Mahdlo Youth Zone Annual Review 2015-16

WELCOME

Mahdlo turned 4 this year, and we marked this milestone with a week of festivities enjoyed by over 2,000 people. What a wonderful way to celebrate with the young people, families and local partners that make all the hard work so worthwhile!

We have expanded our offer to ensure the young people of Oldham have access to the highest quality opportunities and experiences. From Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards to Open Mic Nights, ‘A Level Playing Field’ Awards to a newly refurbished gym with Olympic Weightlifting platform, our programme of activities raises aspirations and recognises achievements.

and Oldham Interfaith Forum, whilst the OL1derland project was a creative collaboration with Oldham Council, Oldham Theatre Workshop, Square 1 Studios and Young Oldham Dance that really brought the young people of our town together.

I am sure fellow supporters will agree that we have much to be proud of, as we reach more young people across the borough and continue to build on these strong foundations. We have almost 5,000 young members who really are great ambassadors for Mahdlo and we take such pleasure in seeing them fulfil their potential.

Partnerships have been so important to us this year, and we have been honoured to host Oldham’s Holocaust Memorial Day service along with Oldham Council

The team at Mahdlo must be praised for their skills, care and enthusiasm in all that they do, and our volunteers, who gave over 8,000 hours of their time in

Sir Norman Stoller

CBE KStJ DL, President

CONTENTS 30-31 A YOUTH ZONE FOR EVERYONE 32-33 FUNDRAISING 34-35 FINANCE 36 CHAIRMAN’S COMMENT 37 TEAM MAHDLO 38-39 THANK YOUS 2 3

PRIDE

At Mahdlo, we take pride in all that we do and how we do it, and this is reflected in our values: Passion, Respect, Inclusion, Dependability, Excellence. Mahdlo enters its fifth year of operation with a strong track record of delivering high quality innovative services to young people in Oldham. Since opening there have been over 211,000 attendances by young people, and we are constantly developing our offer in consultation with them, and through partnership working, to ensure we meet their needs. Our membership now stands at over 4,300, we have seen a 38% growth in the number of young people with additional needs and disabilities accessing our

Ability sessions, and the Get A Job programme supported 88% of participants into employment, education or training. A highly successful mentoring programme and expanded Get Creative and Get Outdoors offer have been amongst the many successes of the past four years. The development of our provision in the districts of Oldham has been a major success in terms of reaching out to young people who do not otherwise engage with Mahdlo; nearly 600 new members have signed up as a result of attending these ‘spokes’ sessions in the past six months. The effectiveness of this provision is demonstrated by the police recording

that in Failsworth, which is one of the longest established district services, there were no recorded instances of anti-social behaviour (ASB) over a weekend. This had not been the case for over twelve months and was directly attributed to the joint work Mahdlo staff had engaged in.

We will continue to engage with the local community, partner organisations, businesses and supporters to provide an excellent experience for all young people that access Mahdlo. This will involve young people being at the heart of identifying needs and aspirations and working with staff and Board to continuously improve the quality and diversity of the Mahdlo offer.

Mike Doran Chief Executive

GET ACTIVE

Our sports, training and gym promote health and fitness and build self-esteem

ON THE DAY OF MY 8TH BIRTHDAY, I STARTED GOING TO THE JUNIOR ZONE AND THE CLIMBING WALL WAS THE FIRST THING I WENT ON. THE INSTRUCTORS BUILT UP MY CONFIDENCE AND HELPED ME WITH MY CLIMBING TECHNIQUES.

IF IT WASN’T FOR MAHDLO I WOULDN’T HAVE TAKEN UP CLIMBING AS A SPORT.

EDITH, 9

Competitor in the Youth Climbing Series Grand Final 2015

I HAVE HAD UNBELIEVABLE

OPPORTUNITIES

TO DO THINGS I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD, LIKE PLAYING FOR THE ABILITY FOOTBALL TEAM.

BEN, 18

I ENJOYED TRYING KARATE AND AM PROUD OF WHAT I ACHIEVED.

I’M EVEN THINKING OF JOINING A CLUB!

ANNE MARIE, 20

GET AHEAD

Employment and enterprise projects support future success

THE GET A JOB COURSE HELPED ME GET A BRILLIANT APPRENTICESHIP AND MAKES ME SMILE WHEN MY HEAD DROPS AND I FEEL LOW. I LEARNED SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES TO FIND AND KEEP A JOB AND REALISED I CAN DO THINGS JUST AS WELL AS EVERYONE ELSE!

