stronger together
DESCRIPTION
Romsey Mill's annual review 2011-12TRANSCRIPT
ROMSEY MILL
ROMSEY MILL
Stronger Together
Annual Review2011-12twitter.com/romseymill facebook.com/romseymill
ROMSEY MILL
ROMSEY MILL
Romsey Mill’s vision is of a transformed society where all young people, children and families fully belong, positively contribute and thrive. Romsey Mill creates opportunities with young people, children and families in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire to overcome disadvantage, promote inclusion, and develop personal, social and spiritual well being.
From its beginnings, established by local churches in 1980, Romsey Mill has been a charitable organisation eager to learn and develop, always seeking to respond with care, creativity and proficiency to the needs of people in Cambridgeshire. The Christian faith remains an active and important motivation for what we do; an inner characteristic or strand running through our work as we engage with people of all faiths and none. Experience of God’s grace and love motivates us to show compassion and seek justice, which comes into particular focus in our support for vulnerable young people, children and families locally – those with the least economic and social power. There are other diverse and complementary strands to our work including the range of flexible programmes and activities developed with participants; the whole-life approach we take in supporting and enabling people to thrive; the long-term relational commitment we make to the young people and families; the positive partnership of numerous organisations and individuals contributing their skills and experience. Brought together these different strands provide strength, enabling us to achieve more. In 2011/12, through these strands coming together, Romsey Mill continued to create many opportunities with young people, children and families to cultivate resilience, new skills, joy and hope. This review shines a light on some of them including the growth of our work supporting young people with autistic spectrum conditions; new work in additional schools through our Transitions and Alternative Education Programmes, outstanding early years activities for children and their families, many positive endeavours for young people with our Social Inclusion team. The year also held specific challenges for Romsey Mill. Like many charities, we
were adversely affected by wider economic problems. Whilst we anticipated and were able to manage our end-of-year financial short-fall, we need income to grow during 2012 and beyond if aspects of our work aren’t to be lost. We are hopeful that as local authorities consider commissioning services they will recognise the excellent programmes and value for money that Romsey Mill offers by awarding us contracts to deliver services. However, much of what we do cannot be funded by local authorities. It is the support we receive from the community that enables Romsey Mill to work in our flexible and distinctive way. We are ever grateful for this giving. In the year ahead Romsey Mill shall continue to be active but with an even stronger emphasis on impact; we’ll continue to strive to help as many people as we can, but our core concern is significant change – full & lasting. Thank you to our volunteers, funders, supporters and staff for coming together to make a decisive difference. Please continue to do so as we give our utmost to set in motion true transformation for a fairer, more compassionate, society.
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Introduction from the Chair of Trustees and Chief ExecutiveEvery year is memorable for Romsey Mill and 2011-12 was no exception.
Alternative EducationMainstream school doesn’t work for everyone. Our Alternative Education Programme helps 14-16year olds, struggling with school, to achieve.
Through a range of vocational courses, young people relearn what success feels like – which often spills over into their school life too. Learners leave the programme with qualifications and with access to Romsey Mill’s support for the next stage of their training and education.
The attainment gap in Cambridgeshire between those eligible for free school meals and those not is the widest in the East of England.www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway
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www.romseymill.org/alternative-education
Alternative Education
HighlightsThirty young people engaged
with learning, skills-development
and assessment, re-starting them
on a route towards training and
work. It’s likely that many would
otherwise have dropped out of the
education system.
Additional Cambridge schools recognised the effectiveness of the
programme and bought our services, so that more young people
were able to achieve success through our vocational courses.
Students became increasingly engaged with social issues
through Personal Social Development sessions, leading to active
campaigning.
Young people successfully met physical and mental challenges
through outdoor pursuits courses,
as well as learning about living
together in a community setting
and working as a team.
