31st March 2021: We pulled off another powerful and moving AGM with masses of service-user involvement, despite the challenges of hosting it online.

48 guests at our Teamwork Trust Zoom event included staff, volunteers, trustees, local dignitaries and representatives from businesses and charitable organisations, but it was the video presentations from Teamwork’s members which really demonstrated the human value and impact.

Autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs talked about how Teamwork staff always make sure their voices are heard, and how they were made to feel safe and valued during lockdown.

One wellbeing service-user told guests how Teamwork’s digital coffee mornings had helped her gain confidence and manage during lockdown, saying: “I sometimes wonder if the Teamwork staff truly realise the positive impact they have on people. I still find it difficult to think about the future, but Teamwork is helping me to feel less anxious about going out and making new friends.”

In total Teamwork Trust has supported more than 600 people during 2020-21. The impressive Teamwork Trust stats include:

• Supporting more service-users – 115 in total – in our day provision, enabling, education and activities programmes than ever before
• Delivering a successful counselling programme to 323 beneficiaries throughout North Northamptonshire
• Running 18 different wellbeing courses to 181 beneficiaries - including stress management; anxiety management; self-awareness and working with depression, all co-delivered by tutors and facilitators with lived experience
• Developing strong relationships and partnerships with key organisations as part of our Reaching Communities Big Lottery Grant project

John Bruce, strategic director of Teamwork added: “We always make sure our service-users are at the heart of our decision-making. They always play an active part in our AGM and this year was no different – even though it had to be held online. Instead, we enabled them to vote on the screen and weaved in inspiring video messages too.

“As part of the official AGM business, attendees heard a financial report and details of our achievements and reopening plans during 2020-21, but when the people we support started speaking about how we adapted during COVID and how the remote ‘Living & learning’ and wellbeing programmes have made a difference, that’s when it really hit home.

“I am so very proud that we managed to host such a powerful and moving AGM, despite the circumstances.”

More on Teamwork Trust support services HERE.