2022-03-31-accounts

FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

P roviding access to the sea for people living with disability

Encourage - Enjoy - Empower

Hon President: Councillor Kate Wheller Hon. Chairman: Dirk Aldous Q.P.M. Hon. Treasurer: Michael Garrett Hon. Secretary: Steve Evans. [e-mail]

TRUSTEES CHARITY COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL 2021 TO 31ST MARCH 2022

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Friends of M.V.Freedom Other names charity is known M.V.Freedom by Registered charity number (if any)[283955] Charity's principal address 8, Bedford Terrace, Long Bredy, Dorchester Postcode DT2 9HW

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

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FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

Names of the Trustees who manage the charity:-

1.	Dirk Aldous Q.P.M.	Chairman and Skipper
2.	Michael Garrett	Treasurer
3.	Rikk Butler	Without portfolio
4.	Sheila Collins	Fundraiser
5.	Meridy Phillips	Fundraiser
6.	Keith Tyndall	Bosun
7.	Janette Clubb	Membership Secretary

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) - NONE

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document:

Constitution (Adopted in 2020 and Charity Commission informed)

How the Charity is constituted: Association

Trustee selection method: Trustees are appointed unless there are more applicants than vacancies in which case there is an election

Additional Governance issues (Optional Information)

Andrew Brown and James Smith. The seven person Committee included a chairman/skipper, treasurer, membership secretary, fundraisers, bosun, and one trustee at present without portfolio. The Hon. Secretary, himself a qualified skipper, supplies the administrative needs of the trustee group and in addition is responsible for the organisation and welfare of the other three charity skippers who are all MCA/RYA trained and qualified. He also leads a boat maintenance team with strong skills and experience, including two ex - naval engineers.

All the Charity’s policies and procedures are being reviewed in light of the previous years experience, and where necessary improvements will be made to better meet the needs of the charity, its members and the law. Annual reviews will continue.

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

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FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

BUSINESS PLAN:

The Charity adopted a three year Business Plan in 2018, and it has now been redrafted to meet the perceived needs of the next three years. It was adopted by the Charity at this year’s AGM in April. The trustees decided that in the interests of our passengers and crew selected Covid hygiene protections should remain in force on the boat for the time being. Despite these additional responsibilities all four of the planned Strategic Aims were either achieved or exceeded. Fundraising was continued and where a surplus above normal running costs is received, a set aside provision is now being made towards the provision of the next boat. The supporting priorities of the Marketing, Business, and Fundraising strategies are under constant review by the trustees.

The Charity has NO paid staff and the trustees, treasurer, skippers, fundraisers, maintenance team, and other volunteers all give their time and experience free of charge.

We do not at present keep records of the amounts of time volunteers commit to the charity but they are considerable, and the lifetime skills they possess are invaluable to the overall success of our work.

INDUCTION TRAINING:-

Of the three new skippers inducted during the past year, unfortunately due to the demands of their full time roles, two were unable to continue. However, one new qualified MCA/RYA Yachtmaster (Offshore) was recruited and the search continues for more. As always the new arrivals received a series of induction sessions to familiarise them with our new boat and our various anchoring locations, and the passenger handling policies used by the charity during our sea going trips. Crews maintain a centrally held portfolio of competencies that demonstrates and evidences their ongoing training ?

STRATEGIC RISKS:-

The new Business Plan continues to identify four major risks - and procedures to manage thenamely,

1. Loss of boat through major breakdown - regular maintenance. 2. Loss of local support and finance through reputational damage - good communications.

2. Loss of suitable trustees or inability to recruit same - succession planning. 4. Loss of sufficient qualified skippers and crew - succession planning.

SECTION C - OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

SUMMARY OF THE OBJECTS WITHIN THE GOVERNING DOCUMENT:-

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

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FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

“To assist in charitable works directed towards the relief of persons living with disability by the provision of a specially designed sea going motor vessel that enables them to participate in sea going activities on the Dorset Coast.”

MAIN ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT

The formal objective of the charity is to make it possible for people living with disability to have access to the sea by the provision of a specially designed boat that can deliver enjoyable but also therapeutic trips around Weymouth Bay, the Isle of Portland, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and the World Heritage site of the Dorset Jurassic Coast. The aim being wherever possible to leave our passengers with some lasting benefits from the experience. The Charity continues its formal collaboration with the MCA/RYA Green Blue environmental project, that enables charity members, our crews and passengers, to learn more about the environmental problems of the sea, and sea life. We can then in turn make a contribution towards the preservation of clean sea water in the interests of its inhabitants and our area. The MCA/RYA interactive educational resources are superb and we are encouraging our crews to engage with our passengers in their use. In addition, our new vessel has been equipped with smaller horsepower engines than previously, special engine room filters to prevent accidental spillage of oils and other contaminants into the sea. All our cleaning, and COVID required sanitisation fluids, are approved by the RYA as environmentally friendly.