COURTNEY, 17

MAHDLO IS BETTER THAN SCHOOL

FOR ME. I FEEL RELAXED AND CAN ENGAGE WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE.

CORY, 15

Alternative Provision student

THE GET A JOB COURSE REALLY HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WORLD OF EMPLOYMENT IS REALLY LIKE AND ALSO WHAT'S EXPECTED FROM ME.

MOHAMMED, 18

GET CONNECTED

Community projects and volunteering promote citizenship and leadership skills

I WAS A MEMBER, THEN A VOLUNTEER YOUNG LEADER AND WAS SUPPORTED TO DO A LEVEL 2 AWARD IN COMMUNITY SPORTS LEADERSHIP. THE COURSE WILL HELP ME PROGRESS

MASSIVELY IN MY CAREER AND WITH WHAT I WANT TO DO IN THE FUTURE. I NOW FEEL CONFIDENT IN ANY SITUATION WHEN DELIVERING A SESSION, THANK YOU!

LEWIS, 17

IF IT WASN’T FOR MAHDLO WE’D BE ON THE STREET MESSING AROUND. THIS PLACE BRINGS LOTS OF CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES

TOGETHER AND KEEPS US SAFE AS WELL.

SYED, 13 + SHAFI, 14

I WAS ASKED TO BE A VOLUNTEER YOUNG LEADER. THIS HAS MADE ME WANT TO GIVE MY TIME TO MAHDLO AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES.

BEN, 18

GET CREATIVE

Our performance and arts projects develop creative skills and confidence

IT WAS FUN TAKING PART IN THE CULTURAL FASHION PROJECT AND DESIGNING NEW MATERIALS BECAUSE WE LEARNT ABOUT DIFFERENT CULTURES TOO.

MAMINAH, 13

MAHDLO HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY NEW ACTIVITIES.

I HAVE GROWN IN SELF-ESTEEM AND MADE NEW FRIENDS.

MY PERSONAL BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR WAS BEING PART OF A WINNING DANCE TEAM AT THE PRESIDENT’S CUP.

MALIEKA, 12

I THINK THE STAFF GO THROUGH A RIGOROUS ‘AWESOME TEST’ BEFORE BEING HIRED! I REALLY ENJOY THE ARTS AREA, EXPLORING GAME ART AND PIXEL ART.

I’VE ALSO TRIED NEW THINGS LIKE MUSIC AND ROLLERSKATING, AND WILL BE GOING ON TO STUDY GRAPHIC DESIGN NEXT YEAR.

CHRIS, 18

GET OUTDOORS

Exploring nature and adventure promotes confidence, teamwork and social skills

WE PLANNED AND FINISHED OUR HADRIAN’S WALL WALK, DID WELL, COOKED ALL OUR MEALS AND MADE IT RIGHT TO THE END – AN AWESOME WEEK!

JOSH, 15

I HAVE BEEN ON SOME GOOD EXPEDITIONS AND HAD OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT THINGS WHICH WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT MAHDLO.

SHANNON, 14

EVEN WHEN IT’S RAINING, IT IS FUN BEING OUTSIDE IN DIFFERENT PLACES WHEN YOU’RE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

ALANA, 10

GET SORTED

One-to-one and group workshops promote healthy minds, lifestyles and choices

MAHDLO HELPS ME WITH PROBLEMS AND CAN HELP ME ALONG THE RIGHT PATH.

CHARLOTTE, 18

I CAN TALK TO MY MENTOR ABOUT ANYTHING. I AM ENJOYING

NEW THINGS AND IT MAKES ME SMILE AND FEEL GOOD.

CALLUM, 14

GETTING INTO TROUBLE STOPPED WHEN I CAME TO MAHDLO AS I WASN’T BORED ANYMORE. I’VE LEARNT COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS.

CALLUM, 15

A YOUTH ZONE FOR EVERYONE

At Mahdlo, we aim to deliver exciting and inclusive activities that can be enjoyed by all. We have introduced a number of new sessions, including the popular ‘Ability Multi-Sports’, which offers the opportunity to try a range of disability sports such as boccia, new-age kurling, judo, VI (visually impaired) cricket and polybat. New sensory dance classes culminated in our first Ability Dance Festival, where parents and carers came to watch some wonderful performances by young people of all abilities based around the slogan ‘Young People Can’. In the summer, our CADS (Children’s Able and Disabled Sports) programme and Ability Residential at the Calvert Trust saw our members take part in everything from trampolining, cycling and volleyball to swimming, fishing, kayaking and zip wire. This year, we also held our first A Level Playing Field Awards, celebrating the achievements of our young people

