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← Redditch And Bromsgrove Unit 595 Of The Sea Cadet Corps

2025-03-31-accounts

REDDITCH & BROMSGROVE UNIT 595 OF THE SEA CADET CORPS TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 516827

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Table of Contents

Statement from the Chair ................................................................................................................. 2 Report of the Commanding Officer .................................................................................................... 3 Report of the Detachment Commander .................................................................................................. 7 Report of the Training Officer .................................................................................................................. 7 Report of the Junior Training Officer ....................................................................................................... 8 Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements ............................................................................. 9 Vision, Mission and Values ................................................................................................................ 9 Charitable Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 9 Public Benefit ................................................................................................................................. 10 Organisational Achievements and Performance............................................................................... 10 Recognitions this year ..................................................................................................................... 10 Acknowledgements to our Funders and supporters ......................................................................... 13 What our Beneficiaries say .............................................................................................................. 14 You can help! .................................................................................................................................. 16 Structure, Governance and Management ........................................................................................ 17 Thank you to our Volunteers! .......................................................................................................... 18 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION .................................................................................. 19 Charity Details: ....................................................................................................................................... 19 Financial Review ..................................................................................................................................... 20 Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit 595 of the Sea Cadets Corps .............................................................................................................................................. 21 Receipts and Payments Account for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 ................................. 22 Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 March 2024................................................................... 23 Notes to the Accounts ............................................................................................................................ 24 Notes to the Accounts (continued) ........................................................................................................ 25

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Statement from the Chair

It is with pleasure that I present the Trustees Annual Report for 2024/2025 on behalf of Redditch and Bromsgrove Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets, aka TS Kingfisher, in this my fourth year as Chair.

2024/2025 has been another amazingly successful year for TS Kingfisher, that together with the Commanding Officer and our Cadet Force Adult Volunteers I am proud to lead. The enthusiasm and commitment of our Cadets and Volunteers never ceases to amaze me. We have estimated that over the course of a year our volunteers have donated over 25,000 hours of their time to Sea Cadet activity.

Regardless of what role they carry out every volunteer is a link in the chain and they/we are all here for the same reason, to provide our young people with the best head start in life and watch them grow and develop into responsible, caring young adults who are ready and willing to support their peers, so that they may follow in their footsteps, leading by example and being role models for the next generation of Sea Cadets.

Our waiting list is a testament to our success, and our previously increased maximum strength has once again had to be reviewed and we are maintaining a regular 70+ cadets on role. Our numbers are based on our ability to deliver the full Sea Cadet Experience with the Cadet Force Adult Volunteers we have on board. The more volunteers we have, the more young people we can provide with life-changing experiences.

Our finances have continued to be managed effectively, and all reserves are used for our charitable purposes. We have continued to make considerable investment in our building and facilities this year, over £14,000 and recognise the support from our grant funders. A building the size of ours requires continuous maintenance and we are so grateful to our volunteers for their hard work keeping us ‘ship shape and Bristol fashion’, without our volunteers the cost of maintaining our building would be considerably more.

With the support of our volunteers, we have made considerable improvements with our IT infrastructure and security.

Heath and Safety has also featured heavily over the past 12 months requiring considerable investment in our regulatory compliance across fire safety, legionella and asbestos surveys, all of which were successful and only requiring management plans to be implemented.

From accessible historical records for the last 15 years, the result of our most recent Unit Review in October 2024 was the highest ever achieved for TS Kingfisher with an impressive 91/100. Looking ahead, I am enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie before us for both cadets and volunteers, the knowledge and experience of our instructional volunteers that continues to be developed will result in further enrichment of our cadets.

Margaret Blizzard Chair of the Board of Trustees

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Report of the Commanding Officer

It is with immense pride and gratitude that I present the Annual Report for TS Kingfisher covering the 2024–2025 training year.

This period has marked one of the most successful and dynamic in our unit’s history, reflecting the tireless commitment of our cadets, the professionalism and dedication of our volunteers, and the steadfast support from families, supporters, and the wider community.

@@ TS Kingfisher’s mission—to offer young people a structured, e® inclusive, and inspiring Sea Cadet Experience—remains at the heart of everything we do. This year, that mission has come to life in remarkable ways, both in our unit and across District, Area, and National platforms.

Unit Review Success

This year’s Unit Review (UR) and Royal Navy Parade (RNP) awarded TS Kingfisher a final score of 91—the highest in our history and among the top across the South West Area.

The inspection team commended the unit on its culture of excellence, strong leadership, and breadth of opportunity offered to cadets.

