2025-03-31-accounts

Dringhouses Scouts Annual Review 2024/2025 45 KE Scouts Dringhouses York BRINGHOUSES

Contents

Contents
A Report from the Chair	3
Lead Volunteer’s Report	4
In Memoriam: Rob Dobson 1931-2025	5
Meet the Team	6
The Trustee Board (core members)	6
The Senior Leadership Team	7
The Leadership Team	9
Squirrel Scouts	9
Beaver Scouts	10
Cub Scouts	11
Scouts	12
Explorer Scouts	13
Vacancies	13
Roll of Honour	14
Group Awards	15
The Chairman’s Cup	15
Section Reports	16
Squirrels	17
Beavers	18
Cubs	19
Scouts	20
Explorers	21
Trustees’ Annual Report	23
Financial Summary	27

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A Report from the Chair

(including statement of Public Benefit)

Dringhouses Scout Group exists to fulfil the purpose of actively engaging and supporting young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. This review of the year gives a flavour of the activities, finances and infrastructure which enables us to carry out that purpose and to celebrate the achievements of our members.

Having had a period of extensive change driven by The Scout Association, the group has continued to build on our robust procedures and programmes, to consolidate trustee and leadership roles to support the delivery of high-quality Scouting. The trustee board continues to use tools provided by the Charity Commission and Scout Association to this end.

Recruitment within the group remains a huge undertaking and has been given the proper priority in the last 12 months. Our doors are always open to anyone who feels they could contribute in uniformed roles or support teams.

Funds have been used to improve our equipment and better suit the requirements of sections. The need to maintain equipment to extend its life and cut down on our environmental impact is vital. To this end we continue to look for a Quartermaster who could oversee this.

Fundraising continues to supplement our income from subscriptions. Activities have been made possible by a small but dedicated team of adults and young people who come out to station and supermarket collections. This year a special mention should go out to the Christmas tree collection operated by Explorer sections. We have also benefitted from the generous support of the Ward Committee and St Edwards’ Church to continue the work of our Member Support fund. We also recently received a very kind bequest in honour of one of our long-standing leaders.

This year our numbers included some 289 young people, 84 adult volunteers of whom 11 are trustees. The number of adults from the group gaining recognition for their hard work reflects the quality of their leadership. While the level of progress young people make through badge work is a yardstick for the group’s effectiveness, but is a less tangible measure. It is also worth reflecting on how individuals change and grow during their time within the group and the impact which can be felt more widely through those young people’s interactions with the wider community.

My thanks go to all our volunteers, parents and carers who support us but especially to our young people.

Annie Bennett, Group Chair

Annie

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Lead Volunteer’s Report

David Thorne, Group Lead Volunteer

This year has seen several significant changes for our volunteers, both in the way we volunteer and in the systems we use to record our data and processes. For some of us this has been a seamless transition, for others a lot of work has been going on invisibly behind the scenes. The renewed focus on training has seen improvements in the way the learning content is delivered but has meant many of the team have had to re-do training more frequently than they were expecting to. Add to that the teething troubles we faced (and to an extent are still facing) with the introduction of the new system and I would like to thank all the volunteers in the group for their perseverance and patience, and for putting up with (what must have felt like) lots of emails from me through the year.

The Group is currently hovering around 300 children and young people and has been for about two years. We’re always on the lookout for new adult volunteers (both as leaders and behind the scenes) and this year saw 12 new leaders join the group, but we still have vacancies for 15.

