BRECHIN BUCCANEERS SC045079 Trustees Annual Report recfiin @uccan£ef5 st l January 2024 to 31 December 2024
Brechin Buccaneers Scottish Charity Number SC045079 Registered Office The Crlckety Caldhame Place Brechin DD9 7EB Its all about You and the local COIVIMUNITY nin ket hln Bu OrTh
TRU TEES 2024 TRUSTEES OF BRECHIN BUCCANEERS No further Trustee were added during the course of 2024
ectives and activities Brechin Buccaneers SC045079 were set up to provide for the advancement of the public participation in sport as well as the provision of recational facilities or the organization of recreational facilities with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are intended. As such the charity works in the sporting field to organize and provide coaching and training sessions for all persons and groups interested in participating in the sports of Cricket and Table Tennis. The charity furthermore provides and empowers other groups with similar aims and objectives in the area. Developing on from the initial work undertaken during 2018, the charity continues to expand upon its role within the east end of the city as a major provider of services for the aa. Further to this Brechin Buccaneers also undertake a great deal of work with a number of partner organizations to enable improvements in the local environment, community events, education and health amongst others. Recent evidence has highlighted the key correlation between the social determinants of health, acute life experiences and the community's prospects. We through our sporting and charitable aims, continue the aim to bring positive changes to our community across economic, employment, educational, social and health fields.
TRUCT RE VERAN E AND MANA EMENT Brechin Buccaneers are a Scottish Charltable Organisation (SCIO) which was first formed in its current legal structure on the 27th of August 2014. The SCIO continues the promotion of sport, recreational activities and their associated activities as well as addressing the social determinants of health in the area. Brechin Buccaneers have a single tier structure and as such the trustees are members of the charitable organization. Trustees are elected at Annual General Meeting, which is normally held in late March or early April. There must be a minimum of 3 trustees and a maximum of 7 trustees in operation for the charity. The management committee meets monthly (normally at the start of each month) and consists of all trustees and a smaller number of executive members who possess skills pertinent to the development of the SCIO. Membership of the management group is open to all members of the scIo Trustees will be eligible for re-election at the following Annual General, or Extraordinary General meeting
HIEVEMENT AND PERF RMANCE The charity entered 2024 on a more subdued note than in any of the past years. During the year record numbers came through our doors, the work of the charity had continued at great rates, new projects began and made positive differences to many, yet still the specter of the work during and in the aftermath Storm Babet and its effect upon the cityi still loomed large. The work undertaken during the previous few years enabled the SCIO to maintain a firm base within the community even under an ever- increasing workload. We continued to develop and operate a continually growing number of projects and programs during the year with numbers through the door continuing to increase year upon year. The continuation of our user led approach has enabled the charity to acce5S greater levels of funding, secure improved results and be able to meet the ever-changing needs of the community head on. In alignment with large numbers of the population, the charity once again faced substantial rising costs during the year, an area which posed a significant challenge when dealing with longer term funding cycles. As in 2023, the charity along with a great deal of our community continued to face the greatest challenge, not of its own making. This challenge would not only be to those directly impacted by the results of flooding and Storm Babet, but also to service provision elsewhere, employment, as well as the ability to support an ever-growing list of needs, In addition to its own projects and work, during the year Brechin Buccaneers / The Crickety regularly worked with 78 other organization's and witnessed 44,464 visitors through its door. This work provided just over £7.0 I millions of benefits, projects and services being delivered to the local community. Special thanks need to go to all our staff members and volunteers who were highly successful in improving and increasing the work of the charity during this period and with it the lives of many
