Trustees Annual report
ST Francis Scouts period 1[st] April 2022 to 31[st] March 2023
Prepared by Ian Fletcher Approved by the Trustees
Reference and administrative details
Charity Name – St Francis Scouts Cherry Tree Blackburn
Other names Charity known – St Francis Scouts
Registered Charity No – XT 11169 Charity’s principal Address- C/o 7 Alderney Close Blackburn BB2 4QE Meeting Place – St Francis Church St Francis Road Feniscliffe Blackburn BB Charity Trustees-
Lorraine Cade- Group Chair
Ian Fletcher- Group Scout Leader & Treasurer
Stephen Cooke – Scout Leader
Kelley Trevelyan – Secretary Carole Newman – Beaver Scout Leader Chantel Durandt – Squirrel Leader
Dean Durandt – Scout Leader
Structure, governance, and management:
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 Association and the Policy, Organization and Rules of The Scout Association. The Group is a trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organization and Rules of the Scout Association.
The Group is managed by The Group Executive Committee, the members of which are the “Charity Trustees” of the Scout Group which is an educational charity. As charity trustees they are responsible for complying with legislation applicable to charities. This includes the registration, keeping proper accounts and making returns to the Charity Commission as appropriate.
The Committee consists of 3 independent representatives, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary together with the Group Scout Leaders, individual section leaders and parent’s representation and meets every 6 months.
This Group Executive Committee exists to support the Group Scout Leader in meeting the responsibilities of the appointments and is responsible for:
The maintenance of the Group property
The raising of funds and the administration of Group finance
The insurance of persons, property and equipment, Group and public occasions
Assisting in recruiting of leaders and other adult support,
Appointing any sub committees that may be required
Appointing Group Administrators and Advisors other than those who are elected
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 Group is primarily reliant on income from subscriptions/ grants, support from our Parish Council and fundraising. The Group does hold a reserve to ensure the continuity of activities should there be a major reduction in income
Objectives and activities
The objectives of the group are as a unit of the Scout Association. The aim of the Scout Association is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potentials, as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local national and international communities.
The method of achieving the Aim of Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout promise and Law, and guided by Adult leadership. The Scout Group provides activities for 4-18-year old’s and aims to support the provision of activities for 18-year old’s through the Districtmanaged Scout and County network provisions.
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
Achievements, Fundraising & Finance :
- Trustee Report 2022 2023
St Francis Squirrels
Squirrels has been growing from strength to strength this past year and we are finding our squirrels are wanting to proceed further by moving onto Beavers once they are old enough.
Squirrels have 4 regular leaders and currently 44 squirrels across our two dress.
In December 2022 we took 42 Squirrels to Blackburn Empire Theatre to watch the Christmas pantomime, many of our children had never been to one before so this was a fantastic experience for them all. With the money you sent us we enhanced their experience further by being able to supply each child with a drink and snack bag. The children loved the pantomime and we have booked to go again this year.
Christmas 2022
This was a fantastic experience for our children, thanks to the grant we received we were able to throw an amazing Christmas party for the children, each child was given a present, Father Christmas came, games were played, and prizes were won. The children’s faces when Father Christmas arrived was priceless.
Easter 2023
Each child made their own Easter cup with mini-Easter eggs, marshmallows and chocolate lolly. This was a change to what we had planned due to the lady who was coming to do an Easter craft with us having a family bereavement. This was received just as well, and each child received an Easter egg/craft to take home.
Summer 2023
We have booked to go back to Bring Yer Wellies which we took our Squirrels to last year. This year we have two separate days booked in; each session is a pirate themed session. Last year each child received a mint plant which they each planted, they pond dipped, played on the on-site beach, and also had a race round the obstacle course. This was well received by the children.
Squirrels have also raised funds to buy their own aprons by contributing a recipe each which was put in a book.
Beavers Report
Both Colony 1 and Colony 2 work on the same programme, this year we have covered badges on experiments, navigation, teamwork/ challenges, my world and my skills
We have had a visits from 2 PCSOs and a fire man. Making evenings for Mother’s Day and Christmas Colony 1 went to see Santa at Bowley while Colony 2 had a Christmas Party It will be reversed this year.
We went to the Big Sing at King George's Hall and a county day at Bibby's Farm Both colonies have seen Squirrels join and older Beavers leave for Cubs It has been a busy and fun year for both Leaders and Beavers
Beavers’ colony 2 report may 2023
Opening a second beavers has helped us accommodate our many squirrels once its their time to move on.
