Trustees’ Report & Accounts
for the year 01/01/23 to 31/12/23
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return”
Leonardo da Vinci
Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2024
Introducing Skyward
Skyward was registered as a charity in May 2022; thus this is the trustees’ second annual report. The charity was created with two core aims; to advance the education of the public – in particular our young people – in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and to act create and deliver a resource for young people across the UK that will delivering innovative educational activities and experiences, promoting careers in aero-space industries.
We are still young and developing, but we intend to achieve these objectives by providing immersive educational experiences centred on the aerospace industry. We will take our visitors on a journey of discovery providing immersive, educational, and emotive experiences, highlighting the magical world of flight along with the vast array of careers available by exploring the industry’s past, present, and future.
We will utilise the sessions to ignite a passion for aerospace by creating exciting, inspiring, and thought-provoking activities such as outreach workshops both in-person and remotely, aircraft visits, and events in a setting that is cutting edge and utilises the latest technologies to offer a highly digital advanced learning platform.
Our vision is to create a community that is anchored around our experiences and facilities. We will achieve this by operating a number of facilities across the country. Our experiences and centres will be connected by a sophisticated and engaging learning platform that users can use to expand their knowledge, engage with further activities and connect with our community partners. The bedrock of each centre will be a world-class interactive learning space built inside a retired but complete commercial airliner, where student visitors can explore, discover and investigate in a ‘hands-on’ immersive way.
Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2024
Charity details
Charity Trustees:
Capt. Richard Griffin Mrs Dawn Stokes Mr Sam Davies
There were no changes to the board in this reporting period
Charity Address:
SKYWARD c/o Bliss Aviation 444 Bournemouth Airport Aviation Business Park Christchurch BH23 6NW
info@skyward.co.uk
Website
Report for the period
Progress during the second year of the charities existence has been slower than ideal, largely due to continuing discussions with relevant stakeholders regarding the charity’s first site and facilities.
The planned facilities are unique in nature and as such are requiring multiple discussions and negotiations too secure. However, despite this, positive interaction with industry continues to be the theme and the trustees strongly believe the demand and, importantly, industry appetite exists for this venture.
During the later stages of 2023, a unique opportunity arose which could provide the perfect base for our first facility, including the use of existing classroom and office facilities at a location in Bournemouth. This building sits adjacent to a former aircraft apron which would provide space to house and host aircraft.
www.skyward.org.uk
Governance
The charity in constituted as a CIO with charity number 12096776.
The trustees affirm that they have applied due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
The small expenditures this year were financed by donations from trustees.
Unfortunately these two sites, whilst adjacent to one another, are split between two different leases and thus discussion and negotiation is required between two parties leading to additional complexity. We expressed interest in engaging with both parties and, since year end, negotiations have started and will continue throughout 2024.
During this time, there will also be discussions regarding initial funding to enable the charity to formally enter a lease agreement on the site.
We have made progress opening our primary bank account and other administrative matters, and preparation of a full business case for prospective funders is being planned.
The trustees are highly optimistic that significant ground can be made in 2024, but it is pragmatic to accept that with progress thus far quite slow that a full launch is unlikely before 2025.
All three trustees remained in post throughout this reporting period.
Richard Griffin
Founder & Trustee 31 August 2024
Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2024
Accounts
Statement of financial activities for the period ending 31 December 2023
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| INCOME | ||||
| Donations | 93 | 0 | 93 | |
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Charitable activities | 43 | 0 | 43 | |
| Cost of generating funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Governance | 50 | 0 | 50 | |
| Total Expenditure | 93 | 0 | 93 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | 0 |
0 | 0 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Balance sheet at 31 December 2023 | ||||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | £ 0 | |||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||
| Current liabilities | £ 0 | |||
| NET ASSETS | £ 0 | |||
| Represented by: | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | £ 0 | |||
| Restricted funds | £ 0 |
Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2024
These financial statements are approved by the board on 31 August 2024
Richard Griffin
Trustee
Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2024
Notes to the financial statements
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity are prepared on a cash basis for this period. The only cash flows this year were covered by Trustees’ donations, as follows:
| Internet domain renewal | £43.17 |
|---|---|
| Preparation of annual report | £50.00 |
| Total | £93.17 |
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
None in this period.
Salary and pension costs
None in this period.
Trustees’ remuneration and benefits
None in this period.
Trustees’ expenses
None claimed in this period.
Related party disclosures
None in this period.
Reserves policy
The charity has not yet accumulated reserves.
END
Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2024