Chairman's Statement 2018-2019 The difficult trading conditions continued during the year and the effect of losing the contract is plain to see in the audited accounts. Fortunately, NECA was aware that this situation could develop so was able to successfully manage the resulting reduction in income, therefore to return a small surplus is a very satisfactory result.

The withdrawal of support by meant Ambassador House could not continue nor the blue light café on Beach Road. Fortunately NECA was able to reach an agreement with Karbon Homes to transfer the lease of Ambassador House to The Key Project at no cost to the Charity. I’d like to thank Karbon Homes for their valued assistance in facilitating this arrangement.

On a positive note NECA was delighted to be chosen to run the pilot scheme for Hungry Britain. This involved the NECA Community Garden providing lunch and activities for children in South Tyneside during the school holidays. The pilot scheme was extremely successful and the event was rolled-out across other areas of the country. Thank you to MP, Emma Lowell-Buck for her involvement and valued assistance with this project.

The NECA Community Garden was also extremely proud to be invited to take part in the Queens Commonwealth Canopy project. This involved planting trees to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s 65 years on the throne. Two saplings were planted in the garden by the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear, Mrs. Susan Winfield ably assisted by local schoolchildren.

The success of those two events has encouraged the Trustees to widen the organisation’s remit so that it can offer services to the wider community and not just to those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, and gambling. Addiction services is what NECA is widely known for throughout the region and this will continue to be the main-focus of the Charity’s work.

It is important that NECA can demonstrate that its work is of benefit to the community and projects such as those held in the Community Garden are a great example of that.

Finally, as always I thank the staff for their hard work and members of the Executive Committee for their continued support and commitment to the organisation and for their expertise which is always freely given.

Norman Richardson Chairman

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Patron: Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland

President: Mr B N Speker OBE DL

NECA Executive Committee 2018-2019

ELECTED Mr N Richardson, Chairman 2016 * Mr R I Watson, Hon Treasurer; Company Secretary 2018 *** Mr B N Speker OBE DL 2017 ** Mr D Gregory 2018 *** Dr P B Moore 2016 *

Due for re-election 2019 * Due for re-election 2020 ** Due for re-election 2021 ***

NECA Senior Management Team

Cynthia Atkinson - Chief Executive

Eileen Innes - Deputy Chief Executive

Clare Armstrong: to 30/09/18 - Finance Manager

Christine Howarth: from 18/09/18 - Finance Manager

Louise Peaker - HR / Development Manager

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NECA Consolidated Income & Expenditure

2019 2018 Income £ £

Grants 260,835 194,018 Donations 3,491 4,297 Other Income 2,521,985 4,335,437

Total 2,786,311 4,533,752

Expenditure

Salaries 1,978,230 2,767,095 Overheads 803,169 1,427,015

Total 2,781,399 4,194,110

Surplus £4,912 £339,642

NECA Consolidated Balance Sheet 2019 2018 £ £ Fixed Assets Tangible assets 5,358,419 5,433,813

Current Assets Debtors 367,704 462,004 Cash at bank and in hand 803,488 977,575

1,171,192 1,439,579

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (334,357) (618,898)

Net Current Assets 836,835 820,681

Total assets less current liabilities 6,195,254 6,254,494

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year - (64,152)

Net assets £6,195,254 £6,190,342

Funds of the group:

Restricted funds 4,700 - Unrestricted funds 6,190,554 6,190,342

Total funds £6,195,254 £6,190,342

This summary financial information is extracted from the full statutory Annual Report and Accounts. It may not contain sufficient information to allow for a full understanding of the financial affairs of the group.

For further information, the full audited Annual Report and Accounts should be consulted and copies can be obtained from the Secretary at NECA Headquarters.

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NECA Funders/Donations 2018-2019 Funders County Durham & Darlington Foundation Trust Darlington Borough Council Durham Constabulary Gamcare Skills for Care South Tyneside Churches Key Project South Tyneside Council

2018-2019 Donations Asda County Sheriff Mr R W Hyde Friends & Family of Derek Laurenson N McCaffrey

Our grateful thanks to those listed above and all those who have supported us either financially or by their expertise, time and commitment. NECA Values

RESPECT INTEGRITY We listen and communicate directly and We do what is right, not what is easiest. openly. We value Diversity.

