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2023-03-31-accounts

Dringhouses Scouts Annual Review 202212023 Scouts

Contents

Contents
A Report from the Chair 3
Group Scout Leader’s Report 4
Meet the Team 5
The Trustee Board (core members) 5
The Management Team 6
The Team Leaders 7
Squirrel Scouts 7
Beaver Scouts 8
Cub Scouts 9
Scouts 10
Explorer Scouts 11
Vacancies 11
Roll of Honour 12
Group Awards 14
The Chairman’s Cup 14
Section Reports 15
Squirrels 16
Beavers 17
Cubs 18
Scouts 19
Explorers 20
Active Support 21
Trustees’ Annual Report 23
Financial Summary 27

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A Report from the Chair

(and statement of Public Benefit)

Annie Bennett, Group Chair

As stated in our Constitution, Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

This review outlines the major activities undertaken by the group in the past 12 months to fulfil that purpose. As a Board of Trustees, we have in mind in all our actions and deliberations ensuring that the group has the wherewithal to deliver the highest standard of scouting possible. Backed up by a strong set of policies and procedures we look to enable our wonderful leaders to go forward with their frontline work with our young people.

This year the board has placed a great deal of emphasis on ensuring that our obligations as a Charity have been met to the best of our ability. We have undertaken an internal financial review using the Charity Commission checklist, applied their Good Governance checklist and completed a review of our Constitution to align with the updated Policy Organisation and Rules as issued by The Scout Association. We have also commissioned a survey to look at how we can improve the energy efficiency of the building. We have embarked on fundraising to carry out needed maintenance and intend to follow this up with improvements to the roof, heating, and insulation.

While we still have areas to address, the results are encouraging and give us a distinct standard to maintain and improve.

We have been able to pick up with face-to-face fundraising while pursuing external funding for our Membership support fund, a scheme to increase the number of drivers of our minibus and trailer, repair of camping equipment and replacing cooking equipment.

What shines through is that many of our young people are gaining in experience, stature and well-being as a result of the programmes being undertaken. As always there is room for improvement and our dedicated team of very hard-working volunteers are always striving to improve the standard of the programme.

In consequence of what happens at section nights and activities we have both a direct and indirect impact on school life, community and environment. I would like to extend my personal thanks to all who help to make it happen.

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Group Scout Leader’s Report

David Thorne, Group Lead Volunteer (Group Scout Leader )

They say time flies when you’re having fun and this year may just go to prove that point. The Group has a lot to be proud of this year. We’ve put the pandemic behind us and gone from strength to strength. We’re the largest we have ever been and are now the largest group in York. Size is an important indicator of success, but we must remember to keep our focus on the quality of our programme and not let our size diminish that in any way. This is why we cap our sections’ sizes.

One of the main things we value at Dringhouses Scouts is our presence in the community. This year, with the support of York City Council, we have picked litter to improve the environment around the Knavesmire and helped to tidy the Tyburn. We also were so pleased to be able to help Dringhouses Primary School with their year four sleep over at the Cricket club, using tents purchased (mostly) with the support of Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward.

Our Spring fair was a fun way to raise funds and it was nice to meet so many parents, siblings of members, grandparents and members of the public. Fundraising is a challenge and we appreciate your support, it really does make a difference. Between the fair and collecting at the station and our more recent crowdfunding campaign to support driver training, we are doing our best to raise funds to support all we do. If you have any ideas on how to raise funds or want to volunteer time to help with some of the admin around fundraising, please let Annie know.

St George’s Day this year was very different, it was great to see all the age groups having fun in the sun (thankfully the weather was fine as rain may have poured water on the event quite literally). While we enjoy the city centre procession, we will be closely monitoring next year's plans as the success of a more informal activity-based celebration was not lost on us.

We are always looking to recruit new leaders and helpers; our current list of vacancies is shown on page eleven. Please remember that the majority of the adult volunteers in the group are parents who had no experience of Scouts before their children started. You need no specific skills and we provide training around safety, safeguarding and data privacy. You also don’t need to help out every week, we have many flexible volunteering opportunities. We really need more volunteers, so please reach out to me and we can discuss how we can help each other maybe? After all, volunteering is good for us adults too!

Finally, it is so great to be part of such a wonderful team who work so well to support each other and give their time freely to benefit our children and our local area and ultimately our futures too. I personally consider it to be a privilege to volunteer with this group. A big well done and thank you to all our volunteer helpers and supporters.

Dave

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Meet the Team

The Trustee Board (core members)

This year the Group Executive Committee became the Group Trustee Board. Members of the Trustee Board make decisions and carry out administrative tasks to ensure that the best quality Scouting can be delivered to all young people in the Group and that the Group is compliant with the relevant legislation and managed in line with Charity Commission regulations and the Policy Organisation and Rules of The Scouts.

Annie Bennett Group Chair

Annie became involved with the Group as a parent. She began helping at Group Camp and when asked if she would Chair the executive committee (now the Board of Trustees), decided it was a post she could bring her organisational skills to and help the Group without being a uniformed member. Now retired and with grandchildren in the group, she is able to give time to support the great team of volunteers we have.

