Trustees’ Annual Report
For the Year 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022 Charity registration number: 1186181
Objectives and Activities
The objective of Head Outdoors is to advance in life and relieve needs of young people through:
(a) The provision of recreational and leisure time activities provided in the interest of social welfare, designed to improve their conditions of life;
(b) Providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities, and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.
We raise funds to support improvements in the health of young people suffering mental health challenges. Our beneficiaries access sport and outdoor activities through grants we make following careful review of their needs as well as the capabilities and experience of service providers. Beneficiaries include young people in the care of NHS registered facilities or identified in education settings. We operate in Dorset and are based in Bournemouth and Poole.
Head Outdoors was conceived by Adam and Rhiannon Stiling (founding Trustees of Head Outdoors) in 2017 after they asked for charity donations at their wedding instead of receiving gifts to fund a project focussed on their love of water sports and its positive mental health impact.
Working with Rob Howlett and Jo Sheppard (founding Trustees of Head Outdoors) at Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre (HHOEC), the couple contacted Pebble Lodge, a residential service caring for young people with mental health issues. The generous donations of their friends and family resulted in enough funding to cover half day weekly activity sessions for two years.
Jo and Rob spearheaded this programme with additional support from volunteers who willingly gave their time and expertise in coaching and supporting these teenagers. Luke Webb joined as a Trustee in 2022 bringing his wealth of experience as an NHS Mental Health Nurse working at Pebble Lodge.
Having demonstrated the success of this programme through positive outcomes for the young people and their care staff, the Head Outdoors charity was established to both support Pebble Lodge in a more sustainable manner and to expand the delivery of services benefiting more young people in this area.
The Trustees confirm that they have had referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting the grant making policy for the year.
Policy on Grant Making
Contribution Made by Volunteers
Achievements and Performance
After Covid 19 halted activity with Pebble Lodge and with the Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre closing, Head Outdoors spent the second half of 2021 identifying and trialling several outdoor options for young adults under the care of Pebble Lodge.
Successful sessions were held at Horse Course, New Forest Activity Centre, Resurface and The Project Climbing Centre.
All sessions were highly beneficial with Pebble Lodge residents getting significant value from outdoor activity beyond the facility. Assessment of outcomes after these sessions indicated achievement of our goals.
The majority of funds were via a donation from the John Ackroyd Charitable Trust and we thank them for their grant.
Subsequent to the year end in 2022 Head Outdoors has made several grants to Pebble Lodge for sessions with Resurface and also to Brockenhurst College for sessions with the New Forest Activity Centre.
Financial Review
As at 31 April 2022 Head outdoors had a cash balance of £6,154
Reserves held represent funds raised and not yet spent.
Head Outdoors will not currently fund any grants without cash being available. The reason for the inactivity during the first reporting period was due to the impact of the Covid -19 pandemic and lockdown of the NHS facility being supported and the closure of Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre.
However, during the remainder of 2021 and during 2022 Head outdoors restarted its funding of Pebble Lodge across other outdoor centres in Dorset.
The charity’s principal sources of funds is via fund raising and the receipt of donations.
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is a CIO governed by a constitution.
Trustee selection methods
There must be at least three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustee or trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity trustees, or appoint a new charity trustee.
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years 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: Head Outdoors Registered Charity number 1186181 Charity’s Principal address 4 Excelsior Road Poole BH14 8TT
Trustee Name Office Dates (if not acted for whole year) Adam Stiling Chairperson Rhiannon Stiling Treasurer Joanne Sheppard Trustee Rob Howlett Trustee Resigned 25 July 2022 Luke Webb Trustee Appointed 25 July 2022
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signature Full name Rhiannon Stiling Treasurer 20 April 2023