The Speedwell Trust Limited Trustees, Report The trustees, who are directors foT the purposes of company law. presellt the ajmual report together witli the fLnancial statemeJ]ts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 ch 2024. Objeetives and actisryties Objects ond ain The Speedwell Trust is a registered charity and company Limited by Guarantee. It is our ambition to ci.eate a better world for children and young people by using a nature-b&sed appr()ach to remove barriers through oui prOammeS and by equipping children and youn(y people and their families with the skills needed to overcome adve13ity, be resilient aud be able to deal with the Challenges life can bring and respond as caretakers of themselves, each other and the world around them. We have three key areas of focus whidi are: Shared Education- helping break down baLTiers and create a more inclusive society and to equip children 2nd yoiing people with the skills and knowledge to bring about tK)sitive and lasting change. Eco-Education - ediicating children atkd young people about the natural world and equippinD them with the sktlls and understanding in how they ean play a role in safeguarding the world around them. Wellbeing- using the fottst. we take a nature-b&sed approach to deliver w(x)dland wellbeino pi'ogrdmmes to help childreTh atld young people understand how to look after their physical and mental health arld wellbeing. Public benefit The benefits that flow directly from the purpose are: (ia) the advancement of buman rights, reconciliation and the promotion of religious and raci81 harmorjy and equality and divei'sity thOUgh the delivery of prottneS that encoLLrage positive behaviour. tolerdnce and mutual r£spect towards one another leadino to a better shared ture for all in society (ib) the advaneement of education and environmental protection via the development of young people as contributors to the economy and the environment thmugh edu¢ation for suslaillable development leading to employmenl reduction in poverty, unemployment and an overall better quality of life (li) tbe adv8nccment of citizenship and community development as a result of our lono standing relationship with schools, wlio are the gateway to the wider community developing links with p8Jents, families, extended families, teachers, friends, local groups, volunteers etc {iii) strengthening and supporting Simil groups to fiirther advance respect These benefits can be evidenced by records kept in the numbers of children participating in workshops and programmes on a daily basis, evaluations completed by teachers on programme content and relevance, comments on our webpage, intemai assessment of programme contenL extertLa] SEllveys, photo and video evidenee, annual reporting to fjjnders and supporters and also external audits. The possibility of hami. for example physical injury incLLrred in the 'outdoor envirotunent, is outweled by the benefit of exercise, fresh air and leaming 'outside the classroom, by the policies and procedures in place to address such risks e. child protection policies, health and safety policies, forest pmgrdmtne risk 2ssessmerhts. wup safety at water margins policy etc. The eharities beneficiaries are children. young people, parents and wider Community in Northern Ireland and border counties i.e. Monaghan & Donegal. Specific projects Lnay address particular counctl areas such as the Mid Ulster district and those aforementioned in the application. No private benefit is obtatned by the Trustees as a Tesult of the purposes. The trustees confirni that they have takeT] co<ynisance of the Cliarity Commission for Northern Ji'eland's IFuid2nce on public benefit as defmed the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
The Speedwell Trust Limited Trustees, Report Activities 2nd Projects Report During the reporting period we worked with almost 5500 children throuoh the deliveiy of 141 programmes itl Parkanaur and in schools. Shared Educ2tiotL The majority of our shared education work this ye2r was delivered through facilitation of protyrammes with local scboo15. A totsl of170/0 of our entire programme delivery, for the year. was in relation to Shared Education. The i"eason for the reduction from the previous year wds due to cuts in School sh'ed Educatiotl Budgets. A tELird of our Shared Education workshops were nded through the Department of Foreign Affairs Rcconciliation Fund,. This involved working with pairs of schools who came together on the Speedwell site at Parkanaur and in their own schools. to work through a range of progrdmmes desIed to support greatei. community cohesion, relationship building and understanding. Woodland Wellbein¢ Funding from the Wesleyan Foundation enabled us to offer ihe Woodland