The Baldwin Trust Narrowboats for community use on Leicestershire waterways R8gi8t8rgd Charity No. 515488 ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 11112024 TO 3111212024 Having been forned in 1983, in our 2024 season, The Baldwin Trust continued its important service on the waterways of Leicestershire. Administration details of the Trust Charity name: The Baldwin Trust Other names.. Baldwin Boat TrusL Baldwin Charitsble Trust Registered numb8r: 515488 Principal address for communication CIO-28 Holboume Close. Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8NE. mitte Acting Chair.. Mr Richard Jayes. Barrow upon Soar, Leics. Appointed by principal Trustees. Secretary: Mrs Hannah Coombe. Syston Leics. Appointed by principal Trust8es. Treasurer: Mr Martin Charles. South Croxton, Lelcs. Appointed by principal Trustees. Mr Dave Kemble, Leics. Appointed by existing Trustees. Mr Martin Charles, South Croxton, Leics. Appointed by existing Trustees. Mr Richard Jayes. Barrow Upon Soar, Leics. Appointed by existing Trustees. Mrs Ellen Reeve, Loughborough, Leics. Appointed by existing Trustees. Baktsvi Cty No. 515188
Mr Simon Blackbum, Birstall, Leics. Appointed by existing Trustees. Mr Chris Trivett, Groby LeiGS. Appointed by existing Tnjstees (Dec 2024) (Mrs Ellen Reeve retired from her role as a Trustee - October 2024) tional detai . Goveming documentr Deed of Settlement dated 311111983 amended 81111984. Constr'tuted as: A Charitable Trust. Trustee selection: Appointment by existing Trustees, nomination by management officers. Governing Document amended in December 2024 to update Charitable Objectives, removing reference to Leicester Glenfiith Hospital, lch no longer exists. Other matters. The Trust is required to maintain a minimum of three Trustees, and a management team with specific responsibilities and skills including training, crew allocations, boat maintenance, booking and scheduling, IT and web site upkeep. The Trust is a member of the NCBA (National Community Boat Association). All volunteers, as applicable, undergo induction and crew training. All skippers are required to hold a current Gertrficate in Community boat management which must be renewed every 5 years. They must also hold current Emergency First Aid certificates. The crew (including the skippers) operating the boats are all unpaid volunteers. Ob'ectives and activities. When planning activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. and in particular, the specific guidance on tharities for the provision of facilities for recreation in the interests of social welfare. The Baldwin Trust Charitable Objectives are defined as: (i) the relief and benefit of principally but not exclusively the people of Charnwood, LeIstershire and surrounding areas. May 2025
the provisions of facilikn'es for recreation for the persons mentioned above in sub-dause (i) with the object of improving the conditions in life of such persons who by reason of social circumStanS or their mental or physical disability have need for such facilities. such Charitable bodies or for such other purposes as shall be exclusively charitable as the Trustees rnay from time to time decide. To facilitate this work, It is important that we maintain our narrowboats, Dandelion and Hasleyon Days. Both boats are spectfically designed to accommodate up to 12 passengers and cater for those using a wheelchair and having other mobility challenges. Modifications and additions have been made to the boats to enhance and assist our client's experience. Audio visual screens have been fitted which incorporate British Sign Language and feature safety instructions in both English and Hindi languages. Both boats also have features to assist those with other challenges. One boat operates from Leicester Marina in Thurmaston, the other from Barrow Boating, Barrow upon Soar. During 2024 the Trust achieved a total of 146 trips on the boats. This is a reduction of 140k fewer trips than the previous year. (2023 being 169 trips) The utilisation of each boat differs, with the boat based nearer to the City of Le+ster fulfilling 100 trips, whereas the boat based nearer to Loughborough fulfilling 46 trips. This reduction in the number of trips primarily relates to a significant number of trips having to be Cancelled due to weather-related reasons. The River Soar l Grand Union canal, where we operate our boats, suffered severe flooding during 2024 making tt impossible for us to operate our boats safely. Because of these CanlIations, we felt tt was correct to offer vouchers for the trips to be carried forward in our 2025 session. Some trips were refunded and others re- booked for later in the 2024 season. May 2025
There have been a variety of beneficiaries who have been on our trips. Good, planned maintenance has ensured that minimal breakdowns and mechanical failures occurred. We carried approximately 2000 clients on our boats during the 2024 season and testimonials and user comments show the benefit we provide to the local communities. Achievements and erfomance. Certain users of our service (especially care and residential homes) have been somewhat slower in arranging trips with the Trust, but other organisations have shown a greater increase in interest and have made bookings with us. There has been an increase in groups engaged with various physical and mental challenges. These include wellbeing groups, Dementia Awareness groups, Bereavement Groups, SEND groups and many more. We have encouraged our volunteers to estsblish contacts in their local communities who would benefit from participating in one of our trips, and this has started to work well. The Trust have incorporated an online trip booking system which is allied to an online ticketing payment system. This has been Incoorated with a brand new website for the Trust. This means that our users can not only book and pay online, but they can also check boat availability and choose the desired routes and trip timings. The new system also provides other important information about the trips and incorporates policies and directives. The Trust have been very successful in maintaining volunteer numbers at circa approaching 100 and their continued loyafty has been maintained through constant contact. May 2025
