## **Trustees Annual Report for the period 01.08.22 – 31.07.23** ## **Purpose** The purpose of the charity is to preserve life in and around water, specifically at the south Liverpool Docks ## **Objective and Activities** The main activities are the provision of a safety boat on Friday and Saturday evenings when the risks to the public have been identified as greatest. The team carryout foot patrols to conduct searches if notified of a Concern for Welfare in our area and to assist the public if needed. We operate on the inland water of the south Liverpool dock system. We aim to be there in those vital few minutes between a person entering the water and the arrival of the emergency services when risk to life is greatest through cold water shock and drowning. We also work to prevent people from choosing to enter the water, usually as a result of a mental health crisis, and persuade them to accept help. We are the only safety boat in the south Liverpool dock system and have saved lives. We aim to help anyone in need regardless of gender, religion race, age or other characteristic. The charity operates a rolling training program for its members covering first aid, boat handling, casualty recovery, search techniques and communications. We have members qualified as safety boat operators and all members undergo first aid training, some to First Responder Level. We are now qualified to administer Oxygen. All members must be over 18 years of age. We have undertaken Risk Assessments for all our activities and developed Safe Systems of Work and Standard Operating Procedures which we require all our members to observe. The charity also provides safety boat cover during public events by arrangement with the organisers. The Trustees have regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on Public Benefit in the furtherance of these aims. ## **Achievements** The team have continued the week end duties throughout 2022 and 2023. We renewed our affiliation with Surf Life Saving GB, a leading water safety and awarding charity, which gives us access to DEFRA level training and insurance for our members We are grateful for the support of the Foyle Foundation and the Albert Hunt Trust. Their generous support has allowed us to meet our running costs and continue offering our life saving service. We raised the funding needed to buy our narrow boat home. ‘The Duchess of Ancoats’ is now moored at the Salthouse Dock with the two rescue boat next to her. The Duchess is 13.5 meters in length, has been painted, stripped out, had a new floor fitted and a new kitchen area. It has transformed the operations of the charity, the volunteers now have shelter in bad weather and we have space for training. Huge thanks to all the funders who made this possible – the Judges at Liverpool Crown Court and Police for the Proceeds of Crime funding, PH Holt, Hemby Trust, Communities Foundation for Merseyside, Arnold Clarke and the Lanceley Family. Merseyside Water Rescue supported the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool for the whole 9 days of the event. We provided safety boat cover in the docks, and at the Event Village by the Pier Head. During that time we worked with the event co-ordinators, the Coastguard and Merseyside Police to ensure water safety and the event’s success. We had our 15 minutes of fame when the presenters, Rylan Clark and Scott Mills found had no transport to their hotel and a ‘Selfie Storm’ was gathering next to the water. Our Ops Manager took them back to their hotel and Rylan shared it on his Instagram feed. The next day we were in the national papers, which was surreal, but unfortunately it did not result in a mass of donations via our website. It was fun to be the ‘quirky story’ of Eurovision! We are carrying out more and more searches for people who are a Concern for Welfare, we are notified by the Police and can begin the search immediately. We have learnt likely places a person might be, co-ordinate with dock security teams and City Watch CCTV and save time and resources even if by establishing where a person is NOT. During the period of this return, the charity assisted – |Casualties Recovered from water|4| |---|---| |Despondent People Helped|16| |Searches|23| |First Aid|17| |Public assisted|38| |Boats Assisted|10| |Perry Buoys Retrieved & Rehung|51| |Advice given|161| 29 Incidents gave rise to at least one emergency services log number ## **Future Plans** The charity will continue to operate and expand the membership. Our future plans included developing our search skills and intervention skills to assist those suffering from mental health issues and prevent suicide attempts. With a larger membership it will be possible to offer cover on more evenings, especially during the busy summer months. ## **Financial Review** Our Financial report has been prepared and filed. Like every