kAnnual Report 1st December 2023 to 30th November 2024 ## **Contents** |**Contents**|| |---|---| |Reference and Administrative Information|2| |Chairman of the Trustees’ Report|3| |Management Committee Report|4| |Financial Review and Approval Statement and Signature|6| |Independent Examiner’s Report|7| |Statement of Receipts and Payments|8| |Statement of Balances|9| 1 P ## **Reference and Administrative Information** Charity Name: Christian Outlook On Lochalsh (COOL) Scottish Charity Registration Number: SC031455 ## **Independent Examiner** ## **Bankers** Royal Bank of Scotland 2 Chairman of the Trustee's Report As the Chair of Trustees for COOL it is my duty and privilege to present the 2024 Chairman of the Trustees, report. The Trustees would like to express our thankfulness to God for His faithfulness and for providing the wide number of volunteers, prayer supporters and financial supporters without whom COOL could not function. COOL is a Christian youth-work projed in the West Highlands of Scotland that aims to encourage and support all children and young people, primarily helping to meet emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Our goal is to see young people become successfijl learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors through mentoring, providing safe spaces, giving opportunities and encouragement to explore the Christian faith, discovering more about God and the Bible, and responding to the significance of Jesus Christ. COOL'S work extends over a geographical area of approximately 640 square miles, and we have the privilege of visiting 10 primary schools and Plockton High School on a regular basis. Our main work in schools includes Religious Observance assemblies, drop-in clubs and pastoral support as well as supporting specific projects as required. We also work alongside community youth clubs and church groups to encourage, train, and support local parishes. This includes residential youth weekends, Holiday Bible Clubs in the summer, other residential trips and youth events. COOL works in partnership with SU Scotland through its Associate Worker Scheme and has employed a full-time Youth and Schools Worker for the last 23 years. The worker is supported by the Management Committee, local church leaders and youth leaders. We are very thankful to have the support and encouragement of our Primary Schools and High School, and therefore endeavour to have an excellent standard in all that we do. To achieve this we undertake regular training and development offered by SU Scotland as part of its scheme, and also by other organisations offering training for work with children and young people. This year we were delighted to be able to employ a Church Liaison Worker in a part- time position to support the Youth and Schools worker in his role by liaising with the local churches to encourage unity, volunteering and worship opportunities. We were also delighted to access local funding to allow us to employ a part time Sessional Worker to assist the Youth and Schools Worker with our Friday Youth Club. As we look into the coming year with hope, we continually thank the Lord for His provision and pray that He will lead us to serve Him for His glory. Management Committee Report With talk of lockdown and restrictions now being a distant memory, COOL'S Youth and Schools Worker and those who are supporting the work are noticing a real eagemess with the young people to meet together and spend time with one another under the banner of COOL. The Management Committee give thanks to God once again for the opportunities and the open doors that are presented so often and that the schools and young people are still receptive to the work and the good news that COOL can share with them. as been able to continue from much of the great work in 2023 and sees a continuing in walks for wellbeing, school groups and Friday youth. A core group of young people are taking part in the walks for wellbeing and encouraged to see them recognise this safe place to discuss whatever might be on their minds, often leading to excellent conversations about God and what it is the Bible says. The Management Committee would like to than r her continued support with the in-school lunchtime Bible group. Again, this group is seeing a core collection of young people coming together and talking about God, to whom we give thanksl Friday Youth continues to be a constant in the diary, though has faced challenges this year with many of our regular volunteers having to step back for various reasons. The Management Committee would like to thank or his support during Friday Youth. Many who come in and get glimpses of this afternoon activity have commented a real change in the young people from month to month which is a real encouragement to see them maturing and growing into young adults. COOL has seen its connections with church flourish this year, with thanks to our Church Liaison Worke as been able to make contact with all the churches in the local area and has been encouraged at positives responses in return. Holiday Clubs and Day Events have been yet another focus this