Jan Moor Group Secretary

Jan was a Brownie and Guide when she was growing up and absolutely loved it. Jan was very keen her two children should have the same rewarding experiences and so both her children are in Scouting/Guiding and enjoying every moment. Jan has a child in the Group, who is now in Explorers, having started 10 years ago as a Beaver.

Jan joined the group as a Parent Rep on the Executive Committee (particularly helping with fundraising) and Active support in Summer 2017, as she wanted to contribute to the Group. She agreed to take on the Group Secretary role early in 2019, which gives her the ability to support the working of the Group a bit more, using her business skills, in between significant travelling for her job.

John Lucas Group Treasurer

Having seen the pleasure and benefits in being involved with Scouting from a friend, I was very pleased to find an opening with Dringhouses Group on my return to York.

Having previously been a treasurer for a Coventry based charity whilst living and working in the Midlands until a few years ago, together with undertaking a range of finance related roles professionally, I joined to support the Group in 2021 to maintain robust financial records and to ensure the continued good work of Sections can continue to enrich and enhance the skills and experiences of our Members.

Wendy Hewitt Group Co-Treasurer

Wendy started volunteering with the group at the 40th anniversary camp -with Debbie in the tea van. However, she has been involved since her eldest son was a Beaver Scout over 20 years ago. Wendy was the Group Secretary until 2019 when she agreed to start to take over the treasurer role. Wendy, who works in the church office, is also unofficial (and much valued) caretaker of the HQ .

Wendy enjoys the camaraderie of being part of a team and the ever-expanding Group. She also enjoys the challenge of the treasurer role and getting to grips with spreadsheets!

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The Management Team

Members of the Management Team are normally also members of the Executive Committee. The management team coordinates all Scouting activities within the Group. The Group Chair is also a part of the Management Team. This year, in line with a national initiative, we are changing our role names to be more accessible to those outside Scouting. During the transition you will see the new role name and the old role name in brackets after it. The management team members are listed below in alphabetical order.

Andy Elliott

Andrew White

Chris Rundle

David Thorne

Lead Volunteer- Explorer Scouts (Deputy Group Scout Leader)

Andy was a youth member of the Yorvik Explorer Unit and after returning from University decided to become part of the volunteer team at Dringhouses Scouts. You probably will not see many photographs of Andy at events as he is usually the one taking them all!

Having been an Explorer leader for about six years, Andy agreed to take on the deputy Group Scout Leader role in 2021 when the vacancy arose.

Andy’s daughter has just started with Beavers.

Lead Volunteer- Scouts (Deputy Group Scout Leader)

Andrew has been in Scouting since being a Beaver Scout with 1st Herrington Scout Group in Sunderland where he grew-up. Soon after moving to York in 2015 to study Electronics at the University of York, he reached out to Dringhouses Scout Group to carry on his Scouting journey.

He has been with the Tuesday Scout section throughout where he has climbed the ranks to be Team Leader (Section Leader). He enjoys being in the great outdoors and passing on his knowledge and skills to his Scouts. Andrew became the Lead Volunteer for Scouts in May 2022.

Lead Volunteer- Squirrel Scouts (Deputy Group Scout Leader)

Chris first became involved with Dringhouses Scouts when his eldest son joined Beavers in 2020. He joined the working group on Squirrels in 2021 to consider the options for starting this new section and then decided he should be part of launching Squirrels for real as a Section Leader. In November 2022 he also took on the role of Lead Volunteer for Squirrels.

'I enjoyed helping out as a parent on the occasional evening at Beavers, so becoming a volunteer was on the horizon. The support from group leaders, parents and squirrels has been great and I look forward to settling into the regular rhythm of activities and challenges for our young people.'

Group Lead Volunteer (Group Scout Leader, GSL)

Dave started his Scouting career as a Cub Scout with the 1st Epping Ash and later 1st Holtspur Scout Groups. ‘A few’ years later he returned as Assistant Beaver Scout Leader with Dringhouses, transferring to be Cub Leader a year later. Since January 2021 Dave has been Acting Group Scout Leader responsible for leading the team managing the Group, finally accepting the inevitable and becoming the Lead Volunteer for the group in late 2022 (GSL). Dave also holds two roles within York Ebor District (of which Dringhouses is a part): District Appointments Secretary, administering the appointment of all leaders in the District and District Trustee Board member where he makes the meetings last a bit longer than they used to.

Dave has had two children go through the Group, one of whom has returned as an adult volunteer.

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Martin Eason Group Scout Active Support Manager Martin has been with the Group since he joined from Bishopthorpe, as a Venture Scout, in 1991. He moved from Venture Scouts to Assistant Scout Leader and then Venture Scout leader (VSL), where he remained for over 10 years. As well as VSL, he also sat on the county activities and events team, organising annual competitions and events. After a short break he became a parent helper with Bardon Scout Group in Australia. On his return to the UK in 2014 he re-joined the Group as part of the Active Support Team. In June 2019 he agreed to take on the role of Active Support Manager. Katie Harvey Lead Volunteer- Beavers (Deputy Group Scout Leader)(Deputy Group Scout Leader)Deputy Group Scout Leader)puty Group Scout Leader)uty Group Scout Leader)y Group Scout Leader) Group Scout Leader)p Scout Leader) Scout Leader))

Lead Volunteer- Beavers (Deputy Group Scout Leader)(Deputy Group Scout Leader)Deputy Group Scout Leader)puty Group Scout Leader)uty Group Scout Leader)y Group Scout Leader) Group Scout Leader)p Scout Leader) Scout Leader)) Katie joined Dringhouses Scout Group in 2011 when her son joined Beavers. He is now an Explorer Scout. Katie started volunteering as an Assistant Beaver Leader and after a couple of years took up the role of Section Leader. Shortly after that Katie also became Assistant Group Scout Leader (Beavers).

