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Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs
Annual Report 2023
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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CONTENTS
Chair of Trustees Report .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Volunteer Officer’s Report ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Thank You To Our Partners ................................................................................................................................... 7 North Berwick Beach Wheelchairs & Beach Access North East Rotary Club of Fleetwood Fleetwood Town Council Healthier Fleetwood Wyre Council Baxter Life Care Ltd Financial Reports - Accounts for 2022 - 2023 Independent Examiner’s Report ………………………………………………………………………..8 Income and Expenditure…………………………………………………………….........................9 Balance Sheet………………………………………………………………………………………...10 Photo Gallery .......................................................................................................................................................11-14 Feedback from our service users .......................................................................................................15-16 Trustees & Officers .................................................................................................................................................. 17 Charity Registration & Contacts .......................................................................................................................... 17
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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Chair of Trustees Report
For the third year running I am delighted to be able to present my Annual Report to the Trustees, our supporters and users. Once again it has been a very busy year with our numbers of users increasing as well as the number of visitors repeating their visits to us after enjoying the experience of the freedom of the beach. This is a bonus for us and also a benefit for the town of Fleetwood, the Town Council of which continues to support us in many ways and is represented through our Trustees.
In last year’s report I indicated that our service is becoming a “Benchmark” service and this has been evidenced by the start-up of schemes in Wirral and a projected scheme in Lytham St Annes. We have been advising both on equipment and processes to assist them to offer a service to those with various disabilities.
We continue to add to our stock of equipment and had a grant from our local ASDA store at Fleetwood which enabled us to purchase more specialist support cushions and other items of equipment. We turn over our stock quite quickly as the use of some items is necessarily restricted, and cleaning and sanitisation of stock does reduce the working life of some items. We are constantly in need of funds for such equipment and the fact that we are a free service to the users means we must work hard for charitable funds.
We do give presentations to groups and organisations and this does generate a small contribution to our funds, but we are eager to spread the word and talk to any groups that would like to hear our story of development from an idea to a service.
Our service has been recognised once again with the award of the Wyre Business Award for Innovation and we were shortlisted for the BBC Make a Difference Awards for which we received Highly Commended and were finalists in the Lancashire Tourism Awards. Whilst we are not seeking to gain awards, the fact that we have achieved so much in such a short time reflects the quality of the service provided by our volunteers.
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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The impact of the Covid Crisis now seems to be reducing although it has cost us in terms of volunteers and sadly some users. However, we still have a fine team of volunteers to assist us and we continue to recruit and train more.
The summer saw a very busy time for us with a full service being offered throughout the hot weather. On several occasions we had all ten chairs on the beach at the same time which is a wonderful thing to see. This does put a strain on our volunteers, though, who need to track the chairs and then clean them and sanitise them as well as having a quick turn-round on occasions.
The winter months were not so kind to us and we suffered a major pipe burst in the week before Christmas which left us flooded at our Wheel Base for several hours and required a lot of drying out. Fortunately, we managed to save all our “soft” and fabric items which were removed, washed and dried. It was not until March that we could return the items and replace our shelving and consider a return to operations. Our first user of the year was on the beach on 11[th] March 2023. Our landlord, Wyre Borough Council, recompensed us for our losses and has granted us a 3-month rent rebate as well.
Since my last report we have achieved a total of 382 visitors on the beach, and in the sea on many occasions, and information about of our service is continuing to spread. Our reputation is such that visitors now frequent the area to enjoy the benefit of our service.
A major issue which had concerned us since our opening was the provision of a fully serviced “Changing Places” facility. We provided as part of our equipment “floor-changing” facilities which, whilst helpful to users, was a far from satisfactory solution. Our lobbying and support from Fleetwood Town Council has resulted in a comprehensive “Changing Places Unit” being constructed in the building adjacent to us in the same block. This considerably adds to our desire to see a “hub” being established on this section of the promenade for people with disabilities to use and enjoy. The Unit will open in time for the summer and coincide with the various school holidays that help to bring visitors to the Town.
