CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION Registered Charity 1162659
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending
31[st] December 2022
Arthur Bamber Gascoigne CBE FRSL (24 January 1935 – 8 February 2022)
It is with considerable sadness that the Trustees report the passing during the year of our Founder Patron, Bamber Gascoigne. Bamber had lived beside the Thames in Richmond for many years and loved the Thames, its natural environment and the communities along its banks. He and his wife, Christina, along with other hardy neighbours, used to embrace the river fully by swimming in it on a daily basis. With the passage of time this enthusiasm for the river was something Bamber wanted to introduce to others and, being the generous soul he was, (he provided generous personal financial support) he wanted to involve those who might not naturally have the opportunity. He conceived the idea of Skerries for Schools (S4S) in 2014 and simultaneously collaborated with Mark Edwards the boatbuilder at Richmond Bridge to design and build a suitable craft for beginners. This collaboration led to the production of the first skerry boats, a new class, broad in the beam and hence stable, with fixed seats enabling four sets of two novice rowers to sit athwart and learn the pleasures of handling a single oar in a team effort.
Bamber was particularly keen to engage with schools but also others in the community who might have limited opportunities in life or other challenges. He recognised the manifold benefits of rowing with others, including physical exercise, team-work, accepting discipline, seeing surroundings from an unusual perspective and, most importantly, enjoying the camaraderie and fun of collaborative effort. These principles are what guide the current trustees of S4S as we strive to perpetuate Bamber’s dream.
S4S is extremely fortunate in that Bamber’s widow, Christina, gave her full-hearted support to Bamber in his efforts to establish this charity and she continues to do so. She is currently, coping with health issues but we are hoping that she will make a full recovery and take up the role of our senior Patron in Bamber’s memory
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 2022
2022 has been a year for refocusing and re-establishing following the two years of Covid and significant personnel change within Skerries for Schools.
We have welcomed Justin Barratt to the team of trustees who has helped us define our strategy and improve our portfolio of policy documents.
This structure and direction has provided us with a firm foundation to work from and fulfil our charitable commitments, and we look forward to a bright 2023.
Richmond
In our primary operation of Richmond, schools have taken some time to re-establish a post-pandemic confidence and rhythm with their main focus being, understandably, on academic achievement and classroom time.
With this in mind, our numbers of young people on the river have been lower than we would have liked, but a large amount of time and effort has been put into developing relationships within the schools and creating the coaching infrastructure to allow us to thrive in 2023, where bookings are already looking extremely encouraging.
With regard to our operational infrastructure, Chris Leeson, our Operations Manager has recruited three new coaches and developed our structured training programme. She has established a strong working partnership with Richmond Bridge Boat Club, allowing us to use their arch and facilities for dry side orientation. This provides the rowers a secure environment to ask questions and talk through the basics before getting onto the water.
Reading
In Reading, our skerry, Floreat, has had extensive use by the Sea Cadets. Whilst this fulfils our charitable remit of giving access to rowing and the river to young people who would not normally be able to, we are keen to also establish our traditional schools model.
We have recruited two new coaches who should be trained early in 2023, and we will look to develop the usage at that point.
Boats
Our boats have performed well when needed over the course of the year, although a falling tree caused considerable damage to one of our skerries (Caroline) necessitating a complete re-build that was thankfully covered by insurance .
People
As part of our strategic planning, we have identified a number of volunteer positions (non coaching) that will allow us to move the charity forward at a greater pace. This includes roles such as Marketing Officer and Schools Engagement Officer, that we hope to recruit over the coming months.
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Trustees
In November, Robin Corti, our Chair was taken seriously unwell which has resulted in him taking a less active role within the charity. We invited Vic Griffiths, who had resigned om 18[th] August 2022, to return as a Trustee in 2023, to support the Charity and help us recruit further trustees, ideally to diversify and bring specific skill sets to the table.
Justin Barratt was appointed a Trustee on 1[st] March 2022
Funding
We remain financially stable due to several donations over the course of the year, and maintaining a close control on our costs.
Other plans
Due to complexities with Richmond Council’s redevelopment plan, our conversations with the Habitats and Heritage fund regarding the Twickenham Boathouse have slowed whilst technical issues outside our control are addressed. We continue to watch this space with an open mind.
