## 2[nd] St Austell/Charlestown Scouts ## Annual Report 2025 Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts at the end of our Group Activity day. ## Contents - Group Lead Volunteers report - Group membership - Squirrel section report - Beaver section report - Cub section report - Scout section report - How to get involved - Trustee annual report - Finance summary ## Group Lead volunteers report This is my first report as Group Lead Volunteer for 2[nd] St Austell, having taken over the role fully in May. Prior to that I had been covering the District Lead Volunteer role and overseeing some of the transformation changes that have taken place in our movement. I’m pleased to say that for 2[nd] St Austell, we have taken these changes in our stride and adapted fairly smoothly. You may not even have noticed there have been any changes, which is good, as these were changes to how we are structured and the tools we use to manage our volunteers, not changes to how we deliver scouting to the young people. One of the biggest changes was the introduction of a new membership system for adult volunteers, this is linked to a new learning platform, which makes it easier for adults to access the right learning at the right time to support them in their role and importantly deliver Scouting safely. All of our adults have completed new safety learning this year – this was a commitment by the Scout Association in their prevention of further deaths response. My thanks go to all our adult volunteers for their continued dedication and commitment to the young people in our care. For delivering an active and engaging programme, teaching our young people skills for life, aligned with our values of care, respect, integrity, belief and cooperation. You’ll read more about what each section has been up to in the last 12 months this later in this report. I also want to thank Ross, our board of Trustee chair, and the trustees, for managing our governance and charity status so well. We are lucky to have the facilities we’ve got here at 2[nd] St Austell, but that also brings with it challenges in terms of the maintenance, safety and financial aspects. If you look around you will see the building and grounds are well maintained, we have just completed the kitchen refurbishment, and we have a good income from hall hire which helps with the costs and means we can invest more into the young people without passing the costs on. Many of our adults have received long service, good service or commendations awards this year in recognition of their contribution to scouting. My congratulations goes to each and every one of them. _Shaun Wakeham_ _Group Lead Volunteer_ ## Group Membership The follow tables show the membership over recent years of the Scout Group, followed by a summary of membership across the whole of Mid Cornwall District. ||**2025**|**2024**|**2023**|**2022**| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Squirrels**|16|15|12|| |**Beavers**|21|21|21|20| |**Cubs**|32|28|29|27| |**Scouts**|27|29|27|21| |**Total**|96|93|89|68| Membership within the group and the individual sections remain strong. All sections are full and holding a waiting list. We take new members in when we are able to but have to save room for existing members to move up to the next section. |**Census January 2025 - Summary**|**Census January 2025 - Summary**|**- Mid Cornwall**|**- Mid Cornwall**|**- Mid Cornwall**|**- Mid Cornwall**|**- Mid Cornwall**||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Name|Squirrel|Beaver|Cub|Scout|Explorer|Network|Adults|Total| |Mid Cornwall|||||65|6|26|97| |Lostwithiel|||Provision closed||||4|4| |1st Newquay Scout Group|17|29|22|22|||19|109| |5th Newquay|12|18|30|25|||21|106| |1st Par-St Blazey and Fowey||15|12|4|||18|49| |Polkerris|10|27|25|23|||18|103| |1st St Austell|19|18|18|19|||19|93| |**2nd St Austell/Charlestown**|**16**|**21**|**32**|**27**|||**23**|**119**| |St Enoder Scout Group|||16|14|||17|47| |1st St Eval||16|16|9|||15|56| |1st St Stephen||11|12|9|||7|39| |Stcker||10|17|14|||15|55| |The Clays Scout Group||19|10|22|||19|70| |Heligan|||13|4|||3|20| |Totals|74|184|223|191|65|6|224|967| ## Squirrel Scout report Our Squirrels Drey is as strong as ever with 16 members. Since this time last year our weekly programme has included fire lighting and cooking smores, making and hanging bird feeders. We enjoyed our very own Squirrels Christmas party at the HQ. In the new year we learnt basic first aid, and celebrated Chinese New year and pancake day. We built our own green towns though junk modelling, we enjoyed den building, we have learnt all about St. George’s day and been on a fair few bug hunts. In the start of this term we have made clay faces in the wild space trees and hunted for sea dragons and gillyweed in the pond. We have learnt all about each other and our Squirrels code of conduct, then waited our self portraits. We can't wait to see what else is in store for us. In addition to all the above we have also had some incredible adventures away from HQ. 