Highlights included:

The Area Officer described TS Kingfisher as a “top performing unit in the South West Area,” while the Captain Sea Cadets praised the “continued high-quality delivery of the Sea Cadet Experience and community impact.”

Leadership and Appointments

The development of our adult volunteers has been equally outstanding. Key appointments this year include:

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Staff Training and Qualifications

Our Uniformed Volunteers have continued their professional development to enable them to deliver the best Sea Cadet Experience to our young people.

This year we have gained qualified instructors for:

Our CFAV’s have also successfully completed

We are also proud to report two CFAVs have completed Phase 2 of the Officer Development Programme and have been promoted to SLt (SCC) RNR and Lt (RMC) RMR respectively.

Cadet Achievements and Qualifications

Cadet Corporal Joshua has been appointed as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for

Worcestershire—a prestigious civic role that recognises outstanding young people who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and service. This appointment reflects not only Cadet Corporal Joshua’s personal commitment and maturity but also the continued excellence of TS Kingfisher.

This marks the fifth time a cadet from our unit has been honoured with this distinguished role, underscoring the high standards, strong values, and positive reputation TS Kingfisher continues to uphold within both the Sea Cadet Corps and the wider community.

Cadets at TS Kingfisher continue to exceed expectations. Over the course of the year, cadets were awarded over 120 nationally recognised qualifications in areas including:

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This is not an exhaustive list, but an indication of the level of the dedication of our cadets in their continuous personal development.

The introduction of new cadets to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme marks a renewed push into structured personal development. We are also encouraging wider take-up of CVQO BTEC opportunities, ensuring that our cadets leave with more than just memories—they gain life-enhancing skills and qualifications.

Competition Highlights

TS Kingfisher has once again made its mark on the competitive stage:

These achievements are not only a reflection of cadet effort but of the countless hours invested by our instructional staff. To all our Instructors, Coaches, and Support Team - thank you.

Community Engagement & Ceremonial Representation

This year saw cadets and staff engage in numerous civic and commemorative events, strengthening ties with our community:

These activities help instil civic pride, reinforce tradition, and remind us of the importance of service and remembrance.

Distinguished Visitors

This year, we were exceptionally honoured to receive a visit from Major General Tim Hodgetts CBE KHS OStJ QHS DL, Surgeon General to His Majesty’s Armed Forces. As the highestranking medical officer in the British Armed Forces, and also holding key positions such as Master General of the Army Medical Services and Chair of the NATO Committee of the Chiefs of Military Medical Services, Major General Hodgetts’ visit was both prestigious and significant for our unit.

As a Worcestershire resident, the Surgeon General specifically requested to visit our Sea Cadet unit, as he had yet to experience our organisation firsthand. We were immensely proud to showcase TS Kingfisher as an example of excellence in youth maritime training and cadet development. During his visit, he was given a comprehensive overview of the Sea Cadets, including our training programmes, community engagement, and our unique contribution to the development of young people—particularly impressive given our location in the landlocked county of Worcestershire.

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Cadets demonstrated a range of their skills, from ceremonial drill to piping and leadership training, and our senior cadets led a tour of the facilities. Major General Hodgetts spoke warmly of the discipline, commitment, and professionalism shown by the cadets and staff, and remarked on the value such organisations bring to the Armed Forces community and the nation.

In addition, we had the pleasure of welcoming Commander Philip Sparke RN, who addressed the entire Ship’s Company. Commander Sparke delivered an engaging and inspiring talk on the operational capability of today’s Royal Navy, the role it plays both domestically and internationally, and the exciting opportunities available to Sea Cadets who may be considering a future in either the Royal Navy or Royal Naval Reserve. His visit not only reinforced the strong ties between the Sea Cadet Corps and the Royal Navy but also served as a motivating insight into military life for those cadets aspiring to serve.

These visits have greatly enriched our cadets' understanding of the Armed Forces, strengthened our standing within the wider Naval and Defence community, and provided a memorable and inspiring experience for all involved. We remain incredibly grateful for the support and recognition shown to us by senior members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces.

Looking Forward

While we celebrate the successes of 2024–25, we are equally focused on continuous improvement. Our priorities for the coming year include:

Closing Remarks

TS Kingfisher is more than just a Sea Cadet Unit - it is a community of people who care deeply about developing the next generation. This year’s achievements are only possible because of the combined commitment of cadets, volunteers, parents, supporters, and trustees.