members of our community. Once again this is especially remarkable given the onslaught of work undertaken, economic impact and emotionally draining situations that arose throughout the year on an almost daily basis. The trust built within the community in the organization; its work and staff enabled the charity to maintain great communication levels which were at the heart of all its work. This ability to ascertain and react to the needs and wishes of the community we feel is key to being a worthwhile community organization. With horrific situations all around on a weekly basis it was often remarked that we almost stood alone in standing up for the city and helping deliver a way forward in the most testing of times. Once again, we are extremely grateful to all our staff, volunteers and funders for enabling us to make such a positive difference During the course of the year this has ensured that we could always be available for our community by listening to and acting upon their needs and requirements. With growing numbers becoming aware of our work as well as a large upturn in the numbers requiring assistance, this constantly evolving process and creativity has been key to our pledge to support our community at all times. The charity's work as previously highlighted, continued at great pace during the year and has enabled further charitable expansions and developments to occur with a continuation of our new service delivery model becoming increasingly prevalent. Following on from the previous 12 months, the decision to invest resources into working to improve youth employability in the area, has continued and further enabled the charity to continue both its support of local youth employment, but additionally enabling a greater level and quality of service delivery to occur. During the year the charity created a further 5 salaried posts of between 6 and 12 months in length for local young people. Four of those previously employed by the charity continued to be employed by the charity on a longer-term basis, with a
further three going on to secure emp5oyment elsewhere. This area is one in which the charity ceiVed great acclaim during the course of the year and one of which we are proud to be making a positive difference to. The decision concerning youth unemployment has been highly beneficial not only for the individuals concerned, through raising their expectations, employability and confidence, but also the charity as we have unearthed a number of very hard working talented young people who have enabled us to develop further areas of work during the course of the year. Plans are now in place to expand this work and look to employ our first ever modem apprentice commencing in April 2025. Throughout the year we have continued to move at pace to seek out new partners, moving forward in enabling the organisation to deliver a wide range of new services, work with new groups, improve upon existing provision as well as maximizing our standing and reputation in the local and wider area. This we feel has had great success in kickstarting improvements not only to our own services but in providing a model of work for others to follow. Examples of which can now be viewed throughout the area. Once again and in addition to our previous investment5 in the area and community, the trustees during the course of the year released reserves into facility improvements. It was felt that an opportunity remained untapped to develop not only the organisation itself but also the surrounding area and community by working to develop an integrated approach to all arms of the SCIO'S work. Nevertheless, an opportunity to develop, improve and integrate facilities and work presented itself during the summer and after a great deal of cost risk analysis, the decision was made to invest in improvements to the park space and additional facilities. The positive difference throughout the area has been an ongoing process during the year, and one which ground staff take great delight in hearing from users and passersby. The continued development and improvements to our facilities we believe have been hugely influential
in attracting new groups and work to the area, and the optimism and belief in our services during the year has proven to be instrumental in enforcing a can-do attitude whilst highlighting what is possible for the local community. Di To this aim, the trustees once again made a conscious decision to support local groups where and whenever possible and have accordingly priced the booking of the various facilities in such fashion. This we feel has been a major attraction of the building and ground and must be recognized as a key factor to the improvements made in the area across a number of fields. This ability does not significantly detract from our overall income levels and enables the charity to remain a key driver in bringing new services to the city. By enabling local groups to operate and improve their service levels, to come to the city and deliver local solutions to local issues locally, and by assisting with the formation of new groups, we have consistently improved the local community and the range of services available within the city. At present the SCIO works closely with a wide range of other groups, organisation and charities across several agreed projects in this area.
With significant cuts to a large number of services elsewhere plans to ascertain need and potential for service delivery was always at the forefront during 2024 and led to a number of initial discussions regarding the way forward. Some of the numbers and services delivered during the year included: Scotland's National Mural Mosaic One of the highlights of the year was securing the hosting of Scotland's Mural. In early 2024 we applied for this project which consists of around 2000 tiles painted from participants worldwide and included 50 images painted by the local community. The finished is one which has been erected to great acclaim and see visitors from around the globe make their way to Brechin to view