WoRk foR a buSInESS ThaT CaRES abouT ThE CoMMunITy? Speak to Charity on 01223 566492 about corporate partnerships
Contact
Mike Farrington
01223 566192
Alternative Education
www.romseymill.org/corporate
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Social Inclusion ProgrammeEvery young person has potential to achieve, but without positive influences and support it’s easy to go off track and lose direction.
Our Social Inclusion Programme workers support young people aged 13-25 to gain social and personal skills through activities like football, music and art and through building positive relationships. Our youth work team meet young people in a variety of settings including through street-based outreach.
aspiration and achievement are the most important things for ensuring young people grow up to realise their full potential.www.publications.parliament.uk www.romseymill.org/social-inclusion
Social Inclusion Programme
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A summer programme gave young people positive and creative outlets, including a graffiti arts course and a youth-led café. These, and other activities, were underpinned by outreach, so that new young people engaged with Romsey Mill’s provision.
Positive activities, including late-night football and boxing groups, gave young people the chance to develop skills and aspirations as well as diverting them from crime. They were given time and guidance to reflect on their lives and to make progress in jobs and relationships.
Outdoor challenges gave young people a taste of success – meeting and overcoming what might have seemed impossible.
Work expanded in Cambourne with football, a weekly drop-in club and music sessions in a new studio. A new project in north Cambridge started with outreach, drop-in clubs and football projects attracting 20-30 young people each session.
Highlights
Contact
Jackson Nazombe
01223 566192
hElp young pEoplE dEvElop SkIllS ThRough a onE-off gIfTGo to www.romseymill.org/donate or ring 01223 566492
Social Inclusion Programme
www.romseymill.org/donate
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Young Parents ProgrammeParenting at any age is challenging and for those with the added element of being young, our Young Parents Programme offers a safe haven of acceptance and support for young mums and dads.
From tailored antenatal classes to peer support groups and accredited courses, the programme offers parents and their children a chance to create patterns of living and working that will give the whole family a positive future in health, well being and education.
Women from vulnerable groups are less likely to access antenatal services – leading to increased risk to them and their baby.www.maternal-and-early-years.org.uk
www.romseymill.org/young-parents
Young Parents Programme
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HighlightsLearners achieved 26 Level 1 and
2 qualifications in Maths and in
‘Shine’: a self-confidence course. The
Progressions Worker supported them to
move on to further training or work.
The Young Fathers Worker supported
five men to take legal advice and begin the process of gaining access
to their children. Five dads also completed a baby care course to grow
their skills and equip them for practical care.
Young mums took a two-day break in Norfolk enjoying seal-watching,
pampering and time to talk. Friendship networks nurtured through
the programme helped young parents to cope more effectively with
challenges they face.
Funding from Children’s Centres in Cambridge City and South
Cambridgeshire allowed us to develop work
throughout South Cambridgeshire. A four-year
grant from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation will
enable young fathers work to grow in reach and
influence.
Contact
Rachel Briant
01223 566021
ChangE lIvES ThRough a REgulaR donaTIonGo to
www.romseymill.org/donate or ring 01223 566492
Young Parents Programme
www.romseymill.org/donate
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“Romsey Mill gives
inspirational support and
leadership that helps turn
around young people’s lives.
I know that my donations
allow Romsey Mill to invest
in new areas of work, where
need is not yet addressed.“
Tim Phipps, regular donor
We’re Mills and Reeve’s Charity of the Year
Rob ran the London Marathon
“I volunteer at an aspire club. all the girls talk about experiencing bullying, misunderstanding and isolation. We’ve just been for our end-of-term trip, two hours in a karaoke
pod. I will never forget the moment they stood with their arms round each other singing bruno Mars’ ‘I think you’re amazing, just the way you are’ to each other.”
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Grace baked for a cake sale
Cambridge University Press hosted Alternative Education students
Working Together
“It has been rewarding to see the enthusiasm our colleagues have for working with Romsey Mill. This is testament both to the great work they do, and to the fact that our educational aims have so much in common.”