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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Once again this has been a very successful year and marks our third year on the beach. We must now look possibly to replacing some of our older stock of chairs and getting new and more up-to-date equipment. Our chairs are guaranteed for ten years, but that is for “normal use” some of our chairs are used three times in a day so we must seriously consider the wear on the equipment and act accordingly.
I and the Trustees and volunteers thank our followers, users and supporters for their continued goodwill and assure them of our best quality of service for the future and coming years.
Michael Gray
Chair of Trustees, Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs March 2023
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Volunteer Officer’s Report
Although we have 25 personnel on our volunteers list, there are only 12 people who volunteer regularly and can be relied upon to help. In addition to this, we also have 4 people who help our charity in different ways i.e. collecting donations, or cleaning the chairs and obviously their help is invaluable.
I believe we are not alone in this predicament. Many clubs, charities and societies are also struggling to get volunteers, and the question is “How do we address this issue?”
It concerns us that the better weather is just around the corner and if we are as busy in Summer 2023 as we were in Summer 2022, then we are really going to struggle to maintain our service.
We rely heavily on our volunteers to keep the Wheelbase open. That said, we have managed very well over the last 12 months, and only needed to change one booking to an alternative date due to lack of volunteers.
We still have the strict rule that no volunteers operate alone. There is always a minimum of 2 on duty at any one time. There are a number of people who call in for a chat, so very often the Wheelbase is a social hub for both volunteers and clients. This seems to be increasing as we become more known in the local area.
Janet Simpson Volunteer Officer
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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Thank You to Our Partners
We have several organizations to thank for the healthy and optimistic position we find ourselves in today …
North Berwick Beach Wheelchairs & Beach Access North East
There are around a dozen locations in the UK offering beach wheelchairs, two groups in particular have been incredibly helpful and supportive in our journey. North Berwick, near Edinburgh is possibly the most well-established group and their officers have provided advice and practical support from the start – even sharing their logo with us! Whitley Bay-based Beach Access North East has also given us the benefit of their first-hand experience of setting up a beach wheelchairs service. We would not be where we are now without the assistance of both these wonderful organisations.
Rotary Club of Fleetwood
Our chair of trustees, Michael Gray, is a member of Fleetwood's proactive Rotary Club and from his initial presentation they have encouraged and supported him to research and establish the charity. The Club, together with Rotary District 1190, made a substantial donation towards the cost of a chair, and many Rotarians also volunteer their time and goodwill for Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs. This support is invaluable.
Fleetwood Town Council
A large donation from the Town Council's Community Fund supported the purchase of three chairs in our fleet. Two of our trustees are also local Councillors, passionate about making Fleetwood a better place to live, work in and to visit. The support of the Town Council ensures the charity is always closely linked to the community.
Healthier Fleetwood
The first organisation approached to get the idea off the ground was Healthier Fleetwood, a notfor-profit organisation with a remit to "connect the community". They helped form the initial steering group and much of the administration and marketing was overseen by David Gore of Healthier Fleetwood. He has now left the board of Trustees to concentrate on his professional work but still continues to give his support through Healthier Fleetwood.
Wyre Council
The Council has worked closely with us in leasing to us the 'Wheel Base' headquarters just a few metres from the Promenade. Officers of the Council have continued to provide their expertise and support despite throughout the pandemic.
Baxter Life Care Ltd
This family-run business provides a range of value-for-money social care services across the Fylde Coast. The company supports us with their expertise and advice, and has provided specialist equipment for the use of our visitors. We are also delighted to welcome Baxter Life Care Ltd as our website sponsors which will open up discussion with other potential partners.
