# A n n u a l R e p o r t . **2 0 2 4 - 2 0 2 5** **www.floatyboat.org** Registered Charity 1191392 A N N U A L **R E P O R T 2 0 2 4 - 2 5** ## TRUSTEES’ STATEMENT During 2024–2025, Floaty Boat continued to develop and strengthen its work, delivering both new and ongoing projects that support, empower and celebrate the boating community. The charity has further strengthened its governance with the appointment of two Co-Chairs and an additional trustee, alongside continued growth in our operational team and volunteer base. We remained committed to responding to the needs of liveaboard Boaters, using their feedback and insight to shape and expand our incentives so they reflect the evolving needs of the community. By building on the skills and experience already present along the canal, we have ensured our work remains community-led and relevant. We also continued to develop relationships with local organisations and groups, helping to strengthen connections and collaboration across communities. The trustees are confident that, looking ahead, Floaty Boat will continue to grow and develop in the years to come, while staying focused on delivering its charitable aims and long-term objectives. ## **JAMES GOUGH & HELEN FARRALLY** Co-chair Trustees 1 A N N U A L **R E P O R T 2 0 2 4 - 2 5** ## OUR AIMS Floaty Boat is run by Boaters for Boaters, and sees first-hand what a strong, proud, diverse and supportive community we have. The Kennet and Avon canal is often described as the longest village in the country; it’s a bit like stepping back in time where people say hello to their neighbours and community spirit is very much alive. Moving continuously from place to place can prove challenging when things don’t go to plan. What started as a simple breakdown can all too quickly impact on many aspects of an individual’s financial, emotional and physical health. That’s why our approach is all about reducing the likelihood of Boaters reaching crisis point. It’s a simple, but powerful model which builds upon the incredible strengths and culture of the liveaboard community. Our activities create opportunities for everyone to connect, support, share and celebrate; where money or background doesn’t define an individual or their opportunities. Our vision is a resilient, empowered and thriving liveaboard boating community where every individual has a sense of belonging. That also includes a stronger relationship with the communities that we pass through and are part of, through the schools our children go to, the services we access, and the towpaths we share. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 4 - 2 5 ## A YEAR ON THE CUT ## Events This year Floaty Boat put on three successful Floating Fayres: one in Spring in Bathampton (B&NES), one in Summer at The Barge Inn, Honeystreet (Wiltshire) and a Winter one in Bradford on Avon (Wiltshire). Both events in Wiltshire were funded by Wiltshire Council. The Floating Fayres bring the boating and wider community together to celebrate the diverse creative culture and talent on the Kennet and Avon canal. They give Boaters an opportunity to sell their hand-crafted wares, there are music performances and heritage craft demonstrations. Service providers such as the fire service and Julian House Boater outreach team were in attendance. At the Winter Fayre, flu/Covid vaccinations were offered from a vessel on the canal. These incentives help Boaters to access vital services which can be challenging when living aboard, thus improving health outcomes in the community. Bringing everyone together also helps to tackle issues of isolation and loneliness which can exist when living nomadically on the waterways. _“The fayres are a highlight for our family and a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends. I often invite nonBoater friends along, as they’re a great way to showcase the wide range of skills and the strong sense of community that exists along the canal. For me, the fayres are also a chance to develop new skills. I’ve recently enrolled in a back-to-work short course in children’s face painting, and the Floating Fayre has provided the perfect, supportive environment in which to put those skills into practice”_ We organised our yearly kids Christmas Party at the Canal Tavern in December. Our very own green Father Christmas brought presents for over 30 Children who attended. There was a Christmas Carol Fundraiser at the Barge Inn on the 20th December 2024. We also hosted a New years eve get together at The Twelve Bells, Trowbridge with live bands. These events not only help to raise funds, they also bring the boating community together particularly in the winter time when living nomadically can be more challenging and isolating. 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 4 - 2 5 ## Workshops We delivered a programme of 15 workshops throughout the year. These included, Engine Maintenance, 12 Volt electrics, Stove Safety, Bike maintenance and Theatre. These workshops are designed to expand knowledge and develop confidence, enabling people to understand their systems and carry out simple works themselves. This helps to keep Boaters safe and prevent them from reaching crisis point. The workshops also bring people together preventing isolation and loneliness and improving wellbeing on the canal. All our workshops are delivered by experts who live on the canal or have a strong connection to it and specialise in work on off grid systems. Wiltshire Council funded this workshop programme. _“I have always been confused about the electric system on my