Report on the last 12 months


Accomplishments

• 140 accredited training units delivered to over 90 people on team work, mentoring and active citizenship
• Trained 4 groups of 4-20 young people in peer research & community leadership
• Trained group of young people to judge science project pitches and plan, and deliver winning project as part of Manchester Science Festival
• Alan Heckman appointed to new ToP manager post, financed by loan
• Around 25 public and in-house ToP courses delivered by around 20 staff & associates
• ToP courses accredited by Institute of Leadership & Management
• 12 month program of strategic planning and capacity building with Housing Association, involving 80 managers trained and 1,000 staff and members consulted
• Several new volunteers helping to develop marketing and communications, in particular website and CRM system

Challenges

• Much of our client base has been decimated by recession and public spending cuts, in the youth sector in particular

Learnings

• We are financially as precarious as ever, and as ever constrained by inadequate marketing and communications skills and capacity
• Nevertheless we are better placed than many small charities to withstand the current crisis and benefit from new opportunities if we can keep abreast of developments and position ourselves effectively.

The next twelve months

• Review & revise strategy for 2011-12 for greater synergy and resilience
• Now bidding to coalition government’s National Citizens Service for 10 x3 week full-time residential Young Community Leaders projects