EMPOWERMENT QUALITY We work with you as a unique individual. We challenge ourselves to deliver the highest quality of service.

COMMITMENT PARTNERSHIP Commitment comes to life through passion We achieve our best when working in what we do. As individuals and as an together. organisation, we create value.

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DARLINGTON

The Darlington service covers 3 areas; Recovery & Wellbeing, SWITCH Young Peoples Service, and the Stop Smoking Service. Here are some of the events/campaigns and projects that have taken place throughout the year to aid client recovery and to promote these services.

Stop Smoking Service Our Stop Smoking Service attended the Harbour Health and Wellbeing conference at the Northern Echo Arena providing information regarding quitting smoking.

This was a well-attended event providing Harbour employees and volunteers with information about the service. We gave out a number of stop smoking support packs on the day.

We spoke to a range of people regarding the service offering them advice about stopping smoking, how to help people who want to stop, and where to go for more help and support.

SWITCH Young Peoples Service Every year SWITCH works in partnership with Learning Skills to provide a study programme for young people who may be vulnerable or at risk in the community. It is designed to help them successfully complete qualifications to then continue onto employment or further education.

At the end of the programme we organised a poster competition and received a high volume of excellent entries. The winning poster was selected by the adult recovery group and the winner received a £10 retail voucher.

Well done to this year’s winner, who will remain anonymous….

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Recovery Allotments Roots to Recovery: Another successful year of growth at the allotment project Gardening is a wonderfully flexible medium that can transform lives. Our allotment sees first-hand how gardening can help everyone, regardless of age or ability.

Projects undertaken include construction of a shed, path laying, poly-tunnels, landscaping, fence building and compost systems. Projects currently being worked on include a Gazebo for when shelter is required.

The existing raised beds are being planted with a variety of flowers, plants and vegetables and the intention is for every aspect of the allotment to be used to help the clients on their road to recovery.

“Rockovery” Music Group The music group “Rockovery” is testament to what can be achieved. It’s 7 year growth has seen it develop into an effective therapeutic provision. Facilitated by those in recovery and encouraging others, it is now a recognised intervention in the service and recovery community.

“Rockovery” facilitated an alcohol awareness event at Darlington College to promote sensible alcohol consumption. Clients and volunteers provided input on the day with healthy alternatives to alcohol and advice and support available. There was an alcohol awareness quiz with students/ college staff. 114 quizzes were completed and the data fed back to the College, helping to identify gaps in alcohol awareness.

The group played a brilliant 30 minute set of cover songs and the response was very positive. Songs played varied in style and all those involved said they felt proud of their accomplishment.

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BE INVOLVED SUNDERLAND

NECA in partnership with Sunderland City Council are committed to supporting a recovery focused approach to tackling drug and alcohol dependence to reduce the impact of substance misuse on the individual, their family or carer and the wider community.

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GAMBLING

NECA, as one of the original partners of the Gamcare Partnership Network, continue to work collaboratively to develop services across the North East and North Yorkshire regions. We have successfully implemented the Models of Care framework over the last 12 months which has given us opportunity to offer a wider range of support to meet the needs of this particular client group.

We are excited to be involved in future developments of services during 2019 including the launch of the Leeds Community Gambling Service.

The Leeds service will be the first gambling support service of its kind and involves an ambitious collaboration between GamCare, NECA, the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) and .

NECA’s part in the delivery and development of the Leeds Hub is a huge achievement and demonstrates the hard work and commitment that has gone into our regional Gambling service over the past few years.

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SOUTH SHIELDS COMMUNITY GARDEN The Community Garden at the Green Hope Oasis Allotments in South Shields is growing from strength to strength and a lot of hard work has taken place within the local community. Some of our achievements have included:

Holiday Hunger As an integral part of the South Tyneside Feeding Britain Partnership we continue to deliver fun days for local children during school holidays to address the issue of holiday hunger.

We provide lunches and enriching Health and Wellbeing activities to children and their We promote the benefits of families providing educational and Gardening for Mental Health. social content, ensuring learning is not ‘lost’ during holidays and This has included offering providing families and children with volunteer/ placement access to experiences they would opportunities to reduce not otherwise be able to. symptoms of depression and anxiety, building self-esteem and confidence; Facilitating Environment access to service-users of We compost all organic matter Mental Health services; generated; We do not use Supporting local primary schools chemicals on any of our crops; We during Mental Health Awareness re-use unwanted products where Week events; Facilitating possible for example we are currently recycling old tyres into community groups on-site play/garden equipment.

