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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity number: 294917 CALL-f~VOLVNTEEAi h Medway Scouts Annual Report

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Charity number: 294917

Table of Contents
6thMedway Scouts Annual Report 1
Reports 3
Trustee Board 3
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Valhalla Scouts 4
Charity Commission Trustee Annual Report 6
Charity Details 6
Trustees 6
Governance 6
Finance 9
Declaration 14

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Charity number: 294917

Reports

Trustee Board

The reporting year 24/25 proved to be another busy year for the group as we continue to grow.

The census data showed growth, enabling the group to deliver an engaging and varied programme to We started the year with 5 sections and have since opened a new Squirrel Drey, which had its open day on the 8[th ] March 2025 and was a huge success.

This year, the group has been working hard to breathe some new life into the hut by giving it a new lick of paint and new cupboards near the front of the hall to provide leaders with some much-needed storage to continue to provide a valuable programme to the young people.

Looking ahead to next year, the group are looking at rebuilding the lean-to at the back of the hall to ensure it remains safe and usable for all users of the hall. We are looking to continue to grow the group by opening an additional scout troop, squirrel section and explorer scout unit. If anyone is interested in helping out with this, please reach out to enquiries@6thmedwayscouts.org.uk and we will help make this happen!

Finally, a huge thanks to the Group Leadership Team, Group Trustees, all of the parents, carers and young people, virtually all of whom hold other roles. Without the commitment and enthusiasm, the Group would not be able to exist as we do. We would also like to take the time to say a huge thank you to Jean Chandler for her exceptional support over the 14 years as group Treasurer and wish her all the best in her new District roles. There are still plenty of opportunities for anyone who wishes to give a little extra to ensure the next year is even more successful.

- Group Trustee Board

Group Lead Volunteer

I am delighted to report that the past year has been one of significant success and positive change for the 6th Medway Scouts Group.

We have experienced excellent growth, welcoming over 50 new young members into our sections. This increase is a clear and encouraging indication that the enduring interest in Scouting, outdoor adventure, and developing essential life skills remains incredibly strong within the Medway community.

This growth would not be possible without the incredible dedication of our adult supporters. We have continued to expand our team of volunteers and supporters across a number of different roles, all of whom are essential in helping the Group achieve its goals. I

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Charity number: 294917

want to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to our brilliant and dedicated team. Their collective commitment, passion, and wide variety of skills are what allow us to deliver high-quality, memorable adventures to our young people every single week.

As we conclude this year, celebrating these great achievements, our focus immediately shifts to the future. We are already hard at work putting plans into action for the year ahead: we are working towards launching the 6th Medway's first Squirrels Group (for 4-5 year olds), and we are also entering the vital planning stages for the necessary refurbishment of our Scout Hut. These steps will ensure we can offer the Scouting adventure to even more young people and provide them with a fantastic, modern space in which to learn and grow.

Thank you again to everyone who has contributed to the Group’s success this year. I look forward to your continued support as we embark on these exciting new projects.

- Matthew White (Group Lead Volunteer)

Valhalla Scouts

The 6th Medway Valhalla Scouts currently has 27 members – 17 boys and 10 girls – ranging in age from 10½ to 14 years old. We’re delighted to see a steady flow of Cubs moving up into Scouts, which is a great sign for the future of our group.

Over the past year, we’ve been busy with badge work. In total, we’ve awarded 180 badges – although whether they’ve all been sewn onto uniforms is another matter! Some of the badges earned include:

Currently, the Scouts are working towards their Personal Challenge Badge. We’ve taken part in several District events, including Arrowhead, Troop Night, and the Conker Bash– where Scouts battled valiantly with conkers, and only a few fingers were mildly bruised in the process. We’ll be back again this year, ready to defend our honour (and our conkers).

Our Scouts proudly represented the group at the St George’s Day Parade in Rochester and the Remembrance Parade, where they made the wreath themselves – something they’ll be

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doing again this year.

Activities have been varied and exciting. At Buckmore Park, the Scouts enjoyed caving, shooting, fire lighting, and den building– basically everything that makes parents nervous and Scouts excited. We also visited Moat Park, where they took part in kayaking and pedaloing, earning their On the Water badges, and thankfully, no one ended up in the water unintentionally.

In addition, they’ve completed several hikes.

In August, we took 17 Scouts to Belchamps Activity Centre in Essex for a full week of adventure. Activities included:

Most nights ended with a campfire, and one evening we even had an outdoor film night, Scouts trying to stay awake after a day of non-stop action. The highlight? Our Scouts won the camp talent show – surprising the leaders and proving that acting, singing, and interpretive dance are alive and well in Medway.

Midweek, we hiked to the local train station, boarded a train to Southend, and walked to Adventure Island. The Scouts – and a few brave leaders – had a blast on the rides. I, however, stayed firmly on the ground, clutching my coffee and dignity. After a full day of thrills, we stopped at McDonald’s for dinner – ordering 22 meals in one go, which felt like a military operation. We returned to camp tired.

We were especially proud of the Scouts when members of the public commented on how polite and well-behaved they were – both at McDonald’s and on the train. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do and why we carry on.

Looking ahead, we’ve already planned activities right up to Christmas. There’s plenty more fun, learning, and memory-making to come. So, let’s continue to have fun, learn new skills, and build lasting memories – one badge, one campfire, and one slightly chaotic McDonald’s order at a time.

