Annual Review Greater Attention

www.catholiccaringservices.org.uk annual review greater attention

was given to the the need for large children’s homes. Some children however need extra charity’s connection help, and Wellington Road is now a therapeutic home for children aged with the Catholic between 5 and 12 years. Helen is part of a team of dedicated and experienced world - locally staff working closely with independent consultant therapists to meet the and nationally physical and emotional needs of some a ‘Sure Start’ to of the most damaged children who partnership . . . may have experienced physical or sexual abuse. The aim is to maximise through both donations and voluntary This year saw the start of an exciting each child's prospects of returning to work throughout our long history. An new project, which sees a partnership family life and continues the expression of school support is in the between Catholic Caring Services and longstanding commitment of the introduction participation of our schools in the Sure Start (Fishwick & St Matthews) agency to responding to the needs Good Shepherd programme, and at in recruiting, training and managing of children. trustees’ message director’s introduction Growth has been dramatic. This change parish level our work is supported volunteers. The venture also advances challenges Catholic Caring Services through donations and legacies, our aim to see more collaborative On behalf of the Trustees of This Annual Review captures reports to strengthen its ethos so that it can gift aided sponsorship, and a growing working between our Children’s Mary Clarke RIP Catholic Caring Services I am and snapshots of the work and life of safely preserve what is good and raft of activities in partnershipwith the Services and Community Services, delighted to present this review of Catholic Caring Services over the last absorb what is new. We approached Justice and Faith Commission, in delivering services which support Mary Clarke joined the staff of Catholic the charity’s work for the year financial year, in many ways a year of this on three different levels. The CAFOD and the Diocesan children and their families in the Caring Services on 5 April 1989 as a 2004-5. It provides an opportunity to tough challenges. Though the Charity governance of the charity was reviewed Education Centre. community. We appointed Sure Start senior social work practitioner. We were account publicly for our stewardship reported a year end loss for the during the year and a new committee Volunteer Coordinator Rose Cork in planning to develop our child care of resources and the extent to second time in the last decade, this structure put in place; the introduction At national level we supported the February, and she has already activities in Cumbria at the time and which we have delivered our second year of our strategic plan was of a Planning Committee is one vital development of Caritas-social successfully recruited 20 enthusiastic needed a very experienced social charitable objects. a considerable success and delivered mechanism to monitor development action through participation in its volunteers, with a further 25 worker to establish an office base in much of the growth we planned. and ensure that plans have a precise various consultations and support applicants in the pipeline! Barrow. Mary did that with quiet The Review 2005 presents a vivid I am, therefore, proud to report that fit with the charity’s objects. forums, membership of its Board diligence and delivered a service for picture of the variety and scope of the charity delivered its objects at a of Trustees and co-chairing the Adult which very many children and families the work of a Catholic agency greater scale and made a positive Secondly, operational management Forum which addresses matters Helen celebrates have to be grateful. On retiring Mary responding to the needs of today’s difference to the lives of a greater has been enhanced by the concerning older people, mental 25 years accepted an invitation to serve Catholic world in our Diocese. number of people in fulfilment development of communication tools health and learning disability. Caring Services as a trustee. The fact of its mission. and systems and contracting a HR Helen Byrne celebrates 25 years that she was only the second former I am grateful to our Director and Consultancy to provide employment . . . but most importantly the work of service at Wellington Road. Through employee in the history of this charity the staff at every level for their Our response to increased demand law support and advice. Particular Catholic Caring Services continues her time at the children’s home she to become a trustee is testimony to commitment and creative endeavour, for our services, frequently for attention has been given to the training to respond to the local needs and has seen the service adapt to meet the respect in which Mary was held. to our advisers, panel and people with very profound needs, and support needs of a growing challenges as they grow each year. changing needs. When Helen began Mary, a dear and loyal friend to Catholic management