boat and had to wait for weeks for an electrician to come last time something went wrong. Since the workshop I have managed to fix my own system a few times, I feel so much more confident”_ ## A Voice for Boaters Floaty Boat continues to engage with key stakeholders, taking part in joint working to improve outcomes for the liveaboard boating community and to deepen understanding in the wider community of life on the water ways. During the year a boating community group was set up by Wiltshire Council linking organisations such as local authorities, support services, police, local businesses, and health services. Floaty Boat has played a key role in this work and will be delivering more collaborative projects with key stakeholders next year. It has been great to strengthen our connections to other local organisations. **4** A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 4 - 2 5 Canal and River Trust (CRT) have commissioned a report into the future of boat licensing. The results could have a huge impact on nomadic Boaters. As part of the review they published a survey to hear from canal users. The survey was complicated and difficult to complete, therefore, Floaty Boat wrote guidance and ran face to face survey support sessions for Boaters, to help them complete it. We will continue to engage with the licence review process as it progresses and to amplify the voice of liveaboard Boaters. _“I attended the Boater survey support session. As someone dyslexic who finds forms really hard and has two children under five, I honestly don’t think I would have been able to take part in getting my voice heard without the help of Floaty Boat.”_ ## Pay it Forward for winter fuel We again provided a helping hand to over 30 Boaters throughout winter with our Pay it Forward Scheme. This was in conjunction with the boatyard in Hilperton and Fredrick the Fuel boat. We set up the scheme by donating a small amount to each merchant, then people could donate and the money was used to give fuel to those who were most in need, keeping the community warm in the coldest months. **5** ANNUAL REPORT 2024-25 FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS Floaty Boat CIO- Annualstatem•nt ofaccounts and balance sheet l April2024to 31 March 2025 stat•m•nt of Accounts Unr•strict•d R•strict•d funds funds Notes Total funds INCOME Grants Donations Fundraising activity Tradinglearned income Total li 21 £0.00 £9,734.05 £9.734.05 £1,156.77 £0.00 £1,156.77 £0.00 £306.80 £306.80 £2,000.00 £0.00 £2,000.00 £3,156.77 £10,040,85 £13.197.62 EXPENDITURE Project costs Workshop costs Pay it forward Fuel support payments Core costs l overheads Total £5.414.49 £10,764.39 £0.00 £4,384.15 £1,240.20 £1,547.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £6,654.69 £10,040.85 £16.695.54 £5,349.90 £4,384.15 £306.80 Balance brought forward from 2023-24131 March 20241 In-period balance year.end balance at 31 March 2025 (accumulated surplus) £5,919.09 -£3,497.92 £2,421.17 £2,385.85 £0.00 £2,385.85 £8,304.94 -£3,497.92 £4,807.02 Balan¢• $h••t at 31 M•rch 2025 Curr•nt ass•ts Cash at bank and in hand at 31 March 2025 Debtors Net current ass•ts 61 71 £24,147.52 £257.1)0 £24,404.52 Curr•nt liabiliti•$ Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 81 -£9,597.50 TOTALASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES £14,807.02 Notes 11 Wiltshire Council grant towards Floating Fayres and workshops 21 Miscellaneous donations given at fayres and workshops 31 Raff le and Carolling Fundraiser 41 Stallholder fees for Floating Fayres 51 "Projects" were spring, surnmer and winter Floating Fayres, and Kids, Christmas party 61 £23,917.16 at bank and £230.36 in petty cash, includes £10,000 grant from Wiltshire Council for charitable activities in 2025-26 financial year 71 Donations of£117.60 owed and advanced unspent project costs of£139.40 owed 81 Total freelance fees owed for Winter and Spring 2024 fayres relating to 2024-25 financial year Wiltshire Council ## LOOKING AHEAD ## **Our aims for the next 12 month period are:** - Delivery of two Floating Fayres in summer and winter. - Delivery of workshops to continue to share knowledge and resources within the community and build resilience. - Continue to be a voice for liveaboard Boaters. Continue to build partnerships with a range of local and national stakeholders and organisations, to help improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Boaters and to develop understanding between our communities. - Continue to engage in the CRT licensing review consultation and to advocate for liveaboard Boaters on the Kennet and Avon canal - throughout this process. - Continue to facilitate the Pay it Forward scheme, enabling the community to support itself to stay warm through the winter months and diminish fuel poverty. - Begin development and planning of a Floaty Boat website, an online community hub for the boating community where we share all our workshops, events, and links to other useful resources. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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- Development of a volunteer management strategy. - Continue to provide events/spaces for Boaters to get together, tackling issues of isolation and loneliness due to the transient lifestyle of continuous cruisers. - Continue to strengthen our governance by recruiting more trustees and developing financial management systems. 7 **Floaty Boat, 7 The Shambles, Bradford on Avon Wiltshire, BA15 1JS** _Photo credits, Dru Marland, Avril Mc Govern, Carol Payne, Damien Freeman, Laura Darling._