charity in the UK, our fundraising opportunities were changed by the pandemic and we have responded accordingly. We have on-line giving portals, which are publicised on or social media accounts, and we actively seek funding from grant making trusts and foundations ## Reserves The Trustees ensure free reserves are always available for any unexpected boat maintenance or repair costs to keep the charity operating. ## Future Liabilities The costs of the 40hp Tohatsu engine for Boat 1 were met by the Chief Trustee, Ian Milburn. These costs have now been recognised as a future liability in our accounts. ## **Structure Governance & Management** The charity is a CIO and is governed by a Constitution. The charity was registered in May 2018 The Trustees are appointed by existing Trustees if the number of Trustees should fall below the minimum of three, or at any time as a replacement or an additional trustee. At every annual General Meeting, one third of the charity trustees retire from office. The Trustees are required to retire by rotation. The vacancies arising may be filled by the decision of the members at the AGM. Members wishing to become a Trustee are well aware of the work undertaken and organisational structure. New Trustees are made fully aware of their responsibilities and are given copies of the Charity Commission’s guidance. Related Parties The charity work closely with the Canal and River Trust, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire Rescue Service (MFRS) and Liverpool City Council Merseyside Water Rescue is affiliated with Surf Life Saving GB, the leading water safety training and national oversight charity in the UK. SLS GB sit on the SAR Committee which reports to central Government. All our incidents are reported to SLS and in this way our work form parts of the national water safety picture. The charity sits on the Merseyside Water Safety Forum, which brings together representatives from Merseyside Police, MFRS, NWAS, Coastguard, RLSS and other voluntary organisations connected with water safety. ## Volunteers The Trustees extend their grateful thanks to all the Members who give their time, energy and resources to the work of the Charity. The work of Merseyside Water Rescue would not be possible without the continued commitment of our outstanding volunteers ## **Administrative Information** Charity Name – Merseyside Water Rescue Charity Number – 1178185 Charity’s Principal Address – 14 Langdale Street, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3BX ## Names of Trustees Ian Robert Milburn (Chair) Sarah Mansfield Peter Kenny ## Officers Secretary – Ruth Milburn Treasurer – Ruth Milburn Operations Manager – Ian Milburn Operational Support – Steve Alcock Operational Support – Kieran Sinnott Health & Safety Director – Simon Mansfield Health & Safety Manager – Lewis Bridson Social Media Manager – Alexandra Galvin Approved by trustees on 29/05/24 Sarah Mansfield Eui ovision Final Night MERSEYSIDE WATER RESCUE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (INCLUDING STATEMENT OF ASSEYS AND LIABILITIES) FOR THE YEAR ENDED ST 31 July 2023 Charity Registration No. 1178185 MERSEYSIDE WATER RESCUE ST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2023 2023 2022 Recelpts Restrirted Grants 12.620 5,278 2,577 15,497 3.200 5.320 Charitable Attivities Donations Totsl Recelpts 20,475 24,017 Payments Narrow Boat Boat Maintenance & Fuel Equipment Medital Equipment Insurance 21.CQO 3,683 1,153 1,133 2,440 6.791 50 1,113 2,171 225 91 188 Training Subscriptions Stationery Sundry 357 Total PayTnents 33,320 7,361 Net Recelpts Cash at 8ank and in hand brought fofward (IZ,8451 19,843 16,656 3,186 Cash at 8ank and In hand carried forward 6,998 19,842 Net Movement of Funds 2023 Restricted Funds 14.875 12.620 127.4951 Unrestricted Funds 4,968 7.855 15.8251 Total 19.843 20,475 133.3201 Opening Balance Income Expenses Closing Balance 6.698 Net Movement of Funds 2022 Restrlcted Funds Unrestrirted Funds 1,726 8,520 (5.2781 Total 3,186 24,017 (7,3611 Opening Balance Income 15,497 (2.0831 Expenses C105ing Balance 14,875 19,843 Restrlcted Funds Recelved 2023 Merseyside Police Just Giving Cheshire Police Community Foundation Foyle Foundation Albert Hunt Foundation 4,261 99 260 12.620 Restrlrted Funds Re¢elved 2022 Arnold Clarke Duchy of Lancaster Hembv Just Giving LCVS Mayor of Sefton PH Holt Royal Navy Club 750 125 372 5,000 250 15.497 MERSEYSIDE WATER RESCUE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND UA8IUTES AS AT 31 JULY 2023 31"July 2023 31. July 2022 Flxed Assets Rescue Boat I Rescue Boat 2 5,191 4,017 20.125 5.479 4,241 Narrow Boat 29,333 9.720 Monetary A55ets Cash at Bank 6.698 19.844 Llabllltles Trustee Loan (5,2121 15.2121 Net Current Assets 15.632 30,819 24,352 Approved by Trustees on,.,.....,..... Sarah Mansfield, Trustee lan Milburn, Trustee Date.... Date........