committee members, called for further significant increases number of first line managers. her employment in 1980 she worked Caring Services, died of cancer on and to the many valued volunteers in the staffing (by the year end over Jim Cullen alongside nuns caring for children 10 July 2005. May she rest in peace. and benefactors who have been part 120 people worked for the charity). And thirdly, greater attention was given key staff Director which included babies. Many of these of the story of Catholic Caring To deliver such increased activity the to the charity’s connection with the Jim Cullen children, now adults, have remained Services this year. charity spent £3 million and Catholic world - locally and nationally. Director in contact with Helen. committed itself to spending in excess Amanda Forshaw Assistant Director (Children) of £3.5 million next year. Average Within our Diocese we have been Approaches to childcare have Mark Wiggin changed. Living within a family Paul Desborough growth of 20% per year places its eager to reinvigorate our long standing Assistant Director (Community) environment is preferred for children, Vice Chairman own demands on the culture and partnerships with schools and parishes. Chris Briggs Board of Management systems of any organisation. They have shown generosity of spirit Assistant Director (Finance) foster care or adoption has replaced children

finding families for have suffered abuse or neglect, or All these efforts have resulted in the finding the right family This event was an undoubted children . . . adoption because their own families are unable approval of 21 new families. for the right child . . . success, resulting in many of the then and now to cope. For some of these children, children being successfully placed particularly of pre school age, a We pride ourselves in carefully with their new families, and will be We have a long and well respected decision is taken that they should be training families to matching the children we place with repeated on an annual basis. history in adoption work, rooted in our placed for adoption. meet the challenge . . . families who have the right qualities, origins as the Lancaster Diocesan skills, and experience to meet their achievements of our Protection and Rescue Society which Our team has developed a new needs. To help in this task, we were adoption service: was formally established in 1934, and family finding programme for the training and involved in a new project during the approved as an Adoption Agency throughout Lancashire preparation of adoptive families, which year aimed at highlighting the number • 21 new families approved in 1943. and Cumbria . . . gives them the opportunity to explore of children needing adoptive • 21 children placed with families the many complex issues surrounding placements in the North West. • 14 adoption orders granted Although our work with children and Our social workers in Preston, Barrow adoption today. Experienced adoptive • 129 initial enquiries dealt with families has changed dramatically since and Carlisle have been busy recruiting, parents assist with the three day • 72 adults helped with post then, it is interesting to look back at training and supporting adoptive programme which is valued greatly adoption counselling the original objectives: families throughout Lancashire and by new applicants embarking on • 34 people attended preparation ‘To make adequate provision for the Cumbria. New promotional materials their journey towards parenting training needs of those children who, owing to have been widely distributed, used through adoption. Feedback was • 16 support groups held We pride ourselves in home conditions, have little or no in Information Sessions, and posted most positive: • 98 people attended chance of getting a fair start in life, on our website, to encourage families • 58 received post adoption advice carefully matching the much less of running straight later .on’ from all backgrounds and cultures to “The whole course has enlightened me and support. . . Set some 70 years ago, we can still come forward. and made me feel that we can cope” This ‘Adoption Exchange Day’ was children we place with recognise the same principles, if not organised by local authorities and “Excellent” the language, in our work today. Finding In Carlisle, we said goodbye to Judith voluntary agencies all over the stable, secure families where such Hully, Senior Practitioner, who left in families who have the “Happy to know that Catholic Caring North West who are members of children can grow and thrive remains January to take up a new post as ‘The Greater Manchester Adoption Services is always there for us” right qualities, skills our key objective. Adoption Adviser to Cumbria County Consortium’. Participating agencies Council; and welcomed Stephen “Thank you for 3 excellent days, giving profiled the children in most need, and experience to There are many children, of all ages, Bateman, who has now taken up the us confidence in CCS to help and and approved adopters were invited who are unable to live with their own post and is working hard to promote