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AGM Review & Annual Reports 2008-2009
Published on September 16, 2009
If you were one of the 90 or so people who attended Jigsaw4u’s AGM, you might have thought you were in a ship. Because that’s exactly the feel the architects want you to experience when you visit Portcullis House, situated in Westminster, just across the road from Big Ben. It was there on September 10th 2009, that Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, hosted Jigsaw4u UK, and Jigsaw4u International’s joint AGM.
Annual General Meetings are often dry formal affairs, but the joint Jigsaw4u event was more of a celebration of lives changed by a unique charity, now working in three strategic areas in the UK, and also Internationally, in Sri Lanka, Nigeria and South Africa, providing an ever-expanding programme of support for children and young people who have suffered bereavement, loss, or experienced some kind of deep life-changing trauma.
Tom Brake welcomed the attendees and pointed out that in the event of a real fire alarm going off, hidden wooden panels would appear from nowhere and protect the audience from accidental or terrorist attack.
After that, Anne Davies began to tell the audience about J4u’s International work – there is no security system designed by man, or that Portcullis House could provide - which could prevent us from sharing Anne’s enthusiasm and commitment to the cause of Jigsaw4u.
Anne Davies, Jigsaw4u CEO, addressing attendees of the event.We learned of visits to a leprosy colony in Nigeria, where extended families are still living, even although the last sufferer is “great grandfather”. We learned also of the stigma of being a third generation child in these circumstances. How it affects education and employment prospects – even if you are completely free from or never had the disease, yourself. We learned, too that the disease is easily treatable, if treated early enough.
We heard of work done in Sri Lanka, following the tsunami, and how in a joint venture with Epiphany Trust, under the joint leadership of Bill Hampson and Anne Davies, had identified a need to respond to people who were still suffering the ongoing trauma of an internationally known disaster.
Then Anne Davies told us of the work in South Africa, how 3.4 million children there had lost either one or both of their parents, and outlined the need to establish registration of Jigsaw4u International in that country. £1000 is needed for that, and appeals have so far fallen far short of the target. By the end of the meeting the target had fallen from £1000, to about £750 – there is still a way to go.
Then it was International award time. 2009 saw the presentation of the Jigsaw4u International Award, in recognition of a young person who has made a difference to the lives of children and young people across the world go to Patrick O'Leary, who attended Jigsaw4u grief support, after the death of his father. In the last couple of years he has supported hundreds of children and young people who have also experienced similar grief, loss and trauma not only in the UK but the USA. He also spent 12 months in Malawi. The award was presented by Kathi Scott of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund UK.
From left to right: Tom Brake MP, Jo George, Anne Davies, Kathi Scott, Patrick O' Leary, Bill Hampson, and Eileen Lawlor
After a short but valuable time of refreshments and the opportunity to “network”, the meeting resumed to the business of Jigsaw4u UK.
Nick Skilton, Jigsaw4u Grief Support, East Grinstead, talking on the work being carried out in the South East of England.The relatively new office at East Grinstead was the focus of Jigsaw4u’s work in the South East of England. Carol Bason, Nickey Price, Nick Skilton each presented a detailed and informative view of what this new area office is already achieving.
Then Rachael, Kingsley and Karly gave the meeting an insight into the Young Inspectors Programme, where young people are able to experience a variety of services and report back, from their prospective, on what’s really going on.
The North West of England is a new area for Jigsaw4u and Helen Underwood gave a glimpse into a day in the life of a Jigsaw4u family support worker in schools.
Then it was serious award presentation time.
First the Debbie Lubelska Katz Award presented to a young person who has made a difference to other children and young people in the UK. The winner was, Jasmine Goffe who recognized the need for a drop-in for young people at Jigsaw4u SW London and applied for the funds required. The award was presented by Anna Lubelska.
Jasmine Goffe (centre) receiving the Debbie Lubelska Katz Award in recognition of her work for children and young people. The award was presented by Anna Lubelska (right) and Anne Davies.
Then came the Robert Seth Smith Award presented to a young person who has made a difference to other children and young people in the UK through the use of multi-media. The winner was, Michelle Mullarky, who attended Jigsaw4u grief support after the death of her father and went on to support tsunami survivors in a Jigsaw4u trip to Sri Lanka. She also edited Our Lives – a magazine produced by and for bereaved young people, and My Shout – a magazine by and for “looked after children and young people” in Sutton. She also became a Diana Award winner.
Christine Roe (left) presenting the Yvonne Giles Award to Eve Everett for her years of support as a buddy and advocate.The Social Entrepreneur Award is presented to a company or individual who has made a difference to the lives of children and young people in the UK, through fundraising. This year the winner was, Litho Techniques, in recognition of years of raising funds through Charity Balls, Dragon’s Den and the production of magazines etc. It was presented by Anne Davies – Jigsaw4u CEO.
The final award was, the Yvonne Giles Award, which is presented to a volunteer who has made a difference to other children and young people in the UK. The 2009 winner was, Eve Everett for years of support as a buddy and advocate. It was presented by, Christine Roe.
Then it was time for the formal AGM, when the Annual report and Accounts were presented to the meeting for approval. You can read it all on-line, just click on the following links:
- Jigsaw4u Annual Report 2008-2009
- Jigsaw4u Financial Report 2008-2009
- Jigsaw4u International Annual Report 2008-2009
- Jigsaw4u International Financial Report 2008-2009
A special thanks you to Richard Chapman for providing the photographs. For a full gallery of pictures from the day's event, please click here.