To our cadets - thank you for showing up, stepping up, and standing proud. To our volunteers - thank you for giving your time, your skills, and your heart. To our supporters - your belief in our mission keeps us afloat, literally and figuratively.

With a solid foundation and continued ambition, the future of TS Kingfisher is brighter than ever. Bravo Zulu, Team Kingfisher.

Yours aye,

S/Lt (SCC) Lisa A. Wood MA RNR Commanding Officer

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Report of the Detachment Commander

Drill Competition at HMS Raleigh: The Drill Competition took place at HMS Raleigh. Cadets from across the area participated, showcasing their precision and discipline in drill routines.

Easter and Summer Camps : Cadets attended camps at Caerwent and Nescliff training areas. These camps provided opportunities for skill development and teamwork exercises in challenging environments.

Promotion Boards and Tactics Packages at

Sennybridge: Promotion boards were conducted alongside tactics training at Sennybridge, enhancing leadership skills and strategic thinking among cadets.

Skill at Arms Training Weekends at Caerwent - focusing on marksmanship and weapon handling to improve cadet proficiency.

Guest Speakers from the Royal Marines shared their experiences, inspiring cadets with insights into military life and careers.

Sergeant (SCC) Neil Perks Detachment Commander

Report of the Training Officer

Over the past year, the cadet training programme has continued to go well with cadets completing their relevant modules and gaining their promotions in a timely manner.

We have continued to actively encourage cadets to complete specialisation and proficiency training, these are an important part of their Sea Cadet Experience and lead to progression and promotion. As such, we have seen an increase in interest in cadets wishing to attend courses being held at other units as well as further afield such as at HMS Raleigh and Weymouth National Boat Station. These courses not only give them the opportunity to gain new skills and qualifications but also the opportunity to make new friends and experience life outside of their own unit.

Due to the commitment of our staff and instructors, we have been able to continue to offer courses at the unit including Seamanship, Marine Engineering and First Aid. Now we have a qualified Catering and Stewarding Instructor we will be able to offer this training locally. We have also delivered a variety of weekend courses for our Junior Sea Cadets.

We have had a number of cadets attend various offshore voyages. This included 3 of our cadets attending a 2 week voyage to take part in the D-Day 80 commemorations in France on our flagship, TS Royalist and TS John Jerwood. These cadets, along with others from across the country, had the honour of representing the Sea Cadet Corps during the many events and commemorations that took place. They have gained many wonderful memories during their time offshore and has encouraged more of our cadets to apply to take part in Offshore Voyages.. This type of activity can often be unaffordable for some of our cadets and families but bursaries are available for qualifying families to ensure everyone is given the opportunity to attend these events, regardless of their family circumstances.

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We continue to promote the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and currently have a number of cadets undertaking their Bronze award which they should complete by the end of the year. We also continue to promote the BTEC level 1 and 2 award.

Looking forward to the next 12 months, we will continue to encourage more of the cadets to gain specialisations and proficiencies. We will also be encouraging them to enhance the qualifications they already have by attending intermediate and advanced courses and in November we will be hosting first unit Multi Activity Cadet Training (MACT) weekend.

S/Lt (SCC) M Andrews RNR

Unit Training Officer

Report of the Junior Training Officer

During the reporting year we have welcomed 10 new Junior Sea Cadets and 12 have successfully move on to our senior section following their 12 birthday. We are maintaining a healthy cohort of Junior Sea Cadets and have a waiting list.

In August 2024, together with cadets and volunteers from other units within the district we attended a boating week at Thrapston Boat Station. Each cadet/junior came away with at least two qualifications in their chosen activities. We have also held a couple of weekend activities including a Christmas crafts day and two cooking weekends, our juniors were able to complete a variety of modules and worked towards their badges.

Our juniors have entered competitions including Piping and Rowing. These are a great way for the juniors to meet other cadets/juniors from other units. At the piping competition our Junior Section was awarded the Flotilla Sheild, The JSC Flotilla Shield is awarded to the best Junior Sea Cadet Section who scored the most points in District JSC Competitions. This was a huge achievement for our juniors and one that we are proud to say that our juniors achieved, they all worked so hard at competitions and showed such great enthusiasm at each and every competition they entered. We were also the Runners up for the Cleverly award, this is awarded to the best junior section in the area, this was such an amazing achievement to be the runners up.

