Overall Score: 12 based on 20 data points
Finance: 2
Governance: -3
Support: 13
Poor Liquidity: -1, Fundraising costs low: +3,
No conflicts policy: -1, Narrow trustee age band: -2, Static board: -3, Gender balanced board: +3,
Supporters: +13

THE AMBER FOUNDATION 

Overview

The Amber Foundation helps a key demographic of disadvantaged and/or homeless young people transform their lives by using residential centres to move them on to stable accommodation, further education and employment. The impact of these centres help to reverse a negative cycle and have proven effective in research analysis complete by the Ministry of Justice and other independent studies.

Their centres support services have been stabilised by funding from diverse sources, a major funding stream being their high-profile biannual event called Amber Rocks that benefits from patron Eddie Jordan's support. Funding pledges assisted by this event will help in their plans to expand to a fourth residential centre in the coming years.

Source: Giving is Great

Mission:

Providing residential facilities and training to help unemployed and/or homeless young people back into jobs
Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

  • This charity is endorsed by a respected charity impact evaluator
  • There have been no material income shortfalls in recent years
  • Fundraising costs are low relative to funds raised
  • A significant proportion of recent income was derived from major grant makers including the Government and a Community Foundation
  • The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of gender

Regulatory & Governance issues to consider:

  • This charity does not have a Conflict of Interests policy
  • The Board composition appears to be rather static and has little diversity in terms of age

Financial issues to consider:

  • Liquidity appears to have been slender at the latest year end

How you can help

Established: 28 years

www.amberweb.org

info@amberweb.org

01769581011

Charity Commission for England and WalesCompanies HouseTwitterFacebookInstagramYouTube
UN SDGs
?

Financial Data ?

Income & Spending ?
Sources of Income ?
Y/E Income
£k
Spending
£k
Surplus/
Deficit
Fundraising
Cost £k
Total
Funds £k
Unrestricted
Funds £k
Mths
Rsrvs
Staff Volun-
teers
30/04/22£4,201£2,647£1,554£333£5,233£1480.7588
30/04/21£2,333£2,350£-17£174£3,680£2581.3656
30/04/20£2,529£2,322£207£168£3,697£3,07615.96612
30/04/19£2,373£2,400£-27£277£3,490£2,99815638
30/04/18£2,258£2,245£13£113£3,517£3,03216.2623
30/04/17£2,277£2,220£57£266£3,504£6753.6590
30/04/16£2,160£2,018£143£86£3,446£2,88617.2620
30/04/15£2,148£2,147£0£231£3,221£2,93516.4570
30/04/14£2,015£2,079£-64£120£3,220£2,86516.5420
30/04/13£3,153£2,085£1,068£191£3,284£3442420
30/04/12£1,909£1,980£-71£169£2,169£3572.2420
30/04/11£3,536£2,088£1,447£189£2,240£4202.4440
30/04/10£1,771£1,807£-37£143£792£2161.4550
30/04/09£1,622£1,538£84£171£829£480.4420
30/04/08£1,513£1,481£32£206£793£2131.7300
30/04/07£1,661£1,512£149£294£713£1140.9320
30/04/06£1,406£1,367£39n/an/an/an/an/a0
30/04/05£1,729£1,930£-201n/an/an/an/an/a0
30/04/04£1,864£1,767£97n/an/an/an/an/a0

Financial Ratios
Fundraising Costs/Relevant Income: 8.6%
Fundraising Costs/Total Spending: 12.6%
Senior Staff Costs/Total Spending: 4%
Liabilities/Assets: 4%
Liabilities/Income: 5%
Unrestricted Funds/Total Funds: 63%
Reserves/Spending: 0.66911081877332 months
Net Current Assets/Spending: 2 months
Quick Ratio: 2.4
Asset Split ?
Comment: Last year, 45% of their income came from charitable activities and a large proportion of this was from housing benefits young people are entitled to. The remaining 55% came from fundraising, which was raised across several fundraising streams. Funds received via grant giving trusts and foundations, companies and organisations can range in use from significant donations towards core costs to specific project costs like funding a bed space, supporting the cost a team leader or helping maintain centres. An example would be receiving significant support from LandAid to help maintain and refurbish their Farm Place centre.

The charity decided to invest in IT systems for young people during the height of the pandemic, which was not in their initial budget so they will show a resultant deficit this year. They plan to balance the budget by the at the end of the 2021 financial year, which will be achieved through a combination of programme cost savings and enhanced fundraising efforts.

Source: Giving is Great

What it does
  • Accommodation/Housing
  • Education/Training
  • The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty
Amber provides relief of young persons, particularly those who are unemployed and/or homeless, by providing opportunities and facilities for training and experience of all kinds to enable such persons to decide upon, qualify for or obtain a job, career or position.
Who works here?
  • 58 employees
  • 8 volunteers
Who it helps
  • Children/Young People
  • Other Defined Groups
How it operates
  • Provides buildings/facilities/open space
  • Provides services
Where it operates
  • Devon, Kent, Surrey, Wiltshire,

Who's supporting them? ?

