OUR PURPOSE AND METHOD
1st Dipton Scout & Guide Group exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society. This takes place when the young people, in partnership with adults, work together and:
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Ÿ enjoy what they are doing and have fun
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Ÿ take part in activities indoors and outdoors
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Ÿ learn by doing
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Ÿ share in spiritual reflection
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Ÿ take responsibility and make choices
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Ÿ undertake new and challenging activities
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Ÿ make and live by their Promise.
GOVERNANCE
Names of the Trustees who manage the Charity
Rachel Oliver Treasurer Keith Slater Group Scout Leader Brenda Bell Beaver Scout Leader Richard Jefferson Cub Scout Leader Ashleigh Crowley
Nicola Mulgrew Sarah Ayre Mark Draper Scout Leader Gemma Ferguson Guide Leader
The Scouts and Girlguiding are each federations of separate charities, with separate Royal Charters. This means that rules relevant to each charity are applied.
The Group's governing documents are those of The Scout Association. The group follows the model constitution of the Scout Association. The charity is managed by the Trustee Board, the members of which are the "Charity Trustees". 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 Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. The Trustees confirm that the charity 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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PERFORMANCE
What we have achieved over the past year
2025 has been another great year for the group, with an increase in youth members, more badges and activities, and our biggest ever group camp.
All sections have been very busy. We had our highest ever number of Nights Away, at 453, with all sections running nights away events, plus the Group camp.
The waiting list remains very high, particularly for Beaver Scouts. We are investigating how to open a second Beaver Scout Colony to cope with demand.
Thank you to the amazing Team of Volunteers who make these activities possible. Not just the leaders who run the sections, but also our trustees who ensure we have the resources we need to keep going.
We are planning to carry out major work to the downstairs hall in 2026, and are applying for grants to help with this. Once completed we will next look at refurbishing the toilets.
Priorities for the next 12 months
Increase the number of adult volunteers
We aim to have a minimum of three adult volunteers for each section.
Continue to grow and develop sections
Investigate moving Beaver Scouts to two nights. Investigate moving Cub Scouts to two nights Open new Squirrel section
Improve Black Bull House
Commence refurbishment work to key areas of our HQ, Black Bull House.
Continue to Develop Programme of all Sections
Review programmes and support leaders to deliver varied, fun and youth led programmes which leads to greater participation and more Chief Scout Awards and Guides Gold Awards being gained, with at least 25% of those Moving On gaining the top 3 Awards.
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SCOUT & GUIDE AWARDS
Congratulations to the following Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Guides who have achieved their section’s highest award over the last year:
Chief Scout Bronze Award Mylo Piercey Frankie Holmes Elliot Thompson Josh Fairish Rowan Denny Abigail McCallum
Chief Scout Silver Award Grace McGregor Matthew Sales Lucas Wilson Zeb Bond
Chief Scout Gold Award Abigail Freeman Lennon McNamara Violet Kennedy Sophia Bates Hollie Watson
Guide Gold Award
Polly Humphrey
FINANCIAL REVIEW Receipts and Payments
Statement of independent examiner: Mrs Lisa Jayne McDonald
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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Ÿ to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act ;and
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Ÿ to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
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understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities
The above receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities were approved by the Trustees on 1st April 2026and signed on their behalf by
Keith Slater
Group Lead Volunteer
Rachel Oliver
Treasurer
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial Statement
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Ÿ Income from membership fees about the same as previous year, ibut fees paid to Scouts and Guides increased by 10%.
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Ÿ £10,000 received from Catherine Cookson Trust for work on HQ
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Ÿ Increase in spending on events and activities
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Ÿ Activities subsideised by approx £5,000, reducing costs to members
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Ÿ £17,000 reserved for future work on the HQ
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Ÿ Increase in cash funds at end of year due to grant and Gift Aid income
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Ÿ The Group remains in a very healthy position to support the sections in delivering fun and adventure packed activities over the coming year
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Ÿ But, we do have significant costs for the works planned in 2026
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 sum equivalent to 12 months building running costs.
The Trustee Board has agreed a reserve fund of £7,000 as an amount sufficient to cover annual running costs.
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1st Dipton
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© Copyright 2026
1st Dipton Scout & Guide Group Registered Charity Number 512890