## **ANNUAL REPORT** **For the Period:** 1[st] April 2023 – 31[st] March 2024 **Charity Name:** 1[st] Whitehouse Scout Group **Registered Charity Number:** 103770 ## **Governing Document:** 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 the Association and The Policy, Organisation and Rules of the Scout Association. ## **Constitution:** The Group 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. ## **Risk and Internal Control:** The Group 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 Group are those of 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. - Undertaken new and challenging activities. - Make and live by their promise. The Group meets the Charity Commission’s public benefit criteria under both the advancement of education and the advancement of citizen or community development headings. ## **1[st] Whitehouse Scout Group – 2023 to 2024** All sections within the Group have enjoyed a busy and successful year. We have five sections within our Group of enthusiastic young people aged from 4 years to 18. Each section has participated in Group organised activities. None of this would be possible without the Leaders and the input of the parents of our members. ## **Awards** All sections have achieved several activity badges, staged activity badges and challenge awards appropriate to their section. 8 Squirrels achieved their Chief Scout Acorn, 1 Beaver achieved their Bronze Chief Scout Award, 2 Cubs achieved their Silver Chief Scout award, 2 Scout achieved their gold chief Scout award, 2 Explorers achieved their young leaders award. ## **Training** The awards mentioned above are the result of a steady input from the Leaders of all sections. All Leaders must attend training sessions appropriate to their role including a residential. Skills are kept up to date by attending refresher courses when available. ## **Programme** Each meeting of our Group’s sections provides exciting and interesting programmes based on the challenge and activity badges. Topics which have been covered this year include scouting and life skills, first aid, gardening, health & safety, creative challenges, cooking, survival skills and fitness. The opportunities to cover these topics are brought about with the help and guidance of the Leaders to help mould the young people in the Group into useful, caring, and independent citizens. ## **Events** During the year, the Group has participated in District, County and Northern Ireland events. We have attended night hikes, bowling, orienteering, airsoft, archery and football competitions. The Group went tenpin bowling, we attended an ice hockey match, visited the cinema, visited wee critters (unusual animal show) and participated in litter collections in a woodland area opposite our meeting hall and the local beach. The Squirrels attended W5 with the District, went for walks in the local glen and beach areas . The Beavers attended walks in the local Glen, participated in the District quiz & District tenpin bowling, attended NI rally day and learnt campfire songs whilst attending an overnight camp. The Cubs attended the District Airsoft competition, night hike and attended the group camp. The Scouts participated in the District & County archery, attended NI TOE camp and attended the group camp. The Explorers attended NI TOE camp and attended the group camp. ## **Numbers** At present we have 50 youth members in the group ## **Financial review:** The Group is funded by the fees from each of the youth members. Any extra events are supported directly by the parents of its members. The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above Signed on behalf of the Charity’s trustees Signature Carmen Irvine Full Name Carmen Irvine Position Group Scout Leader