Trustees are committed to engaging as many young people as possible and continually review our programmes to ensure that we grow and adapt to the evolving needs of young people in our community. As we continue to deliver our 2024-2027 strategic plan we look forward to another exciting year ahead focussed on mentoring, nurturing, engaging and encouraging young people to build positive relationships and make a meaningful contribution to their local community.
Helen Garrison, Chair. Helen Garrisow Date: 31*t March 2026
Charity Name: Peeblesshire Youth Trust (SCIO) Charity Number: SC047324
Address: 6a Elm Court (Room 2), Cavalry Park, Peebles EH45 9BU
Trustees:
The charity trustees serving on the date the annual report was approved were: Helen Garrison, Chair Ilka Roche, Secretary— appointed 03/06/2025
Martin Brown, Treasurer
Susan Brown
Gavin Pearson
Mary Wilson
Kevin Ryalls All other charity trustees who had served during the financial year covered by the accounts referred to in this report were:
Emma Hamilton-resigned 25/03/2025
Appointment of new trustees are made in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. The term of office of each trustee is three years, with the possibility of re- appointment. The trustees have responsibility for appointing or re-appointing trustees by invitation to those who live within the community served by the Trust.
2
WHATWE DO
Peeblesshire Youth Trust supports 10-14 year-olds throughout Tweeddale to build resilience and achieve their potential. We assist our young people in developing good relationships with their peers and families, to make a positive impact in our community. From primary 6 to S2 at Peebles High School, we tailor our support to smoothen the transition from primaryto secondary school. We host a workshop programme for P6 pupils called “Achieve your Potential” which links with the current 2025 Curriculum for Excellence (changes to be implemented August 2026),to boost self-esteem and emotional wellbeing, whilst enabling children to develop their social skills as they meet pupils from other primary schools in the region. We also host regular group activities, with local outings and experiences, to broaden the horizons of our young people. Our mentors, who are trained in-house, enhance our work through one-to-one mentoring support, which runs alongside the activities of our small staff team, and our partnership work with other local organisations.
Our Constitution depicts our charitable purposes, which remain as follows:
Within the geographical area of Peeblesshire, the purpose of the Trust shall be to:
-
Prevent and/or alleviate poverty and deprivation by providing support and guidance to young people with a view to their realising their full potential within and beyond their communities.
-
Advance the education of selected young people through the provision of individual mentoring, group training and other confidence-building activities.
-
Advance young people’s contribution to society, their citizenship and thereby to community development more generally through peer mentoring.
In the year to 31* July 2025, our achievements included:
Achi Y Kickaritin| Dal
We delivered two 7-week series of workshops for primary 6 pupils, working with 33 children in total, an increase of 10 from 2023/24. The workshops aimed to enhance good emotional wellbeing and encourage initial development of friendships between peers from different primary schools ahead of transition to secondary school. Sessions were based around fun games, craft activities, and outdoor sessions involving use of ropes, harnesses and helmets with qualified instructors. These experiences helped build confidence by pushing personal boundaries allowing pupils to recognise their strengths. Key themes included friendship, teamwork, making decisions, expressing opinions and speaking with confidence.
Parents and carers were invited to the final session at each series, where we outlined further on-going support through PYT, including one-to-one mentoring and participation in group activities. In our evaluation and feedback, 89% of parents stated they would contact PYT for future support with their child.100% of the participants demonstrated improvements in speaking with confidence, with 100% displaying a marked improvement in their interactions both with peers and adults, and the willingness to take part in group activities.
3
Feedback from parents of those attending our workshops reinforced the success that we had measured during the workshops, with comments such as:
-
“O has developed new friendships through PYT thank you”
-
“R has communicated very positively about his experience with the programme. Prior to
-
this group activities were something he was very reluctant to engage in”
-
“His (A’s)confidence increased”
-
“J came home from the programme very happy. He seems to speak up more and get more involved”
“H-A seems more confident in meeting new people”
“K is more confident”
-
“L has always been reluctant to participate in after school activities, but in the past few weeks he has joined 2 groups”
-
“Thank you very much, for this has been such a good experience for her and she is keen to continue meeting with her new friends”
-
“C has really enjoyed this experience and is sad that it is ending. She is looking forward to the monthly get-togethers”
==> picture [428 x 64] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
wit a “ S ee DP) mer ' = / ia 2;
% S 5 - * st ad
, ew... |b as o a e
----- End of picture text -----
We delivered a range of different activities and outings each month to help our young people develop and sustain new relationships with their peers. We strive to provide opportunities for our young people to experience new activities, visit new places and to try new things. These experiences help build confidence, improve social interactions and broaden horizons. Over the past year, we had a total of 94 children (up from 69 in 2023/24) attended multiple group activity sessions, representing over 88% of the young people we support.
