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Castlehaven Annual Report 2006-2007
The Community Centre 21 Castlehaven Road, Camden, NW1 8RU t: 020 7485 3386 f: 020 7267 5762 e:
[email protected] www.castlehaven.org.uk
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Contents 4
Chairs Report
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Directors Report
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Little Haven sure start under 4’s playtime
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Junior Youth Inclusion Programme
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Haven Youth project
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Senior Youth Inclusion Programme
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H.E.L.P.S help elderly local people scheme
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Audit Statement of Financial Activities
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Community Logos
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Chairs Report
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2006 was a very constructive and busy year for the CCA and I would like to thank my fellow Board of Trustee members and the full Castlehaven Community Association staff team for their hard work and support. While the Board retains the responsibility for helping with strategic planning, policy development, monitoring and fiscal management, Eleanor Botwright, CCA Director, implements strategy, manages and coordinates the delivery of services. Eleanor works very closely with her senior team of project managers who each specialise in their area of expertise; Gaia Segal takes responsibility for children under thirteen, Frances Shank for children and young people aged between thirteen and nineteen and Tricia Richards for older people. This structure produced phenomenal results with increased community participation in all areas.
CCA has no project manager to write about the upgrading of the site as a whole to promote community safety and use by a broad spectrum of local residents. Also, there is no project manager to write about CCA’s advocacy work on behalf of local residents with regards to planning and licensing applications and the negotiation of bus routes. This very diverse range of projects have been funded from a number of sources including: the London Borough of Camden, the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, the Youth Justice Board, the Children’s Fund, the GO Partnership, Sure Start and the Fairstead Trust. Furthermore, we have a number of other partnerships that, unfortunately, are too numerous to reproduce here. We would like to thank everyone for their support throughout the year.
Brenda Gardener Chair, Castlehaven Community Association Board of Trustees
August 2007
This year each of the projects has received recognition and praise:
I would also like to thank the many volunteers who have supported our work throughout the year. They have fulfilled tasks from environmental improvements to visiting the housebound elderly, from organising community events to delivering youth services and from serving at tea dances to escorting vulnerable older people on trips and holidays – each and every one of them is a star! Finally, and most importantly, all our thanks must be given to the hardworking and caring staff who have worked so tirelessly to produce such outstanding results. Results that have energized and improved CCA and the community as a whole.
Senior Youth Inclusion Project evaluated by Youth Justice Board – Quality Assurance – and received top marks for the 3rd year in succession. Haven Youth Project hosted the Unity (football) Cup & Community Festival This is the third year the project has hosted this ever growing event designed to challenge racism. Junior Youth Inclusion Project the independent evaluators 'educari' wrote a very positive report on this unique child-focused project that promotes social inclusion. The Youth Participation Project the CCA was selected as one of only two projects nationally to pilot a project on youth involvement in the decision making process. HELPS Not only did it run the very successful trips, theatre outings, tea dances and New Year lunch which attracted over 100 elders, but Tricia also had an opportunity to meet the Queen! All the projects mentioned worked together on the Intergenerational Projects including "The Big Together" (art project), "Fashion Through the Age" (50's, 60's & 70's fashion project) and "Fruit Picking" (healthy eating project)
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Directors Report How do I sum up 2006/2007? Changeable seems to be the obvious adjective! Changes - on all levels! Changes in central government policy, changes in local authority political profile, changes in departmental structure, changes in funding criteria & process - all external to Castlehaven but inevitably affecting the work we do. Whilst the impact of some of these (and other initiatives) have yet to be fully experienced the move from grant aid to negotiated funding agreements means that the core staff posts have confirmed funding for 3 1/2 years. However, CCA’s youth projects are all in their final year of funding and next year will have to seek alternative funding sources. The situation is as follows: Sure Start’s funding to drop in centres comes to an end in March 2008 meaning that Little Haven’s future is bleak. The Junior Youth Inclusion Project is funded by (1) The Children’s Fund, which terminates in March 2008 and (2) Camden’s Play Service which has yet to set its criteria for funding after 2007. The Senior Youth Inclusion Project is in a similar position with funding beyond March 2008 not confirmed. The Haven Youth Project is annually grant aided by Camden’s Youth & Connexions Service. Thankfully the Help Elderly Local People Scheme, funded by The City Bridge Trust, has secured funding until March 2009.