It was great to be able to celebrate the achievements of many or our team at the recent North Yorkshire Scouting celebration event, in particular it was brilliant to recognise all the hard work put in by our Group Chair Annie Bennett, who not only looks after our legal compliance and liaison on premises with the church, but also drives fundraising efforts and even finds time to run the catering at Group Camp, after twenty years it was great for her to be given the award for Merit. Same too goes for one of our younger leaders, Frankie Delamere, who received the commendation for good service. Frankie, an Explorer leader, has supported the World Scout Jamboree in Korea (which was particularly challenging) and the more local Larkin Jamboree where she was on the catering team. Obviously, I’d like to celebrate all our volunteers, but these two stood out for me this year

We continue to provide fun and adventure for children and young people from age four to age seventeen. Events this year included ten pin bowling, athletics, football, a wizard walk around the city, a Monopoly run around London, Ice skating, Climbing, a farm visit and more. And this does not include the many camps that have been run in all weathers throughout the year as well. In particular, our Group Camp at Raywell Park saw more than 230 people on site over the weekend, which is amazing! And our second local St George’s Day celebration was well attended with the treasure hunt and picnic in Knavesmire Woods being the venue for our Group to get together to celebrate the life of our patron saint.

On a more sombre note, it was sad to lose one of our long serving leaders, Rob Dobson, who passed away in February. Rob was a stalwart of the Beavers section and a kind and generous man who we all will miss.

I’m personally looking forward to the coming year, Group Camp, at Bramhope, will, be brilliant as usual, and the Explorers must be very excited to think about their trip to Switzerland in the Summer. All the events that the group provides provide opportunities for our children and young people, that they are unlikely to find anywhere other than in Scouting, giving them the confidence to try new things and succeed, setting them up well for their future lives. And, like a broken record, I’m ending this note with a suggestion that, if ever you’ve been interested in helping and making a difference in your community, now’s the time to reach out and volunteer with us. Just contact me to speak about it!

All the best Dave

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In Memoriam: Rob Dobson 1961-2025

One of our long serving volunteers, Rob Dobson, passed away in February 2025.

Rob joined the group as a Tuesday Beaver leader in January 2003, continuing in that role for just over fifteen years, eventually stepping down in 2019 and joining the Support Team. Rob returned in 2022 joining the Squirrels Team until 2024 when ill health forced him to step back again.

Rob would often quietly work in the background to make things better for the group and brought a calming and levelheaded approach to all he did, as a leader, on the Executive Committee, as part of the Active Support Team, on a section night or at an activity or event.

Katie Harvey, formerly Assistant Group Scout Leader (Beavers), remembers that when she first started being a Beaver Leader some 14 years ago Rob was “one of the gang” and was an integral part of the Beavers Team. His enthusiasm and passion were immense. He was always keen to get things done, lending a hand with planning, events, camps, often stepping in at the last minute when asked.

And he loved running games with the children, so much so, it was hard to stop him joining in himself!

Outside of Scouting Rob was a busy person, running his dental practice and latterly travelling the world during his retirement, but he always managed to find time to help other people and support the Group.

Rob was a great Beaver and Squirrel leader who had a positive impact on many adults, children and young people, he made the world a better place. His interactions with young people and adults alike were supportive and kind and he will be sorely missed by us all.

He had the unwavering support of his family in his volunteering and our thoughts are with Helen and his children.

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Meet the Team

The Trustee Board (core members)

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 Scouting, she can give more time to support the great team of volunteers we have.

Jan Moor

Group Treasurer

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.

Lucy Leinster Group Secretary

Lucy has two sons who attend Beavers and Cubs, and both very much enjoy the activities each group has to offer. In 2024, Lucy was appointed as Secretary and can use her company secretarial experience to support the group in this role. Lucy was also co-opted as a trustee.

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 Senior Leadership Team

The Management Team coordinates all Scouting activities within the Group. The Group Chair and Treasurer are also a part of the Senior Leadership Team. The full team is listed below in alphabetical order.

Andy Elliott Group Team Leader (Explorers)

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 Group Team Leader role for Explorers in 2021 when the vacancy arose.

Andy’s daughter is in Cubs and son is in Squirrels.

Chris Rundle

Group Team Leader (Squirrels)

Chris first became involved with Dringhouses Scouts when his eldest son joined Beavers in 2020 (he’s now in Cubs). 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 Group Team Leader for Squirrels.

'I enjoyed helping 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.

David Thorne

Group Lead Volunteer

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 Section Leader a year later.

From January 2021 Dave was 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.

Dave helps with District admin and IT and sits on the District Awards Panel.