Wellbeing progl'ammc to 20 Schools delivering to approximately 600 local children. A total of 13 % of all progratnmes delivei-ed in the reporting period were for Woodland WellbeinLY. The focus of this progratnme is to utilise the benefits of nature and being outdoors to support better physical and menthl health 2nd wellbeing for Children. The response to thÈs proJts amme h&s been phenomenal. The Woodland Wellbeing programme has been beneficial on so many levels. It allowed young children to spend time outdoors to connect with nare. to lea about the bencfits of nature OD their physical and mental health and wellbeing to spend time connecting with and playing with their peer groups where they were able to new skdls, develop a bettei undcrstanding of the world around them and most importantly to feel safe and have fun again. Seasonal Pro(vr2mmes In the Slimmer wt welcomed 160 ehildren to the Summer Scheme. In total we held 4 weeks of Summ Scheme. This protsramme had a strong eco 2nd wellbein(r theme. Et was packed full of inimersive actLVlties and outdoor adventures. Frotn nattlre walks to pond dipping, our engL¥lg program encouraged children to discover the wonders of the natural world. TOUgh interactive workshops and games, children leornt about water. wildlife conservation. minibeasts and sustainable living. The overarching aitn of the summer scheme was to provide a supportive ]d inclusive environjnent where children could mak-e new friends and create lasting summer n]emories. We also offered Halloween and Wintcr Wonderland prograttLmes in the reporting period. National Lottery Platinum Jubilee Fund - N'aturt Nurture During the reporting period and in collaboration with Castlecauified HortIcuitur Society and AJ Education we delivered the second year of the Nattire Nurture project funded through the National Lottery Platinum Jubilee FurLd to 165 ¢hildTen. The project focused on bringing children together to help develop their understanding. skills. and pLssion for nature and cultivaiing alld growing plants, alld learning how this can add value to their owrl quality of lives, whilst also contributing to a better environment. Page 3
The Speediyell Trust Limited Trnstees, Report An additional aim of the project iv&s to develop a eommunity "Jubilee Garden" at the SpeedweEI Trust premises, and to train 6-10 volunteers in hortiGvlture skills, with the aim of having & long-term group of people willing to support tELe onooino development and maintenance of the .wden and to educate otheT5 in the comniunity and potentially as future tnembeTS of the Horticultural Society. The Jubilee Garden is now complete alld what was once an uDused space has been transfonned into a garden that is a fun. attractive space which can be enjoyed by children (of all abilities) and their families. It is now a oarden that tells its owi story - plants have been gpecially selected to 2ttr&ct a rich rarL<re of pollinators, 2 bird feed?ng station has been erected close to our btrd ELide where children can observe and identify tlle visiting species. Our pond has been made safer and abounds with new w&ter platlts that have created a Kn&5sive incre&se in the biodiversity living in and around the pond. The t'enovation of the garden was undertaken by Aiyn Jones of AJ Education who had a ILiStoiy, expeitise and in-depth knowledge of developing bio-diverse and accessible gardens. We recruited g volunteers (parents and children) who supported Atyn with the garden Iran5formation. Throughout the joumey the volnteerS have been able to work with and leam from Alyn to develop their gardening and knorticulture skills. Alyn and his colleague Andy (a fellow enwronmental educator) supported. coached and dekeloped the tsardenintt volunteers ensuring tliat they are now able to caTe for and maintain the aardens while (sre&tlJ developinq tl)eir gardenintr knowledge. A rich foundation h&$ beetL left foT our volurLteers to develop their sk-ills in the maintsnance of the garden. The feedbaek from the children and theii" families IS been ovenvFLelmingly positive. Child Feedback: Before the project 250/0 of the children thought they bad a rrood knowledge of Nature and the Envirotunent. This had risen to 75010 Post project. At the beginnino if Lhe project the children were asked if they undet5tood the itnportance of protectin(r our ecosystems. Pre project 43Q/o of the children understood the importance of protectin(y our ecosystems. This had iisen to 82 % post project. They were also asked 'how much did they know about planting and growing,. The results were 410/0 said they knew lots about planting and growing pre-project. Post Project this fitsure had risen tt) 90010. 