2025-01-31-accounts - Gse U.K.

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GSE UK (Scouts of Europe – United Kingdom)

Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ending November 30 2025 Registered Charity Number: 1198968

1. Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name: GSE UK (Scouts of Europe – United Kingdom) Registered charity number: 1198968

2. Structure, Governance and Management

GSE UK is a registered charity governed by a charitable constitution. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the governing document and are responsible for strategic oversight, safeguarding, financial management, and compliance with charity law.

This year, the charity initiated development of a federated governance model , enabling local groups to become independent charitable entities aligned under a unified national safeguarding and educational framework. Four national subcommittees were established:

1. Safeguarding Subcommittee

2. Finance & Operations Subcommittee

3. Formation & Training Subcommittee

4. Communications & Outreach Subcommittee

Trustees have prioritised strengthening policies, systems and accountability to match the rapid growth of the association.

3. Objectives and Activities

Charitable Objectives

The charity’s purpose is:

“To develop good citizenship, character and Christian beliefs among young people who are both self-reliant and useful to others by embodying the practice of scouting, as inherited from Robert Baden-Powell and enriched by Fr Jacques Sevin.”

Public Benefit Statement

The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. All scouting activities—training, camps, formation, mentoring, and youth development—are provided for the public benefit without discrimination and support the physical, moral, and spiritual development of young people.

Core Activities

GSE UK provides:

Weekly scouting programmes for boys and girls aged 6–17
Residential camps, pilgrimages, outdoor activities and service projects
Leadership formation rooted in Christian anthropology
Training for adult volunteers
Resources for families, parishes, and schools

Funds are spent on:

Camp facilities and equipment
Leader training and safeguarding compliance
Programme materials and publications
National coordination, governance and insurance
Development of translated and standardised pedagogical resources

4. Achievements and Performance

1. Rapid Growth of Membership

The association has grown from small pioneering groups to a national Catholic scouting movement.

2024–2025 membership: 275 young people and 54 leaders across six active locations:

Gateshead
Bedford (I & II)
Kensington
Southwark
Birmingham
Surrey (emerging group)

Growth has averaged ~40% per year , driven solely by parental demand and organic parish outreach.

2. Expansion of National Structures

Significant progress was made this year in formalising national governance and strengthening operational capacity:

Creation of four national subcommittees
National safeguarding lead appointed
Standardised risk assessment processes introduced
New national onboarding pack for groups (launching 2025)
Migration to Google Workspace for GDPR-compliant national communication
Development of English-language scouting materials and translations

3. Safeguarding Strengthened

Safeguarding has been the highest priority:

Introduction of safeguarding minimum standards
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) appointed for each group
Safer recruitment practices, ID verification and DBS monitoring expanded
Leaders began NSPCC safeguarding training cycle
Engagement opened with Catholic diocesan safeguarding professionals
No safeguarding incidents reported during the year

4. National and Local Scouting Activities

Major activities included:

Gateshead Summer Camp
Bedford Wolfcub Camp
Local weekly troop activities, hikes, service projects
Leader training weekends with international FSE instructors
National magazine Scouting Spirit published twice annually (2,000 copies)

5. Strengthening Church and International Relations

Growing recognition in Catholic parishes and dioceses
Contact maintained with French, Irish, and other European associations
Planning underway for greater participation in international camps and training

5. Financial Review

Income

Income was generated through:

Membership donations
Family contributions for camps
Grants and private donations
Sales of publications and materials

Expenditure

The main areas of charitable spend were:

Camps and outdoor activities
Training and safeguarding
Programme materials and translations
National administration and communications

Reserves Policy

The trustees aim to maintain reserves sufficient to ensure:

Programme continuity
Compliance with safeguarding and training obligations
Ability to respond to rapid growth in demand

Risk Management

Key risks identified and actions taken:

Safeguarding: strengthened policies, DSL network, audit plan
Governance: migrating to federated model to reduce trustee liability
Volunteer capacity: new formation pipelines for leaders
Documentation and pedagogy: major translation and standardisation project underway

6. Plans for Future Periods (2025–2026)

The charity has entered a phase of consolidation and professionalisation. Planned priorities include:

Implementing the federated governance model
Completing a full national safeguarding audit
Publishing the national onboarding and training pathway
Appointing Yellow/Green Branch Commissioners
Establishing a national religious advisor team
Launching national training camps
Growing to 6–8 fully operational groups nationwide
Running the National Camp 2026 (North Yorkshire)
Enhancing visibility within the Catholic Church in the UK

7. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for:

Ensuring the preparation of proper accounting records
Safeguarding the charity’s assets
Preparing financial statements that comply with the Charities Act 2011
Ensuring the charity operates for public benefit
Managing risks, including safeguarding and financial oversight