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

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Georgina Warwick Group Team Leader (Cubs)

following in her father's footsteps, Georgina joined Scouting in September 2014 as an assistant Beaver leader for 14th Harrogate and she’s still helping there today. After moving to York in the early part of 2019, Georgina soon started volunteering as an assistant Cub Leader at Dringhouses Scouts and progressed to Team Leader for Tuesday Cubs in September 2024 and the Group Team Leader for Cubs at the same time.

Nicola Silke

Group Team Leader (Beavers)

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 Team 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 in 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.”

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Justin Moss
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Group Support Team Leader

Moving to York about ten years ago and having been an Air Scout in his youth, Justin eagerly signed up his son for Beavers (Squirrels weren't available at the time). After attending the first group camp as a parent, he was inspired to support the group and became the Cub parent representative around 2019. When his son advanced to Scouts, he joined the Active Support Team in 2021 and took over its leadership from Martin in 2022.

Since his involvement, the Active Support Team has continued to flourish, continually expanding its volunteer base. “We are always seeking more volunteers who want to contribute but can't commit to regular meetings. Opportunities include assisting at events like the fair, helping leaders at the beginning and end of camps, and supporting our pinnacle event, the group camp, which requires a couple of days to set up. Volunteers can also participate in county events, such as Ignite, a weekend event for around 800 Scouts and Explorers, and Larkin in 2024, a week-long event with international Scouts in Yorkshire, attended by about 3,000 participants.”

Vacancy

Group Team Leader (Scouts)

Interested in coordinating all the Scout nights and helping them to work together to provide joint activities and co-ordinate the programme, helping all the Scout Leaders to share the workload? This could be the role for you, let us know if you’re interested, no Scouting or outdoor activities experience needed, just enthusiasm!!

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The Leadership Team

Team Leaders are responsible for coordinating the programme for their night and liaising with the sections before and after as appropriate.

Squirrel Scouts

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

Chris Rundle

Team Leader- Monday Squirrels

See the Senior Leadership section above

Lisa Auckland

Team Leader- Tuesday Squirrels

Lisa has been involved in Dringhouses Scouts as a parent since 2014 and in 2024 was able to commit to regular help with Squirrels. Since joining she has become the Team Leader of the latest Squirrel Drey to be added to the Group on a Tuesday evening.

Ash Elliott

Team Leader- Friday Squirrels

After attending her first group camp in 2023 as a parent, Ash joined Dringhouses Scouts as a Team Member at Friday Beavers and in 2024 started helping at Squirrels too, becoming the Team Leader for Friday Squirrels.

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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
a	|See the Senior Leadership Team section above
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	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.”
Vacancy		Team Leader(Beaver Scouts)- FridayBeavers
		Vacancy, temporarily being covered by Nicola Silke

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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.

Georgina Warwick	Georgina Warwick	Team Leader(Cub Scouts)- Tuesday“Romans” Cubs
		See the Senior Leadership Team section above
Natasha Bayston		Team Leader(Cub Scouts)- Thursday“Saxons” Cubs
		Natasha has been with the group since she joined as a scout in 2011. She
Si EN Y	yee!	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
hy ay kN Net	<a ie Wiles on	assistant section leader of Thursday Cubs. In 2019 she took over from Tina as the section leader for Thursday Cubs.
ul vi	f
David Thorne	David Thorne	Team Leader(Cub Scouts)- Friday“Vikings” Cubs
g	g	See the Senior Leadership 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.

Matt Nicholas Team Leader (Scouts)- Tuesday “Dringhouses PC” Scouts

Matt started as a leader with Dringhouses in September 2024. He has been within Scouts since he was a Cub going though Scouts and Explorers where he earned his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award and Queens Scouts Award. He has been a young leader in his hometown of Saffron Walden until he left for university in 2011. After University he returned to Scouting as an assistant leader in Doncaster. He has attended the World Scout Jamboree in Japan in 2015 as part of the International Support Team and as a participant attended The World Scout Moot in Iceland in 2018. Now the Team Leader of Tuesday Scouts he has interests in hiking and orienteering and has recently volunteered to assist in running Duke of Edinburgh training and expeditions.

