## **Hambleton Strollers Annual Report 2020-21** 

## **1.0 Introduction** 

- **1.1** Hambleton Strollers became an independent organisation in January 2018 when at the request of Hambleton District Council the walk leaders present considered various options for the future. They voted to become a self organising voluntary group and to break the ties with Age UK the previous organisers to ensure that free walking for health continued. 

- **1.2** A working party was created which set about creating an organisation which would allow the group to continue walking in the short term until a more permanent committee could be formed to continue the long term management of the group. 

- **1.3** The Ramblers Association became the government’s preferred partner late in 1918. The Ramblers Association was formed in 1935. 

- **1.4** The group is fortunate that the initial enthusiasm has been maintained despite many difficulties through out the year. 

## **2.0 Objectives** 

- **2.1** The objectives of the organisation are; 

   - Provide regular volunteer led risk assessed walks in all towns of Hambleton District. 

   - Remaining within the Governments Walking For Health Scheme 

   - • Providing exercise for those with challenging health conditions 

   - Contribution to Healthy Living 

   - Helping to Overcome Loneliness and Social Isolation 

   - To Maintain Free Access For All to the Groups Walks 

## **3.0 Main Issues For The Year** 

- **3.1** The dominant issue during the year was the effect of the corona virus on our walk programme. 

- **3.2** The majority of the walkers participating in our Walking for Health Scheme were classed by the government as medically vulnerable and as a consequence we were unable to offer any walks after the first lockdown. 

- **3.3** A decision was made to run a set of trial walks based on groups of six in Stokesley and Great Ayton during September. These walks were well supported and it was intended to role out the scheme to the other towns in October but the second lock down came into force bringing an end to any further walks. 

- **3.4** Walks are still suspended and assuming no changes in government policy will 

1 



recommence in May. 

- **3.5** The second major issue was the bomb shell dropped by the Ramblers Association to replace the Walking for Health Scheme with the Rambler’s Wellbeing Walks. 

When the new scheme was announced they also gave notice that the Walking for Health Scheme would be closed down at the end of the March and that there would be an annual fee of £1,000 per group payable by the end of March. 

Whilst the group could afford this for the next 4/5 years there would come a time when serious fund raising would become necessary. In addition the group would still be left with its current level of expenditure. 

The committee carried out a consultation exercise to obtain the views of all walk leaders. The result was not to join the new scheme but to carry on as an independent group offering free walks for those with health problems. 

- **3.6** A number of committee members have indicated that they are not going to seek re-election at the AGM. All of these members have put in many years of voluntary service to Hambleton Strollers and their experience will be missed. 

The vacancies are; 

- Voluntary co-ordinator 

- Administrator 

- Thirsk Town Representative 

- Bedale Town Representative 

- Health & Safety Rep 

In addition the group are seeking a person to manage the groups Facebook Page. 

- **3.7** The committee has continued to operate during the year initially with some difficulty due to social distancing. However, the introduction of the soft ware package Zoom solved our problems. 

## **4.0 Finance** 

- **4.1** Hambleton District Council has continued its three year programme of grants of £ 5,000 per annum. The last  grant is due in the next financial year when the group will become totally self financing. 

- **4.2** Due to the lack of activity this year expenditure has been negligible with a 

- number of projects put on hold. 

## **5.0 Training** 

- **5.1** The group have not been able to run any walk leader training courses this year due to social distancing regulations. 

2 



## **6.0 Statistics** 

- **6.1** Due to the cancellation of most of the groups walking programme it is not possible to produce any meaningful statistics for the current year, but see the Coordinators report. 

## **7.0 Summary** 

- **7.1** We have been successful in providing the National Scheme  Walking for Heath in the Hambleton District Council area and will continue to offer health walks as an independent CIO developing this important service to the community. 

## END 

3 



## **Hambleton Strollers** 

## **Income and Expense by Category** 

From 01/04/2020 to 31/03/2021 (in GB Pounds) 

|Category (Income)||
|---|---|
|Grant|5,000.00|
|Total Income|**5,000.00**|
|Category (Expense)||
|Equipment|-270.00|
|Insurance|-137.48|
|Subscriptions|-42.00|
|Total Expenses<br>**-449.48**<br>**Total:   4,550.52**||



## **Account Balances** 

Cash and Asset Account balances (in GB Pounds) 

Opening Balance at: 01/04/2020 | Closing Balance at: 31/03/2021 

|Bank<br>Lloyds TSB<br>**Bank Total**|Opening|Closing|Difference<br> <br>4,550.52<br>**4,550.52**|
|---|---|---|---|
||7,953.67|<br>12,504.19||
||**7,953.67**<br>**12,504.19**|||