THAINK SCOT'LAN , Education Bank: a consultation was undertaken during the later part of the year with regard to supporting low standards of education and attendance levels in the city. These found that many low-income working parents suffered exponentially as compared to more affluent or
non-working counterparts. As a result, plans were put in place to fund an education bank commencing early in 2025. AYE Care During the course of the year, we continued to operate our project to ensure those with eye strain issues could be given colored overlays for glasses free of charge Aye care Fruit and Veg This regular project continues to provide fresh fruit and vegetables at a lower price for the community. 10
Holiday programs Due to feedback on the previous year's activities, we declded to take events in local parks and simply allow children and parents to turn up and play rather than having to book. This meant that we could encourage greater on the spot participation and friends to bring others along, all of which proved highly successful PAT testing During the course of the year, we witnessed a large number of residents purchasing items from areas which do not have the same safety standards as the United Kingdom. Our testing project enabled people to have their items tested and replaced if necessary Brechin Brunch Despite the success of our social dining. Project over the last 4 years we felt that we needed to reach new audiences and greater time to encourage conversations. We this in mind we introduced our Brechin Brunch project offering full cooked breakfasts for only £2.50. This has to date become a popular change with at times over 170 breakfasts being serviced in its 3 hour run. 11
Brechin Reduce Energy The end of the year saw us launch our reduce energy projert to make little changes that will adds to massive saving for the local community 47.6 -31.4 Colour Run Our 2024 color run proved to be the largest yet with over 250 people taking part and many travelling distances to take part 12
Sim Cards During the course of the year, we worked wlth local educational establishments and other groups to reduce l.T barriers and ensure that people had access to connettivity Winter lood and fuel vouchers During the year , in the run up to the Christmas period we once again looked to support those working on low incomes with assistance via food hampers and fuel vouchers. This in total supported over 200 people at key times Share Shop 13
Our Share shop idea was one which we looked at for a small period of time and forgot. However, this was reignited after a number of discussions and knowledge that many of those flooded had lost everything. The rationale was simple, a low-cost hire scheme for everyday items we only use a small number of times but take up space and cost money that could be saved. Thanks to initial funding the project has grown to have quite a large membership and usage, with all funds going back into servicing, replacing and buying new items. GROW24 This employability program worked with local young people to improve their confidence and Skills. One of the highlights was our work with Brechin Medical Centre to improve their garden space for staff and patients alike. 14
Christmas As it seems to be the normal, our Christmas events become one of the most popular. This year as well as hosting visits, our toy appeal with Lidl an¢J providing harnpers for local low-income working families, we ran a catch all project to ensure we could lift the spirits of the entire cornmunity by dressing up and delivering hats and parcels to random people on the street. 15
The last quarter of 2023 came as a prelude to a great deal of the work the charity undertook during 2024. Our initial response to Storm Babet on support and the hosting of many services continued in every week of 2024 with fundraising, in person support both mentally and physically, and the dispersal of funds raised during our fundraising process. The recovery hub work continued to pose new challenges only on an almost daily basis and continued to do so as the needs and requirements of the hundreds affected came to light. The charity and its representatives also became the go to organisation for a multitude of media enquiries, event hosting. and became and continues to be the voice for the people. Again, thanks has to go out to our staff during these difficult times and the means by which they dealt with the overwhelming work and challenges they faced emotionally, physically and mentally. Whilst raising funds for efforts also continued during 2024, the administration of our Brechin Flood relief program contributed a great deal to the workload during the entire year. With our face to face work being at the forefront of relief efforts, our staff became the go to for many local affected, as well as local and national government . members, media organizations and university staff. The charity was also delighted to work closely with Brechin Rotary Club and administer a projett to provide a bed linen pack(s), kitchen packs, decorating vouchers and up to £100 of new small electrical goods to every flooded household. To date we have estimated the value of services, funds, staff time, spaces, food, and contributions over the last 15 months to be approximately £425,000 We remain aware of the world continuing to go round during this period and the need for our normal day to day work to continue. The issues we faced prior to the flooding remain and have increased in intensity and 16
