**ABOVE WATER** ## **Charity No. 1174593 | Company No. CE012177** ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** ## **For the period ended 31 October 2024** These financial statements have been prepared by the Trustees without an external audit, as the charity’s annual turnover is well below the £25,000 audit threshold. This ensures that resources are focused on charitable activity and not on unnecessary administrative costs. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS Trustees - Daniel Tisdall - Conrad Gillespie - Richard Rowley - Rebecca Lisa Mason - Martin Christopher Smith Charity Secretary: Conrad Gillespie Treasurer: Daniel Tisdall Registered Office: Above Water Villa Languard Middle Warberry Road Torquay TQ1 1RS Bankers: Barclays SUMMARY OF ACTIONS FOR THE YEAR - 26 presentations delivered to audiences (reaching 5,900 people of all ages) - 26 school visits and 7 multi-school hub sessions (directly engaging an estimated 78,000 children, teachers and parents) - 7 radio appearances (BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, regional BBC stations Devon/Cornwall/Norfolk, and TalkSport) - 14 podcast interviews and features - 4 TV interviews/features (BBC Spotlight, ITV WestCountry) - 5 major public events, including SUPFest, SUPTwelve, and SUPERCHAMPS - Social Media reach: Facebook 26,000 followers, Instagram 1,730 followers ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of Above Water (the Charity) for the period ended 31 October 2024. The Trustees confirm that the report and financial statements comply with statutory requirements, the charity’s governing document, and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (March 2005). ## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** ## **Constitution** Above Water is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), set up on 11 September 2017 (charity number 1174593). ## **Appointment of Trustees** Trustees are elected and co-opted under the terms of the constitution. ## **Organisational Structure** The charity is managed by its Trustees. An Operational Committee, chaired by Daniel Tisdall, oversees training and equipment on a day-to-day basis. All helpers are volunteers who freely give their time. ## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES** ## **Charitable Objectives** The charity exists to provide education that helps children and others understand the water environment, in order to reduce drowning and improve safety of life in Torbay and the wider region. ## **Main Activities** Delivering school visits and hub sessions led by qualified volunteer instructors Teaching Above Water’s own E.S.C.A.P.E. system and Blue Cross Code water safety procedures Supporting community education through talks, media appearances, and events Using paddleboard events as high-profile platforms to spread safety messages ## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** Impact in 2023/24 During the year, Above Water delivered water safety education to tens of thousands of children, teachers and parents. Presentations and media appearances amplified our reach nationally, while events such as SUPTwelve and SUPERCHAMPS created unique opportunities to showcase safe practice on the water. Feedback from schools has been overwhelmingly positive, with children demonstrating improved awareness of drowning prevention and water safety behaviours. The Trustees are confident that these activities have significantly increased safety knowledge across the communities we serve. **Going Concern** The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. ## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** Income: £13,053 Expenditure: £13,165 Year-End Balance: £1,213 (31 October 2024) ## **Breakdown of Income** - Donations: £8,653 - JustGiving: £2,845  Shopify: £1,555 ## **Breakdown of Expenditure** - Insurance: £820 - Courses: £440 - Travel: £3130 - Charity operations (software, online platforms): £1230 - Internet: £65  £420 Office costs: - Volunteer out-of-pocket expenses: £6,260  Logistics (parking, hotels, trains): £620  Other expenses: £180 ## **Reserves Policy** The Trustees aim to maintain reserves equivalent to 2–3 months’ operating costs to ensure financial stability. At year end, free reserves stood at £1,213. ## **FUTURE PLANS** Looking ahead, Above Water will: - Expand its schools programme into new regions, reaching more children with the Blue Cross Code. - Strengthen partnerships with local authorities, emergency services, and national water safety bodies. - Increase use of high-profile SUP events to promote drowning prevention. - Continue to grow its digital presence to engage new audiences. - National and international engagement for the ICF SUP World Cup ## **RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFEGUARDING** The Trustees review key risks annually, including financial sustainability, safeguarding, volunteer safety, and governance. Safeguarding is taken seriously: all volunteers working with children are appropriately trained and policies are in place to ensure safe delivery of sessions. ## **VOLUNTEERS** The charity relies heavily on the dedication of volunteers, who are reimbursed only for genuine out-ofpocket expenses. No Trustee receives any payment for their role. ## **TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT** The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with UK law and accounting standards. They must ensure the statements give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities and position. The Trustees confirm they have complied with their responsibilities and that the financial statements have been prepared under the small companies regime within the Companies Act 2006. Approved by the Trustees on 29 August 2024 and signed on their behalf: Daniel Tisdall – Treasurer Conrad Gillespie – Chairman Rebecca Mason – Trustee