We have awarded 6 Commodores Broad Pennants to our juniors, the highest award they can achieve. They need to have been awarded with each of their coloured modules and an additional 8 in each section, this is a lot of work as each section has between 15 and 24 modules! Juniors are also able to carry this over to be worn on the No1's Uniform for 2 years. We have also awarded 3 promotions to Leading Junior Cadet, the highest rank a Junior can achieve, it takes lots of work and dedication as it is not automatically awarded by time served. We have also awarded 9 Crest awards for completing 8 STEM modules, so for those that have achieved this we will be working towards their STEM Proficiency in the weekend we are currently planning.

During the Summer juniors will be at the lake gaining waterborne qualifications and completing Junior modules. We will be encouraging them and preparing for the Rowing competition. Over the summer they will have the opportunity to work on their rowing and Paddlesports skills. We will also be preparing for our next intake of juniors in September when we return to the unit.

PO (SCC) Emma Burns

Junior Training Officer

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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements

The Charity Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025. The financial statements comply with both the Sea Cadet Standard Constitution 2017 and the Charities Act 2022.

Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision for Sea Cadets: ‘Every young person launched for life.’

We aspire to a world where every young person who might wish to, can be positively impacted by Sea Cadets and launched for their life ahead.

Our Mission for Sea Cadets : Inspiring young people to achieve their potential through challenge and nautical adventure guided by the customs and traditions of today’s Royal Navy.’

We seek to achieve this by exciting young people by offering them the opportunity to participate in challenging and nautical adventurous activity. Being guided by the Royal Navy reflects that we can learn much from its progress, and our young people benefit from even more engagement with its personnel. By highlighting today’s Royal Navy, we recognise its more modern customs – from an inclusive culture to the pioneering use of technology.

We do this through a combination and variety of outdoor and adventure activities, team building, waterborne and self-learning-based activities, such as Duke of Edinburgh, BTEC and other nationally recognised qualifications.

We are passionate about investing in all young people. We offer a unique mix of activities and experiences, delivered locally, regionally, nationally and offshore, which improve life opportunities at school, in work and for the community. Our trained and experienced volunteers and staff support and deliver learning through nautical adventure and challenge, with the customs and traditions of the Royal Navy at the core. Through this we create a sense of belonging and identity where young people flourish, gaining confidence, skills for life, values and qualifications, which help them seize a better future.

Our Values

Charitable Purpose

The charitable purpose of the Unit is to promote the development of young people in achieving their physical, intellectual, and social potential as individuals and as responsible citizens. This is achieved by the provision of education and leisure time activities using a nautical theme, based on the traditions of today’s Royal Navy and in accordance with the principles, ethos, and practices of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC).

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In furtherance of the Purpose, the Unit offers young people a structured environment in which to develop; provides access to education and training including sailing, rowing, windsurfing, paddle sports, power boating, seamanship, navigation, marine engineering, cooking, music, first aid, drill, piping, and public services; it provides opportunities for young people to obtain a range of qualifications and a wide range of opportunities for community involvement.

Public Benefit

The trustees continue to give regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance ‘Charities and Public Benefit’ provided by the Unit in relation to the charitable purpose of the Sea Cadets movement as set out in the activities and achievements outlined in this report.

To achieve its aim the Unit encourages recruitment of young people from all backgrounds and abilities including where possible, and within the realms of Health and Safety, those with disabilities and develops their skills and abilities by:

We continue to target recruitment within the local area giving young people opportunities to take part in activities that in many cases would otherwise be unaffordable. We are only able to do this because we are volunteer led and all funds raised or received are used entirely for the charitable purposes of the Unit.

The aim of our structured Cadet Training Programme is to provide our young people with basic life skills: teamwork; leadership; communication; motivation; self-confidence and citizenship; all which will help them transition into responsible adulthood.

Organisational Achievements and Performance

Recognitions this year

We have received several recognitions for our work this reporting year.

In April 2024 our Chair, Mrs Margaret Blizzard, received the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire’s Award for Meritorious Service in recognition of outstanding service and devotion to duty. Our thanks to Lt Cdr (SCC) Steve Warwick RNR, Warwickshire District Officer for the nomination.

As volunteers we do what we do because we enjoy it and not for recognition nor reward. However, because we are volunteers this is how we know what we are doing is the best we can, contributing to the success of the Sea Cadet Corps and especially to the lives of our young people.

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At the South West Area Volunteer Conference in March 2025 our Commanding Officer Slt (SCC) Lisa Wood MA RNR was runner up for the Roddie Casement Sword Nomination. This is awarded to the Commanding Officer who has by example and dedication contributed the most to the aim of the SCC during the preceding year.

