1st Kilbride Scout Group
Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland - NIC104188
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2025
Address
32 Orpinsmill Road, Doagh, Ballyclare, County Antrim, BT39 0SX
Website/email address
1stkilbridecubscouts.doagh@gmail.com
TRUSTEES and MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE at 31 March 2025
Simon Charlton (Chairman)
Robert Robinson
Martin Adams
The Trustees have studied the N.I. Commission’s statutory guidance on the Public benefit requirement and consider that they have complied with it in full.
STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
The 1[st] Kilbride Scout group comprises 5 sections of the scouting organisation; Squirrels aged 4 to 6 years, Beavers aged 6 years to 81/2 years, Cubs Scouts aged approx. 8 to 10 years 3 months, Scouts aged 10 years 3 months to approx. 14 years. And Explorer Scouts aged 14 years to 17 years of age. 1st Kilbride Scout group is registered member of the scouting family within South East Antrim District.
Squirrels and Beavers meet on Wednesday evenings while cubs, scouts and explorer scouts meet on Monday evenings, weekly between the months of Sept and June. At present 1[st] Kilbride has no Explorer aged members. The management team meet at least two times each year, and additionally at other times within the year to discuss matters of planning activities if necessary.
Leaders are as follows
| Squirrel Leaders Simon Charlton Lousie Gardiner |
Beavers Leaders Simon Charlton Patrick Donnellan |
Cub Scouts Simon Charlton Jonathan Doyle Simon Gardner |
Scouts Martin Adams Raymond Hanna Patrick Donnellan |
Explorers Jonathan Doyle Simon Charlton Jonathan Doyle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Purposes
1[st] Kilbride Scout group exists to promote learning and development of individuals from an early age (4 years) through to young adults (14 years) through physical activities, programmed learning activities (badge work) and external events where applicable. Explorers Section covers young adults to 17 years of age.
MEMBERSHIP RETURN FOR 2024/25
| Age Groups 4-6 Years 6-8 Years 8 – 10 Years 10 – 15 Years 15 years & over |
Squirrels 16 |
Beavers 11 Boys |
Cubs 16 Boys |
Scouts 12 Boys |
Explorers 4 Boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACHIEVEMENTS
Squirrels
Squirrels group continues to grow with the help of new volunteers and extra support for junior group leaders. For continued growth and support, additional helpers are needed. Group is to review plans to recruit, grow adult helper support. There has been opportunity for members from older groups to partake in Duke of Edinburgh Scheme through volunteering.
Beavers
We are encouraged by the growth in Beaver numbers. This has allowed us to complete a full programme for the year, with overnight stays returning and badgework being complete as individuals and as a group. This growth will aid the section as a whole, as they move on from Beavers to Cubs. There has been opportunity for members from older groups to partake in Duke of Edinburgh Scheme through volunteering.
Cub Scouts
The Cub Scout Section continues to retain healthy numbers. Silver Scout awards were completed by 4 members who moved on the Scouts. – The annual camp at Crawfordsburn was completed as well as an overnight stay in the Church Hall.
Scouts
The Scout Section with the aid of Cubs moving on and through the addition of new members to scouting continues to focus on fun and personal development – through team games, badge work and with the aim to complete a camp later in the year. EA grant was used to support outings at Christmas and in aid of the annual camp.
Explorer Scouts
Explorers continues with reasonable numbers. Main focus will be on young leader training and an outdoor exploring, and support where appropriate to the younger groups.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
1[st] Kilbride offer a full and balance programme, including indoor and outdoor games appropriate to the age groups, physical and education challenges, life skills and development of character through challenging experiences and outdoor camping. 1[st] Kilbride maintains healthy numbers throughout the year and has seen stable intake over the past number of years. Parents report that this group provides a valuable input into children’s development and that all those that attend are keen and happy throughout the year. Support to the local community is encouraged through local visits, supporting worthwhile charities and supporting the Church at Kilbride. St Georges Day Parade attendance was mainly from the younger sections (Cubs and Beavers) supported by a number of Explorers
The group supported the development of children who were undertaking Duke of Edinburgh they were completing via local schools allowing them to learn leadership skills through their volunteering duties.
The Group also maintains a healthy connection with the local Kilbride Church, supporting their fund raising activities, and through attendance at significant calendar dates though the year, particularly Remembrance Day.
KEY ACTIVITES
September - Intake October – Investment December – Overnight stay and Christmas party June - Summer camp
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Income for the year totalled £7910.82 expenses totalled £6024.20 leaving a balance of £5533.11 for all sections. The Scouting Year completes in June/July with the balance of current year income expected to be utilised.
Group Grant for 2024/25 was fully utilised however - £441 of prior year grant was returned.
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Report above. Signed ~~—~~ pee ee Full Names Simon Charlton Martin Adams Robert Robinson —— Position Chairman Trustee Trustee 9 —[a] ~~a~~ ——s Date 31Jan 2026 31 Jan 2026 31 Jan 2026 (somes) [Camas] (eee)