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
Independent Examiners Report CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIAND AND WALES I Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report R•port to th• tru•tw m•mb•r• ol On •¢¢ounts for th• y1 end•d 2V F•t¥u•ry 2023 Ch•rlty no Ilf •nyl 1187870 Srt out on pag•• I r•port to the trustWB on my 8xaminatK)n of the •¢wints of th• at¥)ve eharrty Ilhe Trusfi for thtr yoar ended 2eJ0212023 R••pon•lbllltlu •nd b••l• of r•port A• th8 thorty's trust••s. you reSpOrlO ft)r th• preparatn ol the accourts in #ecofdance wrth the requiromnt8 of Charitlos Act 2011 Act"). I report in resF¢Ct of my •x8min8tion of the Trust's account8 camed oui undor section 145 of 2011 Act and in corying out my •xamin•tson. I h•ve follo4 all th• aOicabl8 Directions 9iv•n by th• Chanty Commi¥$ion und•r 8•caK 145(5Xbl ol the Ac4. IndendalIt I have completsd my exwnination. l eonfimi thgt no matsrial matt•rn have •xamlMr'¥ 8t•t•m•nt com• to my attention in conneciion with examination which gives me eau88 to believe that in. any m•terl•l respect.. the •¢ntirj r•corf8 were not kept in Bceorf8rK• wlth sectton 130 of the Charrti•8 AfA. or the accounts dK1 not with th• aeeouth.ng record8,' or the acthJnts dKI not ¢omply the awicable requirements concerning the forn and tontent of accounts set out in the Chorities (Account$ and Reports) Regulations 2008 Otr than any requirement th¢ accounts giv6 a and fair. view which 16 nol a matter considered as part of an indeFendent examinatson. I hav? no concems and have come across no other matters in eonnectlon wth the examinalion to Vthich atterrtion Sht10 be drawn in this rnport In order to enable a kxowr rKrI18ndIrwj of the ¥CntS to b• r•achecl.. Sl9n•d: Dt•'. 14th April 2023 N•me'. Jame8 Christopher Wght R•l•vant prnfe8Bion•l quaiificationls) or body Irf *nyl: 2 Leonards Place. Lrtue sInglOn, Poumon Le Fylde. Lancashire FY6 7YZ IER Oct 2018 Fltttwood Beach Whttlchairs- Annual Rer[ 2023
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Financial Reports
Accounts 2022 – 2023
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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Financial Reports
Balance Sheet
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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Photo Gallery
These images say far more than any words can about the benefits of our service and the simple joy of being
on the beach.
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Creating
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Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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Feedback
News of our work has travelled far in so much as that in February 2022 our Local MP Cat Smith tabled an Early Day Motion No 947 in the House of Commons, acknowledging the work that Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs does and the awards they have received. This was a very proud moment for Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs.
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These are some of the comments about the service we provide and our wonderful volunteers, made by our visitors/service users within the last year. They have been obtained from feedback forms completed by our visitors/service users and also from social media.
“Thanks so much for today. We had a lovely stroll along your
beautiful breezy beach. Your service is nothing short of perfect. Jane
and Lesley were so knowledgeable and accommodating on getting it
right for individual needs. Making a visit not just good but spot
on! Thank you.”
“It was an amazing experience and my Mum loved it! Thanks for the
first- class customer service.”
“Never Fail to enjoy The Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs. The Volunteers are so helpful and friendly. Thank you.”
“Absolutely lovely day. Both boys enjoyed the experience. Thank you so much.”
“Staff absolutely excellent. The experience was amazing and my Mum was made up”
“The pleasure on my little girls face was priceless. Thank you so much.”
“Absolutely fantastic opportunity to access areas that otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Wonderful service from Steve and Margaret.”
“Brilliant service, brilliant staff. Well done everyone.”
“Thank you so very much. My child experienced the beach and sea for the first time. The staff were so lovely. Thank you all.”
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023
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Trustees & Officers
Chair & Trustee: Michael Gray Vice-Chair & Trustee: Lorraine Beavers Treasurer & Trustee: Julie Sandham Secretary & Trustee: Alan Dickinson Volunteer Officer & Trustee: Janet Simpson Trustee: Cheryl Raynor Trustee: Karen Murdoch Trustee: Reece Slater Trustee: Stephen Ireland
Charity Registration & Contacts
Registered charity: No. 1187870 Registered address: 48 Rossall Promenade, Thornton Cleveleys, FY5 1LP Freephone: 03000 111 003 E-mail address: fleetwoodbeachwheelchairs@outlook.com Website: www.fleetwoodbeachwheelchairs.co.uk Facebook: @FleetwoodBW Twitter: @FBWheelchairs
Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs – Annual Report 2023