Our ImpactThe Young Lives Foundation

#makingadifference

Coping with Covid-19

We are extremely proud ofthe professional and positive

way in which you have allresponded to this crisis. Thanksto your innovation and integritymost of our core operations are

up and running remotely andwe are continuing to providesupport to our beneficiaries,

many of whom will need us nowmore than ever. Thank you for

all that you are continuingto do.

Les Hutchinson, on behalf of the YLFBoard of Trustees

a message fromStephen Gray, CEO

This would not have beenpossible without the support ofso many people who have giventheir time, emergency funding,donations, gifts, advice,guidance and energy. We do notunderestimate how fortunate weare to have this support and weare humbled and grateful for it.

On behalf of all those we workwith and support, thank you...

It has been a really challengingtime across the world. Theimpact of the pandemic onpeople’s lives is clear to see andthere is still so much uncertaintyaround the long term impact.

But in the midst of thesedifficulties, I have been blownaway by the support, passionand innovation that has beenshown by so many peopletowards the Young LivesFoundation and I want tosincerely thank each and everyperson for their invaluablesupport at this time. I am soproud that we have been able tomaintain key services forvulnerable people, sustainsupport for children and familieswho needed us, mobilise andrespond to immediate needs forthose who were impacted themost, adapt to a new way ofworking and adopt newfundraising campaigns toenable us to sustain our work.

YLF has been there for peopleduring the most difficultcircumstances and we willcontinue to be there as wereturn to a new way of life forthe remainder of this yearand beyond.

"Thank you for beingpart of the YLFFamily"

To Our YLF Family

£92,50070+

450

100%

95%

360+

our AppropriateAdult response rate- one of the highest

performing AAservices in the

Country!

families inKent

supported withcare hampers

young peoplereceivedadvocacy

support

fundraisedby our COVID

campaigns

we receivedpositive

feedbackabout ourservices

attendances atour virtual

groups,challenges or

tutorials

during the pandemic...

A huge thank you must go to the wonderful Appropriate Adult (AA) team of staff andvolunteers, who have worked tirelessly as keyworkers throughout the pandemic.

Each AA has put themselves on the front line in order to support the most vulnerableadults and young people whilst they are in custody, ensuring their rights are met andprocesses understood. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the team they havealready attended over 674 callouts during lockdown - which works out at around 7 a day!

With a 95% response rate to callouts for an AA to attend custody, YLF has been one ofthe highest performing AA Services across the country during the UK lockdown.

The AA team have done amazingly well in the most unexpected and difficultcircumstances to keep this service going. The role can be tough and time consuming butthe commitment to Kent Police and the charity has not gone unnoticed.

#appropriateadults

"This is a phenomenal achievement, that I know has not come without hard work bymany – not just volunteers but you and your colleagues.

The provision of Appropriate Adults is essential to the delivery of a first classservice to the people of Kent, both in terms of victims and witnesses but also interms of vulnerable people who find themselves suspected of criminal offences.

I know there have been challenges along the way, but we should all be proud thatwe have worked together so closely to overcome them and have continuedproviding AAs throughout this pandemic. Thank you all"

Chief Inspector Finnis, Kent Police

achievements andhighlights

LEGENDS PROGRAMMELAUNCH

Our positive activities programme officiallyrelaunched as LEGENDS! It offers a variety ofeducational and fun activities to enhance thedevelopment and well-being of our youngpeople. Aiming to build confidence, resilienceand skills all whilst in a safe and inclusiveenvironment.

We managed to safely deliver over 400Easter treats during the Easter period,ensuring all young people didn't miss out onthe delights of chocolate even during apandemic!

EASTER EGG-TRAVAGANZA

CELEBRATINGVOLUNTEERS' WEEK

STILL RECRUITINGVOLUNTEERS!

Although we virtually celebrated Volunteers'Week this year, we didn't want it to gounnoticed that we appreciate each and everyone of them. From video calls to thank youcards, our volunteers remain at the forefront ofour minds. Watch the video we made for themon our YouTube channel. We couldn't be YLFwithout our dedicated team of volunteers!

The pandemic seems to have resulted inmore individuals coming forward tovolunteer for the charity which is great news.We recruited over 40 volunteer mentors,befrienders and AA's between April and June!Virtual training and paperwork is beingcompleted and we look forward towelcoming our new recruits!