Jonny Fry

Team Leader (Scouts)- Thursday “St Edward’s” Scouts

Jonny started at Dringhouses as a Beaver and, despite being away from York at different points in time has always maintained a connection with the group. As a Dringhouses member, he cycled from Lands’ End to John O’Groats, attended the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden in 2011, completed his Queen’s Scout Award, and earned his Explorer Belt in Morocco. In 2017 Jonny was a member of the Colour Party at the National Scout Day of Celebration and Achievement at Windsor Castle and has since returned to help as a Team Leader to celebrate the achievements of Queen’s and King’s Scouts and others who have received Scouting awards. Jonny was awarded his Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service in 2021 and is Team Leader at Thursday Scouts.

Charlotte McCarthy

Team Leader (Scouts)- Friday “St Helen’s” Scouts

Charlotte began Scouting in 1997 as an Assistant Beaver Scout Leader at St Chad’s Greys Scouts where she had been a Young Leader, Venture Scout and Band Member. She moved to Holgate Scouts as an Assistant Beaver Leader in 2001 but a year later moved to the Scouts Section as an Assistant Leader to support Andy, the Section Leader, who unbeknownst to her at the time, would become her husband. Charlotte is part of a large Scouting family who then married into another large scouting family!

“I love working with the older age ranges so applied and was honoured to represent North Yorkshire in the UK at the 21st World Scout Jamboree in 2007 as an Assistant Unit Leader working with Explorers. I had a short stint as the Ebor District Explorer Scout Commissioner but felt this was too much with a young family, so took a break.

When my eldest, Georgia, joined Beavers in 2015 (Now an Explorer) and Katie was looking for leaders and running a parent helper rota, I did my rostered nights and found I had really missed Scouting, so I was lured back and Joined Friday Beavers “ I am really lucky to have a very supportive family who are all involved in the group in one way or another! ”

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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.

Vacancy District Team Leader (Explorer Scouts)- Monday “Nordic” ESU

Andy Elliott District Team Leader (Explorer Scouts)- Wednesday “Yorvik” ESU See the Senior Leadership 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 in 2016 as a Section Assistant with St Edwards Troop at Dringhouses, moving in 2019 to be a Team Member at Monday Explorers. In December 2018 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 Cubs and Scouts

Vacancies

Vacancies

We are currently recruiting for the following uniformed positions:

• Team Members, all Squirrels nights

• Team Members, Wednesday Beavers

• Team Leader, Friday Beavers

• Team Members, all Cubs nights

• Team Leader, Tuesday Scouts

• Team Members, Tuesday Scouts

• Team Member, Friday Scouts

• Team Leader, Monday Explorers

• Team Members, both Explorer nights

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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.

• Annie Bennett, Chair of the Group Trustee Board

Length of service awards are available to Members and Associate Members of the Association with eligible roles that accrue service, uniformed or not, the following awards were issued this year:

Chief Scout’s 5 Years Service Award

• Dagmara Blachut

• Dan Swan

• Emma Fletcher

• Justin Moss

• Meg Holgate

Chief Scout’s 10 Years Service Award

• Georgina Warwick

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Group Awards

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

Monday Tuesday Friday Squirrels	Squirrel of the year: Martha Jennings Thomas Jackson Harriet Lees
Tuesday Wednesday Friday BEAVERS,	Beaver of the year: Mia Clough Hali and Ida Cham Harry Squire
Romans (Tuesday) Saxons (Thursday) Vikings(Friday) cubs	Cub of the year: Oscar Morris Klara Szymczakowska Marie Franklin
Dringhouses PC Troop (Tuesday) St Edward’s Troop (Thursday) St Helen’s Troop (Friday) SCOUTS	Scout of the year: Isabelle Hogan Karla Diget Amelia Auckland
Nordic Explorers (Monday) Jorvik Explorers (Wednesday) Young Leaders EXPLORERS	Explorer Scout of the year: Amalie Gaudekova Harry Clark Toby Robinson

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 – Youth Members: Jake Auckland

Chairman’s Cup – Adult Volunteers: Phil Bennett

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Section Reports

First, a few pictures:

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Squirrels Squi

Squirrels at Dringhouses have continued to grow and develop across the three dreys with our young people engaging in a wide range of activities, experiences and fun. Our regular programme has covered a range of activity and challenge badges to help Squirrels develop and work towards the Chief Scouts Acorn award. It was great to see many of our Squirrels receive their award at the District Award Ceremony in October.