Our sessions throughout the year included a summer BBQ, a trip to a local Alpaca Farm, Ryze trampoline park, a session with the Peebles Burgh Silver Band, a scavenger hunt, youth club games evening, strategic planning activities, Christmas games at Eastgate Theatre, a night-time tunnel walk and helping to create a local display of poppies for Remembrance Sunday (in partnership with Floral Peebles).
4
We are very grateful for the support of our many partners that make these activities possible throughout the year.
==> picture [457 x 113] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
a. ra! y gatas we pa] c aa hamte
go?
- dy. SC7A\ eee OY
----- End of picture text -----
We trained and supported 20 volunteer mentors this year to work individually with their mentees. Of these,14 were successfully matched with mentees throughout the year. Each mentor meets their mentee approximately once a month to enjoy an outing whilst getting to know each other and building trust in the relationship. The mentor acts as a positive role modelin the life of their mentee to encourage them to push their boundaries whilst staying safe in different environments. Mentors also help their mentees to set goals throughout the year, helping them to reduce anxiety and recognise progress that they make as they strive to become the best version of themselves.
We support mentors through initial training and ongoing development during ‘Inspire’ sessions, whereby mentors can network with each other, as well as meet with PYT staff. We also provide mentors with topic-specific training, in areas such as bullying, neurodiversity, social media and goal setting. In the last year we hosted 3 Inspire sessions attended by many of our current mentors.
5
Advanced Transition Programme (A.T.P.)
Our primary 7 transition programme run in conjunction with Peebles High Schoolis outlined in our internal report as follows:
==> picture [487 x 409] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Peeblesshire Youth Trust TheMonday ATP sessions ran1130am - 130pm every a
Co eportee arrivalPYT or droppedwe would off meetby PHSschool schoolstaff. staffOn at = : ‘ave
aot ot on the plans for their session at PHS . aml :
a “Oo P where we were met by a Pastoral teacher from the children’s feedback forms
{ hitiabiialn| Tree \ , visit and complete their feedback forms. “Tt was amazing! Thank
I. | ay ; For the 2nd visits we grouped the children 9/10" 'T’ you very much
= i eee| | 1 ———“rom [ai!] [different] [schools] [according] [to] [the] I feel better about coming to High
MarchPrimary weschoolsATP hostedP inschoolPeeblesshire.toursThroughwithPastor lfor13thchildrenJ a toteacher,-3istatten 2 &eeurosPee,anisms:pee -§=—'OCUSSINGa worry,mals .InsteadON+3a mesPositiveof justeenthoughta tour seattheyratherhad, than] the_ WillamhelpgladwhenI gotI starta tourHigh;aroundSchool”becauseWer'E it
atoquestions speakhoiisitto otherto experience thereferHigh Schoolepart!pupilscuteeswitht of theirandtheirthe chantchoice, pupa ebay tis ‘ar.Sslot aoy PPARShortnterestedsessionin.WOThisinTERa subjectwasCOOLShugelythat GHWsuccessfultheyHGVE were@ ny“EGreat wasaPE.great great tutor! lunchI'm nice mostly: teachers”'I lookingmy
/ worries and receive valuable information. a4 S IONS | and all of the children enjoyed this forwardto Biologythe visit was good”'M’
We would like to thank alt of the fantastic, helpful and \ ave Y,
WORSE! \wecens iM sos | NS 4
Pear ceiaets ice oa eld eee ut Ui ate : - ; young people
----- End of picture text -----
In School Support
$1 Support sessions at Peebles High School
We hosted two sessions per week at Peebles High School for new S1 pupils that were finding the transition difficult. We worked with two small groups and helped them address their fears and worries about high school and by encouraging them to share with us their thoughts and experiences we were able to increase confidence and self-esteem levels.