8. Approval

This report was approved by the trustees on: Wednesday 26 November 2025

Signed on behalf of the Board: Name: Robert Colquhoun Position: Trustee Signature: Robert Colquhoun

GSE U.K

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

		For the	year ended 31
Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments Other Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Admin Books Equipment Events Food & Drink Insurance Postage Print Safeguarding Stationery Stipend Training Travel Uniform Venue Hire Website Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) for the year Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward Net income / (expenditure) before net gains / (losses) on investments	Unrestricted £ 2,756 33,937 -	Restricted £ - - -	2025 Total £ 2,756 33,937 - - - 36,693 4,191 838 11,484 2,474 1,981 349 105 278 111 (15) 310 200 664 4,420 3,351 393 31,133 5,560 5,560 - - 5,560 (1,387) 4,173
	36,693	-
	4,191 838 11,484 2,474 1,981 349 105 278 111 (15) 310 200 664 4,420 3,351 393
	31,133	-
	5,560	-
	4,173	-

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above.

GSE U.K

Balance sheet As at 31st January 2024

£ 500 - 5,335	2025 £ 2,852 - -	£ - - 4,485	2024 £ 1,852 - -
	2,852 1,321		1,852 (3,239)
5,835 (4,514)		4,485 (7,725)
4,173		(1,387)
	4,173		(1,387)
	4,173		(1,387)
	- 4,173		- (1,387)

	4,173		(1,387)
	-

Approved by the trustees on xxxxxxxx and signed on their behalf by

GSE U.K

Statement of cash flows

For the year ended 31 January 2025

2025 £ £ Cash fows from operating activities Net income for the reporting period 5,560 (as per the statement of fnancial activities) Depreciation charges - Losses/(Gains) on investments - Dividends, interest from investments - (Proft)/loss on the disposal of fxed assets - (Increase)/decrease in debtors (500) Increase/(decrease) in creditors (3,210) Net cash provided by operating activities 1,850 Cash fows from investing activities: Dividends, interest and rents from investments - Purchase of fxed assets (1,000) Purchase of investments - Net cash (used in) investing activities (1,000) 850 11,840 12,690 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents and of net debt Cash fows £ £ Cash at bank and in hand 4,485 850 Total cash and cash equivalents 4,485 850 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year year year At 1st Febnruary 2024	2025 £ £ Cash fows from operating activities Net income for the reporting period 5,560 (as per the statement of fnancial activities) Depreciation charges - Losses/(Gains) on investments - Dividends, interest from investments - (Proft)/loss on the disposal of fxed assets - (Increase)/decrease in debtors (500) Increase/(decrease) in creditors (3,210) Net cash provided by operating activities 1,850 Cash fows from investing activities: Dividends, interest and rents from investments - Purchase of fxed assets (1,000) Purchase of investments - Net cash (used in) investing activities (1,000) 850 11,840 12,690 Analysis of cash and cash equivalents and of net debt Cash fows £ £ Cash at bank and in hand 4,485 850 Total cash and cash equivalents 4,485 850 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year year year At 1st Febnruary 2024	2024 £ £ 3,750 - - - - - 7,725 11,474 - (1,852) - (1,852) 9,622 2,218 11,840 £ £ - 5,335 - 5,335 Other non-cash changes At 31st January 2025	2024 £ £ 3,750 - - - - - 7,725 11,474 - (1,852) - (1,852) 9,622 2,218 11,840 £ £ - 5,335 - 5,335 Other non-cash changes At 31st January 2025
	1,850 (1,000)		11,474 (1,852)
		£ - Other non-cash changes
	850 11,840		9,622 2,218
	12,690		11,840
	Cash fows £ 850		£ 5,335 At 31st January 2025
4,485	850	-	5,335

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts SeGtion A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees GSE U.K. On accounts for tha year ended 31 January 2025 Charity no lif any) 1198968 Set out on pages 1-2 hereof I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended 31 0 I Z Czr As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the acGounts in accordance wsih the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Acr}. I report in re$F of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have foll0v1 all the applicable Dirertions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. Responsibilities and basis of report Independent I have completed my examination. I confiryn that no material matters have examiner's statsment come to my attention in connedion wth the examination gives me Cause to believe that in, any material respect". the a¢counting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Ad,. or the arxounts did not accord wth the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements OnrnIng the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requiremenl that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signod: Date: 26 November 2025 Name: Christopher Dale Relevant professional qualification{sl or body (rf any): SRA Address: Grove Fami House. Turvey, MK43 8EX. BEDS Oct 2018 IER

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of conrn (see CC32, Independent examination of charty accounts". directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brief detsils of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018