THE OUTLOOK TRUST FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Annual Report 2024
2024 has been a successful year for the Outlook Trust. We have provided our six activity weekends. The weekends have been well attended with some oversubscribed. We have seen lots of new faces this year as well as our regular attendees from previous years. We are forging links with local charitable providers for visually impaired youngsters. A group joined us for our July weekend from Vision Support Barrow. We hope this relationship will develop
This year we provided respite for families and offered sixty five weekend opportunities
The residential sailing week was a great success. This year we picked our boat up at the mouth of the Hamble estuary The trip proved to be quite an adventure . All participants were actively engaged. The skipper Mark did an excellent job in involving all the youngsters all the time in sailing the boat.
They all came back with a good understanding of what is required to sail a large yacht at sea.. We visited Yarmouth Cowes and Hythe
It certainly went well.
“Harry was absolutely buzzing when he came home. He had a brilliant week and can’t believe it went so fast!”
We have certainly made good use of our bus this year with no issues travelling down to the Hamble. A great thank you to Jonny and Mary for their support with the driving and sailing.
Trustees Jeff Davies Brian Harrington John Lee Jonathan Cormack
THE OUTLOOK TRUST FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
We benefitted from the use of Ghyll Head Outdoor Activity Centre. They also provided our water activities
The bespoke Safeguarding training designed specifically to meet the needs of The Outlook Trust was successfully delivered, to all staff involved in supporting participating children. This was delivered by our two Safeguarding Officers on the first two weekends of the season. We are still refining our policies and procedures in collaboration with the RYA Safeguarding team. Trustees have met regularly to discuss ongoing matters and monitor effective use of our resources.
We replaced our twenty two year old Rib this year as it was proving to be unreliable. We collected a new one from Humber RIBS in Hull
The Facebook Page has worked well giving up to date 4 Pox, ” + information. More parents are becoming directly involved. A . 0 i, ge = Syed rs ha isn[|] big thanks to Evelina and all the parents who have supported us with donations this year.Thank you for your support in fund raising. We always need your support.
Ellen one of our participants has now reached 18. She has asked if she can continue her involvement with us as a volunteer. I have asked if she can help us with promoting the work of The Outlook Trust. She said shall i write a piece on my experience of attending Outlook trust `events. It is always useful to our organisation to hear the experience of youngsters.
Why the Outlook Trust will Change your Outlook
The Outlook Trust provide outdoor activity weekends in the Lake District for visually impaired children and young people. That is a basic definition of the Outlook Trust, but it is so much more.
Trustees Jeff Davies Brian Harrington John Lee Jonathan Cormack
THE OUTLOOK TRUST FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
I began attending weekends with the Outlook Trust when I was around 12 years old and instantly felt better connected to other blind children which was such a safe haven for someone who attended a main stream primary and
secondary school where I was the only pupil with a visual impairment. Since that point, I was desperate to go to as many weekends as I could (which was unusual coming from a very introverted 12 year old me!).
During the years I spent attending these weekends I slowly but surely grew in confidence both in my abilities: rock climbing, zip wiring, kayaking etc but also in my hope that I really wasn’t the only one
struggling because as most blind people know, it can be extremely isolating. No
matter how many online groups and forums you join, sometimes you just need the human connection to fully realise how big and inclusive our community is.
Growing up, I was adventurous, excited and passionate but when I lost my sight I lost much more as well. I
quickly found that the hobbies and after school clubs I used to love now felt excluding and inaccessible. The groups who were specifically for disabled children were simply too broad and I didn’t feel that my disability was understood. That all changed when my parents found The Outlook Trust!
Despite the fact that many of us didn’t live in Cumbria, the staff try to find a way to get you there. As a child I often felt as though I didn’t have any freedom or independence which would cause me frustration. The Outlook Trust allow blind children to explore their passions
Trustees Jeff Davies Brian Harrington John Lee Jonathan Cormack
THE OUTLOOK TRUST FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
and discover their independence in a safe and supportive environment.It is safe to say that the person I was pre Outlook Trust is unrecognisable to me now and the trust has opened up so many possibilities for me.
The positive comments we have received are a great motivation.
“The most amazing weekends that i can’t recommend highly enough! George gets so much from them and has made some great friends. The fact that he would rather be at The Outlook Trust than Spain says it all!”
The year has had its challenges with bikes, trailers and boats requiring maintenance repair or sustaining damage that have needed to be sorted. with the support of parents and volunteers we have been able to deal with these challenges. It has also however had lots of high points too. Meeting new children and families is always good. However seeing so many of our youngsters making progress, achieving more and growing in confidence makes us realise we are doing things right. .It is also great seeing our youngsters having fun, playing out, enjoying each other’s company, and being children. This makes it all worth while.
With this in mind please feel free to spread the word about our weekends so we reach as many young people who would benefit from our work as we possibly can.
We will be proposing six weekends in 2025 as well as our sailing week. If you can think of any sporting events fun runs etc where you might attract sponsorship please consider us.
If you know of any charitable trusts or companies offering support please let us know or if you feel confident enough apply on our behalf. I am happy to provide any information and support you require Thank you to the cyclists who support our lakeside rides .Without these wonderful people giving their time freely at weekends we could not operate.