support us through the coming to attend, to see these profiles and meet their needs. families. This may be because they our work in the North of Cumbria. months and years” meet the children’s social workers. services choosing to foster . . . Our foster care service began in training centre ‘VOISE’ this coming achievements of our This year has seen some ‘highs’: a developing service Lancashire, and following its success September. A member of the social foster care service • 4 children moving into foster families; has this year expanded into Cumbria, work team will support carers in this • A young man going onto university For many children who need families, where we launched our new service task and has begun the training required • 35 children placed and independence; adoption is not the right choice. in October 2004 from our refurbished for her to become an NVQ assessor. • 8 new families approved • An excellent Inspection report, with They may need to live with another office in Barrow in Furness. We thank • 81 new enquiries dealt with all standards met and 10 exceeded. family for only a short while, before Fr Mark Edwards, author of ‘Tears Our annual Fun Day, held on a beautiful • 3 preparation groups held returning home, or may not want to in the Dark’, for being our guest sunny day in Spring, was again a • 26 people attended One of the most effective ways of lose all their ties with their birth family. speaker at the launch. Mark’s own great success this year, and was • 4 support groups held working therapeutically with children is In 1998, Catholic Caring Services set experiences as a child in foster care well supported by our foster carers, • 36 people attended to help them to express their feelings up a Foster Care Service, to recruit, gave him a special insight into the adopters and their children. • Excellent Inspection report through art and music. To help with this train and support foster carers for needs of children unable to live with work, we have developed two rooms these children. their families, and he fully endorsed within the unit as areas for art, craft and the service: welcoming new developing our music, and have engaged the services families . . . therapeutic children’s of an art therapist. “I am convinced in my own mind, unit . . . as a former child brought up in foster Recruiting new families remains a key The nature of the work, however, care, that Catholic Caring Services is objective for the service, so that we There are a small number of children means that our staff face many committed to building a high quality can offer a range of placements for who have experienced such trauma in challenges, as the children we look service that responds to the needs of children with varying needs, ages and their early lives that they need specialist after in the unit present complex children, based on respect, openness backgrounds. This continues to be a help before they can be successfully behaviours. This year we have begun placed in a foster or adoptive family. to examine ways in which we can and honesty and above all trust.” challenge, against the background of a national shortage of foster carers Building on our early tradition in improve our therapeutic work, and have estimated by the Fostering Network to residential care, we recognise that commissioned a consultant to help us developing skills and be around 10,000! As in adoption, we there remains a need for such in this task. We look forward with support . . . have developed our publicity materials provision, although this looks very confidence to implementing some new and website to promote our work as different today. Children’s Homes methods in the year ahead. The foster care support group is widely as possible. Foster Care is seen were in the past often very large, very active and its members prove increasingly as a professional career institutional places. Our Therapeutic to be a great source of support to for people who wish to use their skills, Children’s Home today has places key staff - children’s services each other. Foster carers’ children experience and commitment to children for only six children, and offers a warm, Christine Sutherland Team Leader (Adoption) too have the opportunity to meet by providing them with a family life. nurturing environment, where Susan Swarbrick with one another, and share their The challenge for us in the coming year children can receive the professional Team Leader (Foster care) experiences.All social events and will be to attract such people into our help they need to come to terms Pauline Johnston training workshops have been well excellent service. with their past experiences. Manager - Residential Care attended and a number of our carers have expressed an interest in pursuing NVQ level 3 in Caring for Children. We . . . a high quality service that responds to the needs of children, plan to commence this programme for our carers in partnership with the based on respect, openness and honesty and, above all, trust. work with learning The independent supported living service disabled people in Preston continues to thrive For over 20 years Catholic