Trustees’ Annual Report FY 2022-2023
Teesmouth Seal Conservation Trust
Charity No 1200208 Former Lifeboat Station, South Gare, Redcar, TS10 5NX 30/8/2022 – 30/9/2023
1. Activities and Objectives
Teesmouth Seal Conservation Trust is a CIO governed by a constitution. In our first year as a charity, our main goal was to acquire a site for the seal rescue centre and start fundraising for the necessary construction and renovations. At the end of the financial year, we were in the process of securing the lease on the Old Lifeboat Station in South Gare near Redcar. This centre is the primary focus of the charity’s activities, as both a seal hospital and as an education hub.
We also looked to recruit additional trustees with skill sets not represented by our founding trustees, including fundraising/finance and legal expertise. We established links with local groups invested in environmental conservation of the River Tees, including Teesside University, Natural England, and INCA. Preliminary agreements were established to facilitate TSCT hosting monitoring of the Tees seal colony from INCA in 2025. We also became members of the Seal Alliance organization, which allows us to share information and coordinate with other organizations to promote seal conservation and welfare efforts nationally and internationally.
The public will benefit from our centre’s activities in two main ways: by supporting the growth of the breeding colony of harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina ) and the health of the visiting grey seals ( Halichoerus gryphus ) in Teesmouth Nature Reserve, TSCT hopes to engage the public and increase awareness and knowledge of seals’ natural history as well as the natural history of the River Tees, and foster safe, responsible engagement with our local wildlife so that both humans and animals can enjoy the outdoors. The centre will be staffed by volunteers recruited from the public, who will be trained in a variety of animal care skills, and education events via outreach talks and our education centre will be a fundamental aspect of the charity’s activities.
2. Trustees
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David Newell, Chair
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Daniel Fox, Treasurer
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John Woods
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Devon Lycette, Secretary
3. Finances
Our bank account with CAF was established this year. We were granted a loan of £19,000 from Teesside Environmental Trust to cover the cost of solicitors’ and consultants’ fees to get the charity registered, and to provide the necessary opening funds for our bank account. This loan will be repaid via a payment plan starting in 2024. Incoming funds outside of the TET loan totalled £779, with total outgoings of £955.
Fundraising is a key focus area for growth in FY 2023-2024.
4. Looking forward
Following the anticipated completion of our lease agreement with PD Ports for the Old Lifeboat Station in early 2024, planning and fundraising efforts will begin in earnest to renovate the OLS. We want to start recruiting volunteers for fundraising and education efforts, and create a robust, comprehensive volunteer policy that fosters a positive environment and supports volunteers’ growth and development.