with additional needs or a disability at a glitzy Hollywood themed ceremony. Family Zone has gone from strength to strength, with families coming together to enjoy cooking classes, fitness challenges and beach parties, plus Eid, Diwali, Christmas and Boishakhi Bengali New Year celebrations alongside our regular schedule of arts and sports. Through working with Mind and POINT (Parents of Oldham in Touch), we have also been able to offer family mindfulness workshops in our Sunday sessions. Our Girls Zone sessions developed further this year following consultation with our members, with the activities on offer including karate in partnership with Cobra Kan Do in Failsworth, Bollywood Zumba and a ‘Cultural Food Project’, whilst our Junior girls’ football team were crowned winners at their first tournament of 2016, playing against teams from other OnSide Youth Zones.

Mahdlo’s LGBT group worked with Mako Media to make a stop-motion LEGO animation that explores identity and celebrates diversity in a creative way. This video has been very popular online and the group should be proud of producing such an innovative, honest and informative piece of work!

We worked with a number of local schools on our Alternative Provision programme to build sustainable relationships with young people who don’t engage with mainstream education. The sessions run alongside the school curriculum, covering GCSE revision, tutoring and workshops around risky behaviour, employability and social skills. We have seen the positive impact this has had on the resilience, confidence and self-esteem of the young people taking part and their hard work certainly paid off – we accredited almost 50 PEARL Awards and over 240 AQAs.

FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS

As we expand to ensure Mahdlo can benefit even more young people across Oldham, we need to raise substantial funds. We do this through our Patron programmes, our own fundraising events and donations from the business and wider community. From bag packs to glitzy balls, mountain climbs to golf days, the ways people fundraise for Mahdlo Youth Zone take many different forms!

KILIMANJARO TREK

Supporters Frank Rothwell and Ben Ingham raised thousands of pounds for our young people, scaling great heights on their mountain trek.

MANCHESTER 10K

The team from Kitbag ran the Great Manchester 10K for Mahdlo, raising £900 for our Youth Zone.

ONSIDE SUMMER BALL

Our young people were great ambassadors, greeting guests at the OnSide Ball, which raised an amazing £69,000 for Mahdlo.

HADRIAN’S WALL YOUNG PEOPLE’S WALK

A group of our members organised this trip themselves, walking 65 miles and raising over £1,100 through the walk and bag packs!

MAHDLO GOLF DAY

Our golf day at Saddleworth Golf Course was a fantastic day and raised £5,700.

WINTER BALL

Our 2015 Winter Ball saw guests enjoy a 1920s inspired evening of dinner and entertainment, raising an incredible £41,000.

SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN

Little Diamond Theatre Company raised £6,000 by staging a production of John Godber’s bittersweet comedy at Oldham Coliseum.

BRIAN COX 20:20 LECTURE

Oldham was the centre of the universe for one evening, with Professor Brian Cox inspiring over 1,000 school children at an event that raised £12,000 for Mahdlo.

ONE OLDHAM BUSINESS AWARDS

We were thrilled to once again be beneficiaries of the One Oldham Business Awards, receiving £3,500. Our young people had a great time performing on the night with a Chicago inspired piece!

FINANCE

2015-16 has been a year of considerable growth in the scope and scale of projects being delivered. To deliver this growth a number of new staff were appointed and a restructure of management and staff has been undertaken. While continuing to deliver new projects, the emphasis has been to consolidate activity and review existing projects.

Mahdlo exceeded target surplus for the year. We achieved 98% of our income targets and were able to control our cost base resulting in a very positive end to the year. There was a slight underperformance against target for Patrons and donations, and we were also behind budget with our fundraising, however these have been compensated for by us comfortably

INCOME GROWTH TARGETS

exceeding our income targets for sales, projects and grants.

There is continued focus in the coming year to grow and diversify our supporter base for both Patrons and community partnerships. We hope that the delivery of our offer in the districts of Oldham will help to raise our profile and cultivate interest and support from local businesses and service providers.

INCOME

Sales §£240,107

Local Authority £400,000

Project grants (restricted) £789,533

Patrons and donations £312,643

Fundraising £150,114

Investment income £2,070

Property donated £0

Total £1,894,467

EXPENDITURE

Delivery costs £321,981

Fundraising £31,066

Management and admin £164,097

Premises £248,312

Staffing £1,087,529

Total £1,852,985

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENT

Thank you once again for your continued support of this amazing charity. We could not do the tremendous work we do without your generous support which comes in many guises. We are making a real difference to the young people of Oldham and the borough which can only bode well for the future of the town.

