Public Benefit Report
37th Belfast Scout Group (NlG 104078)
Trustees' Annual Report April 2022- 31 March 2023
Address Beavers, Cubs - Lisnasharragh Primary School. Tudor Drive, Belfast. BTO GLS Scouts – Cregagh Community Centre, Mount Merrion, Belfast 6
Our purposes
The purpose of Scouting is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development as individuals and as responsible citizens, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
Our beneficiaries
Our principal beneficiaries are children and young people, mainly, but not restricted to those who are resident in Upper Cregagh Road area, Belfast, but the benefit can extend to society more generally through the Scout Group's positive contribution to our local community. The Scout Group has a current youth membership of approximately 90, spanning Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, supported by an adult volunteer leadership of 10. We plan to open an Explorer Scout unit in the future.
Public benefit arising from activities
Due to Covid the group did not meet from March 2019 until restrictions eased in June 2021. Since then each of our Sections have continued to meet on a weekly basis throughout 2021- 2023 and have engaged in an age-appropriate, varied and balanced program to support the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual development of our young people. The Explorer section did not restart following Covid and it is hoped to reform in the coming years.
Our program has included physical activities (for example games, athletics and football) creative activities (crafts, art and cultural activities), science and “nature” themed nights, quizzes and team challenges, Trangia and backwoods cooking, Scout-craft (pioneering, map-reading, orienteering, camping and shelter-building). All sections of the Group have actively participated in events and competitions organized at District and County level. Such activities not only support the personal development of our members but have also provided opportunities for them to interact with young people from other parts of Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland. During 2021/23.
The Beavers attended the Ardnavally Walk in March 2023 and obtained many badges as they proceeded to work through their weekly program.
The Cub Scout section attended a district camp at Ardnavally Scout Centre in August. The participation included the Little Sutton Group who visited Belfast in August. On their week nights they participated in a variety of badge themed events with the sports badges proving the most popular.
The Scout Section summer camp was cancelled due to Covid in August 2020 although in August 2021 they took part in a joint camp with a Liverpool troop at Ardnavally. This was great success with over 60 participants from both groups. It was sponsored by the EA who also provided funding for new equipment. In 2022 the troop stayed in the vicinity of Liverpool as guests of the Little Sutton troop. Plans are well underway fro a camp in Holland in July 2023
Private benefit
The only private benefit from our purpose is that adult volunteers are trained to deliver the program but this is incidental and necessary because it is needed to operate in today's society working with young people. Several of our leadership are currently completing formal 'Woodbadge' training, and others have undertaken or revalidated safe-guarding and first aid training during 2021/2023.
Regard to the Commission's Guidance. ln setting our objectives and planning our activities during 2021 - 2023 at all times the trustees have had due regard and careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
Financial position at 31st March 2023
The Scout Group's main bank account is held in the name of 37th Belfast Scouts. External grants, for example from the Education Authority and the Gift Aid rebate are paid into this account, and monies are dispersed regularly in the form of grants and subsidies to support the work of the individual Sections of our Scout Group, occasional special events and incidental expenses. Accounts are included for this year.
The Group Account currently has a positive balance thanks to some grants and funding support from the Scout Association. Major items of recurring sectional expenditure include payment of capitation fees to national headquarters, purchase of badges, program materials, competition entry fees, and fees for instructorled adventurous activities and workshops, residential experiences and camps. The group minibus is well used and much of the Education Authority grant is used to fund minibus expenses. The EA also provides funds to help with caretaking wages. Extra funding was provided for a camp post covid along with money to purchase a number of Force 10 tents and Icelandic II upgrades.
How the charity is constituted and governed.
The Scout Group is governed under the terms of the Royal Charter issued to, and the policies, organization and rules pertaining, to the Scout Association in the United Kingdom. Locally, the Belfast Scout Group is represented on and responsible to South East Belfast District Scout Council, Belfast County Scout Council and Northern Ireland Scout Council which ratifies appointment of adult leaders and oversees provision of leader training.
D Gaston
5[th] April 2023
GSL: 37th Belfast Scout Group