Girlguldlng Bedfordshire Guide Association Annual Trustees Report & Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2024 Registered Charity No.1054718
Bedfordshire Guide Association Index Fortho Year Ended 31 December 2024 CONTENTS PAGE Report of the Trustees Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities 10 Balance Sheet 11 Notes to the Accounts 12
Bedfordshire Guide Association Page I Roport ofthe Tru$l••s FortheY•ar Ended 31 Docember 2024 The Trust8es are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st Decembgr 2024. R¢lw¢n¢• and admlnlstratlon dotoll8 Registered charity nome: Bedfordshire Guide Association Registered charity nurnbgr. 1054718 Correspondence address.. Mrs A Barker. 26 Grosvenor Gardens, Biggleswade, SN18 ONF Independent Examln8r'. Miss C Wilmot, 32 Selsey Drive, Luton LU2 8HZ Bankers: Lloyds. Hlgh Street. Lalghton Buzzard Branch Trusto•s The Trustees seNing during the year and in office on the date ot approval of this r8port were as follows: Mrs A Barker County Commissioner Assistant County Commissioner Assistant County Commissioner Assistant County Commissioner Ms A Wenham Ms H Donald (Appointed 1810312024) (Appointed 2810212024) Ms L Oliver Mr A Maynard Ms C Mayr County Treosurer Mid B8ds Division Commissloner Bedford Division Comlssioner Ms R Hayler Miss D E1115 Luton South Division Commlssion8r Team (Appoint8d 2510312023) East Beds Division Commissioner Team Miss Z Swinburn East Beds Dlvlslon Commlssloner Team Ms A Gibbons Luton North Division Commissioner (Appointod 0210512024) Ms A Simms Leighton Linslade Division Commissloner Woburn Division Commissioner Ms S Bartlett (Appointed 0210512024) Miss S Chisman Dunstable Division Comissioner Ms A Briscoe North Beds Division Commissioner (Appointed 2611212024) (Resigned 3110712024) (Appointed 0110912024} (Resigned 1810912024) (Appolnted1810912024) Mrs C Dickman County Training Advisor County Training Advisor County Progromme Advisor County Progromme Advisor County Membershlp Support Advlser County Insplre Advisor County Morketlng & Communlcatlons Adviser County Mark8ting & Communications Adviser Ms K Keeling Mg C Hare Ms E Bowloy Mrs V Davy Mrs J Weir (R8slgned 3010612024) (Appointèd 0910512024) Ms E Slmms
Bedfordshire Guide Association Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2024 STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Instrument The Association's objects and regulations are regulated by th8 Guiding Manual and a deed of constitution dated1910, with subsequent revision and, under that deed, is constituted as an unincorporated association. The Bedfordshire Guide Association has operated under the nome of'Girlguiding Bedfordshire, since May 2002, following the national launch of The Guide Association's new identity as 'Girlguiding UK.. Oryanisation of the Association Guiding within the United Kingdom is organised in a series of areas to provide support, lines of two-way communication and opportunities for young members, Leaders, and Commissioners to make decisions and take responsibility. Each of the six Regions of England and the three Countries of Scotland, Ulster and wales has a Chief Commissioner, who is Chairperson of an Executive Committee which is appointed according to the Country or Region constitution, and which is responsible for the administration of Guiding In that Country or Region. This County is situated within the Anglia Region. Each County, Division and District has a commissioner who is responsible for the organisation and development of Guiding in her area. She is supported by an Executive Committee which meets regularly. The members of the County Executive Committee are the trustees of the Association and policies on Guiding initiatives and activities are implemented by delegation from County through to Division, District and finally Unit level. At the year end the County has approximately 3300 young members who are supported by approximately 800 adult and young volunteers, all of whom operate within the County's 9 Divisions, 16 Districts and 217 Units. Appolntment of Trustees The voting m8mbers of the County Executive Committee are th8 Trustees of the Association and the office holders who comprise the County Executlve are as set out in the Constitution.
