## **Timperley Duke of Edinburgh Award Centre**
**Annual Report September 2025**
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## **TIMPERLEY DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD CENTRE**
## **ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 30[TH] SEPTEMBER 2025**
## **CONTENTS**
|**1.**|**Introduction**|**3**|
|---|---|---|
|**2.**|**Review of the Year**|**4**|
|**3.**|**Financial Report**|**8**|
|**4.**|**Participation & outputs**|**10**|
|**5.**|**Contact Details**|**12**|
||**Appendix 1 – Awards Completed**|**13**|
||**Appendix 2 – Independent Examiners Report**|**14**|
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## **TIMPERLEY DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD CENTRE**
## **1. Introduction & Background**
The Timperley DofE Award Centre is a Licenced Organisation of the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE). This report covers the year ended 30[th] September 2025.
The Centre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a governing document which is available on the Charity Commission website. Its charitable objective is:
_To help young people in the Trafford area by providing opportunities for them to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and thereby to develop their capabilities so that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society._
The DofE Award provides a balanced programme of activities that develops the whole person – mind, body and soul – in an environment of social interaction and teamworking. Young people progress through three levels of DofE programmes to achieve a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. Taking part builds confidence and develops self-esteem. It requires persistence, commitment and has a lasting impact on the attitudes and outlook of all young people who do their DofE. It is open to participants aged between 14 and 24.
Further information concerning objectives of the Award are set out on its website at: http://www.dofe.org/
All participants are registered with the DofE through the eDofE website. This tracks participation in the three elements of the Award which comprise:
- Volunteering – this is about making a difference to other people’s lives. From conservation to youth work to fundraising for charity or caring for animals – there is an extensive list of projects that the members are involved in. Our community is benefiting from volunteering with a social value of over £41,000.00 pa.
- Physical – through this section participants achieve greater physical fitness and become healthier through a wide range of activities both personal or through teamwork.
- Skills – this is all about developing practical and social skills and personal interests. There is an extensive list of skills which the young people may develop
In addition participants take part in expeditions which involve overnight camping for one night for the bronze award, two nights for silver, and three nights for the Gold Award.
The centre is located at the Altrincham Kersal Rugby Club (AKRFC) in Timperley.
Since our centre was founded we have supported over 900 young people to take part in the Award.
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## **2. Review of the Year**
We launched the 2024-25 season with an Open Afternoon at AKRFC. Attendance was high and we had approximately 200 people attend over two sessions.
## **Bronze Award**
At Bronze level we delivered both practice and qualifying expeditions. 9 groups took part (63 members).
We continued with the successful format for Bronze training to consolidate training into a weekend billed as ‘The Big Weekend Out’ which took place in May. The training was attended by 63 Bronze participants supported by 20 leaders.
Training started on Friday evening with Tent building & stove safety. On Saturday the groups undertook navigation training, then on to orienteering combined with first aid scenarios, during the afternoon they completed a 5k walk to practice their navigation skills, during the evening all groups planned a walk for the next day. On Sunday they completed the walk and returned home in the afternoon. We have found that teaching them the navigation and using the skills learnt straight away over the weekend definitely made them more aware and remember the new skills so will continue this again to the following year
Bronze qualifier - 63 members passed the expedition.
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## **Silver Award**
At Silver level, we had 8 groups and 52 participants who successfully completed their expedition section during the year. The Practice Expedition took place in the Yorkshire Dales, travelling from High Bentham to Settle, while the Qualifying Expedition was held in the Peak District, starting in the Goyt Valley and finishing in Buxton.
For both expeditions, we were supported by our Approved Activity Provider (AAP) and Mountain Leader qualified staff. We are also fortunate to have a strong and committed group of volunteers, many of whom hold Lowland Leader qualifications and continue to support the Centre year after year. Their experience, dedication and encouragement are invaluable to the success of the programme.
Weather conditions across both expeditions were mixed, with participants experiencing everything from sunshine to periods of heavy rain. This created additional challenges and required groups to adapt to changing conditions throughout the routes. Some sections of the Practice Expedition were made more difficult by poorly maintained paths, which tested both participants and leaders alike.
Despite these challenges, the overall standard of the groups was excellent. Participants showed resilience, teamwork and determination throughout, with very few issues arising during the Qualifying Expedition. All groups completed their journeys successfully, arriving at the finish in good spirits and having achieved their goals. The standard of expedition presentations was particularly impressive this year, with groups producing creative and engaging submissions, including some excellent video content and innovative use of media.
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## **Gold Award**
At Gold level 3 groups (19 participants) successfully completed their expeditions. Gold Level was run by John Pridham but due to illness the expeditions were covered by Martin Deighton-Brown (practice expedition) and Vicky Stark (qualifier expedition). They did an excellent job stepping in at the last minute coordinating all of the groups and working with our Approved Activity Provider (AAP) Mountain Treks who deliver the expeditions.
The training strategy followed our usual approach of a ‘Big Day Out’ at Rivington Pike to refresh participants' navigation skills and introduce them to the Mountain Leaders, and also John, followed by pizza and route planning back at AKRFC. We then arranged a full practice expedition in the Lake District which is where the qualifying expeditions also took place. The teams experienced mixed weather and proved their map reading and camping skills and also their abilities to work together as a team. The teams completed everything with good morale.