Why this funding uncertainty? Succinctly, once every three years central government undertakes a Strategic Spending Review (SSR), it then sets its budget & budgetary criteria for the next three years. Once this has been completed local authorities conduct a similar exercise. Once these decisions have been made it becomes clearer what is to be spent, where & by whom. However, given that the SSR is scheduled for the autumn, probably October or November, and that local authorities will probably not make their decisions before January or February, funding for the next financial year feels vulnerable in the extreme. Having said that, Castlehaven’s youth projects are held in very high regard and seen as a model of best practice. It is difficult to believe that funding to crime diversionary projects working with vulnerable children and young people living in a ‘crime hotspot’ and an area identified as being in the 2% most deprived in the country will not be reconfirmed – but, in the current political climate, nothing can be taken for granted. On a happier note, other changes around Castlehaven have included the complete redesign of the southern community garden, designing out crime by opening lines of visibility, improving lighting and seating areas. This has, of course, led to local residents using the open space rather like their own front garden; sitting, cup of tea in hand and chatting with their neighbours! The final phase of the redevelopment of Castlehaven premises has been the refurbishment of the community centre itself.
We’re there! The three year refurbishment of the four acre open space, community gardens, youth building, IT building & community centre has now been completed; I thank all who have been involved for their funding, support, services and patience throughout the process. Whilst it was trying at times it has certainly been worth it! Thankfully, internal CCA changes have been minimal, losing Board members Richard Odejayi and Peter Turner and welcoming Bill Osborne, Abdul Quadir and Al and Sophie Rodger during 2006. Similarly staff changes have been few losing Eva Cremona, Lynn Lansdown, Josie McMorrow and Shiraz Muhsin who have been replaced by Charlie Symmons, Magda Segal, Lisa McKenna and Umu Jawara. We wish those who have left prosperity and welcome the newcomers to the team. To the whole team, totalling some sixty plus individuals and to our volunteers, who give their time so freely and willingly, I offer my sincerest thanks.
And just as a final note, everything, all of what we do, is underpinned by our commitment to our community, to work with, deliver quality services to and advocate for those who live locally, without whose steadfast support and continued use we could not exist, thank you! Yes, it’s been a year of change and challenge and next year may well be the same. However, although from time to time I may use different adjectives to describe my role, Castlehaven, its challenges and its triumphs,‘boring’ is never one of them! Eleanor Botwright Director August 2007
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Background Castlehaven Community Association has always been able to provide a safe environment in which children can play. The way we do it and the names we have had have varied from time to time but we have always concentrated on real local need. CCA runs several projects for children and young people in the area and this one for the under fives has been given its own identity with the name Little Haven. Since 2001 the project’s principal funder has been Sure Start, Kentish Town (SSKT). This government funding, allocated to support services to an area identified as one of the most deprived in the country, runs out in March 2008. Sure Start funding has been invaluable in developing this high quality, well equipped service for very young children and their families. Like all CCA projects Little Haven is part of a wider partnership and is working with SSKT, Family Support Workers, Housing Advice Workers, Social Services, Speech Therapists, Nutritionists, Community Dentists, Child Psychologists and other similar services. Staff Team Gaia Segal has managed the project with the support of Veronica St Hillaire and Eva Cremona; Karen Ayres, Marie Miller and Charlie Symmons have provided invaluable crèche support and emergency cover, with Jacqui Archer delivering administration support to the whole project. The staff have ensured a high quality, professional, consistent and smooth running programme.
working with families with children under 5 years
Little Haven
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providing a world of play Our Aims Little Haven offers opportunities for families by: Providing a world of play in which young children and their families can develop and thrive socially and educationally. Combating isolation and deprivation. Helping parents to find training and jobs.