work going towards these issues have been neglected. The charity has plans in place to work with those suffering from the floods for the considerable future, however this cannot be at the expense of others. As the year ended, we are still in the throes of flood relief, and much work is still on the tale for the upcoming months. We were extremely grateful for the support of one of our funders and their funding. This funding enables us to have the security of tenure that allows us to seek new funding sources and deliver on the needs of our community. Occurrences such as the flooding and its terrible aftereffects are a prime example of how this funding enables the ability to recover. We are also in the process of rolling out a couple of new projects in early 2025, which we foresee as being of great benefit to the local community. A food related bank of sort alongside dedicated support services Archery - our new archery section will be able to offer a mixture of events, supported sessions, and ice breaking activities amongst others. Podcast - it has come to light that a great deal of changes have fell upon our city in living memory and our new project will look to provide fortnightly/ monthly interviews with local members of the community to share everyday life and the changes they have seen. This is due to Start in the summer of 2025 17
CRICKET / TABLE TENNIS Guthrle Park Table Tennis Club Guthrie Park Table Tennis Club (GPTfc) was established in 2016 with the assistance of Brechin Buccaneers Cricket Club to allow their facilities to be used for training, practice and playing matches. Initially using the pavilion and currently within the main hall at"The Crickety. The club began vyith four senior members and were fortunate to gain the support of the local community to allow them to obtain a new table by way of the participatory budget scheme, Brechin YBYC 2015. Since its inception GPTfc has become a thriving small club working within the framework of Brechin Buccaneers SCIO and currently has a membership of nine senior members and five junior table tennis players. Junior participation involves coaching and involves one session per week whilst sentors enjoy two sessions per week, which also include matches. There is two UKCC level I coach available for club sessions to encourage improvement and development. It 15 currently one of two Angus clubs affiliated to Table Tennis Scotland and Dundee & District Table Tennis Association {DDrrA). The season runs from September to March each year therefore for the purpose of this report shall include the remainder of season 23-24 and the start of season 24-25. Season 23-24 Brechin finished 5th of six teams in the top division (Letham dropped out in Jan 2024) and M'on mor. matches than the 4th placed team a respectable 6 matches. f nished with 540/0 in the averages and played all their fifteen fixtures. This rneant that Brechin would remain In Divlsion I Buccaneers found life tough in Division 2, and it was not helped by the circumstances of Storm Babet in 2023 which reaped havoc on their 18
fixtures in the first half of the season and having to play catch up at the beginning of 2024. Unfortunately, they finished bottom of seven teams and relegated to Division 3. Lower Closed Championships - January 2024 Buccaneers representativi ad a fantastic tournament making three of thp fcu;" Didision 2 Singles, over twenty-five singles and Ballot Doubles. It was not to be his day however as he lost all three. DDA Championships- February 2024 fi",Jm B chin won the Veterans qinnlpÉ tttrlp anA lost iri LIIE ttl¢l(li1? doubles final along with teammatf Season 24-25 The season started in Se- , Brechin in Division I, and Buccaneers in Division 3. loir- ,r kindly sponsors the club. It was also noiewortny tnat one of the original and founding members returneo to play r115 IdDl¥ cerinis with Brechin after his short sabbatical at Letham. Junior Table Tennis The club had five members who started the year. There continues to be a good attendance at coaching sessions. The club also assists with a DDThA after-school club held at Brechin Community Campus on Tuesday evenings for Sl to S6 pupils. After School Club. In December 2024, the main coach from the DDrrA, Arthur Pritchard indicated that he would no longer be able to assist with the project. We would like this opportunity to thank him for al. along th the local cluster Active Schools Coordinator, 19
their respective efforts in ensuring table tennis continues to be played at Brechin High School. Future Development GPc has similar issues as clubs in the area where most players are older however with successful junior attendance the club can recruit younger players to play table tennis in the future and provide long term sustainability for table tennis competition in the area. The after- school club also provides opportunity to provide a pathway for future junior players joining the club. There is room for further growth in recreational play. Table tennis is a gentle impact sport that is good for hand, eye coordination that anyone can play. Cricket The 2024 season was one of mixed fortunes with the continued employment of our new community sports, an increase in the number of games being hosted at Guthrie Park, and the delivery of a record number of sessions. Junior numbers and holidays program participants grew during the year and we are hopeful this can be expanded during the forthcoming year. Work designed to take sport out into various parks in Brechin and surrounding areas proved to be a good success. Outside of our own games, we were extremely proud to be able to play host to a number of high quality matches, from national and regional cricket matches for men / boys, women and girls to the hosting of other teams. This is something we hope to continue in 2025. The 2024 season saw our Guthrie Park ground play host to Crescent Cricket Club and this proved to be a fruitful partnership for both parties with Crescent securing promotion to the region's top division 20
