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2025-03-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE

ANNUAL REPORT AND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Scottish Charity Number: SC027607

Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

ANNUAL REPORT AND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS ANNUAL REPORT AND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
CONTENTS PAGE
Legal and administrative information 1
Trustee’s Report 2 - 8
Report by the Independent Examiner 9
Receipts and Payments Account 10
Statement of Balances 11
Notes to the Accounts 12 - 13

Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Charity Name: Achievement Bute Registered Office: 4 Shore Road Port Bannatyne PA20 0LQ

Charity Registration Number: SC027607

Board of Trustees:

Director: Administrator: Independent Examiner: Wbg Services LLP 168 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4TP Bankers: The Bank of Scotland 36/42 Montague Street Rothesay PA20 0BT Contact Information: www.achievementbute.org.uk Facebook: AchievementBute Twitter & Instagram: @AchievementBute

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The legal and administrative information on page one forms part of this report.

A Word from the Chair

Well, what a year it’s been once again! At Achievement Bute we never stand still - and 2024/25 was no exception.

This last year has been about settling into our base at The Discovery Centre, which has truly become a hub of creativity, fun and connection for our young people and families. The energy brought into the space from our ever-growing range of activities has been amazing to see - from arts and crafts to drama, music, outdoor adventures in the forest and on the beach, and of course, the ever-popular Dens weeks. I don’t think I can talk about our activities without mentioning the PANTO! We once again worked in partnership with Bute Theatre Company, under the directorship of our previous Director, , with all our shows selling out.

We have continued to make the most of our beautiful island setting, getting outside whenever possible and making sure our activities are inclusive and accessible so that everyone can enjoy where we live.

A huge shoutout must go to our fantastic staff and volunteers who’ve brought their enthusiasm, warmth and ideas to everything we do. This year saw some big changes to our team, with our Director moving on, and stalwart board member stepping down to enjoy her well-earned retirement. We thank them both for everything they’ve given to Achievement Bute over the years.

In their place we are thrilled to welcome into the role of Director, and as our new Care Manager. Both have already made a fantastic impact and I’m excited to see where this dynamo duo will take us!

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

A Word from the Chair (continued)

As always, we’re incredibly grateful to our founders, supporters, and everyone in the wider community who continue to champion what we do. Your support helps us to keep our programmes vibrant, inclusive and available to all.

Here’s to another year of growth, fun, and making memories.

, Chair of Achievement Bute Board of Trustees

Objectives and Activities

Achievement Bute is a small, families-led SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) which was originally set up in 1998 by parents and family members of children with disabilities living on the Isle of Bute. Parents wanted to ensure that their children could be supported to live ordinary, fulfilling lives in the local community.

Achievement Bute’s purpose is to provide a range of services including social, recreational and educational activities, counselling and support, care, advocacy and advice to support the evolving needs of children & young people with disabilities and their families who live on the Isle of Bute.

We currently provide a Support Service (Care at Home), registered with the Care Inspectorate; a Confidential Counselling Service; a programme of inclusive children’s clubs and events; and a volunteering programme which specifically includes supported volunteering. We regularly work in partnership with other organisations to bring high quality arts, cultural and educational activities to the island which would otherwise not be available to children on Bute.

During 2024/25 18 children received support from our Care Service, 9 from our Counselling Services (including 4 supported children); 131 children signed up for our clubs and activities and 5 young people took part in our Young Volunteer Programme.

Structure, Governance and Management

As a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) Achievement Bute is governed by a constitution and was registered in its current legal form on 9[th] October 2015.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE

Structure, Governance and Management (continued)

This year the Trustees reviewed the governing document and agreed that there was no need for significant changes.

Appointment of Trustees

The Board of Trustees normally meets 6 times a year and has overall responsibility for management and funding of the organisation. Membership of the board is open to any person who, in the view of the trustees, demonstrates a genuine commitment to further the purposes of Achievement Bute. We have had some change in the membership of the board this year. We are glad to welcome and to the board, their personal and professional experience will be an asset. We will miss the expertise and commitment of Maureen who has indicated an intention to leave the board after many years of service.

Management and Staffing

This year began with a significant lack of Support Staff which impacted on our service however a good cohort of Support Workers and Activity and Volunteers coordinator were recruited in time for the summer. The resignation of our Care Manager in September and then of her replacement in January presented significant challenges especially as also gave notice at the end of 2024. Ian Crawford was recruited to the post of director in March and so was able to shadow for 6 weeks. It was not easy finding a new Care Manager and r had to cover the role for the last 2 months however we are very glad that will be returning to Achievement Bute to take up that crucial role early next year.

