Scouts
Parkhall Group
PARKHALL SCOUT GROUP TRUSTEES REPORT 2022-2023
Charity Number NIC103794
Main Contact for Group
Sharon Smith
45b Belfast Road, Antrim, BT41 IPB
parkhallscoutgroup@gmail.com
Parkhall Group Trustee Board 2022-2023
Chairperson - Mr Chris Robinson
Secretary- Mrs Anne Shannon
Treasurer- Mrs Margretta Mccullough
Mrs Sharon Smith - Group Scout Leader
Mrs Erin Macmillan Sharkey (Squirrel Leader)
Mr Aaron Scott (Beaver Leader)
Mr William Mccullough (Cub Leader)
Mr David Mcconkey (Scout Leader)
Mr Stephen Patterson (Explorer Leader)
Mrs Patrick McQuillan (Parent)
Mrs Helen Patterson (Parent)
Mrs Ariel Ilardi (parent)
Mrs Rachel Sharkey (parent)
Parkhall Scout Group Background Information
The Scout Group is open to all youth in the surrounding communities, irrespettive of
faith or belief or ability, between the ages of 4 and 18. Girls and Boys can join Fn each of
the four Sections. All sections meet on a Thursday night in High Street Presbyterian
Church halls, Steeple Road, Antrim between 5.30pm and 9.30pm.
Northem Ireland Charity Number: NIC103794

Squirrel Scouts: Contact- Erin Sharkey
We have run a Squirrel Drey attached to Parkhall since April 2019. This Section is for
boys and girls aged 4 to 6 years old. The Squirrel Association Northern Ireland offictally
merged with the Scout Association in September 2021. The Squirrel Section runs a
balanced programme to encourage personal development of our young people.
Activities include storytime, crafts, games, outdoor activities and making friends. There
are 12 activity badges and 4 challenge badges that Squirrel Scouts can work towards,
culminating in the Chief Scout Acorn Award, the highest achievement a Squirrel Scout
can achieve.
Beaver Scouts: Contact- Aaron Scott
Beaver Scouts are for ages 6 to 8. Their programme includes games, crafts and badge
work to build self-confidence, independence and team work. Beaver Scouts have 6
Challenge Awards and 19 Activity Badges they work through in their two years in
Beavers. The Chief Scout's Bronze Award is the highest Award they can achieve.
Cub Scouts: Contact - Bill Mccullough
Cub Scouts are ages 8 to 10 /2. Their programme includes games, crafts and badge work
to build self-confidence, independence and team work. They take part in District games
like football, hockey and quizzes. Taking part in many outdoor Scouting Activities, such
as: hiking, tracking and camping. Cubs Scouts have 7 Challenge Awards and 36 Activity
Badges they work towards achieving during their thirty months in the Cub Pack. The
Chief's Scout Silver Award is highest Award a Cub which can achieved.
Scouts: Contact- David Mcconkey
Scouts are for ages 10 /12 to 14. Their programme advances on from Cub Scouts this
includes; games, crafts and badge work to build self-confidence and team work. Taking
part in many outdoor Scouting attivities, but their hiking and camping is usually for
longer periods of time. Scouts have 9 Challenge Awards and 59 Activity Badges, which
they work towards achieving during their three and a half years in the Scout Troup. The
Chief's Scout Gold Award is highest Award a Scout can achieve. The Scout Section
Leaders are undergoing training to be able to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme to
interested members of the Group.
Northern Ireland Charity Number: NIC103794

Explorer Scouts: Contact - Steven Patterson
This age group is between 14 and 18. This older age group are part the District Explorer
Unit and as such will sometimes meet as a district unit in other halls. They have 27
Activities Badges, D of E Awards, Explorer Belt, Young Leaders Scheme, Chief's Scouts
Platinum and Diamond Awards. The top Award is the Queen's Scout Award.
January 2023 Scout Association Census
Youth Numbers:
Male
(percentage
change from
previous
year)
Female
(change
from
previous year)
Self-identify
(% (change
from
Prefer not to
say
(change
from
(y.
previous
year)
previous
year)
o(0)
o(0)
o(0)
o{0)
Squirrels
Beavers
9(0)
i(0)
10 (43)
4 (33)
15 (7)
3 (_40)
10 (250)
6 (200)
Recorded on district census
o(0)
o(0)
o(0)
o (_ioo)
Cubs
Scouts
Explorers
Leaders / Adult Helpers:
Gender
Grou
Scout Leaderfs Re
ort
Sharon Smith thanked all the leaders and parent helpers for their support over the year,
for the time they dedicate to Scouting and the development of the young people. The
group has seen grovrth of 26% from 2021-2022 with 58 young people recorded in the
2023 annual census. The group is still predominately male with a split of approximately
75%/25%. Thts most likely explained by the concurrent running of a Girl Guide Group in
the Church. The Group continues to run excellent sectional programmes but also runs
joint Group events to foster links between the sections that improves retention when
young people move from section to section. Most notably are the annual sleepover in
the Church Hall and the Residential Experience at Crawfordsburn Scout Centre in Sept
2022. We have been able to heavily subsidise these activities through generous grants
from the Education Authority. The grants have also allowed us to replenish camping
Northern Ireland Charity Number: NIC103794

equipment, sports equipment and craft supplies.we currently are operating a small
waiting list for Squirrels and Beavers, all other sections are able to accept new members.
Treasurerfs Re
ort
The accounts were reviewed and accepted at the 2022-2023 AGM. They have been
audited by an Independent Auditor who was appointed at the 2021-2022 AGM.
Annual General Meetin
The 2022-2023 AGM was held on 4th December 2023. Changes were made to the
Trustees / Group Executive in line with Scouting UK POR. The Group accounts were read
and agreed. No changes to the constitution were required. No safeguarding concerns to
be addressed. Note was made of the change in titles for adult volunteers and they will
be used by the Group from January 2024.
I confirm that the information presented in this report on behalf of the Parkhall Scout
Group Trustees is true and accurate.
Signed:
Sharon Smith
Chris Robinson
(Group Scout Leader)
(Group Chairman)
DATE:
Northern Ireland Charity Number: NIC103794