85 % of children said that they would deflllitely recottllnend this project to other chsldren. Parental feedb2ek: 'I was honestly blown away by this prooramme and would highly recomrnend it. My kids loved it and it's exactly the kind of tbincr we necd more of for our kids :}' 'Aoibhe had a fant&stic time at Parkanaur with the Speedwell teaml She learned lots aknut animals and their liot5 in the forest and lots of practical activities with planting and growing. A very generou5 bundle of gardenkng tools were provided and will be put to good use at home. She Is very excited to get out into the garden. '.} Couldn't recommend it enough!. 'My ktds really enjoyed this workshop. The). learnt a lot of practical knowledge about llature and glowing vegetables and can't wait co usc their gardcning tools and growing pack at home with mum and dad! It's also great to get them outdoors, tna](ing new fiiends away from TV and video gatnes! Thank you, Speedwell Te for all the hard work! -)' Northern Irel2nd Environment Agenty- Water Quality Improvemeut Fund The Speedwell TrusL in partnership with thc Nortbern Ireland Enwontnent Agency (NtEA) through the Water Qulty Improvement Fund. successfull} implemented and delivered the River Torrent Project. This initiative. designed to enhance environmental aw'areness and comtnunity engLoemenL brouJo It tooether local schools, commwiity 0Up5, and volunteers xn an effort to improve the health alld vitslity of the River Torrent and its suri'ounding ecosystem. Page 4
The Speedwell Trust Limited Trustees, Report During the reporting peri(Kl The Speedwell Tn designeQ developed and delivered 40 education days (approximately 304/0 of our PiDgrammes delivered during the reporting period) to 10 locat schools in close proxiEnity to the RiN'er Torrent. Children, teachers and staff tlK)k part in w'otkshops aimed at emphasi7.ing the significance of rnaintaÉning and enhancino water quality. alongside practical actions they can undeitake to support conservation efforts. Additionally, education days were held at the Speedwell Centre in Parkanaur Forest Park where participants delved into topics such as survey works, invasive species idencifieation. water quality monitoring techniques, pollution control measures, and indicator species trainirlg. The River Torrent Project has been instrumental in fostering a sense of environEnents] responsibility and Conllnuntty involvement. By engaging local sch(M)Is. community groups, and volunteers, we have not only raised awareness about the importance of Preserving our natural resources but have also taken tatigible steps towards tmproving the health of the River T0ent and its ecosystem. Page 5
The Speedwell Trllst Limited Trustees, Report Nature Rangers- D'oyley Carte, Sollter Trust and 29th Mgy 1961 Cbaritsble Trust Having secured funding from a number of sources. we were able to offer the Nature Rangers piograttllne to local children, via their schools for free. A total of 16Q/o of all proorammes delivered in the reporting per(od were for Nature Rangets. We know frotn experience and listening to young clLildren that "climate anxiety" is 8 concern for them. They descTibe feeliDo powcrless to know what to do, to positively impact the environment. The focus of this programme is to equip children with the skills, knowled(*e and experience to delivei positive tnp&ct on the environment at school which they can then replicate at home and in their community. As Natui'e Rangers, these children cau feel empowered to act and to share their leatning in and out of school and be the futhre cbatnpions arLd custodians of the environment. The response to thL5 progratnme been phenomenal and has benefitted from funding from the D'oyley Carte Trust. Souter Tnt and the 29th May 1961 CbarÈtable Trust. Linking to our priority areas of the "self-envir0nent" and the "external environment" the Nature Rangers project aims to help ehildren develop sLills and experiences which will support thetn throuJtr ]out their live5, but a150 contribute to positive climate action. Thxnk you We are immensely gratefi to" all our funders, partners. participating schoo15, parents and childrcn atld volunteers. We are also grateful to the staff who worked diligently to deliver our projects and services. Fundels in tELiS period illclude= . NationaI Lottery Cornmunity Futld - Platinum Jubilee Fund • National Lottery Community Fund ~ LivinE Spaces and Places . Dept for Communities - Start HeTe nd . Department of Foreign Affairs . Northcm Ireland Environment Atrency - Water Quality Improvement Fund . Dormant Account5 . TELe 29Èh May 1961 Charitable Trust . TELe D'oyley Carte Trust . The Souter Trust . The Wesleyan Foundation Dllrinu the year we appointed". Maiyam Adam - Pi'ogrammes Assislant (joined Ortober 202J) Eoin TTe&nor- Income Generntion Manager & CollununicationslEtLgagement Lead (J'oined October 2023) They joined existing staff: Stephen Crabbe - Trust Manager Jodie Jackson - Programmes Coordinator Durinu the year we bade farewell to: Fiona B Town - Cbicf Executive {left June 20?3) Padraig Quinn - Pro8Mme$ Assistant (left August 202J) Page 6