Lead Volunteer- Cubs (Deputy Group Scout Leader)

Sarah Selby

Sarah joined Dringhouses Scout Group in 2016 after seeing how much fun her children were having and wanting part of the action. She started as an Assistant Cub Leader and took on the role of Assistant Group Scout Leader (Cubs) last year.

Sarah is also self-appointed Badge Coordinator (not a real title) and can often be found hanging out with Friday Cubs’ mascot, Loki. Both her children are now Explorer Scouts.

The Team Leaders

Team Leaders (formerly Section Leaders) are responsible for coordinating the programme for their night and liaising with the sections before and after as appropriate. Team Leaders can be part of the Group Trustee Board if they wish to be.

Squirrel Scouts

Squirrels is for children aged four and five years old. We have two Squirrel Scout dreys in the Group.

Chris Rundle Team Leader (Squirrel Scouts)- Monday Squirrels See the Management Team section above

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Leigh Bennett Team Leader (Squirrel Scouts)- Friday Squirrels I think it was inevitable that I would become involved with Scouts at some stage, as I have a husband who is an active member within The Scouts and a daughter in Beavers. When the call went out for Squirrel leaders I realised that I was quite interested in getting involved especially as it would mean the quicker we were up and running, the quicker my son could join. I'm really enjoying the Squirrel meetings, they are at a lovely age to really begin to help them discover their independence and watch their curiosity around new activities.

Beaver Scouts

Beavers is for children aged six to eight years old. We have three Beaver Scout colonies in the Group.

Nicola Silke Team Leader(Beaver Scouts)- TuesdayBeavers
Nicola joined Dringhouses Scouts in September 2018 as a Section Assistant, after
being accosted on a "sunny" group camp to join Beavers. She quickly progressed to
Assistant Leader in December 2018 and became Section Leader in September 2019.
Nicola has been involved with the group since 2012 when her eldest daughter joined
Cubs.
“I joined on a trial basis and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It's a great feeling
seeing the Beavers take part and enjoy the activities and challenges set out for them.
For me it's an amazing way to be able to give something back to the local community.”
Olga Iwaszkiewicz- Team Leader (Beaver Scouts)- Wednesday Beavers
Bogdańska
Olga started with the Group in February 2019, initially to help her daughter’s
confidence when she joined. She became an Assistant Leader with Wednesday
Beavers but, when the opportunity came, it took her about a minute to decide to move
to the Section Leader role.
“The idea of teaching Beavers new skills during weekly meetings and camps and
seeing how proud they are when they succeed or when they receive a badge puts the
biggest smile on my face and pride in my heart. Week to week I can see how the
Beavers grow in confidence”.
“Inspiration from other Scout Leaders motivates me every day and confirms to me that I
want to stay in The Scouts for a long time.”
Katie Harvey Team Leader(Beaver Scouts)- FridayBeavers
See the Management Team section above

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Cub Scouts

The Cubs section is for children aged eight to ten and a half. We have three Cub Scout Packs in the Group.

Jane Wilson Team Leader(Cub Scouts)- Tuesday“Romans” Cubs
Jane has been with the group since joining as a Venture Scout in 1985, and in 1988 she
was presented with an application form to be an Assistant Cub Scout Leader. Jane had
a few years break from the Group to assist at Bishopthorpe Cub Section and was then
asked to help Lidgett Grove Cub Section get back up on their feet.
Natasha Bayston Team Leader(Cub Scouts)- Thursday“Saxons” Cubs
Natasha has been with the group since she joined as a scout in 2011. She stayed as a
young leader for Cubs when she finished scouts in 2014. In 2018 she was given an
application for assistant section leader and became the assistant section leader of
Thursday Cubs. In 2019 she took over from Tina as the section leader for Thursday
Cubs.
David Thorne Team Leader(Cub Scouts)- Friday“Vikings” Cubs
See the Management Team section above

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Scouts

The Scout Section is for young people aged ten and a half to fourteen years old. We have three Scout Troops in the Group.

Andrew White Team Leader (Scouts)- Tuesday “Dringhouses PC” Scouts See the Management Team section above Tara Stephenson Team Leader (Scouts)- Thursday “St Edward’s” Scouts “One Thursday in October 1986 I bumped into an old school friend in the pub, she was there for the quiz and wearing her uniform. We got chatting and the next Thursday I went to my first ever Cub meeting. They were making bird boxes and I didn't have a clue, I still remember the first Cub I ever spoke to and thanks to Johnny L, here I am almost 30 years later!”