Case Study:
Our Activities
Family make up Mother, father and two children 14 and 3
The three mornings a week Drop-in offers a place where children can play with first quality care and equipment. It caters for up to 20 families a day. We ensure that each child gets the chance to play and learn with equipment which suits their age and we cover the main areas of child development using the guidelines laid out in the Every Child Matters Strategy.
Factors The younger child is disabled and although the mother is positive and readily employable she cannot work until her child is at school. Involvement with Castlehaven The mother and her three-year old have been attending regularly for the last three years. Through CCA the mother took part in the Pre-School Learning Alliance course and carried out her work experience and training with Little Haven. Impact of involvement The mother is now qualified to Level three in childcare and education and is paid as a qualified sessional crèche worker when needed. She is a volunteer at the special needs drop in centre in Kentish Town. She has become a qualified makaton signer and advises groups on children with special needs and she plans to pursue a career with children.
Our two-morning a week Crèche Service enables parents to take advantage of the training we offer through the Training Courses. These have helped improve the parents’ confidence and skills and have in many cases lead to full or part time employment. Over the last year the Little Haven has provided courses for parents in;
Beginners IT // Excel for Beginners // Gateways to Employment Healthy Cooking and Eating // Yoga and Exercise The Family Learning is designed to help parents and children learn together as research has shown that if families do learn together they have a greater chance of overcoming the problems of a disadvantaged background. This was introduced last year and is run in partnership with The City Literary Institute and Camden Family Learning, and is a welcome addition to our services. Our Family Support - the range of services delivered by, from and at CCA allows us to provide support for the whole family, especially those with children under the age of 20. School holidays can be isolating for families with young children so Little Haven remains open during school holidays. We also offer at least one family outing a year at remarkably low cost.
She has recently expressed the importance of Little Haven’s drop-in and crèche. She wanted to give a small donation to the centre because we “made her feel so welcome”. She said that she had originally been very hesitant about leaving her child with anyone, however, with the knowledge she gained from the courses and the professionalism of the qualified staff she was now happy to leave her daughter with them.
Intergenerational Activities were introduced to increase involvement by all members of the family whatever their ages. Our parents are represented in CCA’s Intergenerational Forum. Over the last year Little Haven has involved all the generations in several events including the community festival, local bulb planting and a fruit picking project.
She was not only able to re-train for a new career but could also join in the yoga class which helped reduce her stress levels.
Summary During the last year we have offered a consistent and welcoming service which has helped fight isolation and deprivation. Many friendships have formed and further employment and training opportunities have been created thanks to our courses, projects and crèche. The under fives have developed and gained social skills, better preparing them for the school years ahead. Gaia Segal July 2007 annual report 2007
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Background In 2003 we established a local Junior Youth Inclusion Programme (JYIP) with The Camden Children’s Fund (as part of its strategic agenda of prevention). The JYIP is designed to help some of Camden’s most vulnerable children between the ages of 8 and 12 stay away from crime and antisocial behaviour which could result in their isolation and exclusion. Staff Team Gaia Segal has managed the project with the support of a professional and committed team. Peter Day Transitions Coordinator, Danielle Yapp - Senior Play Worker, Charlie Symmons, Hayeser Zorbas and Jacqueline Archer have each contributed to the smooth running of the project. The staff team’s consistent and thorough approach has ensured that the whole programme has run smoothly and well.
Junior Youth Inclusion Programme
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Aims The aim of the project is prevention and our overall purpose is to minimise the impact, and to reduce the risk, of social exclusion for children in the area. Our overall programme is designed to enhance the protective factors and to reduce the risk factors associated with exclusion, crime and anti-social behaviour. We have 145 young members, involved to varying degrees in our after-school, holiday and residential activities. We operate an open door policy for local children within the age range but our main objective is to meet the needs of a group of children and young people who are at particular risk of social exclusion and crime and antisocial behaviour. Over 80% of our members fall into this category.