Peter Phillips, CEO Cambridge University Press,Corporate Partner
an active and Challenging yearDummy copy.Working in partnership with other
agencies ensured that Tom and Janet received the
best possible support throughout. Shortly after
his child’s birth, Tom and Janet moved into a flat
and Romsey Mill staff supported them to develop
budgeting and parenting skills. Tom is an involved
father and supportive partner and, with improved
confidence skills is actively job seeking.
15,000 children were living in poverty
710 young people were unemployed, an increase of 35% on 2009
100 young people received their schooling at a Pupil Referral Unit
12%of families with children under 5 in our Children’s Centre area were living in poverty
760 children (approx) had autistic conditions
6,500 school pupils were eligible for free school meals
15611 year olds successfully transferred to secondary school after intensive support
274 11-14 year olds wer helped to make friends and take advantage of learning opportuities at school
105 young people enjoyed outdoor activities on residentials
56 young people regularly transferred to secondary school after intensive support
168family members accessed transferred to secondary
25 committed volunteers successfully transferred to secondary school
320young parents successfully transferred to secondary school after intensive support
67young fathers successfully transferred to secondary
51 qualifications were achieved transferred to secondary school after intensive support
Transitions Programme Aspire Programme Transitions Programme
a busy year… ...supported by people like you who made possible
our work with over 2100 people, helping them to
combat isolation and to develop skills, hopes and
aspirations. The figures below show some of the
needs we address.
17% of children in Cambridge live in families relying on out-of-work benefits www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
25% of GCSE students in Cambridgeshire eligible for free
school meals achieved 5 GCSE A*- C passes, in contrast to 62%
of non-eligible students who achieved this. www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway
1,000,000+ Over one million 16-24-year-olds nationally are unemployed. www.tuc.org.uk
1%About 1% of the population has an autistic spectrum condition. Over 50% of parents would like their child with an ASC to be better supported at school. www.autism.org.uk
15% of unemployed young people nationally aged 16-18 are pregnant or have children, leading to poorer educational and health outcomes for parents and children. www.publications.parliament.uk
30students accessed our Alternative Education courses, achieving 73 qualifications
95%attendance rate was achieved by students at Alternative Education sessions
73% of Alternative Education students made a successful transition to work or college
Alternative Education
April 2011 Alternative Education students
complete a 4-day outdoor residential
in Wales, learning skills and meeting
challenges successfully
Sales of Ready to Go (transitions
resource for 10-year-olds) hit £5,500.
Copies have been distributed throughout
the UK
5 young people with autistic spectrum
conditions complete a Life Skills course,
helping to equip them for independent living
Cambridge University Press confirm
Romsey Mill as their nominated charity
partner
May Young people from the Transitions
Programme join the ChYpPs boat for a
day on the Cam, learning teamwork and
confidence
Young women take part in a social
action event with Cambridge Act for Justice
to raise awareness of human trafficking
Young mum, Krysanne, raises £170 by
doing a 200-foot bungee jump for Romsey
Mill
July 30 students attend the Alternative
Education graduation evening receiving
73 qualifications between them
27 young
mums and dads
and their children
visit Shepreth
Wildlife Park,
enjoying family
time and learning
about accessing local facilities
Activities for Aspire
young people and their
families give fun and respite
during the holidays
Sponsored ‘bean growing
challenge’ in Playgroup
raises £103 for IT software and games
August Ten young mums achieve Numeracy
qualifications at Levels 1 and 2
Members of a Transitions Girls’
Group run in the Race for Life
Children’s Centre staff run picnics
in the park, parachute play and visit the
Botanic Gardens with families
June Alternative Education students taking an
Enterprise module make chocolate at the
Hotel Chocolat factory in Huntingdon
Seven young mums take a trip to a local
library to look at the facilities available and to
explore reading with their children
134 sessions preparing 11-year-olds
for secondary school are delivered by
Transitions staff
340at-risk young people engaged with Romsey Mill through street-based outreach, positive activities and mentoring
220 young people acquired social and personal skills
55 young people moved into work or training including 5 young fathers
Social Inclusion Programme
199young mothers and 76 young fathers were supported through groups and one-to-one
