## **ANNUAL REPORT** **For the Period:** 1[st] April 22 to 31[st] March 2023 **Charity Name:** South East Antrim District Scout Council **Registered Charity Number:** NIC103731 ## **Governing Document:** The District’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. ## **Constitution:** The District is a Trust established under its rules which are common to all Scouts. ## **Trustee selection Methods:** The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association. ## **Trustees:** Mr. Allister Law Dr. Ron Cole Mr. Joshua Irvine Eidann Coles Mrs. Linda Cross Mr. Geoffrey Hegarty Mrs. Carmen Irvine Linda Cherry Rev. David Lockhart Miss Emilie Irvine Dr. Stephen Bell Mr. John Campbell Mr Taylor Black ## **Risk and Internal Control:** The District Executive ensures that all activities are undertaken in accordance with the Scout Association Policy, Organisation and Rules. All leaders are members of the Scout Association and as such have a valid AccessNI check and are covered by the Scout Association national accident insurance policy. Risk assessments are undertaken for all activities. ## **Objectives:** The objectives of the District are as a unit of the Scout Association. The Aim of the Scout Association is to promote the development of the 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 the Association is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law and guided by adult leadership. Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work together on the values of Scouting 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. The District meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizen or community development headings. ## **South East Antrim Scout Council - 2022 to 2023:** Sixteen Scout Groups make up South East Antrim Scout District. The District partners County Antrim Scouts and the Northern Ireland Scout Council providing adult and youth resources. The year 2022-23 saw the complete removal of the Covid-19 restrictions so that the full Scouting programme could return. The District programme supports and enhances the Group programmes. This was not without its challenges as the Covid 19 restrictions had left a legacy within the adult training programme for leaders of the District that had to be resolved. ## **District Numbers:** 2022/23 saw the District membership return to the pre-covid level but some Groups still experienced difficulty recruiting leaders. ## **Awards:** Not with-standing the legacy of the covid lockdown leaders continued to pursue their training to enhance their leadership role and a number of leaders completed their training and were awarded their “Woodbadges”, and the young people continued to achieve success with their progressive training awards, including the Queen Scout Award. Seven leaders received awards for service to Scouting, Alister Law, “The Silver Wolf”, for most exceptional service, Anne Nicholson and David Holmes, “The Silver Acorn”, for distinguished service, Carmen Irvine, Gary Grange & Chris Cully, Award of Merit, for conscientious and dedicated and Linda Cherry, The Chief Scouts Commendation for Service. These awards were in addition to those received awards for long service. ## **The Programme:** As previously indicated there was a gradual return to “normal” Scouting. There were still some concerns related to Covid-19 infection and although the Groups moved from “Distanced” programmes to “Face to Face” programmes, the return to “Face to Face” District activities was much slower, especially as the major relaxation in restrictions occurred during the winter period. The District Leadership team met to consider the District programme and to plan the way forward. The District Commissioner met with the Group Scout Leaders to plan the District programme and assess the ways in which the District Team could assist the Groups. The fruits of these meetings will be seen in the District and Group activities in the coming years. There was however a slow return to District youth activities with the first ever Squirrel Scout event, a visit to W5 in Belfast. Beaver Scouts once again had an active District programme with, the annual Bowling competition, the District Quiz and a visit to Forest Fitness in Carrickfergus. For the Cub Scouts there was the introduction of the TAG Rugby competition which proved very popular and a returned of annual District Hike in Woodburn Forest and the Annual Bowling. The District Scouts saw the return of the District Archery completion and the popular the Scouts Mechanics Badge course. The Explorer Scouting programme got under way with the launch of the district Explorer Scouts participating in the County Antrim Youth Forum. This allowed the young people to share their ideas and support Group Explorer activities. There was a District Christmas quiz and Young Leader training allowing the young people to gain expertise for the future. Scout Network had not been active for a number of years and this year saw its relaunch event with planning for future activities for the year. Overall this was a positive year for South East Antrim District Scouting with a return to pre-covid numbers, a return to a well supported District programme and a number of very positive Leaders planning meetings. ## **Adult Support (Leader Training):** Training is a fundamental part of being a leader and everyone is expected to complete training and have it validated within a three year period. The training equips the leader with essential skills and provides the necessary knowledge to provide a challenging and safe programme. Leaders continued to undertake training to enhance the quality of the programmes undertaken by the young people. Over recent years the Scout Association has transferring a significant amount of training to Computer Based Learning. Safeguarding, Safety and First Aid Training for leaders are key areas of training that have to be regularly reviewed and renewed. The covid-19 lockdown meant there was difficulty with elements of training that required face to face contact with the trainer. This was especially the case with “First Aid” training. The District was able to support the leaders who were required to undertake this training and with this support the District can record that virtually all the necessary training has been completed. ## **Financial Review:** The District is funded by the fees received from each of its youth members. The District still holds sufficient funds to ensure future advancement, strengthening and expansion of scouting in South East Antrim but does not hold sufficient funds to invest in longer-term financial investments and so all funds are held in normal accounts using mainstream banks. The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ Report above Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees South East Antrim District Secretary **Full Name** Ronald Frederick James Cole **Signature** Date: …7[th] November 2023