TEAM ADAPTED TOCHANGE

The YLF team had to adapt very quickly atthe start of lockdown, demonstrating theycould still deliver even whilst at home. Eachstaff member coped with personalchallenges whilst still working as a team tooperate our services as best as we could. Wewelcomed new technologies and flexiblearrangements to ensure we could supportour young people, volunteers and each other.

COVID CARE PACKAGESFOR FAMILIES

Thanks to our successful and ongoingCOVID-19 Fundraising Campaign, we havebeen able to deliver over 200 food parcels,care packages, and entertainment boxes toyoung people in need, families struggling tocope and care leavers who are feelingisolated and experiencing mental healthissues. We cannot thank you all enough!

SUPERSTAR AAKEYWORKERS

Our volunteers and staff still dedicatinghours of time during the pandemic asAppropriate Adults in custody suites acrossKent have been hailed as ‘Superstars’ byKent Police and Crime Commissioner,Matthew Scott. They have attended morethan 7 callouts a day since April!

ADVOCATING FORYOUNG PEOPLE

We were aware that quarantine and socialdistancing measures could have a hugeimpact on our young people and therelationships they have with carers andfamily. Our advocates were there by phoneand video call and regardless of thelockdown they have managed to help over70 young people since April across Kent!

We launched our new Legacy GivingPackage offering 50 free Wills as part of thelaunch. The collaboration with The GoodwillPartnership offers YLF supporters a solicitorwritten Will from the comfort of their ownhome. The offer is to encourage legacygiving to support our charity in years tocome. More information on the YLF website.

When it was safe to meet up again withsocial distancing measures in place, ourvolunteer mentors and befrienders didn'thesitate to support their young people withone-to-one visits. We were also proud tocelebrate an 8-year-long befriendingarrangement still going strong, providingconsistency, reliability and stability in ayoung person's life. Amazing!

We introduced virtual groups in place of ourusual youth groups, giving a platform foryoung people to join together play games,chat and enjoy each other’s company online.With opportunities to achieve Arts Awardsand learn new skills, we shared in challenges,and distributed activity packs and tutorialvideos to keep us connected.

We are incredibly grateful to all our funders,supporters and donors who have givenmoney, gifts and time to support the charityduring the pandemic. Unfortunately ourevents were cancelled but we have stillmanaged to raise over £50,000 since April tosupport our young people in this uncertaintime. Thank you so much!

LEGACIES FOR YEARSTO COME

SOCIALLY DISTANCEDWALKS AND TALKS

VIRTUAL GROUPS,ACTIVITIES AND AWARDS

GRANTS, GIFTS ANDFUNDRAISING

Over lockdown we became increasingly aware that some young people, care leavers andfamilies were starting to feel not only the financial effects of the pandemic but also themental effects of being isolated. Some have no access to WiFi, TV or even garden spaceto help pass the time. Many of our young people had been experiencing heightenedanxiety and isolation from places and people they may feel are their ‘safe space’,especially when schools closed, our regular youth groups were suspended and our face-to-face sessions stopped.

We needed to continue providing a service and source of support for these young peopleto protect their mental health, well-being and risk of further isolation. So we begun ourpublic campaign to help provide our young people with online weekly ‘checking in’support in groups or one-to-one, virtual youth group activities and tutorials and forhampers of food and entertainment resources.

In 3 months, we raised over £3,000 from the campaign and responded immediately bysourcing puzzles, games, challenges and essential items for care packages. Volunteersand staff safely delivered these and the uptake was very well received by the most needyfamilies and individuals.

A big thank you to all who have contributed to the care packages, and to all who havedonated to our campaign so far which remains open.

#covid19campaign

"The distraction packs have been very well received. On behalf of KentCorporate Parents, a massive thank you to all the staff and volunteers at YLFfor your support to our children and young people at this difficult time."

Kent County Council

In April, YLF launched its COVID Crisis Campaign. As a charityserving the community, YLF continued to deliver its servicesas widely as it could to ensure it could support the childrenand families that still needed them.

Thank you so much toyou and your team for

our food parcel and funbits. We sat and cried fora while but then played

games together. It reallymeant a lot to us and I

can’t thank you enough.