The Speedwell Trust Limited Trustees, Report Structure? governance and management PoliLy on rgserves The charity's policy is to retain a level of unrestricted reserves, which matches the needs of theTrust both at the current time and in the foreseeable futurG and which is sufficient to cover any shortfalls in funding. At 31 March 24 the charity's uniestricted funds weie £60.193, which weie all de5ionated nds. There are no free reserves at 31 March 2024. Finaneial instruments Objgdivgs llndpolicies The charity's activities expose it to a number of financial risks incliiding credit risk, cash flow risk and liquidity risk. The use of financlal derivatives is ooverned by the charity's policies approved by the board of trustees. wILich provide written principles on the use of finaJ)cial derivatives to manage these risks. The charity does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative Purposes. Co&hflow risk The ¢harsty's activities expose it pritnarily to the fjnancial risks of Ghanges foreÈgn currency exchange rates and tnterest rates. The charity uses foreign exchantre forward contrncts and interest rate swap contracts to hedge these exposui'es. JJ)tei'est bearing assets and liabilkties are held at fixed rate to ensure ccrtainty of cash flows. Credit risk The charkty's principal financial assets are bank balances and casb, tradc arLd other rcceivables, and investments. The charity's credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in tbe balance sheet are rlet of allowances for doubtful receivables. An allowance foi. impairment is made where there is an identified loss event whicfy based on previous experlence, is evidence of a reduction in the recoverability of the cash flows. The credit risk on liquid funds and derivatlve fmanciaj instnjments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings &%signed by international ¢redit-rating agencies. The chlty has no significant concentration ot" credit risk. with exposure spread over a large number of countery)arties and customers. Liquidity risk In order to maintatn liquidÈty to ensure that sufficient fjJnds are available for ollgoing operations and future developments. the charity uses a mixtur¢ of long-terni and short-terni debt fillance. Further detai15 reoardjnu liquidity risk can be found in the StaLement of accountin<F policie5 in the financial statements. 281612 The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .... d signed on its behalf by.. Laura Swaile (Chairperson) Trustee Page 7
Tbe SpeedMTell Trust Limited Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The trustces (who at'e also the directors of The Speedwell Trust Limited for the purposes of company law) are i"esponsible for prepating the trustees, report and the fLDancial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Stand8Jds (United Kingdom Generally Accepied Accounting Prnctice) and applicable law and reaulations. Company law requires the knstee5 to piepare fu)ancial statements for each financial year. Utlder company law the knistees must not appiVe the finatLcial statetnents unless they are satisfied that they give a ts'ue fair view of the state of affairs of the eharitable company and of its incoming resotLrces and application of resollrces, including its income and expendAture, for that period. In preparing these finat]cial Statements, the trustees are required to.. select suitsble accountino pol?cies and apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP- make jud. oements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent" state whetlier applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followe(L subject to any material deparr¢S disclosed and explained in the financial statements" and prepare the financial statements on the going concern b&sis unless it is inappropriate to presume tbat the charitable company will colltinue in business. The tntteS are responsible for keepkng adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable cornpany's transactions and disclose wÈth re&sonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that thc financial statements comply with tkne Companics Act 2006. They aTe also responsible for safeouardints the assets of the chtiritable comparLy and hence for taking reasonable Steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other itTegularities. 21q¥ Approved by the trustees of the charity on . and signed on its behalf by: Laura Swaile (Chairperson) TTUStee