Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 6/4/2023 Period start date To 5/4/2024 Period end date
Charity name: Osprey Leadership Foundation
Charity registration number: 1176199
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1. To advance the education of the public in the subject of nature and in particular but without limitation nature conservation. 2. For the public benefit to promote the education (including social and physical training) of people engaged in or wishing to become engaged in nature conservation or any related trade or profession in such ways as the CIO thinks fit, including by: 1. Awarding to such persons scholarships, maintenance allowances or grants tenable at any university, college or institution of higher or further education. 2. Providing their education (including the study of music or other arts), to undertake travel in furtherance of that education or to prepare for entry to any occupation in nature conservation or a related trade or profession on leaving any educational establishment. 3. To assist in such ways as the CIO thinks fit any charity whose charitable purposes are the same as or similar to those of the CIO. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The key aims of the charity are to inspire and enable young conservation leaders along the Osprey's flyway (principally in the UK and The Gambia), to find their voice and deliver sustainable environmental change to the world around them. |
Work in the UK focussed on two key programmes, Becoming a Conservation Leader , and Evolving Conservation Leaders . Becoming a Conservation Leader (BCL) is a free online programme, designed to be as inclusive as possible. It introduces young and early career conservationists to the concept of authentic leadership, and explores the traits of truly effective leaders, and how these skills are relevant to a career in conservation. Study materials in the form of podcasts, blogs and written exercises are added to the OLF website on a weekly basis so that participants can read, listen, and complete the exercises at their own pace. Three online discussions are held during the programme, which runs for six weeks. Four cohorts of BCL were run during the reporting period: the first from April-May 2023, (21 participants); a second from June-July 2023 (18 participants); a third from November-December 2023 (21 participants); and a fourth from JanuaryMarch 2024 (13 participants). Feedback was extremely positive with net promoter scores of 67, 60, 100 and 100 respectively. The Evolving Conservation Leaders (ECL) launched in January 2021, provides mentoring, bespoke leadership training, workshops, peer-support, networking and work experiences opportunities for young conservationists who have completed Becoming a Conservation Leader programme. The programme is advertised during the latter stages of the BCL programme and participants encouraged to apply for a place. An annual charge of £120 for membership of ECL was introduced in January 2024 to contribute towards the costs of running the programme. Members were encouraged to ask their employer to cover this cost. If this was not possible, and the person was unable to pay themselves, they were still permitted to participate. A 50% discount was also offered to students. 34 people signed up for ECL following this change, six of which received the student discount and six places were awarded free of charge, including to three members based in The Gambia.
| All were allocated mentors from the OLF trustee team and through a growing group of associate mentors, who work in the conservation sector, share OLF’s values and support the scheme. In addition to this work with early career conservationists, OLF also took over the running of a youth group, based at Rutland Water Nature Reserve, formerly called Osprey Ambassadors, and now rebranded as Osprey Leaders. This group provides an opportunity for like-minded young people aged 6-16 to meet up, along with their families, to view the nesting Ospreys at Rutland Water and to undertake a range of other nature-based activities. The monthly sessions were well attended, with an average of 12-15 young people attending. The work in the UK was coordinated by Programme Manager, Becky Park, on a part-time basis. This year a new partnership was established with the Gunjur Project, based in Gunjur in The Gambia to establish a new peer-to-peer environmental education project. Staff from the Gunjur Project trained young leaders to run both classroom- and field-based sessions for other young people, based around Ospreys and other migratory birds. The pilot programme was a success and will be repeated in 2024/25. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We confirm the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. |
Additional information You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Much of the work of the charity, including that of the founder is undertaken on a voluntary basis. A small team of volunteers assist with fundraising and delivery of programmes. This includes a group of 22 associate mentors who support the ECL scheme. These associate mentors work in the conservation sector and are chosen because they share the values of OLF. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | We believe that inspiring and enabling the conservation leaders of the future is essential to help combat the growing climate and biodiversity emergencies. We make our programmes as inclusive and accessible as possible. The_Becoming a_ Conservation Leader_programme attracted participants from Europe and Africa, making it truly international in its reach. Feedback from the three_Becoming a Conservation Leader_cohorts run during the reporting period was extremely positive, with net promoter scores of 67, 60, 100 and 100, as detailed above. The programme aims to show young people that anyone can be a leader, and have influence, regardless of the stage of their career or position in an organisation. Feedback included: “I have found the course really inspiring, and_ has made me determined to become the best conservation leader I can be! The course teachers are also just lovely people and very knowledgeable, so the live sessions have been really enjoyable to attend.” “I think the course is really worthwhile. The content was very well put together and delivered, providing new perspectives and insights on leadership. It has helped me to have the courage to believe that I can be a leader in my day-to-day life and so I would highly recommend Becoming a Conservation Leader to any aspiring conservationist.” The_Evolving Conservation Leaders_scheme aims to develop a community of like-minded young conservationists, who are genuinely committed to delivering sustainable environmental change to help combat the biodiversity and climate emergencies. We |