Our Royal Marines Detachment has been nominated to represent Alpha Company Royal Marines Cadets to compete in the Gibraltar Cup in May 2025. This accolade is awarded to the best Royal Marines Cadet Detachment in the Alpha Company (South West Area) and is a huge honour for the unit.

For the second time our Junior Sea Cadet Division has been recognised for their first-class work within the Area.

Our Junior Sea Cadets are the ‘feeder’ for our SCC and RMC Divisions. The better the experience we provide as a Junior, the more chance we have of retaining them through to adulthood.

We have achieved so much in the last 12 months but there is still much to do, and we are never complacent, and pledge, together with my fellow trustees, to leverage all available resources to ensure that opportunities continue to be maximised, so that we may continue to make a meaningful difference to the lives of our cadets.

All Sea Cadet Units are subject to rigorous controls and annual review of our training, management, safety, and efficiency. Based on this review we achieved another Burgee for our efforts in 2024 with a score of 91/100 (up from 83 in 2023), this puts us in the top 25% Nationally.

Following our Unit Review in October 2024 the Area Officer, Commander Gary Mills RN noted:

I am delighted to report on another highly impressive year of operations at TS Kingfisher.

The UR scores reflect the statistical heights of the operation and the comments from the CO,

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Chair and DO under-score the quality and richness of the SCE for our young people delivered by high calibre CFAVs.

TS Kingfisher has for a number of years steadily developed its status to a TOP performing Unit in the SWA.

Its wider SCE, support and participation to/at District, Area and National competitions and events and the community enterprise stand out.

I am delighted to recommend the award of another BURGEE which only serves to underpin the high regard the Unit is held. BZ

The Captain of the Sea Cadets – Captain Neil Downing RN further commented:

I fully endorse the comments and recommendations of the Area Officer.

I am extremely grateful to Team Kingfisher for the continued high-quality nature of their operations. Especially the Sea Cadet Experience that they offer our young people, coupled with the wider Corps and community impact.

BZ!

These are fine endorsements from Senior RN Officers whom we hold in the highest regard.

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Acknowledgements to our Funders and supporters

Installation of Radiant Heating on the Maindeck

Professor Paul Cadman and the Marine Society and Sea Cadets - Annual Premises Fund

Professor Paul Cadman - Birmingham Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur, knowledge broker, super connector, charity ambassador and proud Brummie, made a personal donation towards the radiant heating. His motto is connect enthusiastically, give relentlessly, and lead bravely, do that, and the future is yours.

Mrs Anita Arscott-Brookes Home | Arscott Brookes Consultancy made a personal donation which we have set aside to support families in need towards resources and equipment.

Graham and the team from Redditch Tree Care Redditch Tree Care have continued to support our efforts to clear the undergrowth from our outside ~~——~~ areas and to develop outside training space.

Our Parents and Supporters through Easyfundraising, having signed up to shop through this platform. Over 8,000 retailers will now donate to us for FREE every time you use #easyfundraising to shop with them. These donations will help SO MUCH, so please sign up to support us – it’s completely FREE and doesn’t take long.

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/redditchbromsgrovesc

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What our Beneficiaries say

The trustees are committed to ensuring the unit continues to develop and to be the organisation that every local child wants to be a part of but don’t just take our word for it, what do our parents/guardians and cadets think, here are just a few of the testimonials we have received.

We can honestly say that cadets has been the making of …….. From a 12-year-old child he has blossomed into a young adult gaining many life skills from his weekly attendance at cadets. Although he isn't the loudest person, he definitely has gained so much confidence through his experiences at cadets. We often joke that when we came for a look around and during colours and they were 'shouting', I said to dad he won't like this and then before we'd even got into the car he was asking if he could go next Thursday! I was flabbergasted! And he hasn't looked back since!

Ethan become ill since joining cadets and the whole unit has supported him every step of the way. He has always been included in training, trips and residential courses. He has never been treated any differently due to his illness. This inclusion has been so important to Ethan's self esteem and as his parents we can't thank everyone enough. Even when Ethan has been ill, he has wanted to come to cadets and we have allowed him to, even when he may not have been to school or college because we believe cadets is where his heart lies.

Ethan has gained so many new skills from his cadets’ experience. Not only many qualifications but his self-esteem has grown massively. With each year that has past Ethan has risen to the opportunities and experiences provided by cadets on and offshore. Where else would he have qualified for national rowing competition in the landlocked west midlands? Or parade in front of the Royal Family in the Remembrance Parade and be on the BBC! Ethan enjoys reminding us and I love showing people as a proud mummy!