2023
With an eye to the future, our plans for next year are simple: We are focussed on re-establishing a client and volunteer base in both Richmond and Reading. This will allow us to refine operational procedures and grow the charity to a broader client base in 2024, including the development of the Thames Community Rowing brand. These developments will allow us to introduce more young people and disadvantaged groups to the fun and discipline of rowing, and the natural environment of the river.
Operations Report:
Like many organisations coming out of the two-year stasis that was Covid, it has been a matter of slowly building up again and taking the time to bolster the Skerries4School coaching team based at Richmond and taking care not to over-reach our ability to deliver to the schools.
At Richmond, for the second year running, Darrell Primary brought the whole of their Year 6 (10-11 Year-olds) out onto the water with us, celebrating the end of their time at Darrell before moving on to new schools and their next adventure – four skerries were out in the baking July sun with 32 children and four teachers.
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Another local junior school, Lowther School, signed up to work with us for the first time this year and 8, year 6 students came out for six linked sessions. Operations Manager Chris Leeson delivered the sessions which ended with a fun mock ‘man over-board’ session and coach Ian Chappell assessing the group and presenting them with Learn to Row certificates. The school’s delight in the sessions was evident from their twitter feed.
----- Start of picture text -----
Lowther School
Twitter Feed May 2022
Team
Lowther with their
certificates
Evaluating the sessions
afterwards, the
response from the
school was hugely
positive; when asked
----- End of picture text -----
about some of the benefits to the children, as well as learning new skills and understanding the importance of teamwork, it was the soft, personal development skills that figured highly:
“(Increased self-esteem) - this was especially noticeable with 2 children, who are not always viewed positively by their peers, excelling in the sessions and being helpful and kind. These children slowly saw themselves as valued members of the rowing team and a positive camaraderie developed travelling to and from rowing over the weeks”. ( Lead Teacher)
“…the sessions were such a ‘hit’ with the children, it became a source of envy”. ( Lead Teacher)
They have booked their entire year group for 2023.
We continue to support other organisations who also work with children on the river and so in 2022, two of our coaches and four of our skerries took part in London Youth Rowing’s Oarsome Challenge 2022 – racing from Greenwich to Chiswick with mixed ability youth and adult teams to raise funds for LYR.
LYR Oarsome Challenge, 2022
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Taking part in such events as these, as well as being enjoyable outings for our cox-coaches, is also a helpful income stream for Skerries4Schools to support our highly-subsidised work with the schools.
This year, two of our skerries were also hired for use in the annual marathon on the Thames, The Great River Race. The parents and teachers of Deer Park School were one of the teams who worked with us to take part in the GRR, raising funds for their school, and we look forward to working with their Year 6 children next year.
Oarsome Challenge, 2022
We continue to foster our relationships with other organisations on the river, such as Richmond Bridge Boat Club , and this year we were able to make use of their clubhouse facilities during the day for our schools’ sessions – a valuable resource, particularly with the changes that have taken place to riverside access locally at Richmond, and we’re very grateful to RBBC for their continued support for the charity.
The Osterley Sea Scouts also kindly gave two of our skerries ‘house-room’ over winter this year. Keeping skerries on the tidal Thames is quite punishing to the boats, so being able to over-winter some of our boats is immensely important for their maintenance and protection.
Skerries Jim Clark and John Bryant, safely tucked up for winter
In 2023 we will be looking to expand the coaching team and be able to take on more schools and we will continue the search for a replacement base at Kingston so we can once more boat out of a base up river beyond Teddington lock.
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Annual Report and Financial Statements
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Governing Document
Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, whose only voting members are its charity trustees, adopted 13[th] July 2015
Objectives
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To provide opportunities for school children and other community groups such as the disabled to discover the pleasure, team spirit, discipline and vigorous exercise of rowing.
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To make these groups aware of the safety issues connected with water.
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To make these groups aware of the environment and their interconnection with it.
Patrons
The late Bamber Gascoigne Founder &Patron Peter Dolan Patron
Trustees
All served from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022 unless indicated. Details regarding recruitment/appointment and training of Trustees are shown under Governance & Management
Advisers
(to 18[th] August 2022) Chairman & Secretary Robin Corti (from 18[th] August 2022) Chairman Peter Dolan (to 18[th] August 2022) Treasurer Patrick Ducker (from 18[th] August 2022) Secretary David Golton (from 18[th] August 2022) Treasurer Victor Griffiths (to 18[th] August 2022) Chris Shaw (from 1st March 2022) Justin Barratt Mark Edwards Master Boat Builder Chris Leeson Administration (and Operations)
Charity Registration Number: 1162659
Bankers : CAF Bank Ltd., West Malling, Kent Custodian Trustee None Principal Address: c/o 14th Richmond Scout Boating Centre, The Hut, Retreat Road, Richmond, TW9 1NN Website: www.skerries4schools.org
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Structure, Governance and Management
Skerries For Schools is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees. Trustees are appointed by existing members. No specific training is required or given.
