TJUNE 2023 -MAY 2024
Welcome
It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I present the annual report for Tonic Health, marking a year of remarkable achievements and growth for our health and wellbeing charity Over the past year, we have witnessed significant progress in our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of our community, and I am thrilled to share these successes with you
Firstly, I am delighted to report that the number of beneficiaries we have reached has grown substantially. Through our diverse range of programs and services, we have positively impacted more lives than ever before, ensuring that individuals and families in our community have access to the support and resources they need to thrive This growth is testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and the trust placed in us by those we serve.
Our achievements this year would not have been possible without the generous support of our funders and supporters Your contributions have provided the financial stability and resources necessary for us to expand our reach and enhance the quality of our services On behalf of Tonic Health, I extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your unwavering commitment to our cause. Your support has been instrumental in driving our success, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the years to come
I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff and volunteers
Your passion, dedication, and tireless efforts are the backbone of Tonic Health Each day, you bring compassion and professionalism to your work, making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Your resilience and adaptability, particularly in the face of the challenges presented this year, have been truly inspiring. It is your collective efforts that have propelled Tonic Health forward, and I am deeply grateful for your contributions
As we reflect on a successful year, we remain committed to our vision of a healthier, more vibrant community. We will continue to innovate, grow, and adapt to meet the evolving needs of those we serve. Together, with the ongoing support of our funders, supporters, staff, and volunteers, I am confident that Tonic Health will continue to make a lasting, positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our community
Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey.
Michael
Michael Morris MSc Chair of Trustees Tonic Health
Community Connectors
In June 2023 with funding from the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust (LPFT) and Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) we opened our Wellbeing Hubs in Spalding and Holbeach
In August that year we employed 2 Community Connectors Jo Ireland, who covers the Spalding Primary Care Network area and Vanessa Collins, who works in the South Lincolnshire Primary Care Network area.
Our Wellbeing Hubs in Spalding and Holbeach are open from Monday to Friday each week and offer people a range of activities and support There are Wellbeing Connectors in both Hubs; Molly, Sam and Zoe ensure that people are made welcome and provide signposting advice
They also help people to access services including our washers and dryers The Wellbeing Hubs are very successful, and we are seeing new people coming through the doors each week We run groups such as BroPro and Night Light Cafés, arts and crafts and cookery We encourage people to come to groups as it helps them to build their own social network and make new friends, breaking the cycle of loneliness and isolation Vanessa and Jo were appointed in August 2023 as Community Connectors, after both leaving careers in education, and so have nearly completed their first full year in post, which has been very successful Their positions form part of the new Integrated Place Based Team, formed to tackle low to moderate mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and social isolation This was brought about by the trialling of the Mental Health Transformation Programme throughout Lincolnshire, to ensure community and statutory services work together to achieve a better outcome for people
Our role as Community Connectors is to work with local organisations, businesses, neighbourhoods, social prescribers, churches & the NHS We support the current mental health provision & support across the area, liaising with local organisations to form collaborative networks We are both responsible for establishing new and supporting existing support groups across the Spalding and South Lincs Rural PCN areas.
In May Jo and Vanessa organised and held their first Partnership Networking Event where they facilitated over 60 representatives of community groups and statutory services to come together to raise and discuss issues, they feel are important They were able to give their views on how the partnership network will develop to ensure it is a collaborative group for the benefit of everyone involved
Night Light Cafés
Night Light Cafés are safe spaces that offer an out-ofhours, non-clinical support service, that are staffed by one lead and a team of trained volunteers who are available to listen, provide signposting advice, helpline numbers and information on other organisations that will be able to help with specific needs.
Night Light Cafés are a free service that helps people to have better access to face-to-face support when they are struggling in an evening, when practices and community mental health teams are less readily available. Night Light Cafés are aimed at providing non-judgmental, safe and supportive environments for individuals experiencing mental health challenges, or feelings of loneliness, isolations, depression and anxiety The cafés operate during evening hours, offering an accessible option for those who might need support outside of typical service hours.