Medway family,supported by YLF'sCOVID campaign

"Liam just rang me to say thathe has received his box ofgoodies and was absolutelydelighted!! He asked me topass on his thanks to you."

YLF Independent Visitor

families and young peoplefeedback from supporters,

"I've done a second round offood parcels and they're beingwell-received. It's been a niceway of staying in touch withthose more isolated youngpeople - while helping out intheir tricky circumstances. Alsothe virtual group gaming isgoing well and the youngpeople are really engagingwith it. It's been helping themthrough some of the stressand anxiety of current events."

YLF Mentor

"YLF are brilliant, my mentor isamazing and I just can’t faultthem."

Kacie, YLF Young Person

"You and your teamhave done a magnificent job insupporting us during thispandemic and the simple factof the matter is our custodysuites cannot functionproperly without the supportof our partners such as you."

Kent Police"Me and my independentvisitor had our visit overFaceTime today. Love how YLFare adapting to thesecircumstances and stillcontinuing to support us evenwhen under quarantine!"

Danielle, YLF Young Person

"You all are the best.Whenever I need support youare always there. I've beenwith you for long time now butyou have not given up on me,thank you."

Liam, YLF Young Person

"I just wanted to take thisopportunity to praise andthank one of your fantasticvolunteers for his support. Wewere engaged in an extremelycomplex and seriousinvestigation which as weknow, takes a great deal oftime and energy of allinvolved. The volunteerremained on hand throughoutthe whole process. Hesupported the person incustody with patience andensured he understood theactions we were taking – morepertinent given the mentalhealth related difficulties thatthe person was suffering atthe time. He remained calmdespite the possible riskpresented by the person andperformed his role veryprofessionally. I believe heexceeded in his role and justwanted to make you awarethat we appreciate his help."

Detective Sergeant, Kent Police

"It is fabulous that YLF arebeing so creative in thecurrent crisis to continue toprovide vital support to thoseyoung people in need. Bereassured that we aredelighted that you are able tocontinue to provide supportvirtually and so pleased that itseems to be going down reallywell with your beneficiaries."

YLF Grant Funder

"It's amazing the lengths youguys will go to to make youngpeople feel part of the YLFfamily. Your online groupshave been brilliant."

Izzy, Foster Carer

"I just wanted to feed back toyou that M is very positiveabout your support and thatit’s clear you’ve built arelationship with him and hetrusts you. Not easy to do inthis remote climate."

Team Leader, Kent Children'sSocial Services

"I want to personally saythank you for offering yourtime to help Young People inKent and give them somestability in what can only bedescribed as the most unusualperiod that most of us willface. For most young peoplethis pandemic has been hard;for those without a stablefamily, I cannot begin toimagine how impossible theselast months have been.Because of your dedication toyoung people andcommitment, YLF are able tocontinue supporting Kentchildren through the pandemicand beyond. Having someoneto talk to can make the worldof difference in that youngpersons life. Thank you forbeing you."

Hazel South, KCC Commissioner

Thank you so much!Even though it was

just a phone call, yousupported me andreally listened. It isreally appreciated.

Yemi, Young Person receivingYLF Advocacy support

emergency supportYLF would like to thank thefollowing grant makers,supporters, donors, businessesand organisations for theiradditional emergency giftsduring the crisis. We would alsolike to highlight our gratitudeto all individual donors whohave given towards ourcoronavirus campaign.Thank you!

resourcesPlease visit our YouTube Channel and social mediachannels for regular updates, news and videos.

Also check our website and latest news pages for furtherinformation about our work and impact - don't forget toalso sign up to our newsletter. Thank you.

Please note that all information and activity reported in this report is correct asof August 2020 and in line with current government procedures and guidance.YLF continue to follow safe working practices and follow social distancingmeasures. Please note that some photos featured may have been taken priorto the crisis. Thank you.

www.ylf.org.ukwww.ylf.org.uk/newswww.ylf.org.uk/coronaviruscrisis

www.facebook.com/ylf.org.ukwww.twitter.com/ylfcharitywww.instagram.com/ylfcharitywww.youtube.com/channel/UCsEKgNGGaLEko7TMZp7gfsw

The Young Lives Foundation71 College Road, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6SX01622 693459 enquiries@ylf.org.uk

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Produced and copyrighted by the Young Lives FoundationPublished August 2020