Caring Services has worked to make a positive difference to the lives of our society and in recent times React people who have learning disabilities. Catholic Caring Services has given There is still much we have to learn this group a particular focus, with React continues to thrive. Earlier in but year on year the services grow the establishment of the ‘Futures the year the project launched its anti- and flourish. Express (FX) Project’. bullying video for schools ‘Watch It!’ which has been welcomed by This year, as part of our strategic This year we needed additional teachers and youth workers. Later in commitment to growth, a new premises to accommodate the the year work began on ‘Dreams can independent supported living service growth in the FX Project. We have come true’ a DVD helping people with started in Lancaster. It required the been able to rent additional premises learning disabilities appreciate the establishment of a new team, the in Preston at Bannister House, owned importance of planning. appointment of a Team Leader and a by Preston Mencap, who have number of support workers. been helpfully supportive of the The work of React has attracted development of this exciting widespread interest. This year we The independent supported living new FX initiative. One highlight of the opened a new React office in service in Preston continues to thrive. year was undoubtedly a week at the Lancaster to support the voice of The current home of 2 people in Calvert Trust, where FX and React people with learning disabilities in Preston benefited this year from a full combined to support 10 young people influencing policy and developments refurbishment through the Fylde & in an exciting adventure holiday that through the Lancaster Learning Wyre Housing Association. A new included canoeing, rock climbing, Disability Partnership Board. kitchen, double glazing and total archery, and horse riding. As one redecoration have created a lovely young person said, living environment appreciated by key staff - learning disability services them both. “I had lots of fun with new friends Martin Layton that I met on holiday and I have Learning Disability Service Manager Young adults with complex learning more confidence than I have ever Samantha Leonard disabilities have often been failed by had before” React Manager . a different venture . . . The Up Beat Community Recycling volunteers - making all initiative began in August 2004. There the difference! “A big project with big targets and are several key targets which have big achievements!” to be hit. Volunteering has always been at the Hilary Dennison, Project, Manager. heart of Catholic Caring Services. The first year of Up Beat about Since the start of the project 500 Today many of our projects depend Blackpool was a great success. tonnes of waste paper (equal to 125 on volunteers for home visits, The project, established in the elephants!) has been diverted from supporting people in need and prestigious Solaris Building on landfill sites and reprocessed into campaigning for improved services. Blackpool South Promenade, collects recycled newspaper. But our main Our charity shop in Preston continues reaching out to people The Prison Resettlement Project paper for recycling from 9000 interest is to make a positive to provide valuable support to the - community projects continues to assist ex-offenders to re- households in the inner Blackpool difference to the community and the work of the charity thanks to Inge integrate into the community. Trainedaccommodation until a property is wards and supports unemployed project’s key function is to up-skill Mather and the volunteers who staff Catholic Caring Services’ Community volunteers assist our staff to providesecured, which will provide office people to find work through work unemployed people through work the shop. Now other volunteers Projects continues to be innovative, both mentoring and practical assistancespace for him and his colleagues experience and developing their skills. experience. engage in the life of the charity in creative and varied as it seeks to engage pre and post release. and there is a plan to open a CCS new, indispensable ways in: with communities and respond to need charity shop in the same building. In June Catholic Caring Services Eleven new jobs have been created in its work. This year several new successfully tendered with Blackpool with this initiative; five are ‘ring • Sure Start - (East Preston) Training Borough Council and Blackpool projects were born: UpBeat about community work in theThere are a number of projects at fenced’ for people who have been local people in community care. Environmental Action Team after excluded from the labour market - Blackpool and the SureStart Volunteer far north west . . . various stages of development. • Bridging the Gap projects in funding had been secured from four people have so far moved on Scheme resulted from successful CrossTracks is a Maryport project Cumbria and Lancashire - services European Regional Development to permanent employment. Whilst tendering which we have not previously The growing focus of