Our programme of activities is rooted in the Every Child Matters strategy. Early this year we commissioned the highly respected Educari to conduct an independent evaluation of our work and their recently published report is most encouraging. It confirms the validity of our approach and provides pointers for further improvement.“Our observations convinced us that this was an exceptional project. Located in a deprived area, it was reaching children, some of whom were ‘hard-to-reach’ and might not otherwise have been in contact with services.” Gaia Segal July 2007
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reducing the risk of social exclusion, crime and anti-social behaviour
Achievements We have a history of maintaining successful and regular long term contact with children and young people who have challenging and difficult behaviour. We have provided a disciplined and constructive environment for many troubled young people. Despite the high risk factors, no regular members have been referred to a Youth Inclusion Support Panel (YISP) and local community safety support officials and the Youth Offending Teams (YOT) have reported no transgressions. This indicates how successful we have been and we enjoy an excellent local reputation. We encourage parents to volunteer, share meals cooked by the children and access our training opportunities. In addition we provide links to appropriate advice and support services. Last year one of our team completed a ‘working with parents’ training course. Our regular intergenerational activities are showing clear signs of success. They allow constructive relationships based on shared activity and understanding to form between all ages. This is a new experience for many of our members and, indeed, for many of the older generation. We have also established strong professional links with schools, social services, street wardens and other organisations helping us all to provide a more cohesive service for all the families.
Case study. Family make-up -
-A primary-school-aged boy with a complex family history is living with his relatives. His father has a history of alcohol and drug abuse but visits him often. He had been on the Child Protection Register under the category of ‘neglect’. He had mental health issues, and was seeing a counsellor and a psychiatrist. He had been excluded many times from school and he had a statement of special needs relating to his behaviour. Social Presentation He appeared physically neglected, paranoid, isolated and (at school) aggressive. He had little self-esteem and found it hard to engage with his peer group. He lacked many social skills including eating with a group or engaging in any team activity. Three years ago, he was referred to the JYIP by his school. He has attended regularly, mainly during the holidays. He does not attend any other similar service aimed at children and young people. The JYIP worked in partnership with Social Services and school, has supported the family with school visits.
Impact of Involvement Since attending the JYIP, he has taken part in many activities that have broadened his interests. He has gained in confidence and now talks to adults; his behaviour has improved, as have his social skills. He is still in school and his Family is off the social services register.
Partnership Experience had shown how important it is to work in partnership with other organisations in order to help these children at risk. Thanks to the encouragement and support of Camden Children’s Fund we have now strengthened our links with parents and forged strong working relationships with schools, social services and other agencies involved with our members and their families. In the last two years we have introduced residential holidays and strengthened children’s involvement in the project with the help of participation programmes working in partnership with the charity ICA:UK these developments are already showing benefits. Other partners include Camden Play Service Primary Care Trust, and the GO Partnership. annual report 2007
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Introduction The Haven Youth Project (HYP) is based at the Haven Youth Café on Castlehaven Road and works with young people aged of 13 - 19 who live in Camden. The Local Authority have identified the area as a ‘crime hot spot’ and as being one of the most deprived areas in the country. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery the building has a dance studio, music studio, a counselling room and a café area. The building offers an ideal setting for young people; it is a safe haven for them to come and learn, develop and enjoy themselves. The project accepts new members throughout the year but the young people have to register; to register young people need to prove their identity, address and next of kin before being allowed into the building. Staff Team Frances Shank manages the HYP and has overall responsibility. Inez Vassell, is the Senior Youth Worker and Interventions coordinator, Donnie Maclaren, Deputy Senior Youth Worker, and seven sessional youth workers deliver an interesting programme of activities. HYP is committed to staff development, and there are regular training sessions which include all the current ideas. These cover a number of youth work fields, including parenting support, drugs, alcohol and related youth issues. This continuing staff development has lead to a confident, multi-skilled and dedicated team of workers.
