New opportunities and preparing for leadership transition - Annual Report 2022-2023

A central aim is to provide new experiences for our children through our regular outings programme during the school holidays, and this year we have been able to add another group for newly referred 3-7 year olds. It has been lovely to see them growing in confidence and establishing friendships with their peers. Additionally, we were able to provide a new opportunity for our 7-11’s to enjoy a two night beach holiday to Littlehampton. For most, this was the first time away from their families, as well as a first holiday experience for many.

“It's made a very great difference. He is exposed to more different activities that I wouldn't be able to do myself. It's good for him, building his confidence, going out with friends…. When he went for the holiday, I thought “how is he going to manage?”, but it went very well and he had such a good time.” Mum of 8 year old boy

“She is always happy, if I say that you are coming around, she is always looking forward to it. She comes home and tells me all about it. I went there, I met this person, I did this and she sounds so excited about it”. (Mum of new 4 year old).

In the year we have also welcomed new referrals to our service and the families have quickly gained trust and confidence in the provision that we provide.

“You can’t quantify the level of service you’ve provided to the families. It’s a ridiculous amount for the size of your organisation. You’re doing the job the way it’s supposed to be done. When we have hard to reach families, who are anxious about accessing services, we refer them to you, for your relational approach, going above and beyond to build trust.” (Referrer Feedback June 2023)

There has been a new trend for referrals with babies and pre-school children being referred and we are preparing to start outings mid term for Mums and the little ones, who are too young to attend on their own. Many of these are living in hostels, and providing opportunities to meet other Mums with small children will help to form new bonds, reduce isolation and increase confidence in venues and activities for stimulating small children to grow socially.

This year we provided direct support services to thirty-eight families, 110 people; 41 parents /carers and 62 children, through a team of 15 volunteers. We have provided 14 outings, 2 residential trips, and a Christmas Party across the year, taking an average of 43 children each holiday.

Preparing the organisation for transition:

This year a focus has been preparing for transition as Rowena Crisp, the Service Director and founder moves on from her role in the charity in July 2023 after leading the work in East London for 20 years. Trustees have met more frequently this year to put robust plans in place for the current service provision to continue as it is for another year until summer 2024. Our volunteers have expressed a strong theme of commitment to the mission of the charity and a desire to continue for which we are grateful.

Sharmaine Caprice-Francis, who has worked for the organisation for four years as the Outings Coordinator will take on the role as Project Coordinator, and is well placed to enable continuity of services on the back of established relationships with our service users and volunteer team, a central strength where relationship is one of our core distinctives. Having also been the financial administrator she is well placed to take on the wider charity coordination.

The trustees will retain responsibility for the leadership and strategic direction of the charity, and are continuing to work on the longer term plan for the charity beyond summer 2024, which in part will depend on the sustainability of the work in terms of both income and human resources, in addition to the wider context. Rowena Crisp will continue to be involved as an outing volunteer and join the trustee board from August 2023 to help provide continuity and support through the transition.

Reviewing our impact:

We are pleased to present feedback from the recent annual review cycle, completed by 85% of our families. Impact is reviewed through a structured process, including both open answer questions and fixed statements.

95% of parents / carers strongly agree that their children look forward to the outings activities, seeing friends, have a good relationship with the volunteers and enjoy talking and remembering about the outings. In addition, that outings increase their children’s well-being, confidence and enabled them to take part in activities they would otherwise not be able to do.

Apart from the outings provided by our charity, many of the children do not have many opportunities in the school holidays;

• 80% of the families never or rarely have a day trip out in the holidays and do not attend playschemes in the holidays.

• 65% of children spend more than 2 hours of screen time every day and never or rarely exercise in the holidays.

• 45% of the children never or rarely go outside the house or meet up with friends or family during the holidays.

All the parents and carers also provided feedback in their own words about the difference the outings and support had made, here are a few quotes:

• “For me it’s made a real difference. For me the last few years I haven't been physically able to do anything with my children while I have been so ill. You have been a Godsend. The children can't get to go anywhere, apart from when you take them, and they look forward to the outings so much.”

• “All their friends at school talk about what they do during the holidays, and it's a bit competitive. My children always have something to talk about what they have done because of you. There is always something major they have done that is special and helps them not to feel different. “

• “Oh my goodness, you are just such a blessing to us. In my situation, raising children on my own, your support has made my job a lot lighter. You have taken my children to places I have never been myself, and couldn't have taken them too. Money cannot buy what you have provided, it has been such a relief. When the hospital first told me about you, I said No No! But I am so happy I said yes. You have helped develop my kids, you helped them to grow. I am so so happy.”

When asked for suggestions for improvement, the consistent message was to keep doing what we’re doing and that things are good. The only request for improvement is to provide more outings in the holidays, especially the longer summer holiday.

Review of Finances

‘Alongside You’ Trustees prepared and monitored a budget for this financial year through quarterly management reports reviewed at the trustee meetings. This year our expenditure was a sixth higher than our income, as we had budgeted to use some surplus reserves and provide as many of our young people as possible on a residential trip out of London, 65% of our children had a 2 night trip away.

The Directors appreciate the support of all the churches, individual donors and grant trusts who give to make the work with families possible. We are grateful for the provision of ongoing and grant funding from the MacDonald Family Trust, Yapp Charitable Trust, The Henry Smith holiday fund for enabling us to provide the summer holiday for 8-12’s in Littlehampton, Magic Little Grants for an award towards active outings and Peabody Trust for providing office space in Pembury Community Centre and for our Christmas party.