Achievements and Performance

Care and Support

Achievement Bute’s Support Service “Care at Home” has faced many challenges in recent years and the service has proven to be resilient, and we have continued to provide much needed care for children with disabilities and their families on a regular basis.

The local Health and Social Care Partnership continues to provide funding and we receive regular referrals from local social workers, education and NHS professionals. The Care Service has not been inspected since 2019 and we have been informed by the Care Inspectorate that we will have an inspection next year.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE

Events & Activities

Story Quest

In partnership with and the Story Wagon we held a 3 day story-telling workshop. We heard and joined in the telling of traditional tales in the atmospheric caravan and created, illustrated and arranged sound effects for our own stories over the following days and performed them for carers and parents.

Bushcraft Survival

Continuing our collaboration with Bute Community Forest and Woodland Ranger while learning some lessons from Forest Explorers last year Bushcraft Survival was composed of sessions each focused on a different bushcraft theme, namely Water, Fire and Shelter. Each theme was repeated later in the same week providing a total of 6 sessions and allowing us to learn from the experience and to keep smaller group sizes. Activities ranged from making water filters, lighting fires and learning useful knots. The groups of not more than 10 children per session worked well and knowledge of the children and the topic was invaluable.

Music Workshops

We held a series of 3 Music workshops each with both a morning session for younger children and afternoon session for older children. While the themes were good (sea shanties, carnival and the sounds of the sea) the sessions struggled from insufficient organisation and from low attendance at the afternoon sessions. While the basic ideas and structure is sound getting the right balance of performance and participation will be important in future musical/dramatic workshops.

Dens Weeks

The much beloved weeks of outdoor creative freedom and fun in the woods at Mount Stuart were more of a challenge this year with us not having access to the visitor centre or its facilities however around 70 children participated in 10 days of designing, building and beautifying dens in the woods and much fun was had. The walk to the beach was a particular highlight for Wee Dens and the construction challenges organised by Robertsons builders community outreach team was a lot of fun for the Big Dens.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Events & Activities (continued)

Art Week (Crafty Creators & Arts and Scraps)

It was great to have back with Achievement Bute for a creative and crafty week of morning and afternoon Art Clubs for younger and older children focused on making art out of recycled and unusual materials. From making recycled paper, printing reusable tote bags, Batik, and up-cycled plant pots, the sessions were excellent although the plant pots were the source of the fruit flies that have plagued the base since!

Pantomime: A Christmas Carol

From the auditions in September, greenscreen filming in the October break, the ongoing rehearsals and scene, sound and lighting design in November to the performances in December the Community Panto was a lot of work, a lot of fun and a great success. In partnership with Bute Theatre Co, a well-established team of skilled local volunteers and

the freelance film-maker we create an indoor, multi-media community pantomime performed on the stage of the Discovery Centre Cinema. The 4 shows sold out, and audiences had a great time thanks to the hard work of , the talents of the 29 children and young people who took part and the 10 adult members of the cast and crew.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Events & Activities (continued)

In the Stars

In the February break we had a week long exploration of the art, mythology and science of the stars discovering what they tell us, about ourselves and the universe through the art and architecture of the magnificent Mount Stuart House. The children enjoyed the access to the house and gardens as well as creating their own artworks and models.

Term-time Clubs

As well as these Holiday Events throughout the term time on the 2024/5 year we ran a successful programme of after-school and Saturday clubs. These included Lego Club, Catalyst, Growing Artfully, Reel Juice and Let’s Move.

We are grateful to the following organisations and funds that have provided funding and donations to Achievement Bute this year:

Volunteering

We only had a small handful of Young Volunteers this year which was unfortunate. Their support during the summer and in the Panto was most welcome and much fun was had however there was not the critical numbers to run the usual programme of pizza nights and and the reward trip. We hope to relaunch the full programme in the coming year although there has been an challenging lack of response from the school so far.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

ACHIEVEMENT BUTE

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Collaboration and Partnership Working

We have continued to work in partnership with statutory agencies and local groups throughout the year. In 2024-5 these local groups included Friends of Ardencraig Gardens; Bute Theatre Co; Kilchattan Bay Community Orchard; Mount Stuart Trust; Isle of Bute Bid; Historic Environment Scotland/Rothesay Castle and Bute Community Forest.