Haven Youth Project
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Summary
Case Study: Female aged 14 She has recently spent 3 months in care and has just returned to her family home. She has found living conditions at home difficult due to the break down of relations between her mother and stepfather. There are also a lot of problems due to her biological fathers’ substance abuse and violence towards her mother. This young woman self harms and has no respect for boundaries. School History Her attendance is poor and she lacks motivation.
a safe haven for them to come and learn, develop and enjoy themselves
Involvement in Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour She has not been involved in crime, but is a victim of bullying. She likes to mix with those older than herself and puts herself at risk by spending her time in bars, and late night clubs. She smokes cigarettes and marijuana and drinks alcohol.
Programme The HYP runs evening programmes for six days a week, Monday to Saturday 6.30-9.30pm and all-day programmes during the School holidays. Young people design and develop the programme, which can include activities such as sound engineering, dance, indoor and outdoor sports and a wide range of arts and crafts workshops. Topics range from ‘Guns & Knives’ to ‘Baby? Think it Over!’ and from ‘Interview Skills’ to ‘1st Aid’. Talks on a wide range of subjects include healthy eating, sex education and drugs. No topic is either too big or too small. If a young person would like a topic or issue addressed we will do our best to respond to them.
Impact of HYP: She now attends sessions and trips after an intensive one to one time with a HYP youth worker. Her confidence and self esteem has improved and her school teachers have reported that her attendance and motivation has also improved. Communication with her mother is better and she admits that they are talking and listening more to each other.
It has been an interesting and challenging year with many changes. I would like to thank the whole staff team for remaining focused and committed to the project; our funders for continuing to finance The Haven Youth Project and all the other CCA projects and partners who have so steadfastly offered their support. France Shank July 2007
Partnerships
Aims
Young People profile
HYP’s principal aim is to involve young people in a broad programme of activities that is challenging, rewarding and extend their learning beyond the classroom. The staff act as positive role models and help young people develop new interests, learn new skills and build self confidence.
During the last year there have been 336 HYP members (187 male, 149 female) made up of 129 White UK, 22 white other, 31 Asian/ Asian British, 18 Blk/Blk British, 4 Colombian, 49 Caribbean, 47 African, 33 Mixed Race, 2 Bangladeshi and 1 Egyptian. 72% of the membership was aged between 13- 15 years and 28% was 16-19 Years.
Part of HYP’s success can be attributed to its links with over 30 service providers. It is impractical to name and list them all but those below have been very important: Camden Youth and Connexions, The Fairstead Trust, Go Partnership, The Peabody Trust and the Jack Petchey Foundation, The Federation of London Youth (and others who have offered staff training) Schools and the Local Education Authority, Social Services, Sports Development, Terrance Higgins Trust, Street Wardens and Police and others who have offered practical support. Just one example of partnership work during the past year was ‘The Inter Racial Night Football League’ organised jointly with Queens Crescent Community Centre (QCCC). Jointly we realised that there was both a racial and territorial issue developing in the area so HYP and QCCC jointly developed a project to tackle the problem. Initially football coaching was carried out at both the Malden Road and Castlehaven football pitches – one either side of the territorial divide. Progressively cross territorial games were established and a local football league formed. At the same time the young people attended workshops on racism, during the process young people from different ethnic backgrounds and geographical areas successfully worked together to build trust and friendships.
