# **Trustees’ Annual Report To the Charities Commission** **June 2023 to the end of May 2024** Registered Charity Number 1162859 1 ## **1. About HOBY UK** HOBY UK is a charity for young people, run by young people, which has been developing young leaders since 2006. A team of young volunteers run leadership workshops and an annual residential seminar, bringing together young people from different backgrounds, building their confidence, raising their aspirations, and inspiring them to improve their lives and the lives of those around them, locally and globally. After attending an event, those young people are supported to volunteer or further develop their leadership at our international partners’ seminar in Ireland or America. Most of our current volunteers have been inspired to take on a leadership role following their life-changing experience at a HOBY seminar. A board of 5 trustees govern how HOBY UK is managed and run. They also oversee the charity’s drive to scale up the organisation, expanding its reach and impact, transforming the lives of young people through quality leadership training. Building the capacity to deliver this and ensuring a secure, sustainable future for the charity are important strategies to achieve this goal. ## **Our objects as a charity are** “To advance the education of young people up to the age of 18 for the public benefit by organising and facilitating leadership training programmes and by providing support for young people to undertake volunteering activities.” The public benefit of its activities to young people are intended to be: - Developing their skills, capacities, and capabilities. - Helping them become independent, mature, and responsible individuals. - Improving their self-esteem. - Enabling them to become effective and compassionate leaders. - Motivating and supporting them to make a positive difference within our global society. ## **2. This year’s activities** This year has been another period of change for HOBY UK as we rebuild after the COVID hiatus. ## **2.1. July 2023 Seminar** The seminar returned to Chester University and was chaired for the firast time by Paigan Gibbons. There were 38 delegates (a big increase on 2022) and they were led by 18 volunteers. Inspirational speakers enhanced a packed programme of empowerment and leadership training, and visiting charities encouraged delegates to use their new-found skills by volunteering. 2 ## **2.2. Workshops** During the Autumn term, HOBY UK volunteers delivered successful one-day leadership workshops to three schools, St Hilda’s CE High School, Liverpool, Lowton CE High School, Leigh, and The Radclyffe School, Oldham. 130 young people were involved. ## **2.3. KAVS** During the Autumn, HOBY UK was nominated for the Kings Award for Volunteering, and in January, a large team of volunteers and trustees met with David Steer, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, and Lord Derby to assess the nomination. The outcome of the process will be made known in November 2024. ## **2.4. Personnel issues** In January, illness forced CEO John Sharples to take a sabbatical. The team of senior volunteers all stepped up in his absence, taking on additional responsibilities. They were ably led by Rosemary Panting (Finance) and Mike Wrench (Volunteers). **3. Finance** 3 Grants awarded during 2022-2023 were able to provide places for disadvantaged young people at the 2023 seminar. Subsequent grant applications were unsuccessful however, and in planning for the 2024 seminar trustees approved the use of reserves to again provide subsidised places. At the year end, the closing balances were: Unrestricted income £2,053 Restricted income £1,130 giving the total at bank as £13,306.42 ## **4. Future plans** The CEO’s illness prompted him to step down permanently and the Board of Trustees appointed Rosemary Panting as acting CEO in June 2024. Before charting a new course for the charity, her first priority was to ensure the July 2024 seminar was a success. This was achieved and Rosemary has now been appointed on a permanent basis. ## **5. Background information** ## **5.1. Operating address** The Gateway, 89 Sankey St. Warrington WA1 1SR ## **5.2. Bank details** Bank: NatWest Account name: HOBY UK Account number: 43319378 Branch Sort Code: 60-01-11 IBAN: GB30 NWBK 6001 1143 3193 78 ## **5.3. Organisational details at 30 May 2024** HOBY UK is led, managed, and governed entirely by volunteers Trustees have been recruited because of their relevant skills and experience and their commitment to HOBY UK’s aims. They meet at least four times a year and ensure that the charity uses its resources well, operates safely and within the law, and focusses its efforts effectively on achieving the aims outlined in the constitution. ## **Trustees** Stuart Jamieson (Chair) Sue Goodrum (Vice-Chair) Rob Barnett Rob Coward Van Garber Harry McDonald (Associate Trustee) 4 Consultant CEO Associate Trustee Re8an Leah¥ John shar￿e5 arry McLknald E¥ecutive Director of Finance Executive Directo., of Programmes ixeciitive Direcior of Volunteers Executive Direcior ol Communications Seminar Chair Rosemary Panii#g Paiean Glbbons Caitlin Robinson Mike Wrench Danny Sharples Serninar team.. Communicatlon Team Moh5in Khan & IAat¢Goodryt)) Oiieciors. Aosemary Pantlry, Caitlin Aobin50n, Mikewrench. &, Matt Goodrum. ￿￿5¥d￿nte￿[s.