We were actively involved in a range of Group and District events this year, which not only supported a wider understanding of the Scouting family but also gave a taster of the opportunities available to the older sections. All three dreys had a joint visit to Beetlebank Farm, where the chance to get close to some furry friends was (mostly) welcomed, as was the freedom of a

whole play park to themselves. A Dringhouses team won the first ever District Sports Day, which managed to complete a range of favourite games before the rain arrived. We joined the Beavers at the Group Christmas bounce and the District Christmas party.

Squirrels joined Group Camp again this year for a longer afternoon of activities, finishing with a campfire and songs, with some great support by some of our Explorers and Young Leaders. We also joined the final day of the Junior Larkin International Jamboree for a warm day of games, activities and the experience of a Jamboree only a few miles from home.

Our regular meetings had a mixed programme of activities with Squirrels engaging in exciting experiments, storytelling, seasonal crafts and games. We had an excellent visit from a local music teacher who had each night moving, drumming and shaking to various rhythms. All three nights had memorable visits to BBC Radio York to learn about local radio and the role it plays in our community. They also recorded their thoughts on superheroes they know.

A packed year when Squirrels once again expanded their boundaries!

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So, this year Beavers have been having fun making new friends, meeting people learning new things, challenging themselves to have new experiences and growing in confidence (and height of course) as they go! We’ve seen a small change in leadership with Katie Harvey leaving Friday Beavers and stepping down from her role co-ordinating all things Beaver related for the Group. We’re all really grateful to Nicola Silke for stepping up to the role of Group Team Leader for Beavers from September. If anyone wants to join our successful Beavers team on a Friday, please let us know as we really do need

new helpers- we’ve been too successful and have more Beavers than ever!

This year we’ve been very busy too. We had a camp at Elvington, attended the Larkin International Jamboree and of course, we took parents on Group Camp to show them what it’s all about!

Camping is fun and a great way to learn independence and that we can do it if we have a go!

We also spent some time out and about in our local community; learning road safety, cycling, discovering nature on our doorstep. It turns out the leaders are just big kids too… who knew!

The Wizard Walk in the City was also great fun! There was loads more that we did during the year, but there’s just not enough space to fit it all in on one page.

We’re all looking forward to the fun stuff we’ve got planned for next year though, can’t wait!!

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Cubs have had a fantastic, jam-packed year covering a range of activities and events working towards their badges and developing skills for life!

The Cubs leadership team has changed a bit, after Jane and Sarah stepped down in the summer. And Georgina moved to be Tuesday Cubs Team Leader and took on coordinating all the Cubs nights, we also said goodbye to Iola who has moved down south after completing her degree and welcomed Kelly who has joined the Friday Cubs team.

Elvington Air Museum, Beetle Bank Farm, Acomb Fire station, Kayaking, Ten Pin bowling and Energise are some of the places Cubs have been this year, learning, playing and having fun.

Cubs have also been on several camps this year including Larkin, Elvington, and not forgetting Group Camp, all of which gave them amazing opportunities to meet new people from other groups all over the UK and further afield and from different sections in Scouting and Girl Guiding and try new activities, building confidence and resilience as they went.

Throughout the year Cubs have met up with several other Cub packs as they participated in District events including athletics, football, rounders, chess, rugby, The Hergarth Challenge District activity days.

