Organisation Aim
To create opportunities for those experiencing disadvantage; particularly those with a learning disability, autism and any other hidden disability to be more independent and enjoy life in the same ways and the same places as everyone else
Annual Report 2023
Put you first – we are flexible
and inclusive, everything about our people and each other matters to us
Work together – we
collaborate to build our teams, communities, friendships and how we engage with you matters to us
Have integrity – you can trust us to be honest, treat you equally, respectfully and with empathy
determined to see potential thrive – our
commitment means we stay with you and take pride in your success
Are enterprising – we solve problems, adapt to your needs and take care with your money
WELCOME TO PEOPLE MATTERS! Annual Report 2023
This has been another challenging year for the organisation. Members and staff were still feeling the effects of the pandemic when the legal requirement to self isolate was removed, however this had ongoing implications for PM due to the vulnerability of the people it supported. PPE and other IC measures were still being implemented and covid cased being recorded. However, the removal of the infection control grants meant the organisation had to make some difficult choices around staff sick pay. The cost of living crisis continued to pose challenges, both for members and staff, which put pressure on the levels of staffing in the organisation. We were lucky enough to be able to support some of our members with the household support fund (via forum central), which reduced some of the pressures our members felt going into winter. Our services we provided continued to go from strength to strength with an exciting new project “my body my choice”, which was part of a wider consortium of projects with People Matters being the lead partner for this. Groups had a focus on health inequalities, something that had widened since the pandemic.
Martin Dean Chair
We also saw the start of Developing You, an exciting partnership between People Matters, United Response and Pyramid of Arts, supporting members at the start of their journey into employment. The majority of participants reported an improvement in practical skills and that the course had been beneficial to their mental health. The wellbeing groups entered their 2nd year of delivery with a fantastic event held with lots of different partners in the city to showcase what we and other organisations do! The wellbeing groups certainly have their fingers in lots of pies in the city and took part in the #KeepBritainTidy initiative too! The Teens and Twenties project ran a fabulous residential and Easter and Summer programme - more of which we’ll tell you about later Elissa Matley CEO
We hope you enjoy reading our Annual Report as much as we enjoy writing it !
OUR PROJECTS:
Employment Nourishing people wellbeing groups Teens & twenties + social groups
Developing you
1-1 outreach support
OUR PROJECTS: Project highlight
MY BODY MY CHOICE
OUR PROJECTS: Project highlight
HEALTH INEQUALITIES
‘No’ 36% ‘Yes’ 64%
In November 2022, People Matters led a consortium of 6 partners for the new Health Inequalities project. The project delivered 9 different groups across Leeds with over 60 group members. Within the consortium we were lucky enough to work with Canal Connections, The Geeks Room, health for all, Leeds Mind and Leep1. Each project group has been led by its own members, resulting in valuable contributions to the content and style of each group. This approach has allowed for more customised and personalised group delivery. As a result, a wide range of health and well-being topics have been covered, for example, groups with a large proportion of members who have diabetes explored this topic in detail. Whereas some groups focused more on healthy relationships and sexuality as this is what the group members wanted to explore. These groups were designed for the Learning Disability and Neurodivergent population in Leeds, with a focus on reaching a diverse audience. To achieve this, the groups were geographically dispersed, covering south, west, and east Leeds, and scheduled at different times throughout the week. This was a 6-month project, with not all group participants attending for the entire 6 months life span, which is reflected in the data.
‘No’ 6%
‘Yes’ 94%
Improved self care at the end of this project
Confidence in group members at the end of this project
I feel more confident to ring my GP for help” “The group taught me how to be confident, how to have safe sex and all about consent” “More confidence in understanding the health service
teens + twenties Project highlight
Our Teens and Twenties project have enjoyed another busy year. This year they went away to the Kingswood Adventure centre in the Peak District for two nights, this was a new venue, and the group absolutely loved it! Members enjoyed lots of team building activities as well as outdoor lazer, having a go on the zip line and cooking marshmallows on a campfire in the evening.