## **Adult Volunteers**
Our volunteer group has gone from strength to strength. We now have 40 volunteers in a variety of roles. 4 new volunteers have come forward for the 2024/25 season.
Our rolling programme of adult leader training, which has previously covered areas such as safeguarding, covered First Aid training, Lowland leader training.
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_Adult volunteers supporting the Silver award qualifier_
## **Stores**
The Stores team, lead by Emma & Harry Deighton-Brown, have continued to run a well organised operation. Emma & Harry have completed the organisation and running of the stores again this season and all went smoothly.
During the year we invested about £600 in new equipment to replace old stoves and increase the amount of Personal kit we have to offer to our Members.
## **eDofE**
The proportion of our members who go on to complete the awards is above the national average. A large part of this success is down to the encouragement our eDofE mentor team provides to participants to ensure they sign off on the Award sections. This team is led by Emma Deighton-Brown with support from Sarah Newton. Steph Carter from the Bowdon Church DofE Centre continues to be very supportive and performs the role of independent verifier.
## **Future Strategy**
Looking forward the Trustees are confident that the centre will be able to continue to operate and serve the community in 2026.
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The main risk to our centre is its dependence on members from Sale Grammar School which make up circa 65% of our cohort.
The Trustees of the Charity who served during the year and as at the date of this report are as follows:
- Ben Morgan Chair
- Caroline Royle
- Jon Buckland
- Andy Allan
- Peter Hayward Resigned February 2025 ● Frances Bennett Joined October 2024
- Vicky Stark Joined August 2025
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## **3. Financial Report**
The centre generated a loss in the financial year to 30th September 2025. The reasons for the loss principally relate to the need for additional instructors to support the expeditions, increases in costs for running the centre and the centre now having to pay national insurance for our employee.
The additional costs were offset by a £5000 donation from the now closed Bowdon DofE.
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Our accounts have been independently verified and we are also grateful to Helen Sumpton for conducting this review. Please refer to Appendix 2 for the report.
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## **4. Participation & outputs**
## _**Participation**_
Although Timperley is a relatively affluent area the Centre places great emphasis on taking an ‘everyone welcome’ approach which encourages participation from a range of children from varying socio-economic and ethnic groups. The Centre is an Open Award centre promoted throughout Trafford. Most members are drawn from local schools and come from the Altrincham area.
Participation during the 2024/25 season below.
Applications by school and gender for the forthcoming 2024/25 season are set out below. This is based on data captured during the registration process:
|**Applications by school 2025 season**||
|---|---|
|Altrincham College of Arts|1|
|Altrincham Grammar School for Boys|59|
|Altrincham Grammar School for Girls|7|
|Ashton on Mersey|4|
|Beech Hall School Macclesfield|1|
|Blessed Thomas Holford CC|5|
|Brine Leas Academy Nantwich|1|
|Broadoak School|1|
|Cheadle Hulme school|1|
|Leftwich High School|2|
|Loreto College|2|
|Loreto School|1|
|Manchester Grammar|1|
|North Cestrian|4|
|Sale Grammar School|124|
|Sir John Deane's 6th form College|4|
|St Ambrose|1|
|The County High School Leftwich|1|
|Urmston Grammar school|1|
|Wellington School|4|
|Xavarian College|1|
|Other (please record in Notes field at end of this
form)|2|
||**228**|
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## _**Volunteering and community outreach**_
The impact that participants have on their communities through volunteering activity is viewed by the Centre as an important output of the programme. The DofE have confirmed this has a value of £41k from 6461 hours of volunteering. Sarah Newton has coordinated volunteer activities and has provided support for members by working with local charities to signpost opportunities.
Examples of volunteer activity undertaken during the year include :
## Animal Welfare
Art Club (Cre8) at my primary school Artistic Swimming Assist Year 7s with their reading skills Assistant Brownie Leader Assistant instructor at taekwon-do Befriending service Charity Shop Charity Shop and tutoring my brother
Coaching Coaching children's football Coaching family member Coaching the younger years at my netball club Coaching young runners at my club Community organisation beavers club Cricket Coach Dance Leadership English mentoring Event Management Faith communities Football coaching Fostering rabbit(s) for the RSPCA Friends of Stamford Park Fundraising Girlguiding UK Group Leadership Guitar tuition to my Dad. Handball Coaching for U12 Handball coaching Heaton park Parkrun Volunteering Help dance Teacher teach younger Freestyle dance class (age 8 -12) every week for 1 hour 4.30 -5.30pm.
Helping a local family with chores, helping with homework, shopping etc. Helping and organising an art class weekly
helping at a primary school art club and after school wrap around care Helping at Cafe in the Park Helping elderly grandparents Helping people with special needs
Helping run the primary school age Sunday School groups at my local church Helping students who struggle with maths Helping teach the younger class at my dance club. helping with community events I am cleaning up, and also gardening in my local park with the friends of Stamford Park. I am going to help out at a local beavers club. I am going to volunteer at Trafford handball club for 1 hour a week and help train the u12 players.