Bedfordshire Guide Association Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2024 All Trustees give their time freely and no Trustee remuneration was paid in the year. Details of Trustees, expenses are disclosed in note three of the accounts. Bedford Division Commission8r role was vacant at the end of the year. The Divlsion Is being supported by the County Commlssloner and the Division has been represented at the County Executive Committee meetings by members from the Division. Luton South Division and Luton North Division Commissloner are being run as Division Teams. The Division teams are in the process updating their constitutions and a nominated representative from each division represents the division at the county executive. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives The Association provides a balanced programme of activities, aiming to help girls and young women, wlthln the age range 4 to18 years and who live in Bedfordshire, to develop emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually so thcrt they can make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world. Public Ben•flt When planning the activities of Girlguiding Bedfordshire, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of citizenship or community development. They are of the opinion that the foregoing obJectiV8S and activities together with the ochievements demonstrate the public benefit of the work of Girlguiding Bedfordshire ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE Girlguiding Bedfordshlre hos continued to implement the county strategy and action plan to support our recovery following the impact of COVID pandemic. 2024 was o stable year with our membership continuing to grow.
Bedfordshire Guide Association Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2024 The strategy focused on continued financial stability, membership growth, training, providing adventure, community support and safety. Units are all meeting face to face with many offering day trips and residential events. At the end of 2024, the organisation is financially stable, our girl membership and volunteer numbers grown steadily throughout the year. Member Experienc•s Plans for a County trlp to Iceland in 2025 are ongoing. 700 members took part in a County Day at Bletchley Park, where we decoded messages and learned about a Woman's Role during WWII Both the Wrest Park Quest and Shuttleworth Quest have been enjoyed by many units. We have launched a new partnership with the Forest of Marson Vale focussing on the environment and nature. We are also working on partnerships with Bletchley Park and Woburn Safari Parl and these will launch in 2025. We continued our partnership with Keech Hospice in 2024. We raised money by taking part in the Short Tail Trail with Artemis, our Hare. This followed in o similar vein to Olivia the Elephant, The Archery and Tomahawk teams have continued to deliv8r numerous sessions throughout the County. Our Climbing club held regular sessions throughout the year at Big Rock for Guides and Rangers. In the summer, they'Rocked all over the Peaks, _ enjoying climbing in the Peak District. Member Voices- We will listen to members and promote their voice. At our annual Commissioner's day, held in May, with a focus on supporting Division's, financial compliance and a review of the awards and recognition process. Artemis, our Keech cottage Hare, will visit units around the County with all profit from the badges being passed on to Keech Cottage.
Bedfordshire Guide Associatlon Report of the Trustee5 For the year ended 31 December 2024 Dollvery of Guiding Our Go Guiding publication was produced electronically and emailed directly to parents with details of our adventures. Our paid PR support has also led to more exposure in the press and in social media for what we are doing, with the focus on encouraging more adults to volunteer so that we can offer more girls the opportunities they want and need. The welcome and induction sessions have continued to be run by the county Growth team to help new volunteers joining to gain an understanding of the organisation and the opportunities available. Recruitment of volunteers is a key priority. This has been supported by developing materials for units to use. In addition, targeted social media campaigns have been developed to help units who need volunteers to continue running. Resources and Capacity Girlguiding Bedfordshire supports all these activities and actions through a structured plan and budget with each team having a clear objective shown below: The Membership Support Advisor and her team focused on supporting Mentors in being part of the team that ensures new volunteers receive a warm welcome into Girlguiding Bedfordshire, supporting new commissioners and developing the thanks and recognition that volunteers receive to improve retention. The new leadership development programme was launched in the autumn of 2022, at the end of 2024 we have twenty-four volunteers working on the new scheme with one volunteer successfully gaining their qualification. Our valuing volunteers, event was held in November at the Rufus Centre where over 130 awords were given out. This included 54 long service awards, l Laurel Award, 2 Anglia Region Brooches, l Anglia Region Youth Award, 2 Region Thank You awards, 21 Bedfordshire Brooches, 7 Good Service awards, l Bedfordshlre Youth Awards, 8 Thanks badges, and 12 Hero certificates.
Bedfordshire Guide Association Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2024 The Marketing and Communications Advisor and her team focused on providing effective external communications that delivers on the key PR messages that increases awareness of Girlguiding in Bedfordshire and internal communication that supports adult members in the delivery of Good Guiding. The development of the County website continued throughout the year. The County Linkedln account was also launched to support recruitment of volunteers and trustees. The Programme and Adventure team have worked hard in 2024 developing relationships and preparing events. We have continued to work with Wrest ParL Shuttleworth and Keech Cottage. New partnerships wer8 also initiated with Bletchley Park and the Forest of Marston Vale. The Training team aim to provide training opportunities that enable new and experienced Leaders to broaden their skills and provide good guiding throughout the County as well as delivering sessions for the region. In addition, twenty sessions covering safe space, first response, finance, mentoring, young leaders, programme, risk assessment and Commissioners were run within County. Within County we ran 13 sessions covering safer guiding, first response, finance, property management and Commissioner Training. This exciting and adventurous programme is only possible due to the dedication and support of our amazing 800+ volunteer workforce. FINANCIAL REVIEW As part of our ongoing governance, the Trustees have been working to reduce the free resepdes of the County as it was felt that the charity has surplus reserves against the reserves policy. We had therefore budgeted a reduction in the free reserves by approximately £12,000 during the year. The actual results were decrease in free reserves of £2,283 The Trustees will continue to budget with the expectation of reducing the free reserves for another year with the aim over that time to gradually increase the income to meet the level of expenditure.