Night Light Cafés are funded by NHS England and are an integral part of the Lincolnshire Mental Health Transformation Programme, which is committed to improving mental health and wellbeing by creating opportunities for people to thrive in connected communities. Acts Trust, who co-ordinate the service, works in partnership with existing charities across the county
We are very fortunate to have received generous donations of pizzas from Freiberger UK Ltd for our Night Light Café guests, this contribution has greatly enhanced our ability to provide a welcoming and supportive environment, offering not only comfort but also a sense of connection within our community
Winter Pressures & Warm Spaces
From January to March 2024, with funding from the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust (LPFT) and Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) we ran Welcome Spaces across our 3 Hubs in Spalding, Holbeach and Surfleet.
At our Surfleet Hub, Tonic 44, the Welcome Space was open from Wednesday to Friday each week, with a light lunch being provided on a Wednesday
The Warm Spaces were very well received by everyone who came along, particularly the Weekend Hub in Spalding. It highlighted the need for a weekend provision as the majority of our clients find weekends the hardest to cope with. In Holbeach, in addition to our current Wellbeing Hub provision we offered a daily light lunch from Monday to Friday In Spalding we ran a Weekend Welcome Hub that was very successful and well attended There was a Wellbeing Connector available to talk to people and offer a listening ear and signposting advice.
In addition to the lunches and weekend opening, we invested in washing machines and dryers and were able to offer a free wash/dry service aimed at people who may not have these facilities at home or are struggling with the rising cost of utility bills We continue to offer this service
We also gave out 144 slow cookers, mainly through the foodbanks, which were very well received and met a need in the community.
Ms. S - a young mother who came in specifically to collect a slow cooker after seeing the advert on Facebook. She has two children under the age of 4 and thought that it would help her reduce electricity bills, plan meals better and be able to help her children to eat a little healthier. She is currently looking for a job and finds it very difficult to manage bills and other costs. We made her aware of other local resources that could help and gave her contact details for the local Community Connector.
We were also able to offer 10-minute Check-In and Chat phone calls with the aim to provide essential non-clinical support to people who were lonely and isolated, particularly frequent GP visitors who often seek help at the surgery because they just need someone to talk to These calls offered a valuable opportunity for people to talk and be listened to and be directed to services and community groups The goal was to encourage social engagement and help people to connect with others.
Through these projects, we were able offer people a variety of opportunities aimed at breaking the cycle of loneliness and isolation and help them to build emotional resilience By doing so, we can alleviate some of the pressure on health services, contributing to a healthier, more connected community.
Men’s Shed
The Tonic Health Spalding Men’s Shed is based on an allotment at Low Fulney and the project is designed to promote mental health by bringing people out of their normal environment and encouraging people to talk to each other about any issues, physical or mental, that are bothering them.
Unfortunately, in addition, the members are now helping with the Wheels for Life group and hence time at the allotment is limited to one morning a week.
We are continuing to grow crops, in particular potatoes, sweetcorn and chilli peppers and are planning to grow tomato plants in our greenhouse at some point
We are still continuing to cultivate the allotment and have purchased a second hand petrol strimmer and lawn mower, to aid the reduction of weed growth
The men’s shed has been a little disappointing in terms of recruitment this year, we have had no new members, despite referrals from various social prescribers. Unfortunately we have also had a number of people leave due to illness, death and other commitments
Wheels for Life
The aim of this project is renovate old , donated bikes and to give them to people who need them for exercise, transport and pleasure.
We have several volunteers helping renovate the bikes and these are Rob, Jim, Bob, Paul, Julian and Garry. In addition we have several enthusiastic amateur mechanics that have been disassembling those donated bikes beyond realistic
We have constructed a ramp, workbench and have acquired tools and stands from various sources, to ensure that we can work as a team . We also have some gazebos to allow us to work under cover. Sources of tools have been donated by Councillor Tracey Carter, Andy’s late father, Deeping Men in Sheds, and Rob Strong Initial funding was sought through Active Lincolnshire Wheels for Life Scheme, and the portacabin funded by BNA Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
SociABLEs
In April 2023, with funding from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Community Investment & Sustainability Fund we were able to take SociABLES into a successful 2nd year. Unfortunately the project came to a close at the end of March 2024
Many of the members still regularly attend the Hub and take part in all the activities and events happening alongside the rest of the community, rather than in a closed group setting
The group is a friendly and supportive space where people can join together and take part in a range of activities including arts, crafts, gardening and digital gaming
We also have a large sports hall where people can partake in different sporting activities including archery, football, indoor cricket, and basketball There is also a pool table, and we have a craft room where clients are supported to design and print their own mugs Through the activities on offer we support our clients physical and mental health, providing a safe place for them to socialise and get involved in a wide range of activities (if they choose)
The group has far exceeded our expectations with people coming from Spalding by minibus to attend. The numbers attest to its success and there is no doubt that people feel better for coming to the group and have had access to opportunities that they would otherwise not have
SociABLESwasafullyinclusive supportgroupforadultswithspecial educationalneedsandautism.