believe that the programme will inspire and enable participants to find their voice, and to have a positive impact at a local, national and, potentially, international level in years to come. An annual subscription was introduced to provide long-term sustainability to the programme, and the uptake was encouraging. Each member was allocated a mentor, and invited to participate in online networking sessions every six weeks to encourage networking and peer support. Mentoring is a key element of the ECL programme, with regular meetings between mentor and mentee every 6-8 weeks encouraged. As in previous years a number of participants were supported through a job application and been successful or similarly applied to go on to further study. Peer support has also proved extremely valuable, with the regular networking sessions allowing participants to share their experiences, good and bad, in a safe and trusted environment. Feedback from these sessions has included: “Hearing about other people’s leadership reflections was really useful and has helped me gain perspective and feel more supported in some recent leadership issues that I’ve struggled with.” “ECL has been invaluable to me in providing ongoing support within my career, with particular benefits of being able to confide, learn and support others in similar career fields but from totally different organisations/companies/backgrounds. I think it creates a unique and very useful environment of having people who can provide fresh perspectives while still understanding.” “The most rewarding thing for me has been connecting with others from different organisations and hearing about different work experiences. It is a safe space to share concerns about your career, and a great space to learn from others.” The Osprey Leaders programme in Rutland, provides an opportunity for young people with an interest in nature to get together with like-minded others and their families. We actively encourage members to show acts
of leadership at school and in their communities. It was pleasing therefore that a number of members earned their ‘senior leader’ badge by giving talks about Ospreys in school assemblies or to community groups. This helps them to build confidence and inspire others. The new peer-to-peer education programme, developed in partnership with the Gunjur Project in The Gambia provides a unique opportunity for young people from rural areas to learn about Ospreys and other migratory birds, and the importance of protecting them. The fact these sessions are delivered by other young Gambians is extremely significant and impactful. The success of the pilot programme means that further sessions will be organised. The book, Be an Osprey Expert (Gambia edition) , was given to all students who participated in the programme, and this will continue.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Although the charity remains very small, it was pleasing that income was significantly greater than the previous financial year. Further fundraising work will be undertaken to increase the capacity of the charity. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | A policy will be implemented by trustees in due course. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | At this early stage of the charity’s development, much of our work is undertaken on a voluntary basis and thus can continue with limited financial resources. However, it is essential to generate additional income to both increase our capacity, and to provide long- termsecurity and sustainability. |
Additional information
| Additional information | ||
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | To date the principal source of funds have been donations from members of the public, supplemented by additional fundraising activities. A comprehensive fundraising strategy will be developed, and grant funding sought in order to increase the capacity of the charity. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The principal risk at present relates to insufficient funding, and this will be addressed as detailed above. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Potential trustees are recommended for consideration by either the charity founder or existing trustees. As detailed in the charity’s constitution, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Osprey Leadership Foundation |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1176199 |
| Charity’s principal address | 16 Audit Hall Lane, Empingham, Rutland, LE15 8PH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BarryDore | Chair(now retired) | |||
| Paul Stammers | Treasurer (now retired) |
Until 23/1/24 | ||
| Megan Allen | ||||
| Naomi Atkin | Acting Chair from 23/1/24 and Chair from 10/5/24 |
|||
| Victoria Mander | ||||
| William Norton | ||||
| Laura Shakespeare |
||||
| Olivia Cooper | ||||
| Steve Davis | 23/1/24 onwards | |||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members
Dr Tim Mackrill (charity founder)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Naomi Atkin | ||
Chair |
||
| 3/2/25 | ||
| 3/2/25 |
| Osprey Leadership Foundation | Osprey Leadership Foundation | Osprey Leadership Foundation | 1176199 | 1176199 | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
6th April 2023 Period start |
To | 5th April 2024 Period end |
|||
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 4,861 11,429 1,555 44 65 1,440 19,394 - - - 19,394 10,913 144 373 291 681 490 2,268 15,160 - - 15,160 4,235 - 5,775 10,009 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - 3,000 1,000 - - - 4,000 - - - 4,000 799 - - - - 423 201 1,423 - - 1,423 2,577 - 2,452 5,029 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 4,861 14,429 1,000 1,555 44 65 - 1,440 23,394 - - - 23,394 11,712 144 373 291 681 490 2,268 423 - 201 - 16,583 - - 16,583 6,812 - 8,227 15,038 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|
| Donations from regular supporters | 4,861 | 4,852 | ||||
| General donations | 11,429 | 4,659 | ||||
| Commercial donations | ||||||
| Events and book/paintingsales | 1,555 | 1,405 | ||||
| Amazon Core donations | 44 | 61 | ||||
| Bank interest Gift aid |
65 | |||||
| 2,550 | ||||||
| OLFprogrammes | 1,440 | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 19,394 | 13,526 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | - | |||||
| Sub total | - | - | ||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||||
| 13,526 | ||||||
Consultancy |
10,913 | 10,560 | ||||
| Fundraisingevents | 144 | 32 | ||||
| Online meetings/webinars for OLF programmes |
373 | 732 | ||||
| Admin | 291 | 227 | ||||
| Website/email accounts | 681 | 525 | ||||
| Training | 490 | |||||
| EvolvingConservation Leaders | 2,268 | 798 | ||||
| Education work(The Gambia) | 800 | |||||
| Internship | 1,738 | |||||
| OspreyLeaders | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | ||||||
| 15,160 | 15,412 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | ||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| 15,412 | ||||||
| - 1,886 | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| 9,882 | ||||||
| 7,996 | ||||||
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
03/02/2025
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds |
Details Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details HSBC CommunityAccount HSBC Bmm Account Signature Details |
Unrestricted f d to nearest £ 9945 65 - 10,009 OK Unrestricted f d to nearest £ - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Print Name |
|---|---|---|
| Naomi Atkin(Chair) |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
03/02/2025
2