Annual Review 20142015
“I never dreamed 12 months ago my life would be so different. I had no expectations or aspirations but now I want to achieve so much because of mentoring!� Female aged 15
Y u Are Here “I
f you Dream It, You Can Do It” - Walt Disney, is one of my favourite quotes. I am a big believer in the power of positive thought and believe that if you can conjure up an image, a thought or an idea then you have the power to make it happen. As I sit here in a reflective mood, as I always do after looking at MAPS’ evaluation data I am thinking about what we, the MAPS family have achieved this year. You may have heard me call us a family before and I don’t use the term lightly. MAPS team and volunteers are a family, a group of people related by their desire to make a positive change within our community. We were all brought together by the dream, the image, the thought or the idea that we want to support vulnerable young people.
Helen Gasparelli MAPS Manager
Boy oh boy does this years review shows that our dream has become a reality. Together the MAPS family including the young people we support have achieved amazing things and it’s not just me that thinks it. As many of you know, this year MAPS were awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, an organisational MBE, an accolade that we are so privileged to have accepted on behalf of the remarkable MAPS volunteers and all that they have achieved, they are an inspiration. Here at MAPS we also like to think of our funders as part of our extended family, and want to say a huge thank you to London Borough of Sutton (LBS), The Henry Smith Charity, BBC Children In Need, GamesAid and Lloyds TSB for their support over the past year. Their support has helped us work with a record breaking number of young people. Thank you to all of you who have supported MAPS. As you read this annual review I hope you get a sense of the dedication of the MAPS family both staff and volunteers and what they have achieved as well as our exciting plans and what’s new for 2015-2016. As I leave you to sit back, relax and have a read, I just want to remind you to carry on dreaming.
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It a ll add s up!
T e Nu bers
2014-2015 has truly been a glittering year for MAPS, a jewel in the crown some might say! This year MAPS has connected with 332 children and young people which is yet another project record.
This year we have delivered peer mentor training, run a new project supporting young people at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), carried out partnership work with VCS Bridges project, introduced a new stream of mentoring supporting young people struggling with their mental and emotional health, implemented Advocacy for children in the care system or subject to child protection proceedings, introduced one new team member to the MAPS family, provided a wealth of events for mentors and mentees that include, go karting, theatre trips, Christmas panto, an annual celebration event, high ropes
Disability 80 60 40 20
2
Physical
Other
Social/ Communication
Mental Health
Learning
No Disability
0
activities and so much more. We have said thank you to 201 volunteers and welcomed more via our four rounds of new mentor training and last but by no means least MAPS were awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, an organisational MBE, an accolade that we are so grateful to have received on behalf of the amazing MAPS volunteers and the work that they do. As with any year at MAPS this is simply the tip of the iceberg and with exciting plans ahead for 2015-2016 this is set to be a fantastic year but more about that later... So back to the job in hand, how have MAPS supported children and young people in the London Borough of Sutton this year? Using the 40 Developmental Assets Framework MAPS can evidence significant improvements across all eight measurable outcomes. In particular MAPS can demonstrate considerable increases in commitment to learning, constructive use of time and positive identity, illustrating that young people feel more positive about their future, they are more confident and are able to influence things that happen to them. Importantly young people are less isolated and able to access their community and feel safe whilst doing so and they are able to make positive life choices such as choosing to access further education or training. The evidence: Mentoring Works!
Mentoring RADA
Key: Start Destination
Support 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Positive identity
Social competencies
Empowerment
Boundaries & Expectations
Constructive use of time
Positive values Commitment to learning
Impact in our first year has been positive across the all three measurable outcomes, which are Empowerment, Social Competencies and Positive Identity. These measurable areas are of particular importance to this group of young people as they support them to have their voice heard and have their thoughts and wishes listened to in meetings where decisions are made about them. Importantly they also focus on supporting young people to develop the skills they need to voice their thoughts and feelings appropriately, with clarity and with confidence, skills that they can use in all areas of their life.
In 2014 MAPS became the provider of Advocacy for children and young people that are Looked After, Leaving Care or are subject to Child Protection plans. The annual data for children and young people who have accessed Advocacy reflects very positive outcomes. Similar to MAPS’ mentoring provision, MAPS Advocacy also uses the 40 Developmental Assets.