Movement 4Memory
Movement 4 Memory is a dementia based group that meets weekly on Wednesdays 1.30 to 3.30 pm at the Tonic Health hub in Broadgate House, Spalding.
Movement 4 Memory is funded by the entrance fee which covers the cost of materials, room hire, fitness instructors and any other outside provider that charges a fee Fortunately, we have several contributors to the group who give their time and expertise for free For example, the U3A Singing for Fun choir, Val Sandall flowers, Anna Scott clay work and SHDC Councillor Gary Taylor
The group is run by Marilyn Morris with valuable assistance from volunteers Jane, Bernice, Barbara, Arline and Fred
The group is for people with earlystage dementia and their carers A half hour seated exercise session run by qualified professionals is followed by homemade cake and tea and a varied programme including arts and crafts, talks, flower arranging and singing. This enables the carer and cared for to interact with other adults in a fun, happy and supportive environment. Improving their social contact with other people who understand what they are going through and helping with their mental health.
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The Focus Group
Our weekly Focus social group operates from Tonic 44 community café Our group offers engaging activities for early-stage dementia, in a fun, safe and happy environment, while their carers get much needed respite between 10am and 4pm We provide a freshly cooked 2 course lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Gentle exercise is undertaken around the lovely neighbouring Surfleet Park We invite local individuals into our group to provide stimulating activity sessions from seated exercise to music, pottery, crafts, singing and much more.
Both carers and cared for benefit from our group. The carer has 6 hours of much needed respite once a week to do tasks they wouldn't normally be able to do. The cared for get a chance to socialise outside their home environment, stimulating them into conversation and movement.
Our Tuesdays are a highlight for all staff, volunteers and members Since I started in September I have introduced more exercise into the group. We have a lady called Bekki from Adults Move Lincolnshire that comes in about once a month and provides seated exercise to music also using poms poms to get those arms moving too. Seeing our members come alive to this session, singing, dancing is very moving and they love it.
Youth Club
Having only been in post for almost four months, I have witnessed some changes to the way we deliver our projects , and am so pleased to say that the young people have really embraced the changes! I am looking forward to bringing more of my ideas to life. This year we have faced a number of challenges - no heating in the sports hall throughout the winter, a near-total change in staff and volunteers, vandalism and theft of many of our resources... but this only made us stronger!
We now have a really dynamic and energetic team of staff and volunteers, some great young people with plenty of ideas, and some fantastic funders who have been prepared to back us through the hard times. A particular mention to Holbeach United Charity for their very generous financial support which has ensured the youth club has continued to run uninterrupted since December 2023. We look forward to continuing to serve the children and young people of Holbeach!
Our weekly youth clubs provide the Children and Young People (CYP) with a variety of opportunities and designated spaces - cafe area, sports hall, digital den, arts and crafts, pool and darts, board games and much more!
Sessions are deliberately unstructured, giving them the freedom of the building to roam around with their peers Investments have been made in additional sports equipment, iPads, gaming resources, games and craft materials.
Our youth projects are organised and delivered by our dedicated team of paid staff and volunteers, but the funding of staff time, facilities and resources have all been generously provided by:
Holbeach United Charity
Lincolnshire County Council
ACE Innovace Designs Limited
Lincolnshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services
Cooking in the community
The first session was held at The Holbeach Hub on 1st February 2024
As an organisation, we are responsive to the demands of the local community and based on the popularity of the classes, not only did we extended the course, but introduced additional sessions to our Spalding site from 16th April 2024 Across Spalding and Holbeach, participants prepared a variety of dishes, mastering many unique skills along the way, including Beef/lentil lasagne with garlic flatbread, Chicken/vegetable curry, Eves Pudding, Afternoon tea, and more...
Our free Adult Cooking Classes helped individuals of all backgrounds learn basic culinary skills, enabling them to cook nutritious meals on a budget These sessions have been a great nts to gain make new ss.