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Background CCA’s Senior Youth Inclusion Programme (SYIP) was set up in 2000 to work with 50 young people, aged 13-17, who have been identified as being at risk of crime, anti social behaviour and/or being excluded from school. They all live within this an area which has been acknowledged as being one of the most deprived in the country. The programme, one of the Youth Justice Board’s national pilot schemes, is funded jointly by the Youth Justice Board and Camden’s Children’s Schools and Families Department The projects primary purpose is to work with these young people, and their families, to reduce risk and encourage positive factors in their daily lives. It offers a targeted, one to one programme of interventions and focuses on persuading young people to make positive choices. The programme involves these young people in constructive activities with key workers offering support and advice. The SYIP recognises that all young people in this age group are at some risk, and that the move from being a teenager to a young adult or from school to college or a job can be challenging and difficult. Staff Team Frances Shank (BA Hons in Drama & Theatre, NVQ3 Play Work and the YJB Professional Certificate in Effective Practice) manages the project with the support of Inez Vassell (BSC Hons in Psychology, NVQ3 Diploma in Play Work, NVQ4 Youth Work) as Interventions Coordinator; Donnie McLaren (BA Hons in Art and Printing and NVQ2 Youth Work) and Joanna McEwan (BA Hons in Criminology and Public Relations) as Key Workers and Lisa McKenna as Administrator. The project also employs 7 sessional workers, Jodie Fernandez, Julian Arthur, Charlie Symmons, Laura Johnson, Sylvia Amanguah, Natasha Shank and Hayeser Zorbas who bring a wealth of youth work skills and experience to the team.
Senior Youth Inclusion Programme
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Summary
Case Study: Male aged 16 Family Background: This young person lives with his mother, 15 year old brother and his young sister who is a toddler. His father has died and his death has had a traumatic effect on the young man. His mother has mental health problems and is presently recovering from being a drug user. She has a partner who is unemployed. The family are on benefits. School: He attended mainstream school but his challenging behaviour lead to him being referred to a pupil referral unit. He has now left school with no formal qualifications and he is not in any form of education or training. Involvement in crime and anti social Behaviour: He is well known to the police and has a history of youth offending behaviour. He has been involved in burglary and anti social behaviour i.e. graffiti, riding mopeds etc. He Smokes tobacco and cannabis and was involved with a negative peer group. Impact of YIP:
reducing the risk of social exclusion, crime and anti-social behaviour
He was referred to us and worked with a SYIP Key Worker.He now regularly attends and joins in activities within the SYIP and Haven Youth Project. He has shown a real talent for art and uses his time positively and constructively. He is involved with the programme and has widened his peer group. All this has had a positive influence on his behaviour. He has successfully completed a first aid course and obtained his first qualification. This is just a start and we have identified other potential training possibilities for him.
Programme For three afternoons a week SYIPS offers a programme of interventions exclusively to the 50 core members. The group are also encouraged to attend the Haven Youth Project (HYP). The young people are encouraged to become involved in both designing and developing the programme that is based on their individual needs. These include activities such as sound engineering, dance, indoor and outdoor sports, a wide range of arts and crafts and workshops with topics ranging from ‘Guns & Knives’ to ‘Motorbike Maintenance’ and from ‘CV Writing’ to ‘Anti Violence Video & Lyric Writing.
It has been an interesting and challenging year. Changes in staff have led to a stronger, multi skilled team who are enthusiastic and committed to carrying out a wide programme of activities, supporting young people’s needs and reducing youth offending and social exclusion. I would like to thank all our partners for their support. Frances Shank July 2007
We also offer one-to-one counselling sessions as well as talks on a wide range of subjects including healthy eating, sex education and drugs. In fact, no topic is too big or too small. If a member would like a subject addressed we will do our best to respond.
Identification and Referral Process Every 6 months, working with other local agencies and statutory services, 50 young people who are known to be offending, causing a nuisance or involved in an antisocial peer group are selected to be one of ‘the 50’. We also look for those known to Social Services, or who have been found truanting, permanently excluded from school, or who have received fixed term exclusions in the last 12 months. To achieve its aims, the project works with Schools, The Youth Offending Team, The Police, Housing, Social Services, The Youth Inclusion Support Panel, Safer Neighbourhoods, Street Wardens, Community Safety, Neighbourhood Tenants Associations, Brandon Centre, as well as parents, carers and individual young people.