Last year we grew at a rate which stretched us on all fronts. This year we are in the midst of a consolidation which is very sensible as we build for the future. We still have the scope and capacity to deliver more and this drives us onwards and upwards. The future looks very bright with exciting plans and initiatives coming thick and fast, so please keep close to us and continue your support.

Some of our key priorities for the 2016-

TEAM MAHDLO

17 year are to:

• Develop a programme of ‘excellence’ in the Arts, Sports and Outdoors

• Innovate where possible, embracing new partnerships and providing new opportunities

• Grow our provision in the districts of Oldham through working with local organisations to meet the needs of the communities

• Build on the success of our Ability sessions, to provide meaningful and truly inclusive experiences Our doors are open for you to see what we’re all about, so please get in touch, visit us and introduce friends, colleagues and associates to Mahdlo. Together, we can continue to build on 4 years of hard work to deliver excellent youth-led provision in our town.

Terry Flanagan Chairman

Team Mahdlo are a highly motivated, skilled, experienced and diverse mix of full-time staff, sessional workers and volunteers who give their incredible energies and knowledge to supporting our young people. They are a credit to Mahdlo and Oldham.

MEET THE BOARD

WILLIAM LEES-JONES TERRY FLANAGAN SIR NORMAN STOLLER CBE KStJ DL

KASHIF ASHRAF DAVE BENSTEAD JOHN AINLEY

CAROL O’HARE STEPH BOLSHAW DAVE WHALEY JANELLE BARKER LINDSAY WALSH

THANK YOU

Founding Patron

The Stoller Charitable Trust

Premier Patrons

David & Janelle Barker

Big Lottery Fund

Children in Need

Greengate Metal Components

Hill’s Panels Products Ltd

J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust

JW Lees & Co. (Brewers) Ltd

Kitbag Ltd

The Oglesby Charitable Trust

OMC Motor Group Ltd

RBS Skills & Opportunities Fund

Frank & Judith Rothwell

Sport England

Widdop & Co.

Plus one kind Anonymous Donor

Patrons

AO Smile Foundation

Peter & Patricia Casey

Garfield Weston Foundation

GMPCC Youth Aspiration Fund

Swans Travel

The Accenture Foundation

The Henry Smith Charity

Wiggett Construction Group Ltd

Supporters

Terry & Sue Flanagan

Chris & Gayle Hopkinson

Little Diamond Theatre Company

(Sarah Burrill)

The Mayor’s Appeal Fund

The Warburtons Trust Fund

Friends

29th May 1961 Charitable Trust

ANSA Elevators Ltd

Arighi Bianchi

Simon Arora

David Bellis MBE

Peter Bryant

Euro Wrap Ltd

First Choice Homes Oldham

Hadrian’s Wall Walkers

Handshake Group Ltd

Paul Heathcote MBE

Bill & Julie Holroyd

Ben Ingham

Insider North West Property Awards

Insped Ltd

Sharon Lever

North Ainley Solicitors

Oldham Athletic AFC

Saddleworth Playgroup

Safeguard Fusion Training Ltd

Safeguard Group

Paul Scholes

StreetGames UK

Team Spirit

Terry Mc Photography

The John Grant Davies Trust

The Mike Gooley Trailfinders Charity

The One Oldham Business Awards

The Treeside Trust

Web Applications UK Ltd.

Honorary Ambassador

Professor Brian Cox OBE

This year we have worked with these excellent delivery and partner organisations that contribute to our diverse programme of activities:

3StyleSports

Arbarus

Billy & Andy's Manchester School of Music

Blades Academy

Bounce Back

British Weightlifting

Brook

Cobra Kan Karate Do

Commando Joe's

Evolve Parkour Centre

Gallery Oldham

Greater Manchester Police

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby

Green Hill Community Sports Club

Kirsty Green

Higginshaw ARLFC

KOGS (Keeping Our Girls Safe)

Mako Media

MFYP Mind

NSPCC Oasis

Oldham Athletic Community Trust

Oldham Boxing Club

Oldham Coliseum

Oldham College

Oldham Community Leisure

Oldham Council

Oldham Council Detached Team

Oldham Council District Teams

Oldham Interfaith Forum

Oldham RUFC

Oldham Sports Development

Oldham Theatre Workshop

Oldham Volleyball Club

Oldham Youth Council

OliBo Media

Positive Steps Oldham

Anne Quinlan

Royal Northern College of Music

Saddleworth Environmental Education

Square1 Studios

St John Ambulance

UK Dodgeball Association

Volleyball England

Voluntary Action Oldham (VAO)