Feedbackhasbeen overwhelminglypositive:
-"It'sveryinformative, teachingamuchneglectedskill"
-“Verygood Myfirststep inlookingaftermyself”
-"Everythingwas explainedverywell,and helpwasgivenwhenI neededit"
Based on the funding that we received to run these groups, through the Multiply and SHDC Household Support Fund, we were also able to provide a free slow cooker, recipe book and a £10 supermarket voucher to attendees
2nd Annual Charity Golf Day
On June 27th, Tonic Health proudly hosted its second annual golf day, a highlight event that brought together the community for a day of sport and fundraising. The competition saw an enthusiastic participation from sixteen teams, each vying for the top spot in a friendly yet competitive environment
Themainsponsorforthisyear’s eventwasSpaldingCricketClub, whosegeneroussupport,along withcontributionsfromother holesponsors,madethedaya resoundingsuccess.
In a thrilling conclusion, one of the cricket club’s teams emerged victorious. The team led by our own Michael Morris put up a stellar performance, finishing in a commendable second place, while Gavin Wilson’s team secured a strong third-place finish
This fantastic event was not only about golf but also about giving back to the community. Through the collective efforts and generosity of all participants and sponsors, we successfully raised over £1,200 These funds will be instrumental in supporting Tonic Health's ongoing initiatives and community programs
Broadgate House
6 Broadgate House, the Tonic Health Head Office, has seen remarkable transformations this financial year, notably with the inception of the Spalding Wellbeing Hub. This initiative has significantly bolstered mental health and wellbeing support across South Lincolnshire Leveraging the building’s extra capacity, we continue to rent out office space to organisations that resonate with our charitable mission Among our current hirers are Shaw Trust, Lincolnshire Community & Voluntary Services, and One You Lincolnshire. Importantly, all revenue generated from room hires goes straight back into the organisation to benefit our local community
This dual usage underscores our commitment to maximising our resources for the greater good. In addition to physical office space, we offer virtual office services. This option is particularly beneficial for start-up businesses, providing them with a professional company address rather than a personal residential one. This service not only aids in establishing a credible business presence but also supports our mission by generating additional funds for community support.
From June 2023 to May 2024, our Spalding rooms were rented out externally for an impressive total of 9,631.5 hours, while they were also utilised for internal projects for an additional 2,991 hours
"Shaw Trust have had a long standing relationship with Tonic Health and continue to use the premises due to the great facilities available which suit our business The staff are fantastic and are always available to support with queries that we have and create a comfortable atmosphere for our clients while they are waiting to see us. The available spaces to hire are great for a range of activities and the wellbeing hub creates a great space for local people to access support an advice which has also been beneficial for our clients and staff alike”
Holbeach Hub
This year has been one of significant transformation for Holbeach Hub. We started with considerable challenges, including a difficult financial beginning and changes in management. Despite these initial hurdles, our team’s resilience and commitment have been remarkable One of the most significant milestones this year was the launch of our Wellbeing Hub, funded through the Lincolnshire ICB.
As the year progressed, we began to see the positive impacts of these changes. Stability returned to our operations, and we experienced a notable increase in the number of people utilising our facilities The introduction of new projects has not only attracted a broader audience but has also enhanced our service offerings, ensuring we meet the diverse needs of our community members. These new members have brought with them ideas, energy and enthusiasm to make the Hub their place to come and enjoy the company of others, and has been the instigator of additional cooking and craft sessions and the launch of the Wheels For Life projects in particular We’ve even introduced our new mascot - Roary!
Collaboration with local organisations within Holbeach and surrounding villages has been another area of success. We have forged stronger partnerships that have enriched our programming and expanded our reach These collaborative efforts have brought additional resources and expertise to our Hub, amplifying our impact and fostering a more integrated community network. Overall, the past year at Holbeach Hub has been transformative for the Hub. We have moved from a period of uncertainty to one of stability and growth, underpinned by strategic management changes, the successful launch of new initiatives, and strengthened community ties. We look forward to building on this momentum in the coming year, continuing to enhance our services and support for the Holbeach community.
Tonic 44 Community Hub
As we wrap up another year, we are delighted to share a positive overview of the accomplishments, growth and community impact of our beloved community hub.