🐿 We proudly marched in the Remembrance Day Parade, as well as helping to sell poppies in ASDA. 🐿 After making decorations in our weekly sessions, a few of us visited Carclaze Church and helped to decorate a Christmas tree for their festival of lights. 🐿 We had the best day in May at Drummers lodge for our group activity day with the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. The rain never stops us enjoying some Scouting fun. 🐿 Then we finished the term bouncy in the sun for our group BBQ in July. 🐿 We enjoyed a ramble in Kings Woods climbing over fallen trees and filling in our what can you find Squirrels bags. 🐿 We visited St.Austell Library where the wonderful staff taught us how to check out our own library books, showed us their beautiful garden and read us a story. Our favourite part though was getting to make our very own badges with their badge machine. 🐿 We have just enjoyed a District trip to Lappa Vally with our friends in our Beavers Section. This was a huge success and our leaders were very proud of our incredible behaviour. We have had a little change in our leadership team since last year. Whilst i still continue to run the section Beth has taken a step back but continues to be a vital member of our Beavers team. Jo has stepped away to focus on her new carer as well as Jodie who left to have her beautiful baby boy although we hope to have her back in the future. We have been joined by Nat and Clare and most recently Charles, as well as Rachel who joins us most weeks. As Far as young leaders Isla has moved onto our Beavers section however, we are still very grateful to have Ethan who the children adore. _Cassie Bulled Squirrel Team Leader_ ## Beaver Scout report Our Beaver Colony is still proving to popular with 24 members and a waiting list just as long. Since this time last year our weekly programme has included writing and posting our letters to Santa, putting our mental skills to the test in our very own HQ escape room. In the new year we wrote our own new years resolutions which you may have seen displayed on our board in the hall. We wondered what the world might look like in 100 years, we celebrated Chinese New Year. We made pizza pockets (yum yum) and learnt first aid skills. We learned all about St. George and what fair trade is as well as tasting some fair-trade goodies. We have started the new term playing Beaver Bingo and drawing portraits of our friends with much more fun planed. In addition to all the above we have also had some incredible adventures away from HQ. We proudly marched in the Remembrance Day Parade, and sold poppies in ASDA. We worked our little legs hard and completed the Beaver Challenge in April. A full day of walking and we were incredible little humans from start to finish. After making decorations in our weekly sessions, a few of us visited Carclaze Church and helped to decorate a Christmas tree for their festival of lights. We enjoyed a hike in kings Woods. We had the best day in May at Drummers lodge for our group activity day with the Squirrels, Cubs and Scouts. The rain never stops us enjoying some Scouting fun. We had great fun at St. Austell Fire Station with the firemen and having a go with hose. An absolute highlight for us was visiting SUZE Recycling And Recovery Center in St. Dennis, of which we all really enjoyed watching the big claw grabbing all the rubbish. The wonderful staff there ended our visit with an ice lolly treat. Then we finished the term bouncing in the sun for our group BBQ in July. We have just enjoyed a District trip to Lappa Vally with our friends in our Squirrels Section. This was a huge success and our leaders were very proud of our incredible behaviour. We have had a little shift around in our leadership team this year. Sarah has taken a step back although you will still see her around and I have taken on the Beaver Team Leader role. We have also been joined by Nat who has been an invaluable asset as well as our young leader Charles coming on board in a full leader role since turning 18. As well as our adult volunteers you will often see our incredible young volunteers Elliott, Isla, Rowan, Isobel and Izzy who are greatly missed by