Colony 2 currently has 10 beavers attending.
We have so far worked on our musician badge First aid badge Teamwork badge and are part way through our skills challenge badge
Our beavers have enjoyed a visit for some PCSO’S to talk about keeping safe and strangers etc, they have enjoyed a trip to king George’s hall to watch sing together and a coronation party.
Planning to be more outdoors this term with the weather improving, with a trip to canalside, bring yer wellies and Bibby’s group day.
St Francis Cub Scout Pack
Our cub pack is really increased with over 24 cubs attending on Wednesday night the cubs have done lots of activity badges & challenge badges attended a group day at eureka with scouts across east Lancashire, St Francis group day were they did adventurous activities a camp at Bibby’s farm we have 8 cubs who will complete there silver scout award and move onto scouts latter this year
Other highlights jubilee Party Grip & go Climbing Jump Nation Axe & archery at canalside Canoeing Projects with ribble River Trust And many more Cubs have also raised funds for a defibrator which is in place in the church grounds they worked with our local parish council as part of the artist badge who kindly printed posters for the group
Scout Report
Scouts.
Over the last 12 months the Scouts within St Francis have continued to grow in confidence as their skills improved. We have currently over 20 scouts with some moving up from cubs after the summer period our older scouts are now working to there gold scout award
They’ve been on two camps which has improved their abilities in shooting, archery, canoeing/kayaking, and for some, they’ve overcome their fears of climbing and beat their own personal targets and achievements. We’ve had plenty of outdoor and community work too. Some have helped at events hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn, whilst others have achieved personal goals. We’ve done litter picking around the local area and worked with the river trust to design a park bench that’s now on display. They’ve held talks with a hot air balloon pilot as well as local charities that they’ve raised money for.
At Christmas the Scouts enjoyed a trip to the local ski slopes for some tubing and also the local indoor climbing wall.
some highlights and activities-
Shooting, archery crate stacking climbing winter camp at great tower summer camp at waddecar and trips to our adventure activity centre at the Canalside
We have done tracking shelter building using knifes & flint steels hiking & fire lighting, first aid and activity badges We had cubs move up to scouts and welcomed new scouts too.
Over the next 12 months, we aim to make an even bigger impact on the local community and further their learning.
GREY WOLVES EXPLORER SCOUT UNIT
The past year a lot of our older Explorers have moved into leadership roles with the group
The explorers have attended camps at waddecar & Bibby’s , we have 5 explorers who have turned 18 and taken DBS Checks to become leaders, we have had 7 Young Leaders Complete there Young Leader Belts and also
Our newest members have all signed up for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, and 3 to pour young leadership team
We have worked with other groups to fundraise for children charities at xmas and taken part in lots of adventurous activities shooting air/pistol archery climbing snowboarding, crossbows, canoeing axe throwing and many more the explorers also attended our group day at Bibby’s farm in June mentoring our young members of the groups
Equipment store
We have spent money on pizza oven / and new BBQ through our fundraising and purchased air rifles & air pistols from our funds. We have invested in new aprons for our squirrels dreys some of our group funds have been invested in updating Cookers & bottles and replacing tents and refreshing our equipment for Duke of Edinburgh
Accounts
Please refer to the Statement of accounts for details of the Scout Group’s financial situation for the 2022/2023 financial year for ST Francis & GWESU
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 Trustees considers that we should endeavor to hold a sum equivalent to 6 months running costs, circa £750.
The Group held reserves of over £5000 against this at year end. This is slightly better than we would have expected however we were lucky to achieve grants and other monies from excellent fundraising done by our groups leaders as well as increase in subs paid by additional members.
Investments Policy
The Group does not have sufficient funds to invest in longer term investments. The Group has therefore adopted a risk averse strategy to the investment of its funds. All funds are held in The Group account at National Westminster.
Future Plans:
Our core objective for the year is to build on the success and increased stability gained over the year. We have a lot of our key roles and providing support to Leaders across the sections which we need to work to resolve, we have been lucky to have leaders work across more than one section and one of our leaders will attending the WS Jamboree in America in July this year
Above all, we aim to provide a safe but adventurous programme for all our young people, right from the youngest Beaver to the oldest Young Leader, we continue to seek the support of leaders, helpers, parents and other supporters and continue to build up a community spirit for us all.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Name: Ian Fletcher Name : Kelley trevelyan
Signature : Date Signature: date
Position Group Scout Leader Position Secretary