year with the summer seeing 3 holiday clubs at Inverinate, Kyleakin and Lochcarron and a Youth Activities Week at Glenelg. The Restoration Station was another trip through the Bible looking at the stories of Jesus and his friends and what they mean to us, culminating in the ultimate gift we are given – salvation from Jesus’ death on the cross. The Management Committee would like to thank all of those involved in the holiday clubs. Without willing volunteers we would miss out on the opportunity to share the gospel with so many children. Following on from this there have been two Holiday Club Xtra days held in Kyleakin in November and December which have been very well attended from all around the area. Back to school with God was another success this yearled the meeting in Kyleakin hall which was well attended showing representation from a variety of churches in the local area as well as staff from the local schools. The Management Committee would once again like to extend a huge thanks to its supporters and volunteers. We thank God for His provisions and pray that they may continue in to the years ahead. 5 Financial Review This financial review covers the period 1st December 2023 to 30th November 2024. The principal source of COOL'S income remains regular pledged donations from local supporters, both individuals and church organisations Contributions from our local church partners have been consistent. Expenditure during the year has increased, but overall, we experienced a net decrease of funds amounting to £6596. Once again, we are grateful for God's provision to us through the financial giving and prayerful support of His people during this past year and additionally for the practical assistance provided by supporters which enabled the background work of COOL to be maintained. ReseNes Policy It is our policy to hold reserves of approximately six month's expenditure including designated funds. At the end of the year COOL held unrestricted cash funds of £47453. Our current reserves will definitely be sufficient to cover anticipated expenditure for the coming year. Approval Statement and Signature Approved by the trustees on 21st January 2025 and signed on their behalf by: **C** HRISTIAN **O** UTLOOK **O** N **L** OCHALSH ( _Scottish Charity No: SCO31455)_ ## **Independent Examiner’s Report** I report on the accounts of the charity for the financial year ended 30 November 2024 as set out on pages 8 – 9. ## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner** The charity trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 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 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 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 seeking 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: - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44 (1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations have not been met. 2. or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. _Signed_ Date: 29th January 2025 7 CHRisfLAN O￿LCOK ON LOCHALSH scott￿ tharty Ab." SC031455 Statement of Receipts and Payments - For Period l December 2023 to 30 November 2024 unrestrirt￿ Re5trirtwl Totsl FuNlsl£) Funds(£) Funds{£) Y8arf£) Receipts Individual Pl8Jged Donations Other Personal Donatiors Pl￿ed Church Donation5 Other Church Donatior Gift from HMRC Open Door Cafe Easy fijndraising & Amazon Smi Other Receipts Other Receipts (HighlarKI Cares) Bank Intsrest 18437 5556 5544 18437 5556 5544 18379 5687 5646 ioi 4613 5405 188 1521 9510 210 4564 6205 228 5263 4564 6205 228 5263 437 437 Total Receipts 46234 46234 51260 Payments Worker Employmert Costs Youth w0￿er Travel Youth Worker Expenses Administration & Publicty Other Costs SU knc£. Worker Scheme Insuran stsff developmert Special Events Other ActiVits￿lequiPMent Other Activiti&Highland Cares 39928 1142 1019 2323 39328 1142 1019 2323 31521 2901 6460 2356 2004 615 75 1166 677 677 2367 947 2023 2367 947 2023 3365 Payments Subtotal Capital Expenditure 52830 52830 50463 Total Payments 52830 52830 50463 Net receiptslpayments (-} Transfers tolfrom Funds -6596 -6596 797 SurpluslDeficit (-) for year -6596 -6596 797 **C** HRISTIAN **O** UTLOOK **O** N **L** OCHALSH Scottish Charity No: SCO31455 ## **Statement of Balances – As at 30 November 2024** ||**Unrestricted**|
**Restricted**|
**Total**|**Last**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||**Funds(£)**|**Funds(£)**|
**Funds(£)**|**Year(£)**| |**Funds Reconciliation**||||| |Bank Balances at start of year|54049||54049|53252| |Surplus/Deficit (-) as Receipts & payments a/c|-6596||-6596|797| ||-------------------------------------------------------------|||| |**Bank Balances at end of year**|**47453**||**47453**|**54049**| ||-------------------------------------------------------------|||| |**Other Assets**||**Purchase**
|**Current Value at Last**|| |||**Cost (£)**
|**Value(£) Year end (£)**|| |Laptop||679|1|1| |Projector||366|1|1| |External Hard drive||115|1|1| |Brother Mono laser printer||40|1|1| |Popcorn Maker||250|1|1| Approved by the trustees on 21st January 2025 and signed on their behalf by: 9