children and adults alike when they are unable to attend. _Cassie Bulled_ _Beaver Team Leader_ ## Cub Scout Report Cub numbers have not really changed, currently standing at 32, including 11 girls having just taking in 4 new Beavers that will replace 3 that are moving onto Scout’s to continue their journey this month, 2 have also completed the Chief Scout Silver award!! Well done to them!! This year we've had many adventures, skills have been learned, and friendships have been made. Here’s a small Insight to them: We attended the Kernow Jamboree at Stithians for a full day of activities that would build their skills for the future. It’s the first time I’ve been able to go due to work commitments, and I can honestly say I was overwhelmed by the sheer size, activities on offer along with the dedication of all volunteers from across the world to provide such event. A visit from the Air Ambulance team is booked in to educate the Cubs not just about safety but also the importance of fundraising and items that could be donated to raise money for such a worthy cause. Sadly, they can no longer accommodate us at their base like previous years. We held a Camp at Bodmin HQ and thankfully the weather was rather kind to us and fingers crossed for this Friday for the next one. We had a visit from The Royal British Legion a week before Cubs attended the Armistice Day Parade, we had another great turnout, and all were smartly dressed very well behaved. December was full of Xmas craft, a walk to see the Xmas lights, a Christingle service with some of the Cubs doing readings in the service. The end of term always finishes with our Xmas party. January, we took the Cubs to the Keay Theatre to see Dick Whitington. It was a great show loved by all so much I’ll be booking up for Sleeping Beauty this year. We celebrated the Chinese New Year with some Chinese food tasting. In preparation for camp season the Cubs had an evening of erecting and taking down tents, tent safety and rules for a good night’s sleep (well hopefully!!!) ready for the first camp of the year. Any other spare time was filled with a Fire Station visit, pioneering badge, knots evening, Halloween party, Easter egg hunt, making Xmas gifts, making fires then cooking sausages and toast on them, the best bit was the taste test. I’d like to say thanks to my leaders and parent helpers for their help during the year and without this help we couldn’t run these programs. And a big thanks to Clair an ex-parent helper that stepped up to become a Leader. Clair is also my OSM computer Whiz and has taught me a lot which makes the running of Cubs along with the many hours of work that goes on in the background to run a programme that follows our Scouting values in safe manner. _Matt Williams_ _Cub Team Leader_ ## Scout report Our Scout Troop continues to be a busy and thriving section. Membership is steady at around 25 – 30 Scouts and there is a waiting list. Noticeable over the last few years we seeing very few leave scouts until they reach the upper age of 14. The majority are then staying in Scouts and moving to Explorers. It is always great when we get to see them continuing to enjoy the fun and skills that Do counting offers. Our weekly programme hopefully offers the scouts something that challenges them, whilst teaching valuable skills. During the summer term we rarely meet at the Scout Hut, we much prefer to be out and about somewhere enjoying the outdoors. In additional to the weekly meetings some other highlights from the past year include - supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, manning the stand in Adsa, and representing our group and community in the parade and service on remembrance Sunday. - holding our Remembrance camp at Drummers Lodge. This included a two hour disco and bounce session at Super Tramp, making poppy woggles and then attending the St Austell remembrance parade and service - we had a visit from the Cornwall Wildlife trust who helped the Scouts build hedgehog homes. We put these out around our district campsite. Checking on them again after winter, they didn’t appear to have been used, but hopefully this year!! - we don’t let the time of year put us off camping. We attended the County winter camp (Feb Freezer) and enjoyed a weekend of activities at Nine Ashes - our wonderful team of walkers completed the annual Coast to Coast Challenge walk, walking from Perranporth to Mevagissey - we joined the squirrels, Beavers and Cubs for our Group activity day at Drummers Lodge, and came together again for our end of term BBQ and inflatable party. - 12 members of the troop