Day-to-day operations are in the hands of the Operations Manager for Richmond or Reading (currently vacant)
The development of Thames Community Rowing: Skerries for Schools has a dormant ‘second arm’ to its charitable activities – Thames Community Rowing (TCR). This secondary arm, once operational, will be used to engage with adult disadvantaged communities. During 2021, a working group was established to develop the form of TCR, and the initial work resulted in a ‘Vision and Mission’ and a set of ‘Values’ being agreed and adopted by the trustees. In 2022 higher priority was given to building our work with young people.
A small competition was also held for the development of a logo for TCR and both S4S and TCR logos and the Values statement (‘Time to ….Shine’) will be used going forwards to market the activities of the charity; in the year this included producing polo shirts for the charities’ rowing coaches. Further work will be required to establish the scope and terms-and-conditions for work with disadvantaged and vulnerable adults.
Background
Skerries for School started as an unregistered charity (referred to as the “Legacy Charity”) with the same objectives seeking funding from loans, supporters and grant awarding bodies to build the skerries it needed. The CIO was registered on 14[th] July 2015 and the Legacy Charity transferred its assets and liabilities to the CIO on 1[st] January 2016 by means of a General Vesting Document dated 22[nd] December 2015. The transfer was accepted by the Trustees on 31[st] January 2016.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
Complying with the Charity’s Governing Document, the Trustees have a duty to act in the Charity’s best interest, to act with reasonable care and skill, and to ensure all regulatory requirements are met.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the CIO. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the CIO and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are also responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission.
Reserves and Investment Policy
The Trustees adopted a Reserves and Investment Policy in 2022
The Trustees agreed that a reserve of £3,000 should be established to cover the risk of an unexpected fall in bookings due to major events beyond the control of the Trustees.
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Financial Review
The CIO does not raise funds from the general public, either directly or through other people or organisations. It does seek grants from those organisations which award them and welcomes donations from organisations, and individuals, with similar aims and objectives.
The charity’s trustees have elected to prepare accounts on a Receipts and Payments basis under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011. Under Guidance Note CC 16b, depreciation is precluded. While the value of the skerries have not been subjected to depreciation, the Trustees estimate that they have a ten-year useful life.
During 2022 several generous donations were received, both unrestricted and subject to restriction as to the use made.
Operations
In order to fulfil its objectives the Charity arranges the training of coaches to British Rowing Standards. All volunteers, Trustees and coaches are subject to Enhanced DBS clearance and coaches & volunteers working with children are given First Aid Training.
New Coaches are always being sought, and suitable training arranged subject to a commitment from the persons concerned. In the year in question, two further rowing coxes were put through the British Rowing L2 Coaching Course to increase both the number of coaches overall and also to increase the number of female coaches volunteering with the charity.
Skerries are fixed seated rowboats designed for less experienced crews, with greater stability than a skiff or wherry. They carry a team of eight rowers, a coach and up to two extra passengers (e.g. teaching staff).
Participating schools are able to book coached sessions in skerries, for which they pay an hourly rate. The rate has been set to recover the Charity’s marginal costs. Local Boroughs have been approached to help fund schools who might have had difficulties in meeting costs.
To enable the Charity to cover its operational costs, skerries are made available to other organisations and groups at times when schools are not using them, at more commercial rates.
The main base of Skerries For Schools is the pontoon near Richmond Bridge. To enable schools in the Kingston area to use the skerries, and to make use of the non-tidal section of the Thames, the use of a second base is being sought near Kingston Bridge. An earlier arrangement had to be cancelled as a result of Covid restrictions.
A base has been established near Reading, and Floreat, newly built through sponsorship, in 2019, from the Thames Traditional Boat Society, is based at Blake’s Lock Island.