Qualified skippers are essential for the smooth running of our organisation. During the 2024 season this number was 15 and we envisage this number increasing in our 2025 season. The Trust has further strengthened its wort(ing relationships with Voluntary Community servi5, Charnwood Borough Council and Voluntary Action Leicester in a bid to improve the professionalism of Trustee perforrnan, source new members and train Funding group members in writing bid applications for funds. A major partnership with th8 Canal and River Trusl has been developed whereby the Baldwin Trust boats have been used by the Canal and River Trust to market the wellbeing benefits of increased use of the waterways system by local and city populations. This will hopefully continue throughout 2025 and beyond. Our 'Supported Cruises" initiative, has been successful. (This being the rebranded name for what was initially called our "Project Waterside Scheme") This scheme offers those less fortunate members of our communities subsidised and sometimes free trips on our boats. The Trustees agree on beneficiaries of the Supported Cruise, based on the need and financial position of the group proposed, keeping the Charitable Objectives in mind. This has proved to be very important, as society has had to combat the economic and mental anguish of conflict and turbulent political and economic challenges. This has been further overshadowed by problems in the NHS and general industrial unrest and conflicts around the world. This has caused a greater numb8r in society to suffer mental health issues. increased povety and feelings of isolation and loneliness. These are some of the people that our Trust reaches out to. Our volunteers have worked hard to provide trips and the environment to assist in beneffting these challenges. The help and support of all volunteers is particularly appreciated. Structure overnan and mana ement. During the period, volunteer members are encouraged and recruited to functional sections for training, boat maintenance, new boat development and funding as well as other areas. May 2025
We have also formed new teams for dealing with boat festivals and Community events, medialpress and PR to promote the work of the Trust. This has all been done utilising the tslents of the wonderful group of volunteers supporting our Trust with some external help also. Without the commitment of the volunteers, none of this would have been possible. The Trust has continued to recruit and train new volunteers to maintain our core of fit and capable crew and skippers. The paid services of a self-employed Volunteer Coordinator continued in 2024. This relates to engagement with all volunteers, improving systems for managing crew allocation of the boats, and the trip booking and payment system. The paid services of a self-employed secretary also continued in 2024. The charges made for these two services are viewed by the Trustees as being of great value to the charity. Grants and Fundraisin The Trust continued to approach fiJnders. organisations and the general public for donations. Our fundraising in 2024 has helped us to maintain and improve our boats and our service for the benefit of both our users and also our volunteers. However, during 2024, it has become increasingly difficult to obtain grants and donations due to the economic downtum experienced by many. We are very grateful for the funding that we have received during 2024, which has helped us to maintain our important seriice to the community. Financial Review In 2024, expenditure exceeded income by £10,062. Expenditure was £47,616 and income was £37,554. The above figures are taken from the 2024 accounts approved by our independent financial examinerlaccountanL Our Reserves policy was confinned to remain at £40,000. R.G Jayes Acting Chair of T stees May 2025
THE BALDWIN TRUST- charlty no. 515488 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS - FOR THE YEAR ENDED 3151 DECEMBER 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 RECEIPTS Grant5 and donations including Gift Aid Fundraising- bear5 and collection boxes Interest on depoyts Income from cruises Dandelion Halseyon Days Project Waterside supported trip5 8.449 1.943 2.699 1.507 9,956 1,943 2.699 30.285 753 .415 6.125 16.831 3,954 6,125 16.831 7.219 14.660 13.9541 Total recelpts 40,001 1.507 3,954 37,554 54,332 PAYMENTS Costs associated with fundraising advertising. marketing consultancy. social media and funding applications Digital ticketing system Governance (independent examination) Meeting5 and venue hire Insurance (employers liability) Insurance (trustees liobilityl Insurance (public liability) Training courses and certificates Administration. postage, slotionery Office equipment Volunteer co-ordinator Softwore Telephones Uniforms Social event5 Trovel allowances Crew allowances Boat mointenance & refurbishment Dandelion Halseyon Days Boat mooring, WateayS licences and insurance Dandelion Halseyon Day5 Transport costs (Project Water5idel 9.558 2.340 660 695 6.260 15,818 2,340 660 695 12.298 600 205 616 433 153 440 790 199 90 291 199 90 291 610 8.824 492 610 8.824 492 348 682 8,870 997 350 354 2,129 2,122 348 370 312 1,496 520 1.496 520 2.037 1,931 2.037 .931 2,962 2,835 5.319 4,056 5,319 4.056 300 4.910 3,040 665 300 Total payments 40.744 6.872 47.616 45,117 Net recelpts/(payments) for the year Reconclllallon Cash funds last year end 17431 19,3191 110.0621 9.215 127.489 10.826 138.315 129.100 Cash tunds thls year end 126.746 1.507 128.253 138,315 The a55ets and liobilitie5 statement on poge 2 forms part of the reporting package.
THE BALDWIN TRUST- charlly no. 515488 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31st DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 CASH FUNDS Lloyds - current occount Lloyds - deposit account Nationwide - business instant saver 44,473 20,430 63.350 50,907 87,408 Combined unrestricted and restricted funds 128,253 138,315 ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE CHARITY'S OWN USE Dandelion at trustees valuation Halseyon Days - at trustees valuation 56,500 135,000 56,500 135,000 191,500 191,5CO Signed on behalf of the trustees Richard Jayes 14th May 2025
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BALDWIN TRUST I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Baldwin Trust (the Trust) for the ended 31st December 2024 set out on pages l and 2. Responslblllties and basts of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you ore responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Acti. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Chority Commission under Section 145151 (bl of the Act. Independent examlner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material malter5 have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any materiol respect: l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act", or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concems and have come across no olher matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. signed: Meirion Thomas, FCA ICAEW T 9 & 20 Baxter Gote Loughborough Leics LEI I ITG 14th May 2025