completed their expedition challenge, planning and navigating a walk and overnight camp to Sticker (some navigational difficulties, but at least we know a topic to work on next term) - several of the Troop gave abseiling a go and dangled themselves from a cliff face on Bodmin moor, and - more recently, for our summer camp this year we attended Kernow Jamboree. This was a camp of over 1500 people with a festival style. All the Scouts had an amazing time and hopefully one they will remember for years to come. We have had Morley and Hope join the Leadership team this year, a welcome boost to the existing leadership team. _Shaun Wakeham_ _Scout Team Leader_ ## Want to get involved Scout groups rely on volunteers. And you can volunteer with us in several different ways. Volunteering can be a brilliant way to boost your mental wellbeing. It’s a great feeling knowing you’re helping young people get skills for life, and you might even learn a lot about yourself along the way. Volunteering with Scouts can make you feel good in other ways too. We’ll guide you to an opportunity where you’ll: - Make friends and meet people - Try new things and challenge yourself - Get outdoors and get stuck in - Positively impact your community - Create vital opportunities for young people - Make memories that'll last a lifetime If you can only occasionally help, that’s OK. Whether you’d like to be an activity planner, tea-maker or craft creator, we appreciate any time you can spare. So, if you would like to volunteer with us, either with a section, or in the background helping with maintenance or governance, we would love to speak to you about this. You can speak to any existing volunteer or contact leadvolunteer@2ndstaustellscouts.org.uk ## Trustees' Annual Report 2[nd] St Austell Scout Group ## For the period |From (start
date)|**0**|**1**|**0**|**5**|**2**|**4**|**4**|**3**|**0**|**0**|**4**|**2**|**5**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||||||||| |**Section A**|||**Reference and administration**|||||**details**|||||| |Charity name
Other names the charity is
known by
Registered charity number
(if any)
HQ registration number
Charity’s principal
address|||||||||||||| ||||2nd St Austell-Charlestown Scout Group||||||||||| ||||Scout Hut||||||||||| ||||Polmarth Close||||||||||| ||||St Austell||||||||||| ||||Cornwall||||||||||| ||||Postcode||||PL25 3TW||||||| ## Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity _(These will be published in the annual report of the charity and the Charity Register if reporting for a Registered Charity with a charity regulator)_ |1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12|**Trustee Name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not**
**for whole year**| |---|---|---|---| ||Ross Frazer|Chair|| ||Beth Snelson|Trustee|| ||Lyn Johnson|Treasurer|| ||Cyril Poad|Trustee|| ||Mike Lagor|Trustee|| ||Shaun Wakeham|Trustee|| ||Sarah Beattie|Trustee|| ||Danielle Dunstan|Trustee|| ||Gareth Hawken|Trustee|| ||Cassie Bulled|Trustee|Up to 01/10/2024| ||||| ||||| Names and addresses of advisers (optional information but encouraged as best practice) _(These will be published in the annual report of the charity)_ Type of advisor Name Address |**Section B**
**Structure, governance and management**
Description of the charity’s trusts|**Section B**
**Structure, governance and management**
Description of the charity’s trusts| |---|---| |Type of governing document
(e.g. trust deed, constitution)|The 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.| ||| |How the charity is constituted
(e.g. trust, association, company)|The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all
Scouts.| ||| |Trustee selection methods
(e.g. appointed by, elected by)|The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and
Rules of The Scout Association. The group trustee board (including chair and
Treasurer) are appointed by the Group Scout Council. This is done annually at
the AGM meeting.| Additional governance issues (optional information but encouraged as best practice) |You may choose to include additional information, where relevant,
about:
Policies and procedures adopted for:
a) the induction and training of trustees;
b) trustee' consideration of major risks and the systems and
procedures to manage them|All Trustees must meet eligibility criteria as set out by charity regulations.
Trustees undertake the relevant learning as detailed in the role matrix of POR
The Trustee board has afocus on strategy, governance, finance and working
to ensure that the Group is meeting The Scout Association’s overall aims
and strategic goals.