Accountability The SYIP’s day to day operations are managed by Frances Shank, Project Manager, who reports to CCA Board of Trustee, to the SYIP Management Group (convened and chaired by the Youth Offending Teams -YOT), and Camden’s Growing Up Safely panel, (comprising senior officers from YOT, Social Services; Children, Schools & Families, Youth Service, Police, Schools, Play Service, Safer Neighbourhoods and others). All panels receive written reports, scrutinise data and share information. annual report 2007
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H.E.L.P.S works with older people to address issues such as poverty, isolation, loneliness and ill health through the delivery of services which focus on social inclusion, mental & physical dexterity and sharing information H.E.L.P.S aims to rebuild confidence and promote a sense of personal value and place in the community. During 2006-7 H.E.L.P.S offered 318 local older people many different and exciting projects,activities and events. Staff and Volunteers The project is managed by Tricia Richards with part time support from Jacqui Archer and Lynn Lansdown. However, the project could not have happened without the continued committed and passionate support of volunteers. But the real success of H.E.L.P.S is, of course, the older people themselves, who were at all times involved in the planning, delivery and management of services. None of this success could have happened without the generous financial support of the City Bridge Trust and The Abbey Charitable Trust. Tricia Richards H.E.L.P.S Project Manager
Help Elderly Local People Scheme
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building confidence and a valued place within the community
During the past year the H.E.L.P.S programme has included: Fitness activities, including a walking club, tai chi, line dancing, yoga classes, Iraqi elders chair-based exercise class and social group and three healthy living events. An ‘Income Maximisation’ project project delivered in partnership with the Citizen Advice Bureau. This project aimed to ensure that all members were fully accessing all benefits they were entitled to. Beginner’s courses Computer skills course. Bridge and bingo club. Arts and crafts A knit, make and sew class and a drama & movement club. A local life history club, four tea dances and three affordable holidays per year, one day trip each month plus 10 theatre trips through the year to top west end shows. Several intergenerational projects delivered jointly with the children and young people from CCA’s youth schemes on various projects.
Case Study : Name: Mr S Age: 93 yrs Lives: Regents Park Area
Background: Mr S has been a H.E.L.P.S member for over five years. Mr S is an independent elderly gentleman who lives on his own. He currently does not need any outside services from Social Services. In April 2006 his wife sadly died. Mr S had been her sole carer and they were married for over 60 years. Since his wife’s death Mr S has been suffering with depression and loneliness. Study: In April 2006, Mr S came into the H.E.L.P.S office to inform us that his wife, who was also a member, had died. He asked if we could remove her details from our database and then told us that he hadn’t been out of his flat for a couple of weeks, but had decided to get a bit of fresh air and visit us. This was an emotional moment for him and we could see that he was extremely upset. We convinced Mr S to retain his membership and reminded him of all the activities, classes and trips that H.E.L.P.S provides for its members. We encouraged him to get involved again when he was ready. We also told him about bereavement services available to him in the area and assured him that he was not alone. During the year Mr S’ confidence and involvement rose and he decided to attend a few of our day trips. On these trips he made a few friends and began to enjoy himself and he even approached us on a couple of occasions to tell us so and to say that without H.E.L.P.S he would have been at home alone and depressed. We recently contacted him to see how he was doing and he seemed bright and cheerful. He did however confess that he still had his bad days and could sometimes be very upset. We assured him once again that he was not alone and that we would send him some leaflets of the services we had previously told him about. We sent these to him and he was very pleased to receive the information. He then asked us about the new day trips planned for this year so he could book some of them and meet up with his friends again.