Bedfordshire Guide Association Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2024 The Statement of Financial Activitles on page 9 discloses the charity had net outgoing resources of £2,283 from funds available for unrestricted use during the year. The Truste8s are satisfied that the assets of the charity are adequate to fulfil the obligations of the charity on a fund-by-fund basis. Principal Fundlng Source The principal funding source continues to be the County share of the annual subscription. The annual subscription is levied on all members of the County. Sustainability Grant A sustainability has been set up to support any units with financial chall8nges. Units can apply for support for subscrlptions, rent or resources to support running the unit. The aim of the grant is to support units and members impacted by th8 COSt-of- living crisis to provide opportunities for all members. Reserve8 poIIcy The Trust88s strive to maintain free reserves in unrestrlcted funds at a level which equates to approximately two years of budgeted expenditure and to ensure that sufficient funds are available for unforeseen expenditure that may be incurred by internatlonal events organised by Girlguiding Bedfordshire and unforeseen exceptional expenditure incurred by Units, Districts or Divisions within the County. This policy would provid8 sufficient funds to ensure the continuation of the charitable activities across the County for at least a two-year period. The balance of free res8rves at the balance sheet date, being unrestricted reserves not designated to or invested in fixed assets and investments, was £85,540.
Bedfordshire Guide Association Report of the Trustees For the year ended 31 December 2024 APPROVAL This report was approved by the Trustees on the date shown below and signed on their behalf by: Mrs A Barker County Commlssioner Date: .......
Bedfordshirg Gulde A$soclatlon Page 9 Indwndent Examln•r's Report on th• Aecount8 For th• Yoar Endod 31 ¢0Mr 2024 I report to the trusteas on the accounts of the Bedfordshlre Guida Association for the year ended 31st December 2024. which are set out on pages 9 to13. Resp•ctivo responslbllhles of trusteos and examlner The choritys trustees are resF)onsiblg tor the preparation ot the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an indgpendent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to- examine the accounts under se¢tion145 of th8 2011 ACL to follow the procadures laid down In the general Directlons given by th8 Charity Commission (under section145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act). and to state whether partlcular matters have come to my attention. Basis ol Indopond•nt examlnerfs stot•ment My examination was carried out In accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the chorlty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideratlon of any unusual Items or disclosures In the accounts, and seeking explanotions from the trustees concarning any such matters. The procedures ur)dertaken do not provide all thè evidence that would be requir8d in an audiL and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and foirf view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's 8tatament In connection with my examination, no m(Jtter hos come to my attention: (i) which gives mg reasonable cause to believe that in, ony material respect, the requirements: to k88p accounting records in occordancg With se¢tion 130 of the 2011 Act. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accountlng records ond comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been meL' or (2) to whlch, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understondlng of the a¢¢ounts to be reached. 2£ Miss C Wilmot 32 Selsay Drive Luton LU2 8HZ
Bedfordshire Guide Association Page 10 Statement of Financlal Activitles Fortheyoar Ended 31 December2024 unre8trictea Restricte Total Notes funds lunds 2024 2023 Incomlng resourcos Income from guiding activities Membership subscriptions County badges Training income Youth events 29,280 29,280 15,676 2,669 2,669 3,710 4,970 2,346 2,346 31,470 31,470 10,464 Adult events International trips Sundry income Donations received 250 250 375 200 58 Grants received 1,958 1,958 933 3,334 Deposit interest 933 851 Total Incoming resources 66,948 1.958 68,906 39.638 Resources expended Guiding activitles Adminstration and general 41,413 1,203 42,676 27,818 33,530 27,818 25,658 Total resources expended 69.231 1.203 70,434 59,188 Net (outgolng)I Incomlng resources (2.283) 755 (1,528) (19.550) The notes on pages13 to15 form part of these accounts.