After six years of leading Cubs, where she welcomed the first girl into the Pack (possibly the first girl in Cubs in York!) Tara moved to become an assistant Venture Scout Leader, joining in with EuroVenture which took over an airfield in Paris and invaded EuroDisney, toured the Czech Republic and had many other fantastic adventures. But then we needed a female scout leader, because (guess what) the girl Cubs wanted to be Scouts! So, Tara became an Assistant Scout Leader and after a short break, she re-joined the Group.

Scott Franklin

Tara has been a part of two Cub sections, a Venture Scout Unit, two Scout Troops and a Young Leader Unit and the very first Saturday morning session of Beavers - never again!... grin. And in 2019 she went to the 24th World Scout Jamboree in America!. Team Leader (Scouts)- Friday “St Helen’s” Scouts

Scott has been at Dringhouses since 2014, having previously been Scout Leader at Heslington whilst completing his studies, and having grown-up in a Group in Swindon. He is a cliché in Scouting - his grandparents met through Scouting, his parents met through Scouting, and he went on his first camp when he was merely weeks old. Having taken up his first young-leader role at 11 with cubs, and then at 16 with Scouts, he’s a keen believer in putting young people into positions of responsibility, and teaching Patrol and Assistant Patrol Leaders how to be good leaders themselves. After a week busy teaching at All Saints School, Scott then spends his Friday nights with the 30 young people of St Helen’s Troop. He enjoys seeing his wife (Anna) and two children (Marie and Esther) on the other evenings and at weekends and looks forward to taking the girls on camp with him when they are older.

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Explorer Scouts

The Explorer Scout section is for young people aged fourteen to seventeen. We are partnered with two District Explorer Scout Units (ESU). Young Leaders are also Explorer Scouts, they assist other sections within the Group. Young Leaders need not be a member of an Explorer Scout Unit and they may also be volunteering with the Group as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Mike Laing District Team Leader (Explorer Scouts)- Tuesday “Nordic” ESU Mike Joined Scouting as a Cub in 1989 as a member of 1st Shenfield Scout Group in Essex were he went on to be a Scout and Venture Scout before becoming a member of Essex Scouts water activities team. Mike had a 15 year break from the formalities of Scouting but continued to holiday around the world with friends made through scouting like they were on an “Explorer Belt Expedition” each time, often with a kayak or set of Skis for Luggage! Mike returned to Scouting at the wonderful “Dringy” as assistant Cub Scout Leader in April 2018 and most recently in February 2020 moved to be Nordic Explorer Unit Leader on Mondays. Mike is looking forward to planning future adventures with the Explorers. Andy Elliott District Team Leader (Explorer Scouts)- Wednesday “Yorvik” ESU See the management team section above Iain McIntyre Group Team Leader (Explorer Scout Young Leaders)

Iain's Scouting journey began in Cumbria where he was a Cub, a Scout and then a Venture Scout circa the mid-90’s. He only returned to Scouting 5 years ago as a Section Assistant with St Edwards Troop at Dringhouses. In January 2019 Iain was asked to help with the running of the Young Leaders part of Dringhouses Explorer Scout section and coordinate their volunteering with the other sections (Beavers, Cubs and Scouts) and to manage their training needs.

Iain also holds the York Ebor District role of Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Coordinator. His eldest child is at present in Beavers with Dringhouses. Iain has a daughter at Squirrels

Vacancies

Vacancies

We are currently recruiting for the following uniformed positions:

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Roll of Honour

Congratulations to all the adult volunteers that have been recognised for their service to Scouting this year:

Award for Merit

The Award for Merit is given for outstanding service of not less than 12 years and 10 years exceptionally. It implies keen, conscientious, imaginative and dedicated service over a sustained period.

Chief Scouts Commendation for Good Service

The Chief Scout's Commendation for Good Service is given in respect of not less than 5 years good service, which stands out. It should be regarded as the Chief Scout's recognition of the very real contribution made to the Association by the individual concerned.

Ebor Star

The Ebor Star is an award that can be gained by all youth members of York Ebor District by demonstrating a commitment or undertaking a task that exceeds normal expectations and as such deserves to be recognised. The award sits below the national awards for merit and is only awarded in York Ebor District

Length of service awards are available to Members and Associate Members of the Association with eligible roles that accrue service, uniformed or not (with the exception of occasional helpers):

Chief Scout’s 5 Years Service Award

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Training is an important part of the Group’s activities which often goes unseen. All adult members of the Group (except occasional helpers) are required to complete the adult training scheme, with Group Managers, Team Leaders and Team Members being awarded a wood badge after successfully completing all the required training modules. Because of its importance we also like to recognise training success in this part of the report. Leaders have three years from when they start to complete their training.

Wood Badge

Since September 1919 adult volunteers in the Scouts have been awarded the Wood Badge on the completion of their leader training. The basic badge is made up of two wooden beads worn at the end of a leather lace.

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Group Awards

Congratulations to all of our young people receiving awards this year, all recipients will also receive a £10 voucher to spend in Go Outdoors:

Squirrel of the year: TBC Monday Friday Beaver of the year: TBC Tuesday Wednesday Friday Cub of the year: TBC Romans Saxons Vikings Scout of the year: TBC Dringhouses PC Troop St Edward’s Troop St Helen’s Troop Explorer Scout of the year: TBC Jorvik Explorers Nordic Explorers Young Leaders

The Chairman’s Cup

The Chairman’s Cups are awarded every year to an adult and a youth member of the Group who have made significant effort over and above what is normally expected. They also receive a £20 voucher to spend at Go Outdoors.