community supported by local churches and the to older people with acquired Fund, CRED Programme and Single with us they were given help with undertaken. A grant from the work in Cumbria is on our West local community. Its target groups hearing loss. Department for Health’s Opportunities Coast. Phil Moore writes: Regeneration Budget with a total building their vocational, personal are the 8-12s and the over 55s. There • Harambee - volunteer opportunities for Volunteering Scheme led to a new value of £825,000. and social skills. is an After School Club; Tea Dance for people with learning disability. project in Wesham supporting older Maryport is situated in the top left Group; School Gardening Club; a • Community Resettlement Project people and a partnership with Signposts hand corner of England. To the west drop-in group for the over 55s and - helping ex-offenders settle back has enabled us to continue our family are breath-taking views over the Solway a Food Co-op with over 60 into community. support work in Carnforth. In Cumbria, to Scotland, and, to the east the members. There are also cooking • Wesham Project - supporting older developments with the CrossTracks Lake District beckons. The town was demonstrations. In the pipeline is a people in the community. project in Maryport are the first major founded in 1749 by Humphrey ‘Youth Port’ for 13-19s; a multi-media signs of project activity in the Northern Senhouse who named it after his Without these teams of committed part of the Diocese. project for all age-groups and an oral wife, Mary. It has an industrial history history project bringing both younger and dedicated people who freely give of ship-building; coal mining; steel time to enrich our services, Catholic With such development the staffing and older members of the local manufacture and fishing - all of Caring Services would not be able to structure needed to develop to community together to explore which have now disappeared leaving deliver many of its activities. ensure effective oversight. Richard their heritage. the town in a state of economic Silman was appointed to take and social decline. A volunteer forum has been set up to operational responsibility for projects in Just down the road in a former support the development of Lancashire to complement mining village called Great Clifton, It is here that Community Projects volunteering in the community. Our Phil Moore’s post in Cumbria, and overall CrossRoads will soon be up and established its Cumbrian base in volunteer opportunities are displayed management of community work running. This is not the revival of a January 2004. The Community Projects on our website. assigned to John Gildert. .once popular soap opera but an Officer works from temporary After School Group and Youth Club key staff - community developments for the children and young people John Gildert Community Projects Manager of the area Phil Moore . . . our main interest is to make a positive Community Projects Officer (Cumbria) Richard Silman community difference to the community Community Projects Officer (Lancashire) Social occassions such as arts projects, trips and support groups are a strong feature of our activities

bridging the gap As the Bridging the Gap work has become more widely known multi solway firth The Bridging the Gap projects for older disciplinary confidence has increased. people with acquired hearing loss This has led to us having a room in have responded well to increased the Barrow Audiology department carlisle referrals from audiology clinics, which increases the visibility of the parishes and social services project and enables people to access Thanks to a partnership with departments. It has become a major advice more easily. A key Lancashire County Council we have cumbria focus of our Deaf services to provide development in Lancashire has been been able to deliver a series of short maryport advice and post audiology support, the provision of lip reading classes taster sessions and many schools penrith workington lip reading and hearing loss alongside the development of have undertaken courses and shown whitehaven management support in addition to support groups for elderly people an eagerness to learn this language. home visiting. Social occasions such with acquired hearing loss. as arts projects, trips and support kendal groups help and 40 people regularly The success of the HEAR Centre on pastoral duties to attend a monthly mass for deaf and Cecil Street, Carlisle has required the deaf catholics barrow-in-furness hard of hearing people. A Hard of appointment of a worker to organise irish sea Hearing Conference held in Muncaster and support volunteers to keep the A highlight of the year was the Annual Castle in April attracted over 80 information and advice centre open Mass for Deaf people celebrated by delegates, many aged 65 and over. 5 days per week, relieving the Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue at Holy lancashire