Easter saw the groups take part in the Moving On project run by Purple Patch, giving members the much needed tools to transition smoothly from school to college or college to volunteering, or work! The groups also took part in lots of different activities during Easter and summer, including trips to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, The Grand Theatre to see Jersey Boys, and an opportunity to get lost in York maze!
These groups continue to be an integral part of People Matters and are so important to our members, enabling them to make friends and have an established network of support, increase independence and explore the opportunities available to them in the community.
“We noticed an almost immediate difference in Holly when she started going to the group. She became more confident and happier. Her social skills have also improved so much” - Parent of Holly
Member Stories:
Funders and partner stories Canal connections Peter, project manager How long with PM? Since August 2022 3 words Inspiration, supporting, encouraging Why did you choose PM? One of our members of “happy Wednesdays” wanted to start a project that would support him with access to the water ways and getting out on our community boat, I came across the offer of the consortium project via the NHS for health inequalities and completed the application form to work with PM! what are the benefits? Being able to promote the water ways and its benefits with health and wellbeing to a more diverse community. What are the benefits for the members? Building confidence and new alternative skills, supporting mental and physical health with getting out on the water and fresh air. And the community? Not only do we support the community with bringing new people the waters ways and looking after our heritage and natural surroundings, but Canal Connections also works with projects like river stewardship, 100% digital, and many more the promote the benefits of our waterways and its heritages.
Henry Smith Charity Jonathan Oppé
How long with PM? For 3 years Why did you choose PM? We were impressed with the organisation’s track record in making a positive impact 3 words? Member led, positive outcomes, creative What are the benefits? The service offers a range of support, dependent on what the member needs. The member voice is used to shape services throughout the organisation and the outcomes for people accessing the service are excellent.
Lloyds bank foundation Carlos Chevz
How long with PM? Since 2020. Although our partnership will sadly come to an end this year, it’s been good to have supported the work of People Matters through unrestricted funding. 3 words? Collaboration, learning, supportive Why did you choose PM? Our panel felt the applications submitted by People Matters align well with the priorities and objectives of our funds and also because the charity has shown an appetite and readiness to strengthen organisational development areas and could make good use of the development offered through the grant investment. What are the benefits for the members and community? People Matters deliver good outcomes for members, it is a very inclusive organisation and has a good willingness to partner and collaborate with other organisations and people in the community.
Pyramid of arts Sarah Cockburn
How long With PM? Since May 22 Why choose PM? We chose PM as we have been neighbours in Holbeck for many years and often share facilities and practical support to each other. 3 words? Supportive, creative and productive What are the benefits? Developing You was a great opportunity to work collaboratively, alongside third project partner United Response. We have found the advantages of partnership working to be learning from each other through the process of planning and developing a scheme of work that plays to the strengths of each partner, and being able to reach a much greater number of people through our different contacts and networks. The benefits of this partnership to participants is the access to a wider range of skills, information and access to opportunities than any single organisation could offer alone.
Trustees M Dean J Cravitz R Ellis R Firth (resigned 8th December 2022) R Herbert (resigned 8th December 2022) C Hirschhorn M Hirschhorn T Lee (resigned 17th January 2023 ) K Masters S Moreland G Turner
Members described People Matters in three words...
Our bank: Co-Operative, PO Box 250, Delf House, Skelmersdale Our Insurers: Ansvar Insurance, Ansvar House, 31 St Leonards Road Eastbourne Our accountants: Anna McClean Lee & Company, Photon House, Percy Street, Leeds
Our Registered Address 41 Barkston House, Croydon Street, Leeds LS11 9RT TEL - 0113 234 6896 www.peoplemattersleeds.co.uk People Matters (West Yorkshire) is a charitable Incorporated Organisation Reg No. 1170724 and is registered with the Care Quality Commission ID 1-3997439113
@PeoplematterLds