Chairman’s Cup – Adult Volunteers: TBC

Chairman’s Cup – Youth Members: TBC

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Section Reports

The year summarised in a few pictures:

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Squirrels
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The two Squirrel dreys have not only survived, but also prospered during their first full year, exploring and developing themselves, as have their leaders! It is a significant challenge to not only start a new section, but to also start a new age group and we started two new dreys in the same week! This year has focussed on building our programme, understanding our Squirrels needs/preferences and our volunteers’ capacity. Through the year we welcomed and invested

new squirrels and said goodbye to many of our 'originals' as they graduated to Beavers.

Squirrel sessions are 45 minutes long and we have developed a meeting routine that helps our young people know what to expect.

Gathering together to listen to a story is an important part of the session and it’s great to see the children listening and sometimes acting out the roles. We are also gifted with some fantastic story tellers among volunteers.

The Squirrel programme includes many opportunities for visits or to welcome visitors to our sessions. This year we visited Acomb Fire Station and the Tesco store. We have also had informative sessions with the police, York Rescue Boat and training on emergency first aid. We have also had outdoor sessions, learning about the natural environment on our doorstep. Through all these sessions our Squirrels have shown great interest and knowledge, we have also seen some shy and timid people grow in confidence and shine.

The year ended with our first Squirrel to achieve their Chief Scouts Acorn badge - a great achievement for Sacha Steele who worked hard to complete the final challenge badges over a school holiday to gain this accolade before he moved up to Beavers.

The Squirrel sessions are supported by our young leaders, who are older Explorer Scouts, and they bring a wealth of Scouting knowledge and experience with them. Along with their commitment, their ideas and enthusiasm is a vital part of the Squirrel team.

Like all parts of Scouting, we rely on the adult volunteers to run and lead the sessions. The adult Squirrel leaders are mostly new to the role and have grown with the young people. As a leadership team we can look back with pride at a successful year in launching and building Squirrels at Dringhouses - our challenge is now sustaining this great opportunity for our young people. If you’re interested in helping out, we need you!

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Beavers
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We have enjoyed a busy year of activities and events providing opportunities for our Beavers to achieve a range of badges. We kicked off with Group Camp in Baildon Moor which presented a

great outdoor adventure learning new skills, camping out under the stars and having fun with outdoor games. Beavers loved their annual cycling activity on the Knavesmire and an end of term celebration packed with team games and badge awards was perfect for a warm summer’s evening. Autumn welcomed

us with outdoor

exploration, showing off our green cross code, tracking in the woods and learning about emergency aid. We loved celebrating Halloween, Bonfire Night and the run up to Christmas is always exciting as we prepared to visit our local Residents home and made

gifts and cards. Beavers and Squirrels attended the District Christmas party and enjoyed meeting the man himself.

The New Year welcomed a visit by the Police and a trip to the University Astrocampus. We enjoyed planting seeds to sell at our Group Spring Fair, Tuesday Beavers enjoyed a sleepover and St George’s Day was celebrated altogether on the Knavesmire. Finally, we celebrated Eid, the Coronation and enjoyed an I-Spy Trail through our beautiful city centre.

With the creation of the new Squirrels sections, the number of enquiries for new places has declined this year from 60 to 30. This is to be expected and more than 20 Squirrels have moved up up to Beavers roughlt making up the diffrence. We have a constant number of around 70 Beavers across all three groups, with about 10 on the joining list and 5 on the waiting list.

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Looking back at last year’s report, there were still mentions of Covid, masks and social distancing; this year has been a proper ‘back to normal’ year for us, and Cubs you’ve been louder than ever!

We’ve had lots of adventures out and about. Our international trip, postponed from 2021, finally happened in August and we jetted off to, umm, Wales. Yes, not the trip to France we’d hoped for, but we had fun, nonetheless. Thank you to the Scouts that came with us too and thank you very much to parents who were very patient putting up with all the changes…

We had our usual indoor winter camp in January, this time visiting a different site, Bramhope, where Cubs were able to enjoy a low ropes course as well as warmer activities like film night.

A few Friday Cubs also joined Elvington Cubs for a camp in April as well. It was great to spend time with others from the Ebor District, where we all made new friends.

We’ve attended a couple of District events this year. The Hergarth Challenge was as successful as ever, not just because our three Cubs teams had a great time but because none of them won thankfully. If you’re not aware, the winner of the Hergarth Challenge has to organise and host the following year; Hergarth really is about the participating and not the winning!

We also entered a team into the District Basketball competition, and although we didn’t place in the tournament the Cubs tried their hardest and worked well as a team. We all had fun despite it getting very warm in the sports hall.

As well as socialising with our fellow Cubs across the District, we’ve been spending time with friends closer to home. Friday Beavers and Cubs had a joint Christmas party in December, and recently we’ve joined the Beavers in earning their Athletics badge activities. We hope to have more joint activities next year, including a camp!

Thank you again Cubs and parents for all your support and for always being so fab.