PYT S6 Buddies Programme
We recruited and trained 24 S6 pupils to act as peer mentors for new S1 pupils requiring additional support. We hosted three lunchtime sessions with the group, facilitating games to help the S1s get to know the S6s and feel more comfortable around them, so that they could approach them for assistance around the school.
6
Christmas Hampers
Our army of volunteers helped to collect goods, pack and deliver 120 Christmas hampers to local families, with donations and goods provided by businesses and organisations in our community. These hampers contained basic provisions as well as a few festive treats, to help provide a little peace of mind to families in need. Along with generous donations from many in our community, PYT assisted in the appeal for funding in order to make the hampers a successful venture for December 2024.
All the programmes delivered by Peeblesshire Youth Trust in 2024-25 were successful due to the awards of funding, the generosity of donors, and our community fundraising efforts. Our annual fundraising Ball with dinner and dancing at The Peebles Hydro Hotel raised over £9,500 helpingto us to continue our valuable work in the Peeblesshire Community.
==> picture [488 x 64] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
SM we AY } Vi. Wai ay at
embed al ry ‘ ba -
----- End of picture text -----
Reserves Policy
A surplus of income over expenditure of £5,799 was recorded for the year to 31° July 2025. (Deficit of £6,316 in previous year). Whilst a Reserves Policy of £30,000 was aimed for throughout the year, representing approximately six months of expenditure, this was not always maintained. The Trustees are expecting to have this buffer restored in 2025/2026.
A three year grant of £90,000 has been approved by the National Lottery under its Young Start Scheme and the first instalment of £29,000 was received on 30" January 2026.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Helen Garrison, Chair. Helew Garrisow
Date: 31** March 2026
7
Peeblesshire Youth Trust (SCIO)
Statement of Receipts and Payments For the Year to 3ist July 2025
==> picture [485 x 586] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|N|Restricted|Unrestricted|Total Yearto|Total Year to|
|Funds|Funds|31/7/2025|31/7/2024|
|Receipts|£|£|£|22h|
|Voluntary|Receipts|
|Donations|(incl.|Gift|Aid)|3|(e)|8,382|8,382|4,081|
|Grants|4|41,559|fe)|41,559|41,119|
|Receipts|from|Fundraising|Activities|
|Achieve-a-Ball|(e)|14,502|14,502|10,652|
|Golf|Day|(e)|fe)|(e)|8,020|
|Income|from|Investments|
|Bank|Interest|0|890|890|903|
|£41,559|£23,774|£65,333|£64,775|
|Payments|
|Achieve|Your|Potential|Programme|1,057|1,236|2,293|1,745|
|Mentoring|Support:|
|Group|Activities|657|ie)|657|1,305|
|Mentoring|Expenses|390|102|492|304|
|Travel|Expenses|107|(¢)|107|43|
|Volunteer|Expenses|1,377|0|1,377.|961|
|Peer|Mentoring/Transitioning|ie)|144|144|1,554|
|Grants|&|Donations|(for|the|benefit|of|individuals):|
|Christmas|Hampers|ie)|2,882|2,882|3,441|
|Hardship|Grants|ie)|e)|fe)|(e)|
|Fundraising|Activities:|
|Achieve-a-Ball|0|4,908|4,908|5,066|
|Golf|Day|)|(e)|(e)|2,059|
|Administration:|
|Payroll|&|Pension|Admin|Costs|134|142|276|390|
|Bank|Charges|(e)|99|99|86|
|Computer|Software|ie)|0|fe)|155|
|Insurance|699|0|699|721|
|Misc|Costs|0|422|422|1,404|
|Office|Rent|(incl|Broadband)|3,456|0|3,456|3,456|
|Salaries|23,603|16,792|40,395|46,893|
|Staff|Training|85|0|85|92|
|Stationery|&|Postage|200|0|200|117|
|Subscriptions|160|0|160|160|
|Telephone|186|ie)|186|552|
|Travel|216|ie)|216|107|
|Website|470|10|480|480|
|£32,797|£26,737|£59, 534|£71,091|
|Surplus|/|(Deficit) for the Year|£8,762|(£2,963)|£5,799|(£6,316)|
|Transfers|between|funds|£0|£0|£0|£0|
|Total|Surplus|/ (Deficit) for the Year|£8,762|(£2,963)|£5,799|(£6,316)|
----- End of picture text -----
8
Peeblesshire Youth Trust (SCIO)
Statement of Balances - as at 3ist July 2025
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Totalasat | Totalas at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 31/7/2025 | 31/7/2024 | |
| Funds Reconciliation | ||||
| Cash at Bank - Ist August 2024 | £14,500 | £30,572 | £45,072 | £51,388 |