Public Benefit Guidance
The Trustees are confident that Skerries For Schools has been run for public benefit as evidenced by efforts to keep costs to schools as low as possible, by the provision of suitably trained and qualified coaches who give their time unpaid, and by direct contact with schools to encourage participation. Since their discussions leading to the registration of Skerries For Schools with the Charity Commission, the trustees have had due regard to the Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
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Policies
Trustees have adopted policies as follows:
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Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy and Procedures
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Complaints Policy and Procedure
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Conflicts of Interest Policy
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Data Protection Policy
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Disciplinary Procedure
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Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy
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Expenses Policy
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Financial Controls Policy and Procedures
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Grievance Procedure
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Reserves and Investment Policy
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Risk Management Policy
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Safeguarding Policy
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Safety Policy
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Volunteer Policy
Objectives, Activities, Achievements and Performance
No sessions were possible in 2020 due to Covid-19 Restrictions. The number of individual skerries booked, and paid for, excluding the “taster” and other promotional sessions were
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 35 | 48 | 60 | 48 | None | 7 | 10 |
Sessions with schools have been growing steadily in the two years since we were forced to stop operations in 2020 due to Covid.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit
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The acquisition of suitable skerries through donations and grants.
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The training and vetting through DBS of volunteer coaches.
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Encouraging the participation of Schools and pupils in safe sporting activities on the river.
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Arranging the coached rowing sessions for Schools.
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Independent Examiner’s Report
to the Trustees of Skerries For Schools
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity 1162659
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2022 which are set out on page 12.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Paul Alexander FCA
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Accountancy Management Services Limited, 51 South Street, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 7AA
13[th] September 2023
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Skerries For Schools
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Period 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds £ £ £ Incoming Resources Donations & Gift Aid Repaid 2,493 1,000 3,493 Sale of Assets (Trailer) 0 0 0 Write back of debt 60 0 60 Bank interest received 33 0 33 Use of Skerries 4,966 0 4,966 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total Incoming Resources 7,552 1,000 8,552 Outgoing Resources Direct Activities Skerries etc. 0 0 0 Operational Costs 3,950 0 3,950 Promotional Fees & Costs 0 0 0 Repayment of Short Term Loans 0 0 0 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total for Direct Activities 3,950 0 3,950 Overheads & Administration 0 727 727 -------------- -------------- -------------- Total Outgoing Resources 3,950 727 4,677 -------------- -------------- -------------- Net Incoming (Outgoing) Resources 3,602 273 3,875 -------------- -------------- -------------- Change in Fixed Assests Sale of Trailer 0 0 0 -------------- -------------- -------------- Net Movement in Funds 3,602 273 3,875 Funds Brought Forward 74,698 27,282 101,980 -------------- -------------- -------------- Funds Carried Forward 78,300 27,555 105,855 ======= ======= ======= of which Tangible Assets 75,923 75,923 Current Assets 2,377 27,555 29,932 -------------- -------------- -------------- 78,300 27,555 105,855 ======= ======= ======= |
Total 2021 £ |
|---|---|
| 14,021 1,325 0 0 140 -------------- 15,486 0 5,413 240 0 -------------- 5,653 691 -------------- 6,344 -------------- 9,142 -------------- (1,325) -------------- 7,817 94,163 -------------- 101,980 ======= 74,598 27,382 -------------- 101,980 ======= |
| Balance Sheet | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| as at | as at | ||
| 31.12.22 | 31.12.21 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Tanagible Assets | 75,923 | 77,248 | |
| less Trailer | 0 | (1,325) | |
| -------------- | -------------- | ||
| Total Fixed Assets | 75,923 | 75,923 | |
| Current Assets | |||
| Debtors | 180 | 0 | |
| Cash in Hand and at Bank | 37,872 | 34,117 | |
| -------------- | -------------- | ||
| Total Current Assets | 38,052 | 34,117 | |
| Current Liabilities (due with one year) | (120) | (60) | |
| -------------- | -------------- | ||
| Current Assets | 37,932 | 34,056 | |
| Long Term Liabilities | (8,000) | (8,000) | |
| -------------- | -------------- | ||
| NET ASSETS | 105,855 | 101,980 | |
| ======= | ======= | ||
| represented by | |||
| Unrestricted Funds | 78,300 | 74,698 | |
| Restricted Funds | 27,555 | 27,282 | |
| -------------- | -------------- | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 105,855 | 101,980 | |
| ======= | ======= | ||
| Signed | |||
| Chris Shaw | David Golton | ||
| Chairman | Treasurer | ||
| 28th September 2023 | 28th September 2023 |
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