Chief Executive Officer Statement

As a charity that has been on an extraordinary journey of transformation, one of our strengths is that young people themselves are partners in the work we do, and this year more than ever, their voices have been prominent and powerful. They are true experts and, guided and enabled by our teams, they have been supported to have clear influence.

The pandemic may feel like the distant past, yet the ramifications of mental health issues, increasing inequality, and the ongoing cost-of-living crises continue. The numbers not in education or employment have risen by 100,000 in recent months, at the time of writing. More than one in four children in the UK are living in poverty, and mental health problems among the young have doubled in a decade.

We want to show them their voices can be heard. Young people have been present in many aspects of our work this year. They challenge us with their own perceptions and enlighten us with their own experiences, expanding our strength as an organisation. Our young Trustee regularly educates us with their humility around what they don’t know and their insights about what they do.

We continue to be on a transformational journey as a charity, finding ways to involve others and increase our influence. Our goals for change have been internal, too. We are working hard to build the right culture, environment, and capabilities this work needs. We are making slow but steady progress in our work to diversify all levels of the charity. We have made transformational change in the racial and gender diversity of our Board and in the racial make up of our leadership team.

As Tokko celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, it was a chance to take stock of the impact we’ve had on young people over the last decade and share our many successes, and as we embarked on our refurbishment project at the beginning of 2024, we looked to the future by publishing our new 3-year strategy, which sets out how we’ll take forward our mission.

A grant of £1.3 million from the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund paid for a refurbishment of the youth centre. The new space will benefit both young people and the local community and means we will be able to support more young people. Tokko Youth Hub has been transformed into a vibrant new space for young people, giving them new opportunities to enhance their wellbeing, have fun, and grow their self-confidence. The new Gym facility will support implementation of programmes designed to help disadvantaged young people develop personal strategies for change through fitness. The programme will emphasize breaking down large goals into smaller, achievable steps, demonstrated through progressive physical activity

Information, Advice and Guidance:

Over 100 young people benefitted from regular 1-1 sessions delivered via Open Access Drop in sessions.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Services: Counselling

We learnt how much of a difference we made to the lives of young people and their families when the pandemic struck. We have learnt that a combination of different methods of support to deliver counselling provides the best opportunity for young people to access our services- enabling Tokko Youth Hub to deliver 1524 sessions this year.

Detached and Outreach Work:

In partnership with Luton Borough Council Youth Partnership Service we have engaged 612 young people in areas of high deprivation during term time and periods of school holidays.

There has been an increase in anti social behaviour in the town centre and an escalation in youth violence across the locality. In response, we have been keen to broaden our reach of our activities to a greater number and range of young people.

We have appointed a Youth participation Officer, allowing our partnership with the Youth Partnership Service and Barnfield College to develop.

Young People’s Participation and Social Action Projects:

The Interact Project have influenced the work and direction of the Charity, with Staff taking a lead from the thinking and experience of the Young People. This included the focus on the experience of being part of the LGBTQ+ Community, and Social Action Projects which have included work to empower Young Women affected by domestic abuse and sexual assault, and Healthy Relationship Workshops.

Our Vision is for all young people in Luton to aspire, be happy and healthy.

The aim of the Charity is to preserve and provide for the Physical and Mental Health of Young People aged 11-25 years by providing advice, information and support, without distinction of sex, sexuality, disability, race or political, religious or other opinions.

Our Vision

To see all young people in Luton aspire, be happy and healthy.

Our Mission

We engage, encourage, and empower Luton’s young people to aspire, be happy and healthy, through an open access, universal and targeted offer.

Our Values

Supportive: We provide a nurturing environment where every young person feels valued.

Welcoming: Our doors are open to all, embracing diversity and inclusivity.

Inclusive: We believe in equal opportunities, ensuring no one is left behind.

Progressive: Continuously innovating to meet the evolving needs of our community.

Trustworthy: Building relationships based on integrity, transparency, and mutual respect.

Our Ongoing Priorities

The following priority areas were identified during our Tokko Strategic Review Meetings held throughout 2023/24, influenced and informed by Young People, Staff and Trustees. Tokko continues to focus on maintaining its Core Services whilst adapting and responding to the needs of beneficiaries. The Charity will work with Young People to identify and create new Services, developing a clear list of projects ready for potential funding applications. We will continue to develop new Outreach opportunities with schools and neighbourhood communities whilst maintaining and developing relationships with funders and local businesses.

Mental health and Wellbeing Services:

Our Mental Health & Wellbeing Counselling Service continues to offer Young People a choice of online and face-to face support, notably after the end of the Pandemic increasingly Young People preferred to opt for face-to-face support. Tokko continues to offer a counselling modalities 4 days a week including every Saturday, weekday afternoons and evenings.

During the year, the Counselling Service supported 254 individual Young People and delivered 1524 sessions.

Top presenting issues

Anxiety (50%) Anger (16%) and Low mood (4%) remain the top presenting issues followed by Abuse (4%) and Depression (3%). Often these issues are presented with a range of underlying problems including, but not surprisingly anxiety, anger, dealing with change, family issues, attachment issues.

Detached and Outreach Work:

The Detached Team were out on the streets four evenings per week in all weathers, covering the most deprived areas in Luton. During the school summer holidays the Youth Participation Officer was part of the Local Authority programme that offered Young People a variety of diversionary activities as an alternative to Young People being drawn into risk taking activities during their school holidays.

For further examples of our planning, managing and assessment processes,

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