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Bridging the Gap project worker. Trinity and St Georges’ Church, Kendal. There is a good display of equipment 80 Deaf and hard of hearing people river ribble in the Centre helpful to anyone with and their families in attendance were a hearing loss and we now proudly presented with a candle to display the collage produced by commemorate the occasion. the arts group - thanks go to Trinity Adult Education Centre for The Catholic Deaf Association facilitates funding the project. a supportive network and this year catholic caring services organised a conference in Cardiff on Many Catholic Caring Services the theme ‘The Mass’ which ended members of staff have attained with a wonderful service in remembrance of Pope John Paul II certificates in British Sign Language key staff - deaf service offices (BSL) demonstrating their solidarity noting the proud fact that he ordained Jenny Harmer bridging the gap bridging with this particular community. our own Deaf priest Fr Peter McDonough. Deaf Service Manager adoption panel information members Charity Commissioners no: 326021 • Bill Winder (Chair) Company Registration no: 1596400 • Steve Barsby (Vice Chair) annual income 2005 Registered Office • Dr Judith Chaloner - £2.88m 218 Tulketh Road, Ashton, Preston finance Children’s Services 46% (Medical Adviser) Community Services 47% • Alison Melling (Legal Adviser) Medical Advisers financial statement levels increase from £2.33m in 2004 Voluntary Income 4% • Amanda Forshaw (Panel Adviser) Dr Clewlow and Dr Chaloner to £2.88m in 2005. The Charity’s Other Income 3% • Rev Bernard Woods (Trustee) 218 Tulketh Road, Ashton, Preston The financial deficit of £78,560 origins lie in the provision of services • Julie Dawkins Registered Auditors suffered during the year exceeded to Children and Families. In 1987 • Joanne Forsyth Wallwork, Nelson & Johnson the deficit projected at the start of Catholic Caring Services broadened director • Lorraine Egan 7 Ferry Road Office Park, Riversway, the financial year. In arriving at this its areas of activity to deliver more • Jim Cullen BA, MSc, CQSW, DMS • Franz Stiendl Preston PR2 2YH position the Trustees approved both fully its charitable objects and better (Company Secretary) • Shelagh Surphlis the expansion of operations to a new reflect the social teaching of the Bankers • Jim Cullen (Decision Maker) base in Preston and the upgrade of Catholic Church. In 2005 for the first HSBC the Charity’s ICT facilities. Both of time there was parity in the financial board of management Resigned during year: 35 Market Street, Lancaster these necessary decisions had the scale of the Charity’s Children’s • Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue (Chair) • Geraldine Hegarty (Legal Adviser) effect of the Charity incurring Services and Community Services. • Paul Desborough (Vice Chair) • Mary Clark (Trustee) one-off costs which increased the • Mark Belderbos (Treasurer) • Judith Hully catholic caring services deficit position. This was also the The general level of retained reserves annual expenditure • John Bolton • Gary Holliday offices first year without the support of a allows the Trustees to be confident 2005 - £2.95m • William Fetherstone • Paul Ibison grant (previously £40,000) from the in the pursuit of the Agency’s strategic Direct Staff Costs 62% • Graham Hodson • Chris Mills 218 Tulketh Road, Ashton on Ribble, Diocese of Lancaster. plan and in the application of reserves Service Delivery Costs 33% • Mary Leavy Preston PR2 1ES to fulfil the Agency’s charitable objects Administrative Costs • Anthony Murray tel 01772 732313 fax 01772 768726 This deficit came at a time of expansion and the delivery of additional services (including fund raising) 4% • Andrew Mather wellington road text 01772 731324 in the Charity’s work and saw income throughout the Diocese. Property Costs 1% • Rev Bernard Woods managers 2 Rodney Street, Barrow LA14 1ND • Mary Clark (RIP 10 July 2005) tel 01229 870349 fax 01229 813891 • Peter Snape (Chair) • Graham Hodson Chapel Court, 40/44 Cecil Street, 2005 2004 financial summary • Gwen Laird Carlisle CA1 1NT £ £ • County Councillor Mary Wilson tel/fax 01228 810115 Incoming Resources 2,891,198 2,345,983 • Rev Stephen Ashton The Priory, Eaglesfield Street, Resources Expended Resigned during year: Maryport CA15 6EU Fund Raising and Publicity 4,674 6,218 • County Councillor Stephen Wilkinson tel 01228 547561 Direct Charitable Services 2,830,948 2,190,654 Management and Administrative 134,196 127,680

Net (Outgoing)/Incoming Resources (78,620) 21,431 The information detailed above has been extracted from the Financial Statements of Catholic Caring Funds Services (Diocese of Lancaster) Limited for the Email [email protected] year ended 31 March 2005. These Statements, Restricted Funds 163,821 64,669 on which the auditors Wallwork Nelson & Johnson, Unrestricted Funds: Designated Funds 238,599 258,232 have given an unqualified report, were approved by the Board of Management on 21 September Unrestricted Funds: General Fund 391,341 543,284 2005. A copy of the full Financial Statements and Unrestricted Funds: Subsidiary 153 213 Auditors’ Report can be obtained, by request, www.catholiccaringservices.org.uk from the Charity’s registered office.