Ethan's enthusiasm continues as he wishes to join the Royal Navy, and this is testament to his experiences with TS Kingfisher.

We thank the unit volunteers all the time, but a simple thank you doesn't seem enough! So I hope this helps with future funding/ sponsorship.

My son, Liam Jones, aged 14, started the Sea Cadets Redditch and Bromsgrove division in January.

Liam suffers with low confidence and self-esteem, however, I am absolutely amazed at how well Liam is getting on so far!

The staff have all been understanding, patient and supportive.

Liam can’t wait to attend every week, which has really surprised me as thought it might be a bit too much for him to commit too, however he seems to have fitted straight in and has even made some friends!

Liam really enjoyed attempting knot/rope work last week.

Thank you so much all

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The Trustees’ Targets for 2024/2025 achieved :

  1. Installation of Infrared Heating on the Main Deck, funded through a very generous donation by Professor Paul Cadman and the MSSC - £12,660

  2. 5 Year Electrical Installation Compliance – from reserves £3,400

  3. Health and Safety Surveys – Asbestos, Legionella and Fire Risk Assessment – from reserves £5,000

  4. Refurbishment of the Trailer – from reserves £580

The £8,400+ investment in the regulatory Health & Safety Surveys and work has resulted in some of our targets for 2024-2025 slipping to next year.

  1. Replacement of signage on front elevation and fence – upgrade in branded colours, with up-to-date information – Estimated Cost £500

  2. Replacement boiler to service heads to meet Legionella Survey recommendations – Estimated cost £600

  3. Purchase a branded Gazebo – Estimated Cost £1,800

  4. Replacement Galley Cooker – Estimated Cost £1,000

  5. Outside Development to create training and recreational space – Estimated Cost £2,000

  6. Refurbishment of the Boys Heads – Estimated cost £2,000

Our long term goals for which we will need to raise considerable funds:

Transport

Having reliable accessible transport is essential for continuing our weekly activities but it is a major expense. Our Minibus is 11 years old and although still low mileage for its age we are governed by Section 19 Permit regulations. This means that in addition to the Road Fund tax, MOT and general costs for servicing and keeping it in good working order it requires a safety check every 6 weeks, costing an additional £600 per year.

Keeping the minibus operable this year has cost over £2,000.

Organisational Running Costs

We are very fortunate to have a building like ours and we don’t take it for granted, many other units operate from small hut style buildings with limited inside space, but it doesn’t come cheaply.

Our overheads each month are over £1,400 per month. With additional costs for training materials, printing, stationery, badges, catering for special events, health and hygiene products etc our average total running cost per month is £1,800, that’s £21,600 per year. Our guaranteed income from subs is around £1,500 per month if we maintain full

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occupancy, leaving a shortfall of £200 per month for us to cover in other ways. Our Gift Aid claim which we make in April/May usually softens the blow but this would be much better spent on delivering the Sea Cadet Experience than paying the gas bill!

You can help!

Join us - as a volunteer and see what difference you can make to the next generation. All training is provided, you don’t need experience, just enthusiasm and time to commit. There are several different roles, just ask and we will explain what’s available.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Encourage your company to support us with an unrestricted donation to our cause or choose something from our list to sponsor us for.

Many companies have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant. Armed Forces Covenant: guidance and support - GOV.UK The Covenant is a statement of the moral obligation between the nation, the government and the Armed Forces, companies who sign up to this can choose to include support to Cadet Forces in their agreement too.

They could choose one of the projects listed to sponsor, we are very happy to mention them is dispatches and use their corporate logos in recognition of their support.

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Structure, Governance and Management

Units of the SCC are formed and operated entirely by volunteers from the local community with an interest in furthering the cause of Sea Cadets. Each Unit is a self-supporting youth organisation and an independent charity with a central support management and training structure provided primarily by the Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC). The unit becomes a part of the SCC by virtue of its affiliation to the MSSC, the parent body of the SCC. In accepting this affiliation, the unit undertakes to comply with all regulations issued by, or on behalf of, the MSSC Council.

The Unit was registered as an unincorporated charity on 17th October 1985 and is governed by a constitution approved by the Charity Commission of England and Wales. A revised constitution issued by the Marine Society and Sea Cadets was ratified by the Board of Trustees at its meeting in December 2017.

Recruitment and Appointment of the Trustees

Trustees serve and are re-elected on an annual basis. A minimum of 4 office holders: Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Commanding Officer/Officer in Charge. Unit Management Team (UMT) office holders are elected at the first meeting following the Annual General Meeting (AGM). UMT members are elected from membership of the Sea Cadets Unit which is drawn loosely as being those with an interest in the unit. The constitution lays down specific controls for UMT membership and will be observed for all future recruitment.

