## **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** 

- David Newell, Chair 

- Daniel Fox, Treasurer 

- John Woods 



- 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.