PUBLIC BENEFIT:-

The Trustees remain mindful of the Charity Commissioners requirement to have regard to their guidance on public benefit. The Charity trustees read the Charity Commission guidance PB1 and PB2 when preparing and reviewing their 3 year Business Plan.

directed at assisting those members of the public who are living with disability to gain access to the sea, and whenever possible experience long-lasting benefits. This can be demonstrated in a range of differing outcomes from improved confidence, communication, friendships, relaxation, escape from isolation, and new skills such as basic navigation and helming the boat, greater knowledge of the seas environmental problems, and occasionally complete lifetime changes.

provide for our passengers are evidenced regularly. Our comment box surveys, questioning of carers, letters of thanks, testimonials, repeat visits and the enormous appreciation that the many differing communities of Weymouth and Portland demonstrate for MV Freedom, combined with the high level of financial support that is so willingly forthcoming from all quarters, and so often by those who can least afford it, remain an inspiration to the entire charity.

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

4

FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

MAIN ACTIVITIES:-

During the 2020 - 2021 season our services to those living with disability were totally lost owing to the COVID 19 restrictions. The charity took advantage of the necessary stoppage of passenger trips to sell the existing boat, from which the sale proceeds were added to the reserves retained for stage payments on the new boat. Whilst this was advantageous, the COVID restrictions required that our entire year’s fundraising programme had to be cancelled until September, when our fundraising team managed to organise a very successful Covid compliant, sponsored swim. This ensured that our income still exceeded our outgoings.

A reformed fundraising committee continues to meet regularly to monitor their strategy and identify new initiatives. Despite a number of changes in our membership, numbers have remained stable the past year at 56, with new recruits bringing extra skills and energy to the fundraising initiatives. Whilst the Charity benefitted considerably from generous corporate donations during 2019, the criteria for grant applications changed considerably during the past year. As many new initiatives emerged that were aimed exclusively at Covid related needs and services. This affected our fundraising strategy, but the Charity continued to benefit from the loyal financial support raised from every element of the local communities local authorities, businesses, hotels, clubs, individual residents and holiday makers. The main focus of our fundraising strategy remains to ensure that our programme continued to meet the maintenance and running costs of between £15k-£17k annually, and to provide for the growing demand for our enjoyable and empowering seagoing experiences. In future, we shall whenever possible “feed” a long term savings plan for the replacement of the new boat to ensure the longevity of the Charity.

Additional details of objectives and activities:- Our Business Plan had four strategic aims:-

• a) To increase the throughput of those persons living with disability on the sea going excursions and to engage with those wherever possible with those who are often excluded from such activities. ACHIEVED AND EXCEEDED ALL PREVIOUS YEARS NUMBERS b) To widen our client base to include all those who are living with disability from the age of 5 years upwards. BEING ACHIEVED AND CONTINUING c) To ensure our fundraising income is sufficient to maintain and cater for the maintenance and running costs of the new vessel ACHIEVED DESPITE REMAINING COVID RESTRICTIONS.

• d) To equip our new vessel with the best possible facilities to ensure maximum enjoyment and therapeutic outcomes for our passengers and especially including their safety ACHIEVED! - NEW BOAT DELIVERED 15TH APRIL, 2021.

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

5

FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

VOLUNTEERS

• The massive and willing contribution of unpaid time, labour and experience from our volunteers is at the very heart of the charity, and without which nothing could be achieved. The Charity is so fortunate to have phenomenal community support from Weymouth and Portland in particular. The recognition and appreciation of the service provided by M.V. Freedom, is constantly apparent by the ever increasing level of bookings received. That together with the arrival of our new specially designed motor catamaran will ensure the longevity of the Charity for many years to come.

SECTION D - ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

----- Start of picture text -----
THE FRIENDS OF M.V.FREEDOM
Are thrilled and honoured to have received
The
Queen’s Award
for Voluntary Service
The M.B.E. for Voluntary Groups
----- End of picture text -----

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

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FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

Main achievement:-

list. It was presented by the Lord Lieutenant Angus Campbell during a formal naming ceremony for our new boat on the 22nd September, 2021. Our charity has carried tens of thousands of delighted passengers over the years, and for this tremendous recognition on top of the delivery of a brand new boat for the 2021 season after nine years of fundraising, could not have come at a better time. It is a huge tribute to the hard work and commitment of our volunteers over many years, and particularly to the generous donations received from every element of the local communities and many corporate donors. We hope that all our supporters will feel able to share our delight and pride in this wonderful moment in the Charity’s history!

