PARKHALL SCOUT GROUP TRUSTEES REPORT 2023-2024
Charity Number NIC103794
Main Contact for Group
Sharon Smith 45b Belfast Road, Antrim, BT41 1PB parkhallscoutgroup@gmail.com
Parkhall Scout Group Background Information
The Scout Group is open to all youth in the surrounding communities, irrespective of faith or belief or ability, between the ages of 4 and 18. Girls and Boys can join in 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.
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 officially 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.
Northern Ireland Charity Number: NIC103794
Cub Scouts: Contact - Bill McCullough
Cub Scouts are ages 8 to 10 ½. 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 ½ 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 activities, 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.
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 2024 Scout Association Census
Youth Numbers:
| Male (percentage change from previous year) |
Female (% (change from previous year) |
Self-identify (% (change from previous year) |
Prefer not to say (% (change from previous year) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrels | 9 (0) | 2 (100) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Beavers | 6 (-40) | 2 (-50) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Cubs | 16 (7) | 4 (33) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Scouts | 6 (33) | 9 (50) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) |
| Explorers | Recorded on district census |
Northern Ireland Charity Number: NIC103794
Leaders / Adult Helpers:
| Leaders / Adult | Helpers: |
|---|---|
| Gender | |
| M | 5 |
| F | 4 |
Group Consitiution
The 2023-2024 AGM was held on 25th[th] November 2024. A proposal was made on the recommendation of The Scout Association that we adopt the new Scout Association Constitution as set out in The Scout Association Policy, Organisation and Rules Section 5. Local governance and finance of Groups, Districts, Counties (June 2024).
The members of Parkhall Scout Council (adult volunteers and all parents/guardians of Parkhall Scout Group) and Trustee Board present unanimously agreed to adopt this as the new constitution.
Trustee Board
The new Trustee Board was formed as per the new constitution, positions will be held for three years.
Chairperson – Mr Chris Robinson
Treasurer – Mrs Margretta McCullough
Mrs Anne Shannon (parent) who will hold nominal role of secretary
Mrs Sharon Smith – Group Lead Volunteer
Mrs Erin MacMillan Sharkey (Squirrel Team Lead)
Mr Aaron Scott (Beaver Team Lead)
Mr William McCullough (Cub Team Lead)
Mr David McConkey (Scout Team Lead)
Mr Stephen Patterson (Explorer Team Lead)
Mrs Patrick McQuillan (Parent)
Mrs Ariel Ilardi (parent)
Mrs Rachel Sharkey (parent)
Northern Ireland Charity Number: NIC103794
Treasurer’s Report
The accounts were reviewed and accepted at the 2023-2024 AGM. They have been audited by an Independent Auditor who was appointed at the 2022-2023 AGM.
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 Lead Volunteer) (Group Chairman)
DATE: 29[th] January 2025
Northern Ireland Charity Number: NIC103794