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Bell Tower Annual Review 2022

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nnual<br />

<strong>Review</strong><br />

<strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> Drop-In<br />

<strong>2022</strong>


Project Manager<br />

INTRODUCTION<br />

The <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> has now been<br />

providing daily after school<br />

youth provision in the city<br />

centre for nine years!<br />

<strong>2022</strong> has been a year of relocating, and<br />

reopening our regular operations, after<br />

Covid restrictions were lifted. We have<br />

seen a record high attendance with<br />

over 130 new young people signing up<br />

to our membership across the year.<br />

It is a privilege to be in a position to<br />

respond to this demand, however, the<br />

negative impact of the pandemic on<br />

the lives of our local young people has<br />

been evident as issues relating to poor<br />

mental health, depression and anxiety<br />

are on the rise.<br />

This, combined with the emerging<br />

energy crisis, where many local<br />

families are having to choose between<br />

heating their home or feeding their<br />

children, means that life for our local<br />

young people is incredibly challenging<br />

and the needs of each individual we<br />

work with continue to grow. Be it<br />

emotional support, safeguarding,<br />

signposting, or simply somewhere<br />

warm to go after school before parents<br />

come home from work, we at The <strong>Bell</strong><br />

<strong>Tower</strong> remain committed to delivering<br />

dependable, relational and attentive<br />

youth work on a daily basis to any<br />

young person in need.<br />

Due to the increase in demand and<br />

growth of our sub projects, we have<br />

permanently relocated the Drop-In<br />

to One O Four in Chichester. Being<br />

here has allowed us to triple our floor<br />

space, with access to a kitchen and<br />

other facilities that can comfortably<br />

accommodate our activities. This has<br />

meant that the drop-in no longer opens<br />

at the Cathedral <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong>, which was<br />

a difficult decision to make, as the <strong>Bell</strong><br />

<strong>Tower</strong> has been such a fantastic home<br />

for the project for almost a decade.<br />

We remain in partnership with the<br />

Chichester Cathedral and are most<br />

grateful for their generous and vital<br />

support in recent years.<br />

This annual review tells our story<br />

through <strong>2022</strong> as well as highlighting<br />

future plans which we look forward to<br />

with anticipation. We are focused on<br />

the challenges ahead which, with our<br />

increased capacity in staff and floor<br />

space, we aim to meet head on. I hope<br />

you find it an encouraging read.<br />

Sam Harding


Ben’s<br />

STORYThe I started to attend the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> Drop In<br />

programme<br />

when I was in Year 8, at the beginning of the<br />

year. I was invited by my friends who had all<br />

been attending since they were in Year 7, so I<br />

thought I would attend with them to see what<br />

it was like.<br />

I didn’t have any other plans after the usual<br />

school day, other than heading straight home<br />

and being in my room. Other than a few<br />

friends, I didn’t know any other people that<br />

attended when I first turned up, but it was a<br />

really friendly and welcoming environment,<br />

so it didn’t take long for that to change. Most<br />

days at school were stressful back then and I<br />

used to look forward to going to the drop-in<br />

to get rid of the stress and tension by playing<br />

games on the computer or watching a film<br />

with the people there.<br />

People within the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> were different<br />

to almost all of the people at School, as it<br />

always felt like they had time to talk and cared<br />

about what you had to say, while offering<br />

relevant advice to whatever the issue was<br />

that you had. Back then, I would’ve attended<br />

<strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> everyday, as it was like a second<br />

home for me as well as many of the people<br />

who came, and you could tell it was making a<br />

difference in their lives<br />

I became a Young Leader, when I was in Year<br />

9. This involved assisting the staff team on<br />

two days out of the five that it was open,<br />

helping around the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> to make things<br />

run smoothly. The role came with trust and<br />

respect, which I had earned from the two<br />

years of prior attendance. It was great to feel<br />

like I wasn’t just attending the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong>, but<br />

making a difference in how things ran.<br />

also really helped me with<br />

my social skills, such as interacting with other<br />

students that I might not know, or just having<br />

the confidence to start a conversation and<br />

talk to them in the first place. All of which will<br />

definitely help when looking for a paying job<br />

as those skills are what employers are mainly<br />

looking for.<br />

Then COVID-19 hit. The pandemic meant<br />

isolation for everyone who attended <strong>Bell</strong><br />

<strong>Tower</strong>. It meant that many of us had lost our<br />

second home, and the space where we could<br />

talk about life and be ourselves. However,<br />

that didn’t stop us altogether. When lockdown<br />

happened, we operated shorter sessions over<br />

Google Meet or Zoom. This allowed people to<br />

talk and share with the others about how the<br />

isolation was affecting them and the good and<br />

bad of how their week was going.<br />

When the restrictions became more lenient,<br />

it allowed the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> to have small<br />