Irish Dance Junior Drama Group Leading a boy group Leading Year 7 drama club librarian Library volunteering Library work- neatening, straightening and shelving the books. Litter picking- for Sale Wombles Managing the school library by helping stock and sorting shelves. Promoting reading in the school community. Issuing books to students. Maths tuition Maths tutoring Missing Maps Music Tuition Netball and tennis coaching Park Run Volunteer Psychology mentoring of year 11 Religious Education Rowing Bank support rspca christmas cards charity sale / fostering Science Tuition Scout Association Sports Leadership Sunday school at the local church Supporting a local community garden project supporting a rowing coach Supporting a tennis coach Supporting the younger members of the dance school Swimming Swimming coaching
## Teaching Hockey
Tennis Coaching Tennis help/volunteering Tuition for my Spanish Grandmother how to speak English through weekly zoom calls. Tutoring Various volunteering activities Volunteering as a shop assistant
Volunteering as a stable hand Volunteering at the COVID Centre Walking a dog Weekly shopping for elderly neighbours
Working at Bean & Brush which is a family and art cafe. Working with a company as a UX Tester
Young Leader with Girlguiding UK
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## **5. Further Information**
For further information please email: membership@dofetimperley.org.uk
Call **0161 533 2459** or contact the relevant member of our team :
Emma Deighton Brown Centre Manager & eDofE Manager emma.db@dofetimperley.org.uk
Bronze Expedition Manager & Interim Martin Deighton Brown martin.db@dofetimperley.org.uk Gold Manager (Practice expedition) Silver Expedition Manager & Interim Ben Morgan Chair of Trustees ben.morgan@dofetimperley.org.uk Trustee & Interim Gold Manager Vicky Stark vicky.stark@dofetimperley.org.uk (Qualifier expedition) Jon Buckland Treasurer & Trustee jon.buckland@dofetimperley.org.uk Caroline Royle Safeguarding Officer & Trustee caroline.royle@dofetimperley.org.uk Andy Allan Trustee andy.allan@dofetimperley.org.uk Frances Bennett Trustee frances.bennett@dofetimperley.org.uk
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## **APPENDIX 1 – AWARDS COMPLETED**
|**Bronze**
**Bronze**
**Silver**
**Gold**|**Bronze**
**Bronze**
**Silver**
**Gold**|**Bronze**
**Bronze**
**Silver**
**Gold**|**Bronze**
**Bronze**
**Silver**
**Gold**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Aidan Smyth|Patrick Chaffer|Aaron Arcos-Hetherington|Erin Meacock|
|Amaya Ratnarajah|Sai Arnav Gourshattiwar|Aidan Chiu|Kian O'doherty|
|Amelia Miah-Earl|Samuel Crosby|Alexander Eustace|Oscar Morgan|
|Caris Odeyinde|Seb Johnson|Alice Dale|Samuel Walton|
|Charlie Bennett|Sophia Butterworth|Anirudh Sanil|Charlotte Davenport|
|Charlie Frost|Thomas Bodey|Arjun Mallya|Eleanor Leeder|
|Charlie Parry|Youssef Asr|Avin Sabherwal|Huw Atkinson|
|Darren Chi Hin Chew|Zoë Wilson|Ben Furlonger|Oliver Law|
|Ethan Tweed|Jonah Bellamy|Ben McLellan||
|Evangeline Streeter|Lucy Ashworth|Callum Sharp||
|Francesca Forbes|Luke Bellamy|Daania Ross||
|Frankie Burton|Evelyn Cooke|Dahlia Lupton||
|Freddie Roy|Maple Kerr|Daniel Mack||
|Gabrielle (Gaby) Rouse|Nell Baguley|Daniel Yousef Belal||
|Hannie Maycock|Constance Flowerdew|Eddie Wrathall||
|Indie Grace Braye|Fred Stark|Evie Naylor||
|Jason Fang|Elijah Cuddy|Henry Lark||
|Jayden Cheng Xi Yu|Vivian Wang|Jacob Rodgers||
|Jessica Baker||Jago Allison||
|Jessica Clarke||Jimmy Potter||
|Jessica Thornhill||Joseph Sholji||
|Jessie Morgan||Maneesh
Navaneethakrishnan||
|Kaitlyn O’Neill||Maxwell Carroll||
|Katherine Fulthorpe||Mollie Mullins||
|Keita Andras Foldes||Penny Fothergill||
|Libby Priestley||Sarim Ali||
|Liliya Grant||Soham Biswas||
|Lily Loynd||Sophie Mansfield||
|Lois Woodman||Sritan Parupudi||
|Lottie Luccock||Taha Dossajee||
|Lucas Sansome||Tan Ng||
|Lucy Parkes||William Macdonald||
|Luke Clayton-Smith||||
|Miray Nizamoglu||||
|Mohammad Shehadeh||||
|Nico Sidebottom||||
|Olivia Inglis||||
|Ollie Parry||||
|Oscar Ruan||||
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**APPENDIX 2 – INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS**
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