- Gail Couchman (Assistant Group Lead Volunteer & Group Scout Team Lead)

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Charity number: 294917

Charity Commission Trustee Annual Report

Reporting period: 1[st] April 2024 – 31[st] March 2025

Details on charity achievements and performance are detailed in the various reports on page 3 onwards.

Charity Details

Registered Charity Name: 6[th] Medway Scout Group Other names the Charity is known by: N/A Registered Address: Phoenix Hall Hatton Road CHATHAM Kent ME5 8BD Registered Charity Number 294917 Email enquiries@6thmedwayscouts.org.uk Website www.6thmedwayscouts.org.uk

Trustees

----- Start of picture text -----
Trustee Name Position Comments
David Albiston Chairman
Matthew White Group Lead Volunteer (Ex-Officio)
Jean Chandler Treasurer Stepped down 31 [st] March
2025
Jane Albiston Trustee
Elliott Reid Treasurer Co Opted 1 [st] April 2025
Appointed at 2024 AGM
on 13 [th] September 2025
Thomas Reid Trustee Appointed at 2024 AGM
on 13 [th] September 2025
Hannah White Trustee Appointed at 2024 AGM
on 13 [th] September 2025
Gail Couchman Trustee Appointed at 2024 AGM
on 13 [th] September 2025
Violet Jones Trustee Appointed at 2024 AGM
on 13 [th] September 2025
James Knight Trustee Appointed at 2024 AGM
on 13 [th] September 2025
Suzanne Bull Trustee Co-Opted after 2024 AGM
----- End of picture text -----

Governance

6TH MEDWAY SCOUT GROUP’s governing documents are those of The Scout Association. They consist of a Royal Charter, which in turn gives authority to the Bye Laws of the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. The

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Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts.

The Group Scout Council is responsible for providing management, and support to sections across the group as well as events and activities. The members of the Group Trustee Board are charity trustees of the Scout Group and are appointed under POR through nomination or election at the AGM, they serve for one year and are eligible for re-election or reappointment if so willing. Other trustees may be co-opted during the year to serve until the next AGM as see fit by the Group Trustee Board.

The Group Trustee Board exists to make sure the charity is well-managed, risks are assessed and mitigated, buildings and equipment are in good working order, and everyone follows legal requirements and the organisation's policies and rules. Their support helps other volunteers run high quality and safe programmes that gives young people skills for life.

This Board exists to support the Group Lead Volunteer in meeting the responsibilities of their role and is responsible for:

Risk and Internal Control

The Group has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance against material mismanagement or loss. These include 2 signatories for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered.

The Purpose of Scouting

Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.

The Values of Scouting

As Scouts we are guided by these values: Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal. Respect - We have self-respect and respect for others. Care - We support others and take care of the world in which we live. Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.

Co-operation - We make a positive difference; we co operate with others and make friends.

The Scout Method

Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:

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Charity number: 294917

The Group meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizenship or community development headings.

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Charity number: 294917

Finance

Report

The accounts are for the period 01/04/2024 – 31/03/2025. These accounts have been prepared and audited in accordance with The Scout Association rules and are submitted alongside the Trustee Report to the Charity Commission.

The accounts are displayed on the notice board in the entrance to the hall for anyone who wishes to read them.

The group has increased their membership in the year; that is shown in the increased membership subscriptions.

The building is used by two groups:

Their contributions help us to maintain the building and pay the essential bills.

Reserve Policy

The Group’s policy on reserves is to hold sufficient resources to continue the charitable activities of the Group should income and fundraising activities fall short. The Trustee Board considers that the Group should hold the sum of £20,000 in reserve to allow for 12 months of running costs (Membership Capitation Fees and building running/maintenance costs).

At the closing of accounts for the financial period, the Group held £9,641 in their savings account. This is below the £20,000; however, can be explained due to the group not claiming gift aid in the last couple of years and the increased operational expenditure for running and maintaining the hut. The group have now moved to an online payment system, which will help the group ensure payments are received on time and allow us to claim gift aid more easily.

Investment Policy

The Group's Income and Expenditure is relatively low and as a consequence does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer-term investments such as stocks and shares. The Group has therefore adopted a low risk strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in cash using only mainstream banks or building societies.

The Group Trustee Board monitors the levels of bank balances and the interest rates received to ensure the Group obtains maximum value and income from its banking arrangements.

Receipts and Payments Account

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Charity number: 294917 6th Medway Scout Group Ichadty no. 29491n Recoipts and paymontB account Fvv y•*i l•1 Aprfl 2024 J1•1 202fj R6colpts and payments 102dn5 2Y2A 127 io 170 S￿lf ns rothlrK• LTI(W21¥20211

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Charity number: 294917 6th Medway Scout Group ICh•rlty no.294in Receipts and paymonts account Fwth• year 3141 Mrth 202$ Recoipts and paymonls 2024nS 203Jr14 1M7

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Charity number: 294917 6th Medway Scout Group (Charlty no.29491n Receipts and paymonts account For Ihp yMI I•iAwM VJ24 3111 tthfch 2025 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the eai 31¥1 M•r¢h 2025 3101 Il•rch Z hfvn ¢r SLtcal Si ¢0 LJ•)11 •bovo Tr¢elpts •nd p•ym•nty •¢tOUhl •nd •¥t•m•ntof•8••ts ••d knbllttl•• w•r•apwov•d by lh• on #b•lrb•hllby vits eNI C1 AoIJ)LL7 Tw• Independent Examiner Report

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Charity number: 294917

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the report above

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

----- Start of picture text -----
Signature
Full Name David Albiston
Position Chairman
Date 26/11/2025
----- End of picture text -----

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