Partnership: H.E.L.P.S has long recognised the importance of working in partnership with other local and statutory service providers. We would like to thank Westminster Kingsway College Outreach Program, GO Partnership, Older Peoples Network, Well & Wise Network, Citizen Advice Bureau, Age Concern, Health Services, Social Services, Benefit Agency and others who have supported our work throughout the year. annual report 2007
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Case Study : Name: Mrs C Aged: 81 yrs Lives: Primrose Hill Area
Background: Mrs C has been a H.E.L.P.S member for over six years. She is an independent elderly woman who lives on her own. She currently has a care package but we knew that Mrs C has a low income. Study: CCA were awarded funding to run a course on making the most of your money and benefits. These sessions were for H.E.L.P.S members and parents of children using the various CCA youth projects. We invited Mrs C to one of these sessions but her continued response was ‘I’m all right dear; I don’t need any advice for I cope all right on what I get’. We advised her of the importance of establishing her benefit entitlement and assured her that she need only come once and that the financial and personal information would be completely confidential. Mrs C eventually agreed to attend. Once she had met the adviser Mrs C disclosed her surprise at the amount of other benefits that were available, some of which she was entitled to. After a few weeks Mrs C came in to thank us for encouraging her to come to the session, for as a result of it her benefits had increased by over £40 per week and her rent had gone down. Obviously Mrs C was thrilled with the outcome and said without H.E.L.P.S she would not have known about her entitlement.
During the summer of 2006 H.E.L.P.S was approached by the Science Museum’s outreach team who wished to involve older people in their ‘Creative Canal Project’. This very successful ‘Kitchen Science’ project attracted over 20 older people who attended four sessions and had a guided tour of the science museum and a canal trip on board a classroom sized barge. After the project was over the Science Museum again contacted H.E.L.P.S to invite the project manager and the four H.E.L.P.S members involved in the ‘The Creative Canal Project’ to the opening of a new building at the Science Museum. When the invitations arrived we were thrilled to be informed that we would be meeting HRH Queen Elizabeth. We felt very privileged, being the only older people’s scheme representing the ‘The Creative Canal Project’. We were even introduced to the Queen who briefly discussed the success of the project with the H.E.L.P.S project manager Tricia Richards.
meeting with the queen annual report 2007
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Transactions & Financial Position The statement of financial activities shows income for the year of £710,310 with expenditure of £639,918 leaving surplus of £70,392. This reflects a in/decrease of £134,152 on the end of year accounts for 2005/2006. -At the end of the previous year we carried forward a reserve of £41,604 of which £4,802 was restricted; at the end of this year we carry forward a reserve of £111,996 of which £60,310 is restricted.
Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) For year ending 31 March 2007
Reserves Policy: The Board of Trustees have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds held by the charity should be equivalent to 9 months of the core grant offered by the London Borough of Camden, which equates to £65,000 in general funds. At this level, the Board of Trustees feels they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. It would obviously be necessary to consider how the funding would be replaced or activities changed. At present the unrestricted and undesignated reserves, do not reach this target and the Board of Trustees are considering ways in which additional unrestricted funds may be raised.
Incoming Resources
Unrestricted funds
Restricted fund
Total 2007
Total 2006
Incoming Resources from generated funds Voluntary income grants & donations
£705,219
Activities for generating fundsfundraising
£1,070
Investment income - bank interest
£4,021
Total Income Resources
£5,091
£705,219
£597,123
£1,070
£9,125
£4,021
£4,924
£705,219
£710,310
£611,172
£482,160
£482,160
£542,721
Resources Expended Charitable Activities Governance Costs
£8,924
£148,834
£157,758
£132,211
Total Resources Expended
£8,924
£630,994
£639,918
£674,932
- £3,833
£74,2253
£70,392
- £63,760
Transfers Gross transfers between funds
£17,967
- £17,967
Net movement in funds
£14,884
£55,508
£70,392
- £63,760
Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward
£36,802
£4,802
£41,604
£105,364
Total funds carried forward
£51,686
£60,310
£111,996
£41,604
Net incoming (outgoing resources before transfers)
Audit 2007 Financial Report
Continuing operations None of the charity's activities were acquired during the current or previous years Total recognised gains and losses The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than those recognised for the current and previous years
annual report 2007
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Castlehaven Community Association would like thank all its funders, partners & supporters including:
Charity number 295829 Company number 2069107 Funded by Central Government, Camden Council and a number of Charitable trusts.