Financial review

At 31 March 2025 the charity had unrestricted reserves of £116,489 (2023: £112,016) Achievement Bute’s aim is to retain the equivalent of at least 3 months of expenditure in reserve at all times which equates to £33,861 and therefore unrestricted reserves are above target level. We plan to designate some of the above reserves to activities planned for the coming year. The purpose of this Reserves Policy is to ensure that in the event of a substantial and/or unexpected loss of funding, or if for any other reason the organisation had to close, we would give everyone who uses our service at least 4 weeks’ notice of closure.

Evaluation and Future plans

Despite many difficulties during the year, including the loss of key members of staff, we can reflect on a year in which many positive outcomes were achieved for over 150 children, young people and their families on Bute. The existing premises are secure until April 2026 at least and our board of trustees has been strengthened with new members. The organisation is in a healthy position financially and we have a fresh and enthusiastic new management team ready to take Achievement Bute forward into its future in new and exciting ways.

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Date: 27 August 2025

Date: 27 August 2025

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ACHIEVEMENT BUTE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on page 10 to 13.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations

have not been met, or

  1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Wbg Services LLP 168 Bath Street Glasgow G2 4TP

Date: 27 August 2025

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Receipts
Donations
Grants
Gross receipts from
other charitable
activities
Investment income
Total Receipts
Payments
Payments relating
directly to charitable
activities
Governance costs
Total Payments
Net receipts/
(payments) for year		 Unrestricted
£
2,018
384
95,750
233
98,385
92,910
1,002
93,912
4,473		 Restricted
£
-
48,225
-
-
48,225
41,533
-
41,533
6,692		 2025
£
2,018
48,609
95,750
233
146,610
134,443
1,002
135,445
11,165		 2024
£
11,214
46,559
95,450
-
153,223
152,949
954
153,903
(680)

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

STATEMENT OF BALANCES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Cash Funds
Cash and bank
balance at start of
year
Surplus/(Deficit)
shown on receipts
and payments
account
Cash and bank
balance at end of
year
1
Debtors
2
Liabilities
3		 Unrestricted
£
112,016
4,473
116,489		 Restricted
£
11,675
6,692
18,367		 2025
£
123,691
11,165
134,856
7,258
13,735		 2024
£
124,371
(680)
123,691
8,603
4,074

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

Date: 27 August 2025

Date: 27 August 2025

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. Funds

1.Funds
Unrestricted Funds
2025
General Funds
Total Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
Argyll & Bute Council
Bute Family Charitable Trust
Hugh Fraser Foundation
Scottish Children Lottery Fund
Trefoil House
Trusthouse Charitable
Foundation
Young Start 2022-25
Total Restricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Opening
Balance
£
112,016
112,016
229
-
-
-
-
-
11,446
11,675
123,691		 Receipts
£
98,385
98,385
-
8,000
3,000
4,000
2,540
5,000
25,685
48,225
146,610		 Payments
£
(93,912)
(93,912)
(229)
(8,000)
-
(2,431)
(2,540)
(3,362)
(24,971)
(41,533)
135,445		 Closing
Balance
£
116,489
116,489
-
-
3,000
1,569
-
1,638
12,160
18,367
134,856
Restricted Fund To Fund
Argyll & Bute Council
Supporting Communities
Fund		 Heritage Project for children and young people.
Bute Family Charitable
Trust		 Events at Mount Stuart.
Hugh Fraser Foundation Contribution to our term-time and holiday activities.
Scottish Children Lottery
Fund		 Delivery of our Active Kids programme.
Trefoil House Contribution to "Panto" and "In The Stars" programmes, which consisted of
performing arts.
Trusthouse Charitable
Foundation		 Grant to cover part of Activities Coordinator wages.
Young Start 2022-25 Delivery of our 'Play Days' programme.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 8345C03A-4A03-4554-9970-76408B21EC53

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Debtors

2. Debtors
Accrued income
Prepayments
Other debtors
3. Liabilities
Independent Examiner's Fees
Other Creditors		 2025
£
7,124
134
-
7,258
2025
£
1,050
12,685
13,735		 2024
£
7,591
99
913
8,603
2024
£
1,002
3,072
4,074

4. Related party transactions and trustees expenses and remuneration

The trustees all give freely their time and expertise without any form of remuneration or other benefit in cash or kind (2024: £nil).

During the year no other trustee had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity (2024: £nil).

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