| Receipts & Payments Surplus/(Deficit) - 3ist July 2025 | £8,762 | (£2,963) | £5,799 | (£6,316) |
| Cash at Bank - 31st July 2025 | £23,262 | £27,609 | £50,871 | £45,072 |
| Bank&Cash Balances - 31st July2025 | ||||
| Bank of Scotland - Business Account | £0 | £257 | £257 | £999 |
| Bank of Scotland - Online Savings Account | £23,262 | £27,352 | £50,614 | £24,073 |
| Bank of Scotland - Notice Account | £0 | £0 | £0 | £20,000 |
| Cash in Hand | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| Total | £23,262 | £27,609 | £50,871 | £45,072 |
| OtherAssets (Unrestricted Funds) | ||||
| Office Equipment & Fittings (at estimated valuation) | £3,000 | £3,000 | ||
| Other Liabilities | £0 | £0 | ||
| ContingentLiabilities | £0 | £0 |
Notes to the Accounts - For the Year to 31st July 2025
- 1 Basis of Accounting These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as ammended)
2 _— Nature and purpose of funds
- Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. The trustees maintain a single unrestricted fund for the day-to-day running of the organisation.
Restricted funds may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for specific purposes. The Trustees are diligent about tracking restricted funds and only use them in line with donor restrictions. Where costs exceed available restricted funds they are subsidised by unrestricted funds.
3 _— Donations Received
- Donations include institutional and personal donations together with their associated gift aid.
9
Notes to the Accounts - For the Year to 31st July 2025 - cont'd
| Year to_ 31/7/2025 |
Year to_ =31/7/2024 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Restricted Fund Grants Received | |||
| BBC Children in Need | £12,080 | £9,739 | ||
| Big Lottery Grant | £28,000 | £27,000 | ||
| Groundwork UK (Tesco) | £0 | £1,500 | ||
| Scottish Borders Council - For Pupil Support | £864 | £0 | ||
| Scottish Borders Council - For School Commitments | £0 | £2,880 | ||
| Southern Uplands SBCAN | - Seed Fund Grant | £615 | £0 | |
| £41,559 | £41,119 | |||
| Asat_ | As at | |||
| 31/7/2025 | 31/7/2024 | |||
| 5 | Outstanding Restricted Fund Grants | |||
| BBC Children in Need | For Achieve Your Potential/Mentoring/Overheads | £12,585 | £2,525 | |
| BigLottery (The) | For Achieve Your Potential/Mentoring/Overheads | £8,275 | £7,084 | |
| Clubsport Tweeddale | For Sports Activities within Tweeddale | £1,425 | £2,010 | |
| Scottish Borders Council | For Pupil Support | £360 | £0 | |
| Scottish Borders Council | For School Commitment | £0 | £2,880 | |
| Southern Uplands SBCAN | Project at Hay Lodge Park, Peebles | £615 | £0 | |
| £23,260 | £14,499 |
==> picture [6 x 9] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
4
----- End of picture text -----
6 No remuneration was paid to a Charity Trustee or any person connected witha Trustee (2024: £0)
7 No Trustees received any reimbursement of expenses. (2024: £0)
8 There were no transactions or balances with Charity Trustees or their connected persons in respect of years ending 2025 or 2024.
Declaration: The Trustees declare that they have approved the above report.
Martin Brown
Martin Brown
Treasurer
Date: 31st March 2026
10
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Peeblesshire Youth Trust
IT report on the closing accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025, which are set out on pages 8, 9 and 10.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The Charity's Trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44 (1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. 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 seeks explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required inan audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiner's Statement
-
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: a. To keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44 (1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
-
b. To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Eric Nightingale
Eric Nightingale FCA
Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Innerleithen
Date: 31st March 2026
11