70 expectant young parents prepared for parenthood through tailored antenatal courses
19young mums achieved 26 qualifications
Young Parents Programme
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539young people successfully transferred
77 young people achieved transferred to secondary school after intensive support
289 young people successfully transferred to secondary school
1109families were to transferred to secondary school after intensive support
145 families came successfully transferred
78children benefitted successfully transferred to secondary
Social Inclusion Programme Romsey Children’s Centre Playgroup
94% of 11-14-year-olds supported through our Transitions Programme successfully engaged with secondary school
15 primary schools and 4 secondary schools received our support for young people to engage successfully with education
260 educationists were trained in using Ready to Go, to prepare young people for their move to secondary school
Transitions Programme
55 young people attended Aspire clubs, growing in confidence and social skills
14parents were guided through the process of gaining appropriate educational provision and benefits for their children by our Family Support Worker
2 new groups started in north Cambridge with 12 members, extending provision beyond Romsey Mill Centre
Aspire Programme
81children increased skills through being in Playgroup, including 12 high-need 2-year-olds
1106 families came to Children’s Centre activities, reducing isolation and receiving support from staff
19 parents acquired new parenting skills through the Raising Toddlers course
Childrens’ Centre and Playgroup
Worldpay ‘Apprentice Challenge’ raises £1,923 for Romsey Mill’s work
January 2012 Transitions Programme staff work with Cambridge University Press on developing Ready to Go as an e-resource
Three-year Children in Need funding granted - we restart Social Inclusion Programme in north Cambridge
Playgroup survey - 100% of parents gave Playgroup highest ratings across the board
November Dragons’ Den event sees 3 young
women successfully pitching for a grant
to identify young women’s needs and to
resource a response
Four young fathers complete a New
Baby Care course increasing their skills
and confidence
Two new Aspire groups start in north
Cambridge after a public online vote wins
us a NatWest Community Force grant
Ten Children’s Centre families
complete a Raising Toddlers course
December Alternative Education students prepare and host Christmas dinners for seventy-five guests: teachers, Romsey Mill staff and volunteers
Shout Aloud choir (run in partnership with Transitions Programme) perform at the Mill Road Winter Fair
200 helium balloons are inflated and handed out along Mill Road by Children’s Centre staff in red hoodies and Santa hats at the Mill Road Winter Fair
September 82 young people make a successful
transition to secondary school, supported by
Transitions Programme staff
New Hills Road Sixth Form students
start volunteering in Aspire clubs
Children’s Centre holds a Saturday
morning Dads’ Event for 23 dads and 27
children – lots of bacon butties are made
and eaten
October Soul Studio opens in Cambourne for
music projects - young people help with
painting and preparing it for use
Third annual Young Parents Programme
Health Fair is held at Romsey Mill, with 12
agencies offering advice on health-related issues
Transitions team works with Beyond
Belief mission, engaging young people in
positive activities around Cambridge
Ashleigh Calver, former Aspire volunteer,
climbs Kilimanjaro, raising £525
Staff, trustees and supporters gather for
annual thanksgiving service
February Alternative Education students take Level 1 Arts Award, creating fantastic landscape and portrait paintings, later exhibited at Cambridge Arts Salon
Four-year funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation secures the development of young fathers work
Vodafone funding allows Karen Hosking to begin paid employment as Family Support Worker for Aspire families
March Kickstart course for eight young men, including five fathers, re-engages them with learning and raises aspirations – all eight move on to training or work
Rob Payne, former volunteer, chooses Aspire to support in his London Marathon run
Playgroup receives ‘outstanding’ from Ofsted and Children’s Centre ‘good with outstanding features’
Mills and Reeve choose Romsey Mill as their Charity of the Year for 2012-13
2120
Aspire Programme
www.romseymill.org/aspire
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Contact
Rachel Briant
01223 566021
Use yoUr time to make a differenceSpeak to Diane about volunTEErIng
on 01223 566492
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Aspire ProgrammeFriendship should be part of life but young people with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC) often find themselves isolated. Negotiating the noise, busy-ness and expectations of school and other social situations can be unbearable.