meet up groups in person where we would<br />

play football or frisbee, and talk. This was a<br />

refreshing change of pace, as everyone was<br />

used to being indoors and alone, and it clearly<br />

made a major difference to the lives of those<br />

who attended once again.<br />

I wouldn’t have changed anything from my<br />

experience at the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong>. I’m now in<br />

college and looking for my first job, which the<br />

staff are helping me with. I have learned many<br />

things during my time attending, including<br />

social skills, taking responsibility for myself<br />

and others and how to cook! When I turn 18<br />

I’m planning on coming back to volunteer.<br />

Ben has been attending the <strong>Bell</strong><br />

<strong>Tower</strong> for five years. We are thrilled<br />

that Ben has agreed to tell his story.


Life Group<br />

Catherine Harding<br />

I’ve been volunteering for the<br />

<strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> over the last five<br />

years and have loved seeing the<br />

difference that Life Group has<br />

made.<br />

Unlike the daily Drop-In sessions<br />

where anyone can come and go, Life<br />

Group creates a more intentional<br />

atmosphere of support and discussion<br />

where each young person has the<br />

opportunity to talk about their week<br />

and chat about the bigger things in life.<br />

Along side this we run theme focused<br />

group games and activities and cook<br />

and eat together, which helps the<br />

young people learn new skills.<br />

It has been said many times by the<br />

attendees that “Life Group has a real<br />

family vibe.” - which is something I love<br />

to hear. It’s all about creating space for<br />

each young person to share their feelings<br />

and be listened to in an atmosphere of<br />

mutual respect and support. It’s been a<br />

privilege to facilitate the space and watch<br />

this happen each week, even when young<br />

people share about some of their more<br />

difficult experiences in life.<br />

During one of the Drop-In sessions,<br />

while making gingerbread cookies with<br />

the young people, I overheard one of<br />

the girls saying to another student “you<br />

should come to Life Group! We eat<br />

together and talk about mental health”.<br />

It really made me smile, as although<br />

we’ve never directly said that it was<br />

about mental health, this sentence sums<br />

up Life Group perfectly!<br />

Everyone gets a chance to speak and<br />

to be listened to around the table and<br />

a beautiful culture has developed where<br />

the older young people have taken<br />

responsibility for the welbeing of the<br />

younger ones by getting along side<br />

them while cooking the meals as well<br />

as running the activities.<br />

The impact of having consistent<br />

relationships between young people and<br />

youth workers is so important. Being<br />

noticed and listened to by adults who<br />

show they care, helps to give confidence<br />

and make our young people feel valued.<br />

It’s not hard to listen to them either -<br />

there’s such joy and reward in being a<br />

volunteer here and I’m looking forward<br />

to seeing how Life Group continues to<br />

grown in depth and breadth in 2023!


Below are some testimonials<br />

from young people who have<br />

attended on a regular basis<br />

over the last year.<br />

Ben - Year 7<br />

<strong>2022</strong><br />

Natalia - Year 9<br />

<strong>2022</strong><br />

I like <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> because it provides<br />

young people with a warm, safe space<br />

to go after school to hang out with<br />

friends and talk about their feelings in<br />

a way they might not feel comfortable<br />

to do in school. When it’s cold you<br />

can come and warm up with free hot<br />

chooclate and snacks.<br />

<strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> has become my safe space<br />

and given me a place to go that’s<br />

warm after school, before my mum<br />

gets home.<br />

Louise - Year 9<br />

<strong>2022</strong><br />

Isla - Year 8<br />

<strong>2022</strong><br />

The <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> is so<br />

important to me, because<br />

there are always people<br />

here to talk to who listen to.<br />

It’s just a safe place where<br />

I know I’m always welcome.<br />

The <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> needs to stay!<br />

Before coming to <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> I spent<br />

all my time in my room and just felt<br />

depressed. When I first came in, I felt<br />

welcomed and safe. I was shy at first,<br />

but I quickly grew on the staff and<br />

people there. I’ve been coming for<br />

2 years now and I’m happy to say<br />

that I’m no longer depressed and<br />

a lot more happy :).<br />

Sam - Year 8<br />

<strong>2022</strong><br />

I come to <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> because it’s a really<br />

fun place to be. I used to be bored after<br />

school but since coming here, I’ve found<br />

a place to belong. I love helping to cook<br />

the food at Life Group most of all!<br />

Kacper - Year 10<br />

<strong>2022</strong><br />

I started coming to the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong><br />

after my sister left school. She came<br />

in year 7 and is now an adult! I’ve<br />

been coming for three years now,<br />

because of the sense of community<br />

and the kind people. It’s like another<br />

home for me and the people, like a<br />

separate family when I don’t want to<br />

go home for certain reasons. I feel<br />

safe and like I can really trust people.<br />

Candence - Year 9<br />

<strong>2022</strong> The <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong> is a fun, safe and supportive<br />