In the event of a vacancy arising during the year (known as a casual vacancy), the trustees have the power to co-opt new trustees. All trustees will serve until the date of the next AGM, after which the post will be filled by election.

The trustees are represented by individuals drawn from the local community. Trustees have the power to appoint additional trustees to act jointly with them for all purposes. A trustee whose term of office has expired can be appointed for a further term of office.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state affairs of the charity and of its financial position at the end of that year.

In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charity (Accounts Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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Thank you to our Volunteers!

No final report would be complete without acknowledging the efforts and dedicated service of the adult volunteers who make Training Ship Kingfisher a success. For any Sea Cadet Unit to succeed it is fully reliant on its teams to work together and deliver the best experience to our young people.

In this modern age, time is a precious commodity and like with all teachers and trainers there is a lot goes on behind the scenes, outside of parade times and over weekends that is not observed but makes the difference. We have estimated that over the course of a year our volunteers donate over 25,000 hours of their time to Sea Cadet activity.

This has been a year of regeneration and growth for us all. We are all invested with one common aim, that of delivering the best experience for our young people.

Thank you for your commitment and continued support as we look forward to another successful year here at TS Kingfisher.

This report was approved by the trustees on 19[th] October 2025 and recommended for adoption by the members.

Margaret Blizzard Chair of the Board of Trustees

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LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity Details:

Charity Name: Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit 595 of the Sea Cadets Corps Charity Status: Registered Unincorporated Charity Registered Charity No: 516827 Unit 3, Upper Crossgate Road Registered Office and Park Farm Industrial Estate Operational Address: Redditch B98 7SR Telephone Number 01527 521835 Email: enquiries@tskingfisher.org Website www.sea-cadets.org/redditchbromsgrove Trustees at the time of Margaret Blizzard – Chair signing the report Jane Sweetman – Treasurer Victoria Saundry - Secretary Lisa Wood – Ex-Officio - Commanding Officer James Smith - Trustee Other persons who were Lauren Jones charity trustees of the Lisa Marriott Charity at any time in the financial year Holding (Custodian) The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) Trustees Bank Lloyds Bank Independent Examiner Alison Dunmore MICB BA(Hons) Ichthus Bookkeeping 5 Park Way Droitwich WR9 9HE

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Financial Review

The trustees continue to review the charity’s requirements for reserves, considering the main risk to the organisation, that being a reduction of income. The trustees have established a policy whereby the reserves, in total that are not invested in tangible fixed assets held by the Unit, should be up to 6 months total overheads costs of the charity.

The opening balance across all accounts was £20,853 with a closing balance of £19,339, the charity ended the year with a deficit of £1,514 on the previous year. Despite significant investment in both infrastructure and training resources we have maintained a healthy level of reserves and has enabled us to plan for further designated funds for equipment, and facilities improvements. Restricted and Designated funds totalling £7,945 leaving reserves of £11,394 to cover operating costs for 7.6 months, exceeding the reserves policy by 1.6 months.

The increase in cadet numbers has reflected an increase in subscriptions, Gift Aid is up to date and increased our income by £3,972 for this financial year.

Our total expenditure for this financial year was over £42,000. Operating costs have amounted to 21,107 of which 69%, (around £14,645) being spent on the building infrastructure and maintenance. A unit such as ours will always need to be maintained to strict controls for health and safety and to be able to offer the best Sea Cadet Experience. However, this figure would be considerably more if it weren’t for our volunteers who spend many hours each week maintaining the building and relieving the burden of labour costs.

To them we are truly grateful.

Appointment of the Independent Examiner

Alison Dunmore (previously Bevins) MICB BA(Hons), Ichthus Bookkeeping has been reappointed by the Trustees to provide the Independent Examination of Accounts for this financial year, her report follows.

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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit 595 of the Sea Cadets Corps

I report on the financial statements of Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit 595 of the Sea Cadets Corps for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out over the following 4 pages.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

Independent Examiner’s statement

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Alison Dunmore MICB

Date: 2 October 2025

On behalf of: Ichthus Bookkeeping 5 Park Way Droitwich WR9 9HE

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Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit 595 of the Sea Cadet Corps.