The Group Trustee Board acts in the charity’s best interests, acting with
reasonable care and skill and take steps to be confident that the charity is,
well managed, carrying out its purposes for the public benefit, complying with
the charity’s governing document and the law managing the charity’s
resources responsibly.| |---|---| ||| |**Risk and Internal Control**|The Group Trustee board has identified the major risks to which they believe
the Group is exposed, these have been reviewed and systems have been
established to mitigate against them. The main areas of concern that have
been identified are:
Damage to the building, property and equipment. The Group would request
the use of buildings, property and equipment from other Scout Groups and
district resources and assets. Similar reciprocal arrangements exist with these
organisations. The Group has sufficient buildings and contents insurance in
place to mitigate against permanent loss.| Injury to leaders, helpers, supporters and members. The Group through the capitation fees contributes to the Scout Associations national accident insurance policy. Risk Assessments are undertaken before all activities. Reduced income from hall hire. The Group is primarily reliant upon income from subscriptions and hire of the hall to local user groups. The group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income. The trustee board could raise the value of subscriptions to increase the income to the group on an ongoing basis, either temporarily or permanently. Reduction or loss of leaders. The group is totally reliant upon volunteers to run and administer the activities of the group. If there was a reduction in the number of leaders to an unacceptable level in a particular section or the group as a whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group. Reduction or loss of members. The Group provides activities for all young people aged 4 to 14. If there was a reduction in membership in a particular section or the group as whole then there would have to be a contraction, consolidation or closure of a section. In the worst case scenario the complete closure of the Group. |**Section C**|**Objectives and activities**| |---|---| |Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document|**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 ofScouting and:| ||- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
-make and live by their Promise.|- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
-make and live by their Promise.|- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
-make and live by their Promise.|- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
-make and live by their Promise.|- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
-make and live by their Promise.|- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
-make and live by their Promise.|- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
-make and live by their Promise.| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||| |Summary of the main activities in relation to these objects|Weekly balanced programme of meetings for Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and
Scouts
Opportunities to work towards awards and activity badges
Residential experiences
Involvement in community projects (Carehays fete, Poppy appeals,
Remembrance services, Christingle)||||||| |Additional details of the objectives and activities (optional information but encouraged as best practice)|||||||| |You**may choose**to include further statements, where relevant, about:
•
Policy on grant making
•
Contribution by volunteers
•
Policy on investment|||||||| ||||||||| |Public benefit statement|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.||||||| ||||||||| |**Section D**
**Achievements and performance**|||||||| ||||||||| |Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year|Full complement of sections with maximum viable members in each section.
90+ young people engaged from the local community
Full complement of volunteers to support running an engaging and active
programme. All required training and compliance activities up to date.
Retention of both YP and adults is high
Successfully worked on a number of projects that benefit the wider community,
charities and raises the profile of the group.||||||| ||||||||| |**Section E**
**Financial Review**|||||||| ||||||||| |Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
Qualify and explain any designations|**Reserves 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 Group Trustee Board considers that the group should hold a
reserve of £20000.
The reserve is held in a deposit account. The group also has funds in its
current account above the level of the reserve. However, this can be explained
by the group planning refurbishment work to the kitchen facilities.| |---|---| ||| |Details of any funds materially in deficit
(circumstances plus steps to eliminate)|| Further financial review details (optional information) |You**may choose**to include additional information, where relevant,
about:
•
the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any
fundraising);
•
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the
charity;
•
investment policy and objectives;|The Group's Income and Expenditure is very small 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 or The Scout Association's Short Term Investment
Service.
The Group Trustee Board regularly monitors the levels of bank balances, and
the interest rates received, to ensure the group obtains maximum value and
income from its banking arrangements. Occasionally this may involve using an
account that requires a period of notice before funds may be withdrawn,
before doing so the Group Trustee Board considers the cash flow
requirements| |---|---| ||| ## **Section F Other Optional Information** Plans for future periods (details of any significant activities planned to achieve them) **Section G** **Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above ## Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees |Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair)
Date|R Frazer
Ross Frazer
Chair
2||||||S Wakeham|| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||||||| ||||||||Shaun Wakeham|| |||||||||| ||||||||Trustee and
Group Lead
Volunteer|| |||2
0
9
2
5||||||| |||2|0|9|2|5||| Accounts have been independently examined by Lynne Dewar ACMA