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Scouts
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The Scout section has come on leaps and bound over the past year. It has been an action-packed

year both on section evenings and on weekend camps. The Scouts have enjoyed the activity-filled weekend at Ignite, through to the chilly winter camp at Elvington as well as few completing their expedition challenge award.

Events have been popular over the year including the jamboree on the internet where our Scouts could chat to other Scouts from around the world as well as a few scouts participating in the engineering challenge.

It’s also good to be able to help out in our community and clearing the paths and removing litter and leaves at the Tyburn was a great opportunity to do just that.

We have some exciting activities planned for the coming year including the first weeklong summer camp for the section in a few years as well as the return of Ignite in September. It will be another year jam packed with exciting adventures.

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Explorers
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It’s been a magnificent year of camps, excitement, fun, adventure and growth for the oldest age group at Dringhouses Scouts. Both Nordic and Yorvik units are pretty much full, with a small waiting list, which is testament to the engaging programme devised largely by the Explorer Scouts themselves, maybe with a little bit of support from the leaders.

The Dragon's Head Summer Camp in Wales has to be a highlight, it was great to be able to visit another country and

combine lots of activities with seeing the sights. Climbing is always popular with the Explorers climbing artificial and real walls. Escape 22 is a fantastic experience the Explorers take part in.

Hill walking in the Dales, go-Karting and Putt Stars,

there isn’t much we don’t do at Explorers!

We can’t forget to mention our Young Leaders who help out with the younger age groups, learning new skills and gaining confidence by helping others. Without these young volunteers our Scout Group would not be the same.

Finally, we have six Explorers going to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea later this year, and we wish them all the best for this adventure of a lifetime!

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The Group’s active support unit comprises adult volunteers who don’t want to or cannot help out regularly but are willing to help out occasionally if they can. There are also many retired leaders in our ranks. Our main role is to organise the annual Group Camp.

The Group Camp setup team did a cracking job getting all the tents and marquees erected in record time making the first day of Group Camp painless. The group is so grateful to these parents and leaders who visit the site early to set up the tents and drive the vehicles and set up the activities. All this work is largely unseen but we are very grateful to the attendees.

This year Martin Eason is standing down from his Active Support Manager role but will be staying on to run group camp 2024 next year.

Justin Moss will be coordinating the active support volunteers in the coming years, so if you want to lend a hand occasionally why not let Justin know.

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Statutory Reports For year ending March 2023

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Trustees’ Annual Report

From 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

Reference and administration details

Registered charity name: Dringhouses (Parish Church) Scout Group Registered charity number: 1064151 Registered number with Scout Association: 37243 Charity's contact address: Scout HQ, St Edward The Confessor Church, Tadcaster Road, Dringhouses, YORK, YO24 1QG

Trustees

Group executive committee for the above period

Acting Group Scout
Leader (GSL) (Group
Scout Leader from Feb
23)
David Thorne		 Chairperson Ann Bennett
Secretary Jan Moor Treasurer John Lucas
Wendy Hewitt
Deputy GSL Squirrels Chris Rundle part year Deputy GSL Scouts Andrew White
Deputy GSL Beavers Katie Harvey Deputy GSL Cubs Sarah Selby
Deputy GSL Explorers Andy Elliott Beaver Section Leader Nicola Silke
**Scout Section Leader ** Tara Stephenson Cub Section Leader Jane Wilson
Active Support
Manager		 Martin Eason Scout Section Leader Andrew White
Parent Rep Squirrels Catherine Bell Sponsoring Authority
Rep		 Debbie Paterson
Parent Rep Beavers Susan Rundle part year Parent Rep Cubs Justin Moss
Training Officer Tina Brill Safety Officer Mike Hewitt

Structure, governance and management

The Group is set up under The Scout Association’s Royal Charter which gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association. The Group is run according to Policy, Organisation and Rules (POR) which contains guidance from The Scout Association. We have a constitution which is based on the model outlined in POR but adapted to our specific needs. Management of the Scouting provision is outlined in the Group Development Plan.

The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the POR. The Group is managed by the Group Scout Leader (Group Lead Volunteer) supported by the Group Executive Committee. The Group

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Executive Committee has this year been renamed and will now be known as The Group Board of Trustees and it:

Risk and internal control

The risks associated with running a scout group are taken seriously by the Board of Trustees and we have a Safety Officer in place to help with their mitigation. The most serious risks to the group have been identified as:

Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would ask neighbouring organisations such as the church and other scout groups for the use of buildings, property and equipment. The Group also comprehensively insures our buildings and review of the cover is regularly undertaken in consultation with the insurance company to ensure cover is adequate. We would undertake immediate action to rectify any damage.

Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. Risk assessments are undertaken, in line with POR, before all activities and are approved as outlined therein. The Group takes risk to person very seriously and regularly reviews all continuing risk assessments. The Group is Insured through The Scout Association's national accident insurance policy (paid annually through capitation fees and additionally takes out insurance to cover occasional helpers).

Reduced income from fundraising. The Group is reliant upon income from subscriptions and fundraising. In the absence of fund-raising income, the Committee would raise the level of subscriptions to increase income and would also institute cost-cutting measures.

Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant on volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. We are constantly seeking and recruiting new leaders. However, if there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level and recruitment was unsuccessful then we would appeal to the District Commissioner for assistance but ultimately the number of sections would have to be reduced.

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document.

As stated in POR:

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:

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In planning our activities to meet The Scout Association’s objectives, we also keep in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

Achievements and performance.

The Group currently runs 13 full groups each week during term time. There is a small waiting list comprising children and young people who are old enough to join one of the groups, but cannot as the group is at capacity. This year the group published a formal policy on how the waiting list is prioritised as this is the first year where such a list has been required.

The annual census return submitted to The Scout Association in February 2023 indicated that the group has the largest membership it has ever had and now the largest group in York. However, the group is very cognisant that the size of the group must not have a negative impact on the quality of the programme we provide and we cap each group to ensure that this is not the case.

Community activities have continued with a clean-up and litter pick on the Knavesmire and Little Knavesmire and we assisted Dringhouses Primary School with a sleep over session for their children. Our Beaver Scouts also continue their relationship with a local care home with Christmas activities.

There have been 22 camps held this year,1 Beaver Scouts, 3 Cub Scouts, 9 Scouts, 1 joint Scout/Explorers and 7 Explorer only camps and 1 whole Group Camp.

The majority of our members continue to work towards their bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond Chief Scout awards with some older members working towards the King's Scout Award. In particular we are starting to see more Scouts attaining their Chief Scouts Gold Award and Explorer Scout Young Leaders gaining their Young Leader belt. This is the result of hard work on the part of the leaders in creating exciting programmes that generate enthusiasm to gain these awards in these age groups, something the group has struggled with in previous years.

This year we have also had record numbers of Explorer Scouts remain with the group as adult volunteers as they turn 18 and it is wonderful that these young adults wish to continue with us and help younger generations in this way.

The Group continues to lead the way in training compliance with all members being up-to-date with The Scout Associations mandatory ongoing training which includes safeguarding, safety, data protection and first response training which must be renewed every three years and completed within 5 months of starting for new volunteers.

The group youth membership number at 31st March 2023 was 284.

Financial review

This year has seen the return to our more normal levels of activities and as a consequence this is reflected in our financial performance.

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The Members’ Subscriptions held up well and from November we took the decision to increase the rate to £13pm (for 11 months of the year), the first increase in over two years, in the light of increasing costs in common with many organisations, to ensure the Group’s future.

In addition, we received a one-off boost from gift aid (£19,504) following considerable efforts to bring the claims up to date. In future we will aim to recover this on an annual basis. The remainder of our income came from hiring of the mini buses to other Groups, hire of the Scout Hall together with fundraising due to the greater freedom post Covid and we have received two grants from City of York Council (£1,068).

Our largest expenditure was on Camps and Activities which continue to be very well received. The majority of our running costs e.g., premises and minibus have grown and we were very pleased to support our six contingent(s) members for next year’s Jamboree (£200 each). There were no other large items of expenditure in the year.

Reserves policy

The Group's policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Group Executive Committee considers that the group should hold a sum of £500 in reserve as well as the two sinking funds described below.

At the end of March 2023, the minibus fund was £19,130 (2022; £14,130) and the premises fund was £4,200 (2022; £2,200). Each year, we will set aside: £2,000 for premises expenses, and £5,000 for the minibus fund so that we have sufficient cash balances to replace the buses when they are too old to be used. The Reserves Policy is reviewed annually.

We also have grant funding that we hold in a restricted fund. At the end of the year, this totalled £1,068 (2022; £932) and is to be spent on refurbishment of the mess tent and membership hardship cases. (member support).

Our year-end cash balance is £58,631 (2022; £31,602) which is greater than the sinking funds plus the unspent grants, meaning that the Group is operating within its reserves. A savings account was opened to hold monies not needed for the day to day running of the Group, in particular the sinking funds, to earn interest in the meantime, however no other investments have been made or are planned.

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Annie Bennett, Group Chair John Lucas, Group Treasurer

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Financial Summary

For the Period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

Receipts and Payments

Receipts

Receipts and Payments
Receipts
All amounts shown in GBP Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total
funds
Last
year
2022/23
2022/23
2022/23		 2021/22
Receipts £
£
£
£
Donations, legacies and similar income
Membership subscriptions 34,607 34,607
28,469
less: membership subscriptions paid to
National/County/Area and District		 -15,456 -15,456 -13,108
Net membership subscriptions retained 19,151
0
19,151
15,362
Gift aid 19,504 19,504
0
Sub total 38,655 0 38,655 15,362
Grants and donations
Grants received 1,068
1,068
0
Sub total 0 1,068 1,068 0
Fundraising(gross)
Fundraising activities 2,882 2,882
609
Sub total 2,882 2,882 609
Activities
Camps and activities 35,001 35,001
25,190
Minibus hirings 2,114 2,114
498
Badges and neckers 0
Sub total 37,114 0 37,114 25,687
Interest 0 0
Property rent income 1,125 1,125 495
Sub total 1,125 0 1,125 495
Miscellaneous 0 0
Total receipts
79,776
1,068
80,844
42,153

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Payments Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total
funds

