The Bridge of Don Brigade Trustees’ Annual Report August 2024 to July 2025
Contact information
Your charity’s name: The Bridge of Don Brigade
Scottish Charity Number: SC050686
Address: 10 Forvie Way, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
Postcode: AB22 8TJ
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Website: www.bridgeofdon.org.uk
Charity Trustees
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Governance
We have a written constitution and are registered with OSCR.
Trustee appointment
became a Trustee, records updated
28[th] July 2024
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Objectives and activities
The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among young people and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-Respect and all that tends towards a true Christian way of life.
We are a uniformed co-ed youth organisation focused on promoting a positive disciplined outdoor life and developing each and every member of our organisation regardless of their ability to achieve all they can and to enjoy their time with us, showing improved communication skills, teamwork, physical fitness, new skills being achieved, self-development and confidence as a young person. Children have the choice to participate in activities and have a voice in the type of activities that are led to ensure maximum engagement. We deliver Duke of Edinburgh awards, and John Muir awards and spend time in the Cairngorms National Park on frequent trips and the outdoors in the Bridge of Don area of Aberdeen. We meet weekly and in addition undertake weekend residential camps, promoting nature conservation and STEM programmes.
We are an entirely self-funded charity, and our outdoor trips require specialise equipment and the use of our own minibus. We work to reduce barriers to participation such as socioeconomic status.
We aim to benefit the youth within our organisation, the youth in our community and all within our local catchment area who see how important the work we do is. Our volunteers receive training and improve their own personal skills when working in an intergenerational environment. With over 95 members aged between 5 - 18 years old we reach hundreds of friends and family, wider community groups, and other Youth Groups and demonstrate how the image of young of young people can be different to what some have. All too often young people are seen to be lazy, trouble making, threats, up to no good and not a key part of the local community. Through working with local groups, churches and Aberdeen Council we actively encourage the young people to talk, take part in organised events going some way to change people’s views to show how young people can add value to their local community. One example is when the young people attend Aboyne Highland Games to act as programme sellers & gate marshal. Here they interact with people from around the local area, tourist from many countries and young people from many different backgrounds. Within our organisation, we support a number of young people who have varying needs and/or challenges. We understand that all children have had different experiences and upbringings, and we ensure that staff give the children the best experience.
28[th] July 2024
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Achievements and performance
Member numbers of young people have increased slightly over the year.
We have only lost 5 members during this period which is extremely healthy for our organisation in a climate with all uniformed organisations seeing a big downturn in membership and a large number closing their doors. New starts have more than covered this reduction.
We currently have a membership of 95 children and young people
We currently have 16 volunteers. Recruitment of volunteers still remains a challenge as seen across the board with other uniformed organisations. New PVG legislation may also cause issues however tis has not been an issue due to the support of Brian Fowler of St Columba’s Church.
28[th] July 2024
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Annual Camp
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At the start of June 2025, 67 members attended a 3-day 2-night residential weekend at Abernethy’s Nethy Bridge outdoor centre. This was provided at no cost to any family.
This annual camp is a huge achievement for The Bridge of Don Brigade. So many positive feedback comments from the children and young people. At least 40 have taken part in activities they would not have attempted if not for the weekend. More than 35 families have said they have seen an improvement in the young people’s reducing their time indoors and on screens. Many families also commented that they would not have been able to afford to send their children and young people if we were not able to provide the camp for free.
28[th] July 2024
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During the period we have held the following activity evenings along with our regular weekly meetings:
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Christmas crafting
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Cinema trip
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Bouncy castle evening
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Play Park visits
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Biscuit decorating
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Pancake making
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Sandwich making
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Basic cooking skills evening
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Take away evening
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Pizza evenings
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Crafting
We have seen a very challenging trend within the older young people’s attendance levels with irregular attendance occurring unless there is a specific event or activity, they wish to take part in. This was clearly visible when 45 young people attended the cinema trip just before Christmas, usual attendance numbers were 30 in the weeks prior.
All volunteers continue to be offered online training in various topics related to the work we do each week. Currently 39% have completed 1 or more modules.
28[th] July 2024
6
Financial review
As an organisation we endeavour to retain a reserve of approximately £7,500 to cover any unexpected expenses. Our operating costs per year are in the region of £6,000 - £7,000 excluding annual camp costs and this income is ring fenced.
Fee donations from all families have shown a healthy increase with more paying by monthly standing order and more paying slightly more than the requested amount.
We have seen a decrease in families asking for discount and delayed payments.
We are constantly indebted to The Bridge of Don Brigade’s volunteers and members families for identifying potential areas or applications for Charitable Donations.
Summary of Charitable Donations (up to June 2025)
Name Mugdocks Trust Aberdeen Council YAG Abernethy Bursary Trust David & June Gordon Memorial Trust Trades Widow Fund Allander Trust
28[th] July 2024
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Future plans
We continue to plan a varied range of activities for the children and young people. We do plan to look at other types of experiences for the children and young people with a committee being formed to discuss future plans.
Additional information
We are always looking for personal recommendations for volunteers to join our organisation. Please can all volunteers actively ask parents, work colleagues, neighbour and friends if they wish to be a volunteer.
28[th] July 2024
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Declaration Signed on behalf of the charity trustees" Designation Trustee Date 28th July 2025 28th July 2024
Bridge of Don Brigade Balance Sheet for the Bridge of Don Brigade as at 31st August TOTAL INCOME & EXPENDITURE 2023124 2022123 Income Registration Donation.. Members Business Donations Camp Donation Misc Donation Insuranca SatdamenVRafund Sponsorship Donation Social Event Interest Gift Aid Refund - HMRC 7.097.00 19.545.24 6,286.59 11,000.00 93.90 1,043.50 180.00 5,562.90 32,299.04 5,236.82 23,746.91 Ex endlture Battalion Foos linc Insurance) Running Costs linc Mini Bus) Hall Duke of Edinburgh Costs Activitès I Craft PartièslFun Days Social Event Donations Equipment Misc Costs 461.73 2,554.11 1.513.42 1.530.00 451.73 7,781.57 1,727.99 2,474.15 587.10 12,856.43 11,732.18 250.00 1,096.84 15.99 17,807.43 27,225.81 Profit I ILossl for Year 14,491.61 3,478.90
Bridge of Don Brigade Balance Sheet for the Bridge of Don Brigade as at 31st August Balance Sheet 2023124 2022123 Fixed Asset5 Current Assets Bank Account 20.859.07 20.859.07 6.367.46 6.367.46 Current Liabilities Prepaid Fees 22123 0.00 20,859.07 6,367.46 Income and Expendiiure for Year Retained Profits 14.491.61 13,478.901 11 6,367.46 20,859.07 9.846.36 6,367.46 20,859.07 6,367.46
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