Before I started coming to <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong>, I wasn’t<br />

very happy and never really had anything<br />

to do. It’s made me a lot happier and I have<br />

made a load of new friends. I can say it has<br />

helped a lot with my mental health as I can<br />

just be myself and have made loads of new<br />

friends and I’d be so sad if it wasn’t here.<br />

Laciee - Year 8<br />

<strong>2022</strong><br />

place for anyone and everyone. The staff<br />

are really fun to be around and it’s more<br />

supportive than school. Life Group has<br />

helped me realise how important my<br />

friends are and helps me feel better about<br />

myself. I love coming to the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong>!


INTRODUCING<br />

Dan<br />

Thompson<br />

Dan is the newest addition to<br />

our staff team this year. Dan<br />

works as a sessional youth<br />

worker and helps to plan and<br />

deliver Drop-In sessions and<br />

Life Group. He has shared some<br />

of his experiences so far since<br />

joining us in September.<br />

“I started volunteering at the <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong><br />

last year, while studying music at the<br />

University of Chichester. During this<br />

time, I experienced a growing passion for<br />

youth work as I saw the positive impact<br />

my time spent with the young people was<br />

making. When the opportunity came up<br />

to work as a staff member, I was excited<br />

to join the team.<br />

My favourite sessions so far, have been at<br />

Life Group on a Wednesday evening, as<br />

it gives us an opportunity to intentionally<br />

connect with the young people in a deeper<br />

way than the busy drop-in environment<br />

allows. Chatting with them over good<br />

wholesome food while we address<br />

relevant topics that they have chosen is<br />

incredibly rewarding and you can see why<br />

it’s so popular!<br />

The high level of engagement in Life group<br />

demonstrates the need for safe spaces<br />

where young people feel like they can<br />

freely talk to peer and mentor figures<br />

about the real stuff of life. I especially<br />

like the fact that we have the rule of “No<br />

screens at Life Group.<br />

It’s been a real pleasure getting to know<br />

each young person and I have seen first<br />

hand the positive impact that consistent<br />

relationships built on trust and mutual<br />

respect can make in the life of an individual.<br />

As well as free hot chocolate and toast!<br />

Everything makes a positive difference in<br />

the lives and mental health of our young<br />

people. From the, games and activities<br />

available to the deeper conversations,<br />

as well as the funny banter, like hearing<br />

“HEY DAN” shouted as loud as possible<br />

as they come into the building, (to<br />

which my response must be at the<br />

same dynamic or louder). This shows<br />

me how at home they feel here. A real<br />

encouragement to me, as I know for<br />

many, home life isn’t as straightforward.<br />

I’m excited for what the next year brings<br />

and am looking forward to being a part of<br />

the story!”


IN <strong>2022</strong><br />

23<br />

volunteers on team<br />

33<br />

Life Group Sessions with<br />

community meals cooked and<br />

enjoyed together every week<br />

3062<br />

attendances<br />

across all sessions<br />

139<br />

new young people signing<br />

up to our membership<br />

1360<br />

hours of volunteering<br />

148<br />

sessions<br />

From<br />

226<br />

individual young people


Financials<br />

The <strong>Bell</strong> <strong>Tower</strong>’s annual<br />

budget is £84,400.<br />

We receive the majority<br />

of our funding from<br />

local and national<br />

grant makers as well as<br />

receiving donations from<br />

individuals who believe in<br />

our work. Here is a simple<br />

breakdown of our costs.<br />

£84,400<br />

Staffing £40,500<br />

Partnerships and outsourcing £16,000<br />

Centre maintenance and utilities £10,200<br />

Volunteers and training £5,850<br />

Sub Projects £5,650<br />

New equipment £5,000<br />

In session expenses £1,200<br />

We’d like to thank all our generous funders for<br />

supporting our work over the last year.


Donate<br />

If you would like to partner with us financially,<br />

you can donate in a number of ways.<br />

Online<br />

Scan the above<br />

QR code to go to our<br />

Just Giving page.<br />

Bank transfer<br />

To:<br />

CAF Bank,<br />

Chichester City<br />

Centre Drop-In,<br />

40-52-40<br />

00025627<br />

Cheque<br />

Post to:<br />

Chichester City<br />

Centre Drop-In,<br />

104 The Hornet,<br />

Chichester,<br />

West Sussex<br />

PO19 7JR


Home<br />

way from<br />

ome”<br />

Chichester City Centre Drop-In<br />

Registered office 104 The Hornet<br />

Chichester<br />

West Sussex<br />

PO19 7JR<br />

Charity Registration Number 1154818

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