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Scouts has been amazing this year, so much to do, see, experience, and it’s great to see the older Scouts supporting the younger ones as well. Whether it’s helping them to settle in when moving up to Scouts, teaching new skills or supporting on a camp, watching young adults helping members of their team is just amazing!

Cooking is always popular, be it a ready steady cook event or learning how to use a Trangea by cooking popcorn, Scouts always want to do more cooking, do they cook as much at home?

Camps are a great opportunity to cook as well, but they are also great for getting out doors, whether that’s in the snow around Roseberry Topping or the Mud next to Leeds Bradford Airport, learning to navigate, work as a team, what to wear, what to take, what not to take, it’s all part of the great outdoors experience that our Scouts embrace.

Any excuse to dress up, we were on the Romans Sub-Camp at the Larkin Jamboree and of course that involved dressing up, leaders too. We think Scout leaders do it just to have the excuse to have fun and join in as well!

It’s been great to welcome Matt to the Scouts Team as he took over from Janey (who has gone to university) at Tuesday Scouts. And what’s been amazing is the number of young leaders that have been with the group since joining as Beavers who have now joined the team as adult volunteers as well. It’s with mixed emotions that we see them continue their education at various universities from September, happy for them embarking on the next step in their life, sad to see them leave the group, but maybe they’ll come back, who knows?

This does leave some space for new volunteers, if you’re interested, please let us know as we’d love to have you in our successful team!

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Last summer saw Explorers join the other sections from Dringhouses as well as Scouts & Guides from all over the UK and world at the Larkin Jamboree, there were plenty of activities going on and some Explorers used their charm as the sombrero gang to trade some neckers from a group in Scotland!

September saw us take part in Group Camp, which is always a fun event, Explorers normally provide the campfire entertainment and get the fire roaring!

Escape is always a highlight of the year, and this year was no different with some of our members attending the 24-hour event and experiencing some type 2 fun!

Some of the Explorers helped with the Christmas tree recycling which raised a great amount of money for 2025’s summer camp in Switzerland.

January saw the return of Janumas camp, we did a park run, cooked a Christmas meal and enjoyed some games over a weekend camp.

And this year was the first time we have taken part in the London Monopoly run, a fantastic event run for over 8000 Scouts & Guides all navigating their way across London’s Monopoly venues.

We were lucky enough to win some tickets to the Explorer takeover day at the national space centre where we learnt about space and even saw a partial solar eclipse.

Section nights have seen us cooking, hiking, kayaking, and many other activities, all in all, a busy and fun year!

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Trustees’ Annual Report

From 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Reference and administration details

Dringhouses (Parish Church) Scout Group 1064151

Registered charity name: Registered charity number: 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 Trustee Board for the above period: Group Lead Volunteer Dave Thorne Chairperson Annie Bennett Treasurer Jan Moor Treasury Team Member/Church Rep Wendy Hewitt Group Secretary Lucy Leinster Safety Officer Mike Hewitt Trustee Justin Moss Trustee Catherine Bell Trustee Susan Rundle Trustee Gareth Mines Trustee James Etherington

Structure, governance and management

The Group is registered with The Scout Association’s under their 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 and closely observes Charity Commission guidelines. 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 Lead Volunteer, supported by the Group Senior Leadership team and the Group Trustee Board.

The Group Trustee Board:

• Maintains Group Property

• Administers the Group’s finances, including fundraising

• Is responsible for risk management and Insurance

• Runs Group public occasions

• Assists with recruitment of leaders and other adult support

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• Appoints any sub-groups that may be required.

The attendance record of the trustee board has risen in line with the target of 80% set in the previous annual report and was in fact 86%.

Risk and internal control

The risks associated with running a scout group are given priority by The Trustee Board and the teams associated with the day to day running of the group. A Risk Register is in place and regularly reviewed and updated.

We have a Safety Officer in place who is a Trustee. The Risk Register outlines the Governance risks to the group, the most serious of which have been identified as:

Injury to members, leaders, helpers, supporters, and the public. Risk assessments are undertaken, in line with POR, before all activities and are approved as outlined therein. The Group takes risk to the 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.