Advocacy RADA
Key: EMPOWERMENT 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
understanding advocacy
Start Destination
Social competencies
Positive identity
Ethnicity %
White British Unknown Mixed Other Mixed white black Caribbean Other Mixed white black African Mixed white Asian Asian Pakistani Asian other Black Caribbean Black African Black other White Irish White other 3
Demographics MAPS exists to serve is local community, the London Borough of Sutton (LBS). Despite being recognised as one of the happiest places to live in the UK, Sutton is not without its problems. 18% of children living in the borough are in poverty and with a large educational gap for vulnerable young people, MAPS continue to reduce inequality and support change. The MAPS population is diverse in its makeup. This year’s ethnicity data evidences that almost 20% of children and young people represented BME groups which is slightly higher than the borough as a whole which has a BME index of 17.6%. 35% of young people that MAPS support have a recognised disability. Similar to the previous year the most common disabilities are learning, mental illness and social/ communication. We have seen a 16% increase in the number of young people with a learning disability which are most commonly ADD/ ADHD. Interestingly the number of young people referred to us who have ‘diagnosed’ mental health issue has stayed the same year on year at 22%, this is despite MAPS seeing an increase in the number of service users presenting with low mood, anxiety, self harm and who have become socially isolated.
At 41% almost half of young people referred to MAPS live in four distinct wards, which are statistically the most deprived (St Helier, Wandle Valley, The Wrythe, Beddington South). Interestingly we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of young people referred living in Central Sutton, a figure that has doubled in just 12 months suggesting that this is an area of growing need.
Location Out of Borough St. Helier Sutton Central The Wrythe Wandle Valley Beddington South Cheam Beddington North Stonecot Wallington South Worcester Park Belmont Sutton North Carshalton Central Sutton South
All over the Borough 4
Wallington North Sutton West Carshalton South & Clockhouse Nonsuch
0
5
10 %
15
20
Meet the Tea us... This is
Andrew Smith MAPS coordinator
Bernie Rowe MAPS Deputy Manager
Claire Swettenham MAPS administrator
Connie Gillett MAPS coordinator
Di Gilmore MAPS coordinator
Helen Gasparelli MAPS Manager
Louise Storey MAPS coordinator
Ruth Binstead MAPS coordinator
Teresa Martucci MAPS coordinator 5
Mentoring Case Study This case study is about Shannon, a 17 year old young lady that was supported by a volunteer mentor though some very challenging circumstances. Despite her situation Shannon met with her mentor each week, every week for a year. Here is her story and what she achieved with just a little bit of inspiration and time from someone who cared...
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Shannon with Greg James (BBC Radio 1 DJ)
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W WO
W
hen Shannon first came to MAPS her life was very different. Her family had multiple and complex needs which had a significant impact on her life. Both Shannon’s mum and brother had poor mental health, because of this she became a young carer and took on the responsibility of much of the day to day running of the house that included washing up, making breakfast, doing the food shopping and general housework as no one else at home was able to manage it. The challenges that Shannon was experiencing in her day to day life left her significantly lacking confidence, socially isolated and unable to access education. She was painfully shy and spent most of her time alone in her room.
Despite this, Shannon tried to be strong, she supported her family and took care of them. Eventually her mum and brother left the family home to access the specialist support they needed and her dad decided that he needed to leave the area. Overnight Shannon was left with no where to live and spent the following 3 months in a hostel. This was a scary and lonely time for Shannon and she missed her family. During this period of instability Shannon remained hopeful about her future and continued with her plans. She completed college, transitioned in to independent living and applied for an apprenticeship at VCS to support other young people who have complex life situations and are NEET. Shannon was delighted to have been offered the job and is now using her life experiences to support others. MAPS are so proud of Shannon and all that she has achieved and were delighted when her determination and big heart were recognised by others. In 2014 she was awarded a BBC Radio 1 Teen Award and earlier this year a Sutton Community Award. Shannon is an inspiration and is a perfect role model.