Despite various challenges we are slowly coming to the forefront and earning ourselves a positive reputation with our customers – one of dedication and enthusiasm. Our commitment to being more than a café means we host evenings events such as quiz nights, bingo nights etc, which have boosted our visibility in and around Surfleet Our customers and beneficiaries are loyal, having supported our growth over the last year, listened to our ideas, had an opinion on our constantly changing seasonal menus These menus regularly contain more vegan and gluten free options which are proving popular.
I would like to acknowledge all the people who bring us fruit and veg –harvested from their gardens, the kind gentlemen providing us with more chairs, the local butcher for donations of local meat – everything is used in the care for the customers We are beginning to host more events – wakes, birthday parties, baby showers, christenings, as well as providing outside catering at events too We are constantly getting positive feedback from new and regular customers – we aren’t just a café, we are someone’s ‘relief’ that we are open, someone’s ‘safe space’, someone’s ‘reason to get out the house’, a ‘hidden gem’, the bingo and quiz nights ‘get me out in an evening’, the food is ‘proper home cooked food made with love’, and ‘even the dogs are fed!’ These are just a small handful of the comments we regularly receive.
Our fantastic volunteers
Finances
Commentary on finances
We are pleased to present our financial report for the financial year, showcasing a robust financial performance and steady growth in both unrestricted and restricted funding streams This year has been marked by significant achievements, enabled by the unwavering support of our partners, donors, and the dedicated efforts of our team This has been achieved despite the economic challenges presented by the macroenvironment including inflation. Some areas of expenditure have fallen such as our insurance costs thanks to our new insurance broker Tim Hines from Clear Insurance Management. Nevertheless, the income levels have risen to combat rising costs, due to donations from the local community and our success in grant applications including the NHS and the National Lottery. The rise in unrestricted funds means that we successfully achieved Goal 3 outlined in our Strategic Plan 2022-2025.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the organisations whose financial contributions have been instrumental in our success this year. Special thanks go to AJS, Spalding Golf Club, Flamingo Flowers, ACE Innovace Designs and all organisations who sponsored fundraising events including our Christmas Party and Golf Day for their generous financial support. Their contributions have empowered us to enhance our programs and services significantly In addition to financial support, we deeply appreciate the invaluable non-pecuniary donations from ACE Innovace Designs and Lincolnshire Co-Op Their contributions of goods and services have played a crucial role in the smooth functioning and enrichment of our initiatives.
As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission and look ahead with optimism, armed with the resources and support needed to make a meaningful impact in our community. Thank you to all of our donors, grant funders, and team members for making this year's achievements possible Together, we continue making a difference to the residents of South Lincolnshire.
Supporting our work
We cannot carry out the work we do, without the support of our amazing board of Trustees, staff and volunteers, and also the valuable support our local businesses and individuals provide No matter how small the gesture, we are extremely grateful!
The following businesses and organisations have helped us over the past 12 months:
TC Bulley Davey
Baytree Nurseries and Garden Centre
ARK ICT
ACE Innovace Designs Limited
Hughes Electrical
Bridge Farm Group
Freiberger
Spalding Signs
Lincolnshire Coop
Worldwide Fruit
Flamingo Horticulture
Gousto
Lightspeed Broadband
Welland Power
AJS
Our funders include:
Lincolnshire NHS Integrated Care Board
National Lottery Community Fund
Shine Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire Community Foundation
South Holland District Council
Holbeach United Charity
Our senior team
Our Board of Trustees
Mich l Chair of
Theresa Tonic 44 Manager
Zoe Dementia Support
Tracey Community Support
Sam Youth Lead
Michael N
Fiona
Robert
Sally
Partnership proposal policy
Read our engagement policy to see how local organisations have helped us in the past, and how prospective organisations may wish to support us in the future.
Scan the QR code to take you directly to the policy Alternatively, get in touch and we will email/post one out to you.
Wish list
We’ve created a menu of items our projects would like/need Maybe there is something there that you would like to support us with? We’ve even created a QR code for this too! However, if you need access to it via different means, please get in touch
Donations
You can also donate in person by visiting 6 Broadgate House, Westlode Street, Spalding Lincolnshire, PE11 2AF
Or donate via bank transfer to: Tonic Health CIO
Sort Code: 82-11-07
Account Number: 20341286