For further details and photographic memories. See www.mvfreedom.co.uk or facebook.

SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

1. brand new 10 metre motor catamaran, now arguably the best motor vessel of its size and type delivering services to those living with disability on the South Coast, if not in the UK.

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

7

FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

1. Managing to equip the new vessel with state of the art electronics to enable wheelchair users to steer the boat from their seated position.

2. Recruiting two more experienced volunteer MCA/RYA skippers.

3. Increasing and maintaining the availability of a choice of trained volunteer crew to

4. provide uninterrupted cover for two trips a day, for 5-6 days a week from April to October inclusive.

5. Providing our service to both military veterans clubs in our area.

7. the Weymouth and Portland areas and far beyond.

8. Maintained our volunteer membership levels.

9. Continued to increase our passenger numbers.

SECTION E: FINANCIAL REVIEW

BRIEF STATEMENT ON CHARITY RESERVE POLICY:-

The trustees have reviewed the continuing success of our fundraising activities and improved cash balances, and have decided that we will seek to hold £20,000 in reserve, but available for allocation to any unforseen or planned event. This figure remains slightly in excess of expenditure recorded in the last full operational year. We shall continue the charity’s fundraising activities, and when possible deposit any surpluses in a reserve account as a long term savings plan towards the provision of the next boat to ensure the longevity of the charity.

DETAILS OF ANY FUNDS MATERIALLY IN DEFICIT:-

None.

FURTHER FINANCIAL REVIEW DETAILS:-

As we have NO paid staff, premises or road vehicles to maintain, all monies donated are used exclusively towards supporting the key objectives of the charity.

The Charity does not receive any statutory funding, and is reviewing its fundraising strategy to take account of the current financial and health crisies. Future fundraising maybe more difficult for our usual donors and wide range of supporters e.g. passenger donations, over 100 collection pots placed around Weymouth establishments, quiz nights, sponsored swims, paddle board events, Rotary club support and events, talks to various organisations, collaboration with other charities and the provision of our volunteers to assist them, as well as more specific donations from local businesses and public authorities and individuals.

See our website www.mvfreedom.co.uk

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

8

FRIENDS of M.V.FREEDOM

We shall continue to apply in the months ahead for donations towards important extra equipment for our new boat that is specifically designed to improve the safety and longer term benefits for our passengers, as well as assisting with on-going running costs.

We are extremely fortunate to continue receiving the support of the Weymouth and Portland District Councils, through the present Mayor, and our President, a past Mayor of Weymouth. The Charity is also grateful for the continuing support of the Weymouth Harbour Master.

ning of the charity are invested in secure interest bearing accounts, at the best rates available at the time.

SECTION F:OTHER OPTIONAL INFORMATION.

Weymouth and Portland are in the top 10% of areas of UK deprivation, with many other community problems within the population. Our voluntary service is a valuable addition to the statutory services, and in helping to reduce their costs. However, the increasing needs of those living with disability, is growing, and the contribution that M.V. Freedom can make to enhancing their lives, will remain a considerable challenge for the forseeable future. Recognising the different make up of our communities, and the needs and expectations of individuals within them can bring real benefits to all those concerned. Every community is made up of individuals and if M.V. Freedom is to improve the enjoyment and lives of those living with disability, then understanding and respecting their different needs is essential.

Sources:- County Council - Policy and Research Dept.

SECTION G - DECLARATION:-

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report. 4th August, 2022.

Signed on behalf of the trustees:-

Chairman (Signature)

Full name: Dirk Aldous Treasurer . (Signature)

Full name: Michael Garrett

Date: 17th July, 2022

www.mvfreedom.co.uk

Charity No: 283955

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Friends of M.V Freedom On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 Charity no (if any) 283955 Set out on pages 1and2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Ihe above charity 1.the Trust-l for the year ended 3110312022. Responslbllltles and basls of report As the ¢hariVs Iruslees. you a￿ responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the ￿qUIrementS of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act'>. I report in respect of my examinalion of the Trust's accounts carried out under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)Ibl of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection wlh the examination {olher than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of Ihe Charities Act.. or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounls and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems an(J have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . ￿eaSe delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: 1910812022 Name: Rhys James Evans Relevant professional qualification{sl or body lif any): Association of Chartered Certffied Accounlanls {ACCA) Address: 12 Castle Hill Road, Weymouth, tjorset, DT4 9NQ IER Oct 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material mallers of concem {see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners}. Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018