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The Future 2015 is quite a year of change for MAPS, not only are we starting up a new stream of mentoring to support young carers and creating new volunteering opportunities via Advocacy we are also implementing a new strategic plan. The focus for which is Inspiring Community! VCS and MAPS want to inspire our community as much as our amazing community inspires us. To do this our strategic objectives in MAPS are focused on four key areas and these are:
1. Leading by example
2. Empowering others
MAPS will lead by example to enable the Inspiring Community, represented by our mentors, to shine. Devoting development across mentoring and advocacy to grow the programme and address unmet needs through the power of volunteering.
MAPS will be an Inspiring Community, empowering others through passionate policy response and campaigning, ensuring excellence in volunteer management and delivering transformative training and resources. MAPS will highlight the difference we makes through an assets based model of accountability.
3. Digital inclusion
4. Sustainable Delivery
MAPS will inspire community through digital inclusion, by helping those that want to connect with us can do so digitally and with ease.
MAPS will be an inspired community igniting sustainable delivery by diversifying funding routes, developing purposeful social enterprise, sharing support & infrastructure functions and committing to fundraising.
Exciting times ahead for MAPS and we look forward to the integration of this strategy in to all that MAPS does. 8
“It has been great having someone to talk to that isn’t in my family that doesn’t talk to anyone else, it keeps things private. I now have a small group of friends and a best friend who looks out for me. I haven’t been involved in as many fight’s or excluded from school for a long time” Female aged 16
“I DON’T want mentoring to stop, it has helped me so much and I know it will help others a lot too”
Some feedback...
Female aged 11
“(Eliza) has made massive bounds forward this year and had a really positive ending, she got a C in her English and is now on for getting into college. WOOP!” Mentor
“I am better at handling crowded places now. My Nan would say that I am more confident” Male aged 14
“I have become more happier and cheerful in general. Because now I have someone I can talk to, who I can trust and open up to I feel much less heavy hearted” Male aged 12
“Its let me enjoy constant fun as well as not having to worry about my dad so much” Male aged 13
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This year...
Delivered new rounds of mentor training
4
9,614 hours
Volunteers gifted
MAPS volunteers
Recruited
55
new volunteer mentors
Mentors generated
Mentors ages range from
ÂŁ124,982 21 to 74 in social value
10
years
Launched our new website: www.mapsmentoring.co.uk
198
@mapsmentoring sent 1,712 tweets
Mentoring is ACE!!
MAPS facebook friends
Connected with
332
Mentees live in
18
35
%
40
%
young people
different wards within the Borough
of young people supported have a diagnosed disability
of young people MAPS support have a parent with a mental health issue
Our Funders:
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T
his excellent review opened with a Walt Disney quote, and I will end it with another: “Whatever you do, do it well”.
This quote rings true for MAPS, its staff, volunteers and young people, and I would like to publically say thank you for doing what you do, so well. The reason staff, volunteers and young people do well, is because they believe in MAPS and because of the generosity of their time and talents that make MAPS possible. But MAPS is no fairy-tale, despite recently visiting a Royal Palace and meeting Her Majesty the Queen. The Queens Award for Voluntary Service recognises the hard work of so many people who have made the dream of a mentoring service that genuinely makes a difference for young people in Sutton, become a reality and I couldn’t be more proud of them achieving this organisational MBE. Volunteer Centre Sutton celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and MAPS represents the essence of what Volunteer Centre Sutton has been about for half a century. It has always been about inspiring the community to volunteer to make a real difference by doing what they do, well. So if you’ve been inspired by what you’ve read in this review today, my challenge to you is ‘whatever you do, do it well’ and let’s make the communities we live and work in, better because of time and talents we’ve given. Thank you! 12
Chris Parker VCS CEO
“MAPS have done a great job yet again. Well done to the mentor.� Family Worker, LBS
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31 West Street, Sutton, SM1 1SJ T: 020 8661 5900 E: vcsutton@vcsutton.org.uk /MAPSmentoring @MAPSmentoring www.vcsutton.org.uk www.mapsmentoring.co.uk Volunteer Centre Sutton is the operational name of Sutton Borough Volunteer Bureau Registered Charity No. 1048978 A company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 3088644