Endorsed by:
  • Giving Evidence
Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following significant donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Major supporters in last 5 years:
CHK Foundation£200,000
Community Foundation for Surrey£125,963
The Dulverton Trust£100,000
The Henry Smith Charity £92,100
The National Lottery Community Fund£86,332
The Leathersellers' Company Charitable Fund£86,000
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government£80,520
DCMS£68,830

Specific Donations

Amount When
Months
To be used for
Herefordshire Community Foundation
£3,513 23/05/2023
Grant to The Amber Foundation
Wates Foundation
£13,688 17/05/2023
We are seeking funding for a bed space at Amber's Farm Place centre in Ockley, Surrey that will give the opportunity for at least two young people from Surrey to transform their lives. Amber's goal ....more
Community Foundation for Surrey
£7,000 13/03/2023
Funding towards employment readiness training for young people who have experienced homeless and/or addiction.
Devon Community Foundation
£3,250 23/01/2023
providing art therapy opportunities for people with mental health issues in North Devon, helping to increase confidence and reduce social isolation
Community Foundation for Surrey
£8,378 23/01/2023
Funding for intensive work to support two disadvantaged and otherwise homeless young people gain their independence and become self supporting.
Devon Community Foundation
£5,000 12/12/2022
setting up costs of a new School Pastor initiative at Tiverton High School, helping school staff to create a safe school environment and encouraging and nurturing positive behaviours amongst pupils
Wiltshire Community Foundation
£3,500 14/11/2022
Grant to The Amber Foundation
Prudence Trust
£50,000 29/09/2022
Team Leader at Downsview (Kent Centre)
CHK Foundation
£50,000 07/09/2022
towards current year running costs
Community Foundation for Surrey
£2,500 15/07/2022
Funding towards the essential running costs of a charity that offers homeless young people accommodation and the opportunity to get into employment.
The Leathersellers' Company Charitable Fund
£6,000 06/05/2022
Jubilee Grant Restricted Project Funding
Wiltshire Community Foundation
£15,000 06/04/2022
Amber supports young homeless and unemployed people providing them with a temporary home and a programme of support. Funding will help with staff costs at their centre in Trowbridge
The National Lottery Community Fund
£8,500 01/04/2022
This project will celebrate the Jubilee at Ashley Court which is the group's supported housing centre for young people in Devon. The young people living there have all experienced complex challenges ....more
Community Foundation for Surrey
£7,840 01/04/2022
Funding towards a celebration of the Queen's Jubilee by producing a glass wall tile.
The National Lottery Community Fund
£77,832 25/02/2022
36
The funding will support vulnerable and disadvantaged young people aged 16-30 years old to transform their lives by helping them move out of homelessness and unemployment. The project will target ....more
The Henry Smith Charity
£92,100 02/11/2021
36
towards three years' salary of a Team Leader at an organisation providing supported accommodation for homeless young people in Surrey.
Co-operative Group
£1,597 23/10/2021
We would like to buy four new computers to support our young people with Amber's health and wellbeing workshops.
Community Foundation for Surrey
£7,484 13/10/2021
11
Funding toward training courses for young homeless people, by a charity based in Mole Valley.
Wiltshire Community Foundation
£1,322 06/09/2021
Grant to The Amber Foundation
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
£4,000 29/04/2021
0.1% as running costs for charity providing temporary housing and a programme of support for young homeless people in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.
Devon Community Foundation
£5,400 11/02/2021
6
Grant to The Amber Foundation
The Dulverton Trust
£70,000 10/02/2021
Core funding
The EQ Foundation
£15,000 05/02/2021
Matched via Big Give Xmas Challenge 2020
Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust
£1,000 03/02/2021
Core Funding
Community Foundation for Surrey
£7,000 22/01/2021
Funding for a Team Leader post at the Surrey centre of a charity supporting homeless young people.
Charles Hayward Foundation
£24,000 27/11/2020
Two bed spaces with support for 4 ex-offenders in Farm Place, Surrey
Cheshire Community Foundation
£5,000 04/11/2020
The Amber Foundation houses and supports troubled young people empowering them to leave their pasts behind them and move on to bright independent futures. This project, an integral part of our ....more