Safeguarding of members, leaders, supporters and the public. Every volunteer is vetted; DBS checked and must undertake safe-guarding training shortly after appointment and review at regular intervals. The Scout Association policy (Yellow Card) is strictly adhered to.

Damage to the building, property, and equipment. Should the building be uninhabitable the Group would seek accommodation in the Church, with neighbouring organisations, and other scout groups. Equipment could be borrowed from other groups until insurance claims are made. Adequate insurance is in place and regularly reviewed. We would undertake immediate action to rectify any damage.

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 and institute cost-cutting measures.

Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant on volunteers. 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, we would appeal to the District Lead Volunteer for assistance but ultimately the number of sections may need to be reduced.

The full Risk Register and disaster planning documents can be seen on request.

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:

• Enjoy what they are doing and have fun

• Take part in activities indoors and outdoors

• Learn by doing

• Share in spiritual reflection

• Take responsibility and make choices

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• Undertake new and challenging activities

• Make and live by their Promise

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 is maintained at 14 sections, each meeting during term time. There is a small waiting list which is operated in line with the published formal policy.

The annual census return submitted to The Scout Association in February 2025 puts the group in the category of one of the largest in the District and County, however trustees and leadership are mindful of maintaining the quality of the programme the group provides.

Community activities have continued and are comprehensively covered in the Lead Volunteers Report as are camps, events, and award (Badge) achievement.

Our active Explorer and Young Leaders section provide the group with a great pool of young people who remain in the group as adult volunteers when they turn 18.

The Group continues to lead the way in training compliance with all members being up to date with The Scout Associations mandatory ongoing training. The newly released versions of much training have meant all members have to comply in a set period and our leaders are making good progress.

The group youth membership on the 31[st] March 2025 was 295 young people.

Financial review

Due to costs remaining on the high side and the substantial rise in Capitation (per member sum paid to the Scout Association) the decision was taken to raise our own subscription level to £15.50 a month for the last 6 months of the financial year, enabling us to adequately meet the needs of the Group. We offset this difficult decision with renewing our resolve to ensure we catch as many young people as possible who may need financial support with our member support fund.

Gift aid claims are now regularly taking place to benefit the group from a steady predictable income. The remainder of our income came from continued strong fundraising (just under £6,000), together with hiring of the minibuses. A grant funding the Member Support Fund was received from the Ward and a generous pledge of ongoing donations to go to this fund from St Edward’s Church enables ensure no one is excluded due to lack of funds.

We are also very grateful to have received a significant donation in memory of Rob Dobson, who volunteered as a leader in Beavers for over 15 years and latterly with Squirrels.

Our largest expenditure was on Camps and Activities, with an even greater number taking place, which continue to be very well received.

The majority of our running costs e.g. premises and minibus have continued to be on the high side. Due to the continued unreliability of the two minibuses and the difficulty of towing the trailer with either, the difficult decision was made to look at alternatives. The purchase of two second-hand minibuses and a second-hand van, partly using part exchange/sale of the current buses will shortly be completed and the outlay has been contained within the small surplus from 2024-2025 and a small amount of the current sinking fund. This means that there will be a reasonable pot in the sinking fund to replace these second-hand minibuses when required. Minor repairs and maintenance have been carried out on the building. We anticipate the need to undertake roof repairs, consider a new heating system and additional storage in the coming year.

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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 Board of Trustees considers that the Group should hold a sum of £15,000 in reserve as well as the two sinking funds described below.

At the end of March 2025, the minibus fund (before purchase of the replacement minibuses and van) was £29,130 (2024: £24,130) and the premises fund was £17,815 (2024: £15,600). 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 deemed too old to be used. The Reserves Policy is reviewed annually.

We have fully utilised grant funding received in the previous financial year which has been used towards membership hardship cases and the purchase of bell tents, a second-hand oven and new Squirrels flags. Our year-end cash balance is £92,226 (2024: £63,847) which is greater than the sinking funds and current camp/activities income yet to spend, meaning that the Group is operating within its reserves. The extra surplus this year will be used up by the purchase of a van, which is much needed for the Group's continued activities.

