After the bell December 2007 Clare Yeowart Dinah McKenzie Out of school hours activities for children and young people A guide for donors and funders After the bell Out of school hours activities for children and young people A guide for donors and funders This report has been supported by: Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland; the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation; the Kilfi nan Trust; and an anonymous foundation. Cover: Serious Fun on Saturdays at St Paul’s, Barnes and Latymer Upper schools. Photograph supplied by SHINE Trust. Summary When you look back at your education, sessions, community service, hobby Another approach donors may wish to what do you think prepared you best clubs, choirs and orchestras, and mother consider is to address broader needs for later life? Was it your academic tongue tuition. They offer children and such as improving the evaluation of out of achievements: learning the three Rs, young people a chance to: school hours activities or securing more getting your A levels? What if you had support for providers at a structural level. • go somewhere safe and supervised; been a shy child, struggling in silence at the back of a big class? Would you have • take part in constructive activities; As well as deciding what to support, been able to realise your potential without donors should think carefully about • develop new interests; extra help? how to do it. They could fund: charities; • acquire new skills; schools; local authorities; specialist grant- And what about the other skills you makers; or other intermediaries. developed—skills that may not have • make new friends; Before making a decision, donors should earned you qualifications for your CV, but • improve their health and fitness; consider how much they are prepared to are vital all the same: the confidence to commit in time and money. speak to an audience, the ability to work in • gain experience of university or work; a team, the flair to organise an event, the and A donor wishing to make a heavy authority to take on a leadership role? Were • get support and guidance from adults. commitment might choose to fund a they taught during lessons, or did they programme of activities in a cluster of come from your experience of playing in a They also benefit working parents and the wider community by giving young people schools, supported by a coordinator. football team, singing in a choir or chairing Funding could go straight to the schools your school council? worthwhile and enjoyable activities that keep them out of harm’s way. or via a local authority or specialist grant- Learning for life maker. The need for funding A donor seeking a less intensive approach Chances are that the knowledge and skills could fund a charity or portfolio of charities. that have helped you succeed in life were The schools, charities and other Some charities specialise in running not all acquired in the classroom. Taking organisations that run out of school hours particular types of programme such as part in out of school hours activities gives activities often operate on a shoestring or breakfast clubs or help with literacy skills. young people opportunities to develop rely on the energy and goodwill of a few Others support and guide schools and these skills—and to fulfil their potential and volunteers. Within schools, pressure on other providers, or work towards the become well-rounded individuals. Most of resources and teachers’ time can squeeze development of a more strategic approach us could do with a boost, particularly if we out activities that are often regarded as to provision at national and local levels. do not have a stable, supportive family to optional extras. For charities, finding ways to sustain provision when funding runs out go home to. Yet the children who could NPC’s recommendations benefit most from these activities often can be a constant battle. miss out because their parents or schools Our research suggests that the greatest The opportunity to take part in out of hours cannot afford to pay for them. challenge facing schools and charities activities should not be confined to the that provide out of school hours activities children lucky enough to have parents or Donors can help. By providing funding, is to make them sustainable. Without a schools that can afford to pay for them. they can broaden access to out of coherent long-term strategy for provision, Donors who fund these activities can help school hours activities and enrich young the benefits of these activities are likely to to even out the inequalities for children people’s lives. remain small-scale and short-lived. from disadvantaged backgrounds by This report focuses on activities organised supporting their educational and social Donors should look for organisations by or in association with schools to development and improving their chances that have proved successful at support children’s education and in life. assessing local needs and working development. The value placed by with other agencies to provide a the English and Scottish governments Ways to help coordinated response. Ways to help on extending the role of the school Deciding what to fund can be difficult. schools and charities improve their and building partnerships with local Information about provision and its provision might include supporting the communities has given these activities effectiveness is often hard to come by, development of their evaluation systems new emphasis. except at a local level. Given the lack of or funding national umbrella charities to objective evidence for setting priorities, offer consultancy and guidance. Out of school hours activities are usually donors may wish to choose a particular voluntary and can take place at any time New Philanthropy Capital is a charity that region or type of activity to support. outside lessons: before or after-school, advises donors and funders on how to Funding decisions should be informed by during lunch breaks, at weekends or in give more effectively. We keep a list of an analysis of needs and likely outcomes. school holidays. They take a multitude of charity recommendations covering this Before supporting a project, donors should forms, including homework clubs, booster and other areas on our website at ensure it has a track record of engaging and revision sessions, breakfast clubs, www.philanthropycapital.org. The list is young people and meeting their needs. sporting activities, outdoor adventures, updated regularly to reflect changes in arts and crafts, drama workshops, IT needs and provision. 1 2 Contents Introduction 5 4. Supporting a charity 43 A source of stability: Michelle’s story 5 The range of charities 43 Volunteering against violence: Hannah’s story 5 Before school 45 What are out of school hours activities and why During the school day 49 do they matter? 5 After school 50 How can donors help? 5 Weekends 57 About NPC 6 Half-term and holidays 59 About this report 6 National umbrella charities 62 1. Why support out of school hours activities? 7 Priorities for donors 67 What are they? 7 5. Conclusion and recommendations 71 Who provides them? 7 Deciding what to fund 71 How widespread are they? 8 Effective support 72 Who are they for? 8 Type of organisation 73 What are their objectives? 9 Weighing the options 74 Why are they needed? 9 Acknowledgements 75 Are they effective? 13 The case for private funding 14 Useful links 78 2. A brief history of funding 19 References 80 Setting the scene 19 The situation today 21 What does this mean for donors? 28 3.The scope for donors 29 A menu of options 29 Supporting schools directly 29 Supporting intermediaries 36 Supporting charities 41 Deciding how to donate 41 3 4 Introduction A source of stability: Michelle’s Reflecting on the impact that the charity has Out of story had on her life, Hannah commented: ‘I feel that by joining Envision I’m making a difference school hours Michelle is not your typical carefree 12 year because they give us the opportunity to do activities offer old. After a long illness, her mother died at something about issues that concern us and Christmas a couple of years ago. Her three help us to develop our team spirit and also opportunities to older siblings were sent to stay with relatives, meet new people.’ leaving Michelle and her younger sister to cope make friends, with their father’s drug abuse and arrest for Hannah believes that every young person develop new dealing. He is living with a new partner and should be given similar opportunities. Asked both smoke, which has caused Michelle to what her message to the government would be, interests, develop asthma. she said: ‘I think they should encourage young improve skills, people to volunteer in every way they can. They Not surprisingly, these events have taken should involve the young people in issues that and gain their toll. Michelle is prone to angry outbursts affect their communities and listen and support and has been put in a behavioural support unit the ideas they suggest. They should also experience of at her new school. Driven by loneliness and a encourage them to make a difference in their university or need for affection, she has formed inappropriate communities.’ relationships with older boys. business life. What are out of school hours When her mother first became ill, Michelle activities and why do they matter? started attending youth and football clubs at the Big Project, a charity based in Broomhouse, Out of school hours activities take place before Edinburgh. She became a regular member, took and after-school, during the lunch break, at part in a residential week in the Highlands, and weekends and during the holidays.