Last
Year
2022/23 2022/23
2022/23		 2021/22
Camps -31,605 -31,605
-19,039
Section activities -3,238 -3,238
-1,279
Ground rent, fuel, insurance, repairs and
renewals		 -5,784
-64
-5,848
-3,839
Equipment -1,292
-282
-1,574
-843
Minibus expenses -4,600
0
-4,600
-3,998
Badges, neckers and uniform -3,236 -3,236
-3,104
Administration -2,340 -2,340
-1,285
Sub total -52,095 -346 -52,440 -33,386
Fundraising expenses -175 -175
-162
Sub total -175 0 -175 -162
Miscellaneous -1,200 -1,200
-19
Total payments
-53,470
-346
-53,815
-33,566
Net of receipts/(payments) 26,307
722
27,029
8,587
Transfers between funds 586
-586		 0
Cash funds last year end 30,670
932
31,602
23,015
Cash funds this year end 57,563
1,068
58,631
31,602

Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Unrestricted
funds

Restricted
funds

Total		 Total
31/03/2022
£
31,602
0
31/03/2023
31/03/2023		 31/03/2023
£
£
£
Cash funds
Current account 32,563
1,068
33,631
Virgin Money 25,000 25,000
Total 57,563
1,068
58,631		 31,602
31/03/2022
£
-
-
Other assets Unrestricted
funds

Restricted
funds

Total
31/03/2023
31/03/2023		 31/03/2023
£ £
Motor vehicles - - -
Equipment etc - - -

The above receipts and payments accounts and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by

Annie Bennett, Group Chair

John Lucas, Group Treasurer

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© 2023 Dringhouses (Parish Church) Scout Group

The Scout Hut, St. Edward The Confessor Church, Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1QG Tel: 07719 079567 Email: enquire@dringhousesscouts.org.uk Web: dringhousesscouts.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1064151 (England & Wales)

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Dringhouses��PC��Scout�Group��Charity�no��1064151��Receipts�and�payments� accounts�1�April�2022�to�31�March�2023
Receipts andpayments
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total
funds		 Last
year
2022/23 2022/23 2022/23 2021/22
Receipts £ £ £ £
Donations, legacies and similar income
Membership subscriptions 34,607 34,607 28,469
less: membership subscriptions paid to
National/County/Area and District		 -15,456 -15,456 -13,108
Net membership subscriptions retained 19,151 0 19,151 15,362
Gift aid 19,504 19,504 0
Sub total 38,655 0 38,655 15,362
Grants and donations
Grants received 1,068 1,068 0
Sub total 0 1,068 1,068 0
Fundraising (gross)
Paper collection and other activities 2,882 2,882 609
Sub total 2,882
2,882 609
Activities
Camps and activities 35,001 35,001 25,190
Minibus hirings 2,114 2,114 498
Badges and neckers 0
Sub total 37,114 0 37,114 25,687
Interest 0 0
Property rent income 1,125 1,125 495
Sub total 1,125 0 1,125 495
Miscellaneous 0 0
Total receipts
79,776		 1,068 80,844 42,153
Payments
Camps -31,605 -31,605 -19,039
Section activities -3,238 -3,238 -1,279
Ground rent, fuel, insurance, repairs and renewals -5,784 -64 -5,848 -3,839
Equipment -1,292 -282 -1,574 -843
Minibus expenses -4,600 0 -4,600 -3,998
Badges, neckers and uniform -3,236 -3,236 -3,104
Administration -2,340 -2,340 -1,285
Sub total -52,095 -346 -52,440 -33,386
Fundraising expenses -175 -175 -162
Sub total -175 0 -175 -162
Miscellaneous -1,200 -1,200 -19
Total payments -53,470 -346 -53,815 -33,566
Net of receipts/(payments) 26,307 722 27,029 8,587
Transfers between funds 586 **-586 ** 0
Cash funds last year end 30,670 932 31,602 23,015
Cash funds this year end 57,563 1,068 58,631 31,602
Statement of assets and liabilities
at the end of theperiod
Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total Total
31/03/2023 31/03/2023 31/03/2023 31/03/2022
£ £ £ £
Cash funds
Current account 32,563 1,068 33,631 31,602
United Trust Bank 25,000 25,000 0
Total 57,563 1,068 58,631 31,602
OK OK OK
Other assets Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted
funds		 Total
31/03/2023 31/03/2023 31/03/2023 31/03/2022
£ £ £
Motor vehicles - - -
Equipment etc - - - -
The above receipts and payments accounts and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the
Trustees and signed on their behalf by
Date of
approval
John Lucas
Annie
Bennett

Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Dringhouses (PC) Scout Group I report lo the Iruslee$ on my examination of the accounts of Dringhouses IPC} Scout Group Ilhe Trust) for the year ended 3151 March 2023, which are atta¢hed. Respon$lbllltles and ba$ls of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wlh the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'lhe Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Dire¢tions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act. Independent examiners statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wth the examination giving me cause lo believe that in any material respocl.. 111 accounting re¢ords were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act.. or {21 the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concern5 and have come acros5 no other matters in connects.on with the examination to whi¢h attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Nigel Everard BA FCA Hunlgr Gee Holroyd Chartered Accountants Club Chambers Museum Street York Y017DN Date.. (o.fi.I