A savings account continues to hold monies not needed for the day to day running of the Group, particularly the sinking funds, to earn interest in the meantime, however no other investments have been made or are planned.

In line with the advice received from our Independent Examiner, we are continuing to show the value of our other assets, which currently consist of our two minibuses and one trailer.

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees by

Annie Bennett, Group Chair Janet Moor, Group Treasurer

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Financial Summary

For the Period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Receipts and Payments

Receipts

Receipts and Payments Receipts
All amounts shown in GBP	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds	Last year
	2024/25	2024/25	2024/25	2023/24
Receipts	£	£	£	£
Donations, legacies and similar income
Membership subscriptions	44,116		44,116	37,271
less: membership subscriptions paid to National/County/Area and District	-18,810		-18,810	-16,020
Net membership subscriptions retained	25,306	0	25,306	21,251
Gift aid	13,311		13,311	8,271
Sub total	38,617	0	38,617	29,522
Grants and donations
Grants received	1,000	2,166	3,166	-412
Sub total	1,000	2,166	3,166	-412
Fundraising (gross)
Fundraising activities	10,029		10,029	5,012
Sub total	10,029		10,029	5,012
Activities
Camps and activities	47,978		47,978	46,232
Minibus hirings	618		618	1,087
Badges and neckers	97		97
Sub total	48,693	0	48,693	47,320
Interest	991		991	575
Property rent income	435		435	1,204
Sub total	1,426	0	1,426	1,778
Miscellaneous	0		0	8
Total receipts	99,765	2,166	101,931	83,228

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Payments	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds	Last Year
	2024/25	2024/25	2024/25	2023/24
Subscriptions Go Cardless fees	-1,356		-1,356	-31,605
Camps inc. Go Cardless fees	-45,479		-45,479	-3,238
Section activities	-3,602		-3,602	-5,848
Ground rent, fuel, insurance, repairs and renewals	-8,174		-8,174	-1,292
Equipment	-2,019		-2,019
Minibus expenses	-8,595		-8,595
Badges, neckers and uniform	-2,799		-2,799	-4,600
Administration	-976		-976	-3,236
Subscriptions Go Cardless fees	-1,356		-1,356	-2,340
Sub total	-73,552	0	-73,552	-77,991
Fundraising expenses	-464		-464	-6
Sub total	-464	0	-464	-6
Miscellaneous	-87		-87	-15
Total payments	-73,552	0	-73,552	-78,012
Net of receipts/(payments)	26,213	2,166	28,379	5,216
Transfers between funds
Cash funds last year end	63,847	0	63,847	58,631
Cash funds this year end	90,059	2,166.29	92,226	63,847

Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

	Unrestricted funds		Restricted funds		Total	Total 31/03/2024 £ 38,847 25,000
	31/03/2025		31/03/2025		31/03/2025
	£		£		£
Cash funds
Current account	65,059.32		2,166		67,226
United Trust Bank	25,000				25,000
Total	90,059		2,166		92,226	63,847
						Total 31/03/2024 £ 39,500 -
Other assets	Unrestricted funds		Restricted funds		Total
	31/03/2025		31/03/2025		31/03/2025
	£		£
Motor vehicles	29,000		-		29,000
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

Janet Moor, Group Treasurer

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THE TRUSTEES OF DRINGHOUSES (PC) SCOUT GROUP

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE

TRUSTEES OF DRINGHOUSES (PC) SCOUT GROUP

.1 report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Dringhouses (PC) Scout Group for the year ended 31[st ] March 2025

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('The Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the charity Commissioner under section 145(5)(b) of the 201 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or (2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or

(3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirements that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Hunter Gee Holroyd Chartered Accountants

Club Chambers

Museum Street

York

YOI 7DN

Date.

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© 2025 Dringhouses (Parish Church) Scout Group

The Scout Hut, St. Edward The Confessor Church, Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1QG

Tel: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Web: dringhousesscouts.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1064151 (England & Wales)

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