We encourage natural habitats for insects, bugs/wildlife. On site we have ducks, geese, chickens, frogs, newts and water voles.

In November 2018; we were selected to have 2 trees planted on -site by the Lord Lieutenant of as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

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Produce All garden produce (fruit, veg, eggs, plants ) is available to buy at low cost to the local community. We have also made donations of food to families attending Holiday Hunger Clubs; Action Station (local commu- nity hub/café); local food bank; and other community venues.

Woodwork (planters, bird boxes etc.) created by volunteers are available to purchase at low cost. Regular orders are being received

Embracing Diversity via word of mouth and Facebook The Garden provides a safe promotions which is enhanced by accessible place, regardless of us attending fetes / fayres selling age, ethnicity or level of ability; goods and promoting the Garden. all are welcome.

We promote diversity and inclusion.

Our commitment to diversity has included developing close links with the Bangladeshi community; Learning and Development holding multi-cultural events; Employability: Providing work and facilitating access to the placements for the unemployed Garden for groups of women (linking with job centre plus) and from Apna Ghar. opportunities to achieve qualifications in a familiar and non-threatening environment.

Wood work: Providing the opportunity to learn new skills in woodwork activities. This has included providing joinery taster courses; facilitating family craft workshops (e.g. bird box making); and providing training and mentoring for volunteers and “Friends of the Garden”.

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SUNDERLAND LIVE LIFE WELL The LLW service delivered within all 5 areas of the city with a central hub in Sunderland City Centre.

Throughout the year LLW Co-ordinators have delivered numerous community events and campaigns to help engage with both organisations and individuals within targeted or priority wards.

These include supporting events around:  Alcohol Awareness Week  Dry January  HIV Prevention Week  Mental Health Awareness Week  No Smoking Day  One You Campaigns  Sexual Health Awareness Week  World Aids Day

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Healthy Eating

Based on learning from other services and feedback from service users LLW Clients want to set an individual personal health plan but they like a group environment for support. The pilot programme was rolled out across the city in year 3 focusing on clients who wanted to set a personal health plan around diet and nutrition - ‘Eat Wise to Drop a Size’ was developed.

The course is delivered over an 8 week period from a variety of venues across Sunderland and covers the following topics:

 Eat Well Guide  Portion control  Fats, sugars and salt  Food labelling  Fluid and physical activity  Savvy shopping  Eating out  Making meals healthier  Alcohol and stress management

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HIGHLIGHTS

NECA Darlington Sunderland LLW 100% of clients stated 93% of clients said they experienced they would good support and recommend the understanding from service to improve the Family Support health & wellbeing Service. and would come back.

NECA Darlington Community Garden 98% of service users 100% of children/ that provided adults that attended feedback said they felt the holiday club said respected and would that they enjoyed recommend the their visit and would service to others. like to come again.

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAID

Gambling NECA Community Garden “The service helped me more than “Fantastic. We all look forward I expected. I was sceptical about to Mondays & Wednesdays whether counselling could help at the allotment.” me. It’s completely changed my financial life for the better”

Sunderland LLW “I thought I knew everything about healthy NECA Darlington living but realised my portion size was too “Has helped me immensely, much. Thanks to the two ladies who took couldn't be where I am the class at Houghton. They were helpful, today without it” pleasant and gave us plenty of advice.”

NECA Community Garden “Fantastic experience. NECA Community Garden Keep up the good work.” “Keep doing what you’re doing.”

Gambling NECA Darlington “Just having the option to “NECA have been brilliant in openly speak about every- supporting our recovery, it is thing for the first time was the best I have ever had” immensely helpful to me.”

Sunderland LLW “I really think this is a very Darlington Stop Smoking good service. It has helped “Advice and support given. Very me so much with my health important, a massive help.” and wellbeing.”

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NECA Headquarters

Derwent Point, Clasper Way, Swalwell, , NE16 3BE

Tel: 0191 414 6446 Fax: 0191 414 8124

Website: www.neca.co.uk

NECA is both a Limited Liability Company Reg. No. 1828287 and a Registered Charity No. 516516