CHAIR OF TRUSTEES REPORT 2010/11

ASCEND opened its doors in August 1996.  In the year 2000 the project moved into the new church building and this year we saw another major landmark when, in May 2011, we celebrated the opening of our new project Step Up.   This was a momentus occasion because it marked the start of an important partnership with Herts Mind Network, having a base in another building and the fulfilment of a long held dream to offer help to people with mental health issues.  The opening ceremony in the new building at 39 Oxhey Drive, was a great occasion that befitted the significance of the moment.  Dignitaries from all areas of life, including local government representatives, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire all shared with us in our hopes and excitement for this new work.  However, none of it would have been possible without the funds and support we have received from Three Rivers District Council Local Strategic Partnership - they have been amazing and we can’t thank them enough.

Dig Deep                                                                                                                     

Last year we enjoyed another landmark, the opening of our allotment project - Dig Deep.  This has not only transformed the land from being overgrown and neglected into a wonder of flowers and vegetables but it has also transformed the lives of all those who work so hard on the allotment.  Their love of, and commitment to the allotment shines out of their faces when they show others their precious piece of land and all its produce.  Many thanks to Farming for All for their continuing support and hard work with the volunteers.   This project has also allowed us to build relationships with local businesses, whose staff have enjoyed spending time getting close to nature and digging deep.  It has been an outstanding success and will hopefully continue for many years to come.

Funding 

We are all aware of the financial crisis which is gripping the world.  No-one is immune from the affects of this catastrophe - including charities.  ASCEND relies heavily on funding from trusts and the failing economic situation means that there is much less money to be given away. We also receive funding from local government and this, as everyone knows, has also been hit by the financial cuts.  Finding funding is getting harder while, at the same time, costs are rising and our work is growing.  More and more people are seeking our help for training and advice to get into work.  As the project has expanded so has our expenditure and this can cause a lot of headaches for the Trustees and management team.

However it is not all doom and gloom because we have so many faithful friends and supporters who have been with us through thick and thin. We are often moved by the generosity of local churches and individuals.  In August some energetic folk raised over £1,700 from a sponsored swim at Merchant Taylors School - and one of ASCENDs best friends, Jamie Newberry, raised £622 of that all by himself. Well done Jamie!  We have also had help and support from businesses and trusts such as Veolia Water, The Steel Trust, Lloyds Bank and The Henry Smith Charity.  It is not just the financial support that is important - it is also a great boost to know that people recognise and value all that we do to help those in need.

This year we helped over 650 clients.  Lives have been turned around by the teamwork of ASCEND.  A team made up of hundreds of people - some of them anonymous.  A team which includes all those who fund us, however much or little, the army of volunteers who give their time and talents freely, the Trustees and management who spend hours scratching their heads as they pour over mountains of figures and the people who hold us in their prayers.  But the most important members of the team are the gifted and committed staff members who day-in and day-out work alongside our clients with skill and compassion.  They deserve huge thanks for all that they do and especially to Christine Wyard, our Project Director, whose dedication and leadership are an inspiration to us all.  Times may be hard but the work goes on!

The Revd. Canon Pam Wise MBE. - Chair of Trustees