Aspire runs activities for young people with ASCs who find that at Aspire, for the first time, they have friends and their experience of life is valued and validated. Aspire staff mediate with schools, prepare young people for transition and offer much-needed support to families.
over 40% of children with autism have been bullied at school www.autism.org.uk
Two new groups started in north
Cambridge, extending this much needed
provision beyond Romsey Mill Centre.
Avril, Centre for Youth Ministry student,
led this work, which includes our first girls-
only group in Aspire.
Karen Hosking’s work supporting Aspire parents was officially
recognised with a four-month Vodafone grant. Karen supported
parents through the many challenges of getting the best opportunities
for their children, who have autistic spectrum conditions.
Ruth (Coordinator) completed Common Assessment Framework
forms for many Aspire young people. This huge task helped secure
funding as well as recording the needs of the young people, opening
the way to better support for them.
Weekly groups are consistently described
as ‘a lifeline’ by families and as the ‘only
place where I can be myself’ by young
people.
Highlights
Contact
Ruth Watt
01223 521270
kEEp In TouChwww.twitter.com/romseymillwww.facebook.com/romseymillwww.romseymill.org/newsletter
Aspire Programme
www.facebook.com/romseymill
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Transitions ProgrammeChange is exciting but can be hard, even for confident children. For children struggling with low self-esteem and perhaps a difficult home life, the challenge of moving up to secondary school can seem impossible.
Our team work with small groups of 11-year-olds to prepare them for this transition. We then offer support (in groups and one-to-one) from the start of secondary school until age 14, to help them make the most of their time at school.
young people’s personal and social development has a significant impact on their achievementwww.publications.parliament.uk
Transitions Programme
www.romseymill.org/transitions
2726
Sales of Ready to Go increased following its redesign. We partnered with Cambridge University Press to develop an interactive Smart board version of the resource. A survey of Cambridge primary schools showed our support to be vital for vulnerable year 6 children.
Post transfer support enabled at-risk young people to engage successfully with education and make a positive contribution to the school community.
Transitions support was developed in new schools including Comberton Village College and one of its feeder primary schools in Cambourne, expanding the reach of this work.
The Transitions Team delivered Ready to Go training to youth workers and other professionals from East Anglia and to over 100 PGCE students at Homerton College, Cambridge.
Highlights
Contact
Naomi Message
and Mary Simuyandi
01223 566392
bElong To a ChuRCh? WE’d lovE you To gET InvolvEd Speak to Diane
on 01223 566492
Transitions Programme
www.romseymill.org/churcheswww.romseymill.org/churcheswww.romseymill.org/churches
2928
Children’s Centre and PlaygroupChildren are a great gift, but along with delight and laughter they bring exhaustion, worries and feelings of isolation.
Romsey Children’s Centre promotes well being, healthy living and effective parenting through groups, activities and individual support with parents, carers and children under-5. And Romsey Mill’s Playgroup provides outstanding Early Years education and levels of support to families concerned to give their children the best opportunities they can.
1185 ChIldREn live in our Children’s Centre reach area, which includes areas of high-level need.
www.romseymill.org/childrens-centre
Children’s Centre & Playgroup
3130
Ofsted inspectors rated Playgroup
as ‘outstanding’ and the
Children’s Centre as ‘good with
outstanding features’. Inspectors
recognised the depth of care
extended to children and families
and excellent educational provision.