Bedfordshire Guide Association Page 11 Balance sheet At 31 December 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Investments The Scout Associatlon Investment Account CuThent A880ts stock of badg8S Debtors and prepayments Cash Bank current accounts Deposit account NSB savings 3,915 4,337 11 34,514 77,823 25,420 5,701 11 1,065 86,890 25,420 146,020 119,087 Current Liabllltie8 Creditors and accruals (29,025) (566) Net Current As88ts 116.995 118,521 Total Assets less Liabllltlos 116.995 118.521 Incom• funds Unrestricted funds Unrestricted designated funds Restrlcted funds 85,540 7,408 23,978 87,788 7,443 23,223 116,926 118,454 Thls report was approved by the trustees on the date shown below and signe on their behalf by: Mrs A Barker County Commissioner Mr May County Treasurer ard Date: The notes on pages 12 to 14 torrn part ot these accounts.
Bedfordshire Guide Association Page12 Notes For the Year Ended 31 Docembèr 2024 l Accountlng policies a) Ba$1$ of accountlng The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in occordance b) Incoming resources These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when: the charity becomes entitled to the resources; thè trustees are virtually certain they wlll receive the r8source; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. c) Resources expended Expenditure is included in the SOFA on an accruals basis. d) fix•d assets Tanglble fixed asset expenditure is capitalised If the asset can be used for more than one e) stocks stocks are stated at the lower of cost ond net realisable value. Unrestricted R•Strlcted funds tunds Total 2024 2023 2 Anaiysls of expenditure Guiding activit108 Membership subscriptlon county badges for resale County awarded badges Training costs Youth events 893 893 668 3,325 708 3.325 708 3,505 1,775 B,203 10,723 343 3,204 30,257 214 3.204 30,257 214 Adult events International trips Opportunitl8s grants awarded Outdoor expanses Lloyds Bank Gront (Ist Arsley) Transport grants Learning & Development Grant Region sustainability grant Region Cost of Living Grant 914 914 779 340 340 370 1,523 1,523 1,000 35 1,327 500 1,000 35 480 988 53 53 3,869 150 150 41,413 1,203 42.616 33.530
Bedfordshire Guide Association Page13 Notes (continued) For th? Year Ended 31 December 2024 Unrestrlcted Restrlcted funds funds Total 2024 2023 2 Analysls of oxpenditure (continued) Administratlon and general Membership support Volunteer expenses Marketing & communication costs Administration Support Sundry expenses 3,349 1,036 10,260 12,604 569 3,349 1,036 10,260 12,804 569 2,873 Z527 10,980 7,378 1,900 25,658 27,818 27,818 3 Trustee txpensos 2024 2023 All members ot tlie Executive committ are entitled to be reimbursed out of pocket expenses together with travelling expens8s. Claims mode during the year: None of the Trustees received remuneration for their role as Trustee. 1,036 1527 2024 2023 4 Debtors and prepayments Youth event prepayment 4337 4,337 2024 2023 5 Credltors and accruals Accrued expenses Youth event income 5,064 23,962 546 20 29,026 566
Bedfordshire Guide Association Page14 Notes (contlnued) For thg Year Ended 31 Dec•mb•r 2024 2024 2023 6 Unrestrlcted fund5 Balance brought forward Net (outgoing)lincoming resources Amounts designated during year Expenses against designated funds Balance carried forward 87,788 (2,283) (340) 375 104,835 (17,527) (370) 850 85,540 87,788 At Ist Jan Designated At 31st Dec during year 2024 Expenses 2024 7 Unrestricted designatod funds Transport fund opportunities grant fund 2,691 4,752 7,443 (35) (340) 375 2,656 4,752 7,408 340 340 These funds are part of the unrestrlcted funds which the trustees hav8 earmarked for a particular Use, without restricting or committing the funds legally. The designation may be cancelled by the trustees if they later d8cide that the charity should not proceed or continue with the use for which the funds were designated. At Ist Jan At 31st Doc Income Expenses 2024 2024 8 Restrict•d funds Growing guiding Programme update grant L80rning & Development grant Jean Cooper donations Anglia Sustainability Grant Anglia Cost of Living Grant Gale Family Trust Grant Generation Green Grant Lloyds Bank- Held for Ist Arlesey 40 40 1209 76 893 1209 76 840 808 20,000 (53) (150) 958 20,000 1,000 (1,000) 1,203 23.223 1,958 23,978 These funds represent grants and donations recgived by the charity and are restricted by the donor for a particular purpose.