Trustees Jeff Davies Brian Harrington John Lee Jonathan Cormack
THE OUTLOOK TRUST FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
Things are looking promising for 2025 and we are now improving, repairing replacing and preparing boats and bikes for next season.
A special thank you to John, Rob, Julie and other staff at Ghyll Head Outdoor Activity Centre. They have made us very welcome as well as letting us store and moor our boats. We will be using the centre!s accommodation and services in the forthcoming year.
Every penny we raise goes to supporting our special participants. We rely upon our volunteers to make the weekends work.
A massive thank you to Jonny (Cormack) and John Lee fellow trustees who have been hands on - ~ aks q FS ae trustees Jonny has been a real boon eeere= tare - A q this year helping launch and recover =. — our boats and driving our youngsters —= down to the Hamble for our sailing week. He has provided a great deal ~~ of support to our charity for many ws years now.
A big thank to Brian for his “legal head” support in 2024
Our thanks go to Jackie who has made a considerable impact on the smooth running of our weekends as well as the quality of food we have. Thanks too to Sarah a qualified sailing instructor who has also helped with meals as well as being actively involved with sailing. thank you Mary, another qualified sailing instructor who has also volunteered giving her time and knowledge freely for all our activities. Thanks to Gerard who has done so much for us behind the scenes. Also thank you to young John and Victoria our other weekend volunteers.
Trustees Jeff Davies Brian Harrington John Lee Jonathan Cormack
THE OUTLOOK TRUST FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
We also wish to thank
Tim Parr Charitable Trust
Happy. Days
Cumbria Counsel Community Fund
Yorkshire Youth
Sir George Martin Charitable Trust
The Noble Family Trust.
Sovereign Health Care Bradford
Children In Need
Shrewsbury Shufflers
Evelina Jakes Mum fund raising
Windermere School (use of Gig )
Jeff Davies Trustee
Trustees Jeff Davies Brian Harrington John Lee Jonathan Cormack
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of ovTL£JDX TRusr On accounts for the year ended i. )J.aoa4- Charlty no (If any) IOE15WO Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Tw8t') for the year ended 3 11 i a iacx4 . Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in aGGordance with the requirement8 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act.). I report in Spect of my examination of the Tru8t'8 accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statsment I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Slgned: Dats: 4.03.aoaS Name: 3eNNIF6£ ANfvJ 0rC Relevant professlonal qualificatlon(s) or body (If any): .m.A.A.r Address.. 11 ¥ r<iA£KÉT f£*r 3é IER October 2018
Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detslls of any itsms that the examiner wishes to disclose. NJOThJ6 IER October 2018
The Outlook Trust Flnanclal Statements for the perlod l January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Roblnson & Co Accountants
The Outlook Trust Contents Page Examiner's report Income and Expenditure account Statement of Financial position
The Outlook Trust Independent Examlner's report on the accounts of The Outlook Trust for the period ended 31 December 2024. This is a non-statutory Independent Examination. Respectlve responsibilities of the Management Commlttee and the Examlner. As the Management Committee you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. It is my responsibility to state whether matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's report An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the organisation and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeklng explanatlon frorn you as Committee members concerning any such matters. The procedure5 undertaken do not provide all the ev5dence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the vlew given by the accounts. Independent Examlner's Statement In connection with my examination. no matter came to my attention: 11 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that In any materlal respect the requirements: to keep approprlate accountin8 records; and to prepare accounts whlch accord with the accounting records have not been met; or 2) to which, in my opinion, attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 518ned: &)FEe ANAI 14(5foA ¥ J£) J 5. Date: Robinson & Co Accountants 114 Market Street Thornton Bradford BD13 3EN 07940 858986 ROBINSON & CO ACCOUNTANTS 114 Market St Thomlon 8RADFORD 8D13 3EN Tel 01274 833539 Fax 01274 833370
The Outlook Trust Income and Expenditure Statement l January 2024 to 31 December 2024 Income Beaumont Donation Charities Aid Foundation Children in Need Contributions Credits Cumbria CF Happy Days Charity Noble Trust Shropshire Shuffle Sir George South Tyneside Council Sovereign Health Vision Support Windermere Education YYA Total Income 1,000.00 120.00 15,000.00 5,260.00 10,250.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 2,000.00 1,500.00 3,000.00 1,440.00 2,500.00 150.00 450.00 500.00 46,670.00 Expenses Accommodation Activity centres Charter Fees Children in Need Expenses Expenses for Trips Food for activities Fuel Humber rib Independent examiner Insurance Bike Insurance- Boat Insurance and Tax- Minibus Mooring Repairs- Boat Repairs- Minibus Subscriptions Total expenditure Net Surplus/(deficit) 201.80 9,781.70 2,673.00 2,002.41 1,648.71 1,579.81 984.88 24.915.54 200.00 124.31 1,520.04 1,210.59 805.24 2,031.53 1,181.39 50.00 50,910.95 4,240.95
The Outlook Trust Statement of Flnancial Position As at 31 December 2024 Bank balances brought fonmard @ l January 2024 HSBC Current account Surplus/(Deficit) Closing bank balance @ 31 December 2024 52,575.57 -4,240.95 48,334.62 Funds Restricted fund General fund 15,000.00 33,334.62 48,334.62