Parenting courses equipped parents of toddlers with new strategies and
confidence in bringing up their children.
Popular Saturday dads’ events gave men the chance to share childcare
experiences with peers, play with their children and eat bacon butties.
Other events supported childminders and home-based carers.
Playgroup staff supported a new cohort to settle at the start of the year
and made sure that they moved
on to excellent nursery provision
or school at the end. One-to-one
support helped children with
special needs make the most of
Playgroup.
Highlights
Contact
Cat Mackenzie
or Rachel Matthews
01223 566102
uSE youR TIME To MakE a dIffEREnCESpeak to Diane about volunteering
on 01223 566492
Children’s Centre & Playgroup
www.romseymill.org/volunteer
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Charitable activities 88%
Governance & generating funds 12%
Statutory grants and contracts 54%
Romsey Mill’s full audited accounts are available on the Charity Commission website (RCN 1069905), or on request from Romsey Mill.
* including Playgroup fees and contracts with schools ** including charity shop, room hire and investments*** including churches, community groups and events
finances1st April 2011 – 31st March 2012
In a difficult year for the economy we are grateful to God for His provision, and to
many generous supporters (see facing page), without whom our work would not be
possible. Total income within the year was £882,755 and expenditure £973,418.
We had forecast and prepared for the deficit by building up free reserves of £347,412
and a designated Social Inclusion Sustainability Fund of £151,000, with a view to
spending some of them this year.
From a modest level in 2010-11, our income from the community and from grant-
making trusts has doubled over the last twelve months. This welcome trend needs to
continue if we are to sustain and develop our services whilst statutory funding, which
still provides over half of our income, is likely to further decline.
ExpenditureIncome
Grant-making trusts 17%
Social enterprise** 8%
Individuals 5%
Other community*** 3%
Businesses 2%
Payment for charitable services* 11%
Thank you Everything you have read about in this booklet has been possible thanks to support from a wide variety of individuals and organisations. So THANK YOU, to all the individuals, community groups, churches, schools and colleges who gave money, time and skills to the work of Romsey Mill, and to the following:
Autistic Support Trust
Baily Thomas Charitable Fund
Batterson-Chivers Foundation
BBC Children in Need
Betty Lawes Foundation
Cambourne Youth Partnership
Cambridge Central Aid Society
Cambridge City Council
Cambridge United Charities
Cambridge University Press
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Cambridgeshire County Council
Care to Learn
Church Schools of Cambridge
Clore Duffield Foundation
Cottenham Village College
Department of Health – Cabinet Office
Eastern Counties Educational Trust Ltd
Ebyon Trust
Ecan Services Ltd
Ely Diocesan Cambridge Female Welfare Fund
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales
NatWest Community Force
NHS Nursery Milk Scheme
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
Porticus UK
Prince’s Trust
Reed Foundation
Sentec
South Cambridgeshire District Council
Tesco Charity Trust
Vodafone Foundation
Waitrose Community Matters
WorldPay
Young Lives Young Localism Dragons’ Den Fund
We should also like to thank our Trustees:
Alastair Barry
Margaret Ingram (Vice-chair until October 2011)
Stephen Leeke
Tim Phipps (Vice-chair from October 2011)
Marion Saunders
Vera Schuster Beesley
Stewart Taylor
Eleanor Willis
Malcolm Wylie (Chair)
Photographs are used with permission and do not necessarily reflect the neighbouring text. Some names have been changed, to preserve anonymity.
www.romseymill.org/donate
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romsey Mill
Hemingford RoadCambridge CB1 3BZ
t 01223 213162f 01223 411707e [email protected]
Registered Charity(No: 1069905)
Limited company registered in England and Wales (No: 3556721)
www.romseymill.org
Patrons
The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely
HM Lord Lieutenantof CambridgeshireHugh Duberley CBE
Colin Greenhalgh CBE DL
Lady Wilson of Dinton
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