CHK Foundation
£75,000 09/09/2020
to support specified work
Community Foundation for Surrey
£20,132 28/07/2020
5
Funding to provide support for 4 disadvantaged, homeless young people following the Coronavirus pandemic
DCMS
£4,912 08/07/2020
NET, Comic Relief and Children in Need will use this funding to provide: increased support to vulnerable people and hidden groups, thus reducing the burden on public services; reach local grassroots ....more
Wiltshire Community Foundation
£4,912 07/07/2020
To provide wellbeing courses for young people, and purchase computers and gym equipment.
Devon Community Foundation
£4,775 01/07/2020
1
Grant to The Amber Foundation
DCMS
£63,918 30/06/2020
"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to ....more
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
£80,520 07/05/2020
Organisations supporting homelessness
Wiltshire Community Foundation
£5,000 06/05/2020
The Amber Foundation provide temporary accommodation, support and life skills training for homeless people. The grant requested is to support the costs of a Team Leader post based in Trowbridge. ....more
The Blagrave Trust
£10,000 30/04/2020
Support for young people with housing and jobs
The Leathersellers' Company Charitable Fund
£20,000 17/04/2020
12
Emergency Covid Additional Grant unrestricted core costs
Wates Foundation
£10,000 16/04/2020
Towards the salary of a Team Leader role at Farm Place.
Devon Community Foundation
£3,991 07/04/2020
1
Grant to The Amber Foundation
Wiltshire Community Foundation
£2,386 01/04/2020
To provide cleaning and protective equipment to increase safe living in their hostel for homeless and unemployed young people in Trowbridge
Community Foundation for Surrey
£4,000 26/03/2020
Funding towards the essential running costs of an organisation that helps homeless young people gain employment and accommodation based in Surrey.
Community Foundation for Surrey
£10,000 07/02/2020
9
Transforming a Young Woman's Life
Community Foundation for Surrey
£29,648 07/02/2020
12
Funding for a Team Leader post at the Surrey centre of a charity supporting homeless young people.
The Leathersellers' Company Charitable Fund
£60,000 04/12/2019
48
Main Grant unrestricted core costs
CHK Foundation
£75,000 04/12/2019
to support specified work
Devon Community Foundation
£4,500 31/10/2019
11
core cost contribution for the costs of a development programme Team Leader, supporting former young homeless people to move forward positively and independently
The Dulverton Trust
£30,000 23/10/2019
Team Leaders
Community Foundation for Surrey
£15,000 07/10/2019
11
Funding for a programme of activities that provide the emotional and practical support for homeless and disadvantaged young people in Surrey.
The Clothworkers Foundation
£21,500 16/07/2019
refurbishment of residential home for a charity which works with homeless young people in Devon
Youth Music
£27,816 08/03/2019
The Amber Music Project - Reaching Out
Community Foundation for Surrey
£6,981 22/01/2019
11
Essential training for young people in crisis.
The Blagrave Trust
£90,000 20/11/2018
Supported housing and preparation for employment
Community Foundation for Surrey
£26,500 01/10/2018
11
Support for salary costs for one of three Team Leaders at Farm Place, in Surrey.
LandAid Charitable Trust
£72,257 25/06/2018
3
Grant towards renovating a purposefully located building in a semi-rural location, giving homeless young people the space they need to rebuild their lives. The building has a warmth and a character ....more
Community Foundation for Surrey
£2,646 11/12/2017
15
Support for salary costs for a team leader
Youth Music
£25,953 17/03/2017
AMP - Amber Music Project
Community Foundation for Surrey
£14,000 15/03/2017
15
Support for salary costs for a team leader
The National Lottery Community Fund
£9,974 15/03/2017
12
Outdoor gym equipment, including an air skier, leg press, exercise bike, hip twister and cross trainer, will be installed at a residential centre for homeless people. This will improve the physical ....more
Community Foundation for Surrey
£10,000 08/09/2016
11
Support for salary costs for a team leader
The Dulverton Trust
£90,000 21/10/2015
the core costs of the Team Leaders
The Tudor Trust
£50,000 20/08/2015
24
over two years as continuation funding towards the core costs of this organisation which supports vulnerable young people in the South of England
The Henry Smith Charity
£77,200 14/03/2013
36
towards three years' salary of a Team Leader at a residential programme for disadvantaged young people in the south-west of England
Show more rows

Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How do they operate?

Amber Foundation Support Centres

Objectives: To provide young persons with the opportunity to attend college courses, to seek independent accommodation of their own and/or to achieve a major goal by providing facilities for training and experiences that enable them to decide upon, qualify or obtain any job, career or position

Intervention period: The average stay is 6 to 12 months but there is no fixed limit

Beneficiaries: Young people from disadvantaged background/unemployed

Description: Amber’s three residential centres, in Surrey, Devon & Wiltshire, are well established, helping up to 92 young people (Amberteers) at any one time to achieve their respective goals. Based around a core weekly timetable, staff deliver a programme of training and activities that includes life skills such as cooking, cleaning, tenancy and financial management, team working, peer support, core educational skills and practical qualifications, creative projects involving art, crafts, music, film and drama, community engagement and volunteering at home and abroad, work experience, CV writing and mock interviews as well as move on support.

How effective are they?
Main mission: Providing residential facilities and training to help unemployed and/or homeless young people back into jobs
Outputs
Outcomes
Y/EYoung people who moved on from residential centre (who engaged significantly)Young people who moved on from residential centres to a positive outcomeYoung people who moved on to employmentYoung people who moved on to college
30/04/20201611143811
Notes: The Amber Foundation's impact is measured on a ‘success’ criteria of those that engage with the charity for more than 4 weeks so they discount those that leave within the initial 4 week period. This standard practice at each residential centre means new starters and leavers figures will be significantly higher than those who are classed as engaging significantly with the programme before leaving centres e.g. in 2019 only 161 of the 221 new starters and 211 leavers stayed with the programme more than 4 weeks.

Commentary: Data was submitted to the Ministry of Justice DataLab for comparative study of young people that benefited from the Amber Foundation's programme to a similar group of young people with no intervention. Results show Amber reduced re-offending in the first year by 48%, which compares strongly to the over 200 organisations they matched against.

Following the Ministry of Justice DataLab results, they commissioned an independent social return on investment study which found for every £1 invested, Amber generates £12.24 in social value over 3 years. This is through a mix of economic benefits, human capital gains, avoided Exchequer costs, as well as health and wellbeing improvements among programme participants.
See what you could achieve with a donation of: £
Documents
Amber Foundation Update_Feb 2021 Newsletter Download Document
Amber Foundation Impact Report 2018-19 Impact report Download Document
Amber Foundation Annual Report 2018-19 Programme Report Download Document
Amber Foundation Annual Report 2017-18 Programme Report Download Document
Amber Foundation Annual Report 2016-17 Programme Report Download Document
Amber Foundation Impact Report 2017-18 Impact report Download Document
Show more rows

Who works here?

  • PAUL ROSAM
    CEO
    Appointed: May 2015
Paul was previously senior manager and consultant in the social care sector for over 25 years, working with both regional and national organisations in both the private and charitable sectors. He has experience of managing diverse services for a wide range of marginalised groups, including people with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties and the homeless. He has a real passion for creating transformational spaces in which ....more
  • SARAH JOHNSON
    Operations Manager
    Appointed: January 2016
Sarah is responsible for overseeing the quality, improvement and development of service provision across three residential centres. She is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, formerly specialising in the treatment of substance misuse and addiction for offenders in custody.
  • STEPHEN BALLANTYNE
    Head of Fundraising and Communications
    Appointed: September 2017
Stephen has over 15 years fundraising experience, most recently as Director of Fundraising at children’s and young people’s charity Together for Short Lives. He has held roles at other charities including Hospice UK.
  • SHARON GROVES
    Financial Controller
    Appointed: March 2020
Sharon has over 30 years finance experience, mainly in the financial services sector where she became the Chairperson for corporate social responsibility at MetLife. She has worked as a volunteer for CRISIS for over 10 years and more recently has worked with local homeless charities in Devon including St Petrocks, Smile at a Stranger and Open Door.

How is it governed?

Trustees (6)
Current Trustees appointed
Gender Split

Age Range of Trustees: 60-75
Commentary:Each trustee has wealth of experience that they bring to the Board that they apply to the running of the charity. Penny Marland is a Probation Officer and works on the frontline with their beneficiary group, Steve Lyall has a vast amount of property experience and advises on their estate management, Richard Oldfield has a financial acumen to advise on funding distribution and Sir Nicholas Soames was a member of parliament until recently, which is helpful in advising in the direction of government policy on housing and employment. They are currently looking for someone with ‘lived experience’ to join the Board, who is likely to be younger in age.
Business and philanthropy
Lucy has a keen interest in supporting young disadvantaged people and is chair of the endowment fund for the Kensington Aldridge Academy at Grenfell Tower
Until recently, a Member of Parliament and holds various Directorships
Probation
Wealth Management
Property company owner
Legal constitution
  • Charitable company registered in England & Wales on 13/12/1995, number: 1051388
  • Registered at Companies House on 21/12/1994, number: 03004111
  • Registered with HMRC for Gift Aid
Policies in force
  • Complaints handling
  • Paying staff
  • Risk management
  • Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
  • Volunteer management
Main office

THE AMBER FOUNDATION
ASHLEY COURT
CHAWLEIGH
CHULMLEIGH
EX18 7EX

Objectives

THE RELIEF OF YOUNG PERSONS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES FOR TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE OF ALL KINDS TO ENABLE SUCH PERSONS TO DECIDE UPON, QUALIFY FOR OR OBTAIN ANY JOB, CAREER OR POSITION.

Defined Area of Benefit: NOT DEFINED

Data Sources

Charity Commission for England and Wales
360 Giving
CharityBase

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