for 2025 We are delighted that this arrangement is to continue for 2025. We were also delighted to see the work put into our outside spaces and playing surface pay dividends during the year as we were asked to host our first ever national cup final during August. Due to the success of this event, we are hopeful of further national events coming to Brechin 21
Despite of the great successes and achievements of the SCIO during 2024, it was with deep sadness that we lost a couple of our favorite sons and daughters during the year. Our best wishes as always go to their families. Like als others we would like to thank those who have contributed so heavily, and continue to sacrifice their own time and health to benefit our community's health and wellbeing during these testing times 22
STATEMENT OF THE CHARITIES POLICY ON RESERVES / FINANCES Whilst the Charity holds no fomial policy on reserves, the trustees do however seek to maintain one year's reserves for major sources of expenditure. This year's accounts despite showing record expenditure, still maintain this figure in reserve. Thanks in the main part to fundraising efforts over the previous 2 years and the payment of a number of funding streams the SCIO is happy to report only a small loss on the year and one which is expected to be covered by payment in arrears from funders over the next 3 months. Again, and as in previous years the SCIO benefitted from many services and in-kind donations which are greatly appreciated as serve as an example of standing in the local community. Wherever possible Brechin Buccaneers to maximize and utilize its resources to benefit the local community. As such we have provided use of ground facilities to Andover Primary School free of charge for all sporting events run by them. 23
FUTURE PLANS As we look to 2025, we expect to have the foresight in place to navigate the future. We expect there to be a number of challenges along the way but also a number of opportunities which we feel we are in a greater position to pursue. Plans are in place to continue new developments, work with existing and new partners and project themes developeo. As we approach our eleventh year as a SCIO, the trustees will once again look back on the road travelled, the lives changed, hopefully for the better, and at the vast positive difference we have made. Date It/bi I Ir
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APPENDIX 3 OSCR Scotlsh Charity ReRulalor Independent examiner's report on the accounts Rèport to tho Charity norn¢ trustoeslmemrs of Éci4 1 CG ÉfLS R•gl¥t•red charlty SC numb•r On the accounts olth• ¢harlty for th• p•rlod OSa7 Penod start date Period 8nd date Kion Yv•r Yoar Sot out on pag TWrnt•1 ty IWuC• ths pA9• Resp•ctfve Th8 charity's trustees ¥e r8$ponsibl8 for the prèparalitm of the accounts in accordance reipon81bllftl05 of truste•s and •xamln•r wrth Ihe 18rms of the Chanties 8nd Trustee Investm8nt Iseotland) 2005 Aet and the Charities Acctyjnts (Scolland) Regulations 2006 {4s 3merKJed) The charity trustoa$ consider that audit requirernenl of Regulation 10111 Idl of th8 Accounts R&gul8tlons does not apply. It Is my responsibdty lo exarnine the attounts 8s f8quiT8d under section 44(1 } (cl of the A¢X and to state whether partrxjlar mattws have come lo my attenfron. Ba$ls ol Independ•nt My examination is c8rri8d out in gccordance wilh RegutIOn 11 ofthe 2006 kcounts examlnor's stat•Thnt Ragulations. An ex8minalDn indLKles a review of the aOnting rècords kept by th8 charty and a eomparison of thg acccntS pre$ted with those rewrd3. It also inchjdgs (x)ngderalion of any unusual it9ms ¢y disdowres .n the acwunts and seek¥ explanations from thg trustee$ concaming any such matters. The procedure¥ undertaken do not pmide all thè evidence ih8t would bg reqUed in an audit and. consequenuy. I do not express an audit op'nion on the leW given by the accounts. Ind•p•nd•nt •x•mln•V In the cour58 of my examinalion. no matter has come to rny attention lothtr than Ihal 8tat•m8nt disdosed on the attachod pap'l whth givès reag)nabl8 C8US8 to telv9 that in any material respect th quir&mènts'. to keep 8c£ounting records in ae£oTdanc8 vAlh soth.on 44(11 {a} of tho 2005 Act and R8gulation 4 of the 21M)6 Accounts RUlat)ng, and to Prepare accounts which accord with the accountiw records and eompty with Regulation 9 of the 2CQ6 Accounts Reoulatijns have not teen met. CT 2. to which, in my cpinion. attentn should be drav•n In dfjr lo enable a prop8r unde l?nAin of th- 2c.-IIA+¢ +n reached. Slgn•f: Name.. Rtslév8nt prol•s$lonal quallflcatlonls) or body {If any).. Addrn85.' 'Pleaae délalo th8 wYJrQ8 In lh• 1¥4clts llthgydo not4ppty. 11 tn• *kwy. s•t(wJtthow mattws whkth hw• cam8 ¢0 YOUT Pttertt on thÈ Ilrmiro ge. ' OSCR wlll •c¢•pt dj1 w typgJ gon•turgs
APPENOIX 3 Disclosure section Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material problems. Glv• hor• brfef d•talls of any Items that the •xamln•r wlsh•s to dlsclo88