Receipts and Payments Account for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Note Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
RECEIPTS
Donations
1		 18,121
5,000
23,121
18,878
Fundraising
2		 1,656
0
1,656
Generated
3		 3,378
0
3,378
2,614
Grants
4		 2,319
6,000
8,319
30,351
Training
5		 556
0
556
0
Unearned
6		 3,972
0
3,972
3,044
TOTAL RECEIPTS 30,002
11,000
41,002
54,886
PAYMENTS
Charitable Activities
7		 4,348
558
4,906
9,507
Operating Costs
8		 8,039
13,068
21,107
31,243
Overheads
9		 9,891
1,800
11,691
9,256
Fees Charged
10		 755
0
755
202
FundraisingCosts
11		 3,842
6
3,848
3,286
TOTAL PAYMENTS 26,875
15,432
42,307
53,494
ASSETS & INVESTMENTS
Fixed Assets
12		 40
169
209
1,750
Investments
40
169
209
1,750
TOTAL PAYMENTS 26,915
15,601
42,516
55,244
Net Incoming Resources 3,087
-4,601
-1,514
-357
Transfer between Funds 0
0
0
0
Cash funds from last year 14,015
6,838
20,853
21,210
TOTAL CASH FUNDS 17,102
2,237
19,339
20,852

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Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit 595 of the Sea Cadet Corps.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 March 2025

CASH FUNDS
Treasurers Account
Equals Card Account
Petty Cash Account
OTHER MONETARY ASSETS
INVESTMENT ASSETS
ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE CHARITY'S OWN USE
Premises
Boats
Minibus
Computers & other equipment
LIABILITIES
Independent Examination		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
16,092
2,237
18,329
19,920
646
646
818
364
364
115		 Unrestricted
Restricted
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
16,092
2,237
18,329
19,920
646
646
818
364
364
115
17,102
2,237		 19,339
20,853
737,693
38,750
4,500
4,000
784,943
250

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 20th October 2025 and were signed on its behalf by

Margaret Blizzard Chair of the Board of Trustees

Jane Sweetman Treasurer

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Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit 595 of the Sea Cadet Corps.

Notes to the Accounts

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
1 Donations
Cadet 17,452 0 17,452 18,246
Donations 669 5,000 5,669 632
18,121 5,000 23,121 18,878
2 Fundraising
Fundraising Activities 0 0 0 0
Fundraising Events 1,656 0 1,656 0
1,656 0 1,656 0
3 Generated
Property Rental 208 0 208 0
Sale of Goods 3,170 0 3,170 2,614
3,378 0 3,378 2,614
4 Grants
Charitable Trusts & Foundation 2,319 0 2,319 4,351
MS-SC Grant 0 6,000 6,000 26,000
2,319 6,000 8,319 30,351
5 Training
Course Fees - Internal 556 0 556 0
556 0 556 0
6 Unearned
Gift Aid Claim 3,972 0 3,972 3,044
3,972 0 3,972 3,044
7 Charitable Activities
Course Fees - External 237 0 237 3,510
Training Materials 2,680 558 3,238 4,785
Fuel 1,237 0 1,237 442
3rd Party Travel 0 0 0 400
Catering 194 0 194 370
4,348 558 4,906 9,507
----- End of picture text -----

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Redditch & Bromsgrove Unit 595 of the Sea Cadet Corps.

Notes to the Accounts (continued)

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
8 Operating Costs
Unit Health, Hygiene & Well-being 1,333 110 1,443 1,150
Office Stationery & Printing 1,693 0 1,693 1,581
IT Consumables 293 0 293 134
Building Maintenance 1,688 12,780 14,468 26,217
Grounds Maintenance 0 178 178 379
Boat Maintenance 497 0 497 26
Vehicle Maintenance 1,254 0 1,254 1,756
Other Maintenance 1,281 0 1,281 0
8,039 13,068 21,107 31,243
9 Overheads
Water & Sewage Rates 990 0 990 720
Electricity 1,614 0 1,614 3,359
Gas 896 0 896 769
Broadband 925 0 925 771
Insurance 2,209 0 2,209 2,074
Certification 3,257 1,800 5,058 1,563
9,891 1,800 11,691 9,256
10 Fees Charged
Audit/Accountancy fees 488 0 488 0
Other Revenue Costs 265 0 265 200
Bank Charges 2 0 2 2
755 0 755 202
11 Fundraising Costs
Special Events 1,175 0 1,175 1,264
Goods for Resale 2,642 6 2,648 1,842
Other Fundraising Costs 25 0 25 180
3,842 6 3,848 3,286
12 Assets
Unit Assets 40 169 209 1,750
40 169 209 1,750
----- End of picture text -----

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