Public Benefit Report
1[st] Carryduff Scout Group (NlG 104140)
Trustees' Annual Report 1[st] September 2022- 31[st] August 2023
Address Beavers, Cubs, Scouts – St Ingatius Church Hall, Church of Ireland, Saintfield Road Carryduff BT8 8BU
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 the Carryduff BT8 area, 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 60, spanning Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts supported by an adult volunteer leadership of 18.
Public benefit arising from activities
Following the easing of Covid restrictions 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. Unfortunately our Squirrel section did not restart in September 2023.
Our program has included physical activities (for example games, fitness tests and a variety of team sports) creative activities (crafts, art and cultural activities), science and “nature” themed nights, quizzes and team challenges, Scout-craft (pioneering, map-reading, orienteering, camping and shelter-building).
When possible members from sections have participated in District and County activities which supports personal development and social skills interacting with the wider Scouting community in Belfast and beyond.
The Beavers had a leadership change and wee thank the out going leader s Geraldine Reid and Joan Clayton for their may years service. The new incoming leaders have received training and are continuing to provide a wide and varied program on a weekly basis in accordance with the Beaver Scout badge and award scheme.
The Cub Scout section have continued to provide a structured program of activities for the membership including an annual camp to Clandeboy Estate which is a hight light of the year.
The Scout Section continues to grow in strength and go against the national trend of falling numbers. The program provide allows for more adventurous activities and included a week long summer camp to Scotland, and a winter camp in the Mournes. The weekly meetings continue
through the year providing a variety of training activities to introduce the membership to a variety of activities to provide physical, mental and spiritual stimulation.
The Explorer Scout section provides and interesting and varied program of activities for the senior members of the group up to age 18. This age group are encouraged to take a more active role in the actives assisting in the planning of the activates and developing leadership skills with many members volunteering with the junior sections. The Explorer section joins with theh Scout section during annual camp. Separately the Explorer section provides a Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
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.
Ongoing mandatory training in respect of first Aid and safeguarding continues on a regular basis in accordance with the Scout Association guidance.
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 1[st] September 2023
The Scout Group's main bank account is held in the name of 1[st] Carryduff Scout Group. 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 Education Authority, annual subscriptions and donations from a Bank Social fund. 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 instructor led adventurous activities and workshops, residential experiences and camps. The majority of the EA grant is used to cover a donation for the used of the church hall. Additional grant aid has been used to provide additional camping equipment.
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.
Brian Crothers 16[th] June 2024
Group Scout Leader 1" Carryduff Scout Group