Annual Report 2019 - 2020

Charity Number: 505004 Hereford and Worcester Scout County Welcome from Harry! An Introduction from the Chair

As I write this we are deep in the throes of the Covid-19 situation. It would be Hello! strange to not make reference to it, but I will not dwell as Covid-19 only arrived at the end of the year of this report.

Welcome to the Trustees and County Team Annual Report from 1st Our scouting year 2019 to 2020 has been a whirlwind of successes and April 2019 to 31st March 2020. Its been a fantastic year for Scouting achievements for Scouts Hereford and Worcester. I am proud to be able to claim some successes on behalf of the whole County Exec and the wider County Team. in Scouts Hereford & Worcester. We couldn’t talk about 2019 without mentioning 2 amazing events which had been several years in the making, Shirejam and the 24th World Scout Jamboree. In July 2019 as a county we held Shirejam which was my first major Shirejam became a labour of love for all who had a part in it. I don’t have enough space here to acknowledge all of the contributions, large and small, made by so role I took part in as CYC. This was a great opportunity for me to many people to bring this event to our young people. The cost of Shirejam was introduce myself to all of the members of the County that were there. a lot of sleepless nights and many ‘tearing our hair out’ moments during the 2 During the past year I chose Nicola to be my Deputy County Youth years of preparation. The reward was over 4000 smiling faces and an event that is still spoken of months after the closing ceremony, with many waiting in excited Commissioner and together we have been thinking of and starting to anticipation for the repeat in 2022. plan some events. Unit 81, our World Scout Jamboree cohort were an inspiration before, during and after the event. They spent nearly 2 years bonding with each other and contributing The one event that we had an idea about was a day for older Scouts to Scouting in Hereford and Worcester, including a significant contribution to and new Explorers to introduce them to the young leader scheme. We delivering Shirejam in the best spirits of Scouting, working hard while many of their were planning on working with the young leader team to run this day fellow Scouts were enjoying themselves. Their reward was the trip of a lifetime and some lifelong friendships. They are a credit to themselves and each other and in a similar format to the young leader camps, and we would love to represented our county impeccably. get some current young leaders to help run it. There are so many things that we do in Hereford and Worcester that make me immensely proud to be a part of this organisation. As a county we are held in high The other event we came up with after talking to some explorers who regard by our peers and the credit for that can be shared by each and every one of seemed to be really liking the television series ‘Hunted’. We then came our volunteers, young people and their ever supportive families. up with the idea of essentially a county wide, wide game/event called Thank you all. ‘The Hunted’. After promoting this idea on social media there was a really positive response from both the young people and adults in the Yours in Scouting, county. This is planned for July 2020.

Harry County Youth Commissioner Community Impact

Scouting by the County Commissioner Since the launch of our social action campaign, A Million Hands, in 2015, over 250,000 young people have had the opportunity to take part in high quality social action on four big issues of our time. The campaign won ‘Cross-Sector Partnership of the Year’ at the Charity Times Awards in The Scout County’s development plan is aligned directly with The Scout Association’s vision that 2016. by 2023 we will have prepared more young people with skills for life, supported by amazing leaders delivering an inspiring programme. As a County we will support this wider vision: By 2023: • at least 250,000 young people will be making a positive impact in their community each year Growth • 50% of young people will be achieving the top awards

We will be growing, be more inclusive, and be shaped by young people, making a bigger impact in As a result of supporting the UK Visions the County as a result will: our communities.

As a movement, we have grown for the last 13 years. We want to continue that positive trend, • Continue to grow groups and build upon the Districts growth and development bringing skills for life to more young people across the UK. • Continue to improve Scouting provision in highly deprived areas of the County with support By 2023, in the UK we will have: of the Regional Development Service

• 50,000 more young people aged 6-18 in Scouts • Work on increased ethnic membership to fully reflect local communities. • 10,000 more frontline adult volunteers (Section Leaders and Assistant Section Leaders) • 5,000 more Young Leaders • Appoint Deputy County Youth Commissioner to improve our focus on Youth Shaped Scouting Inclusivity throughout the County.

Scouts is open to all. We now have over 102,000 girls and have started 834 sections in areas of • Build the County activity provision and support leaders in building their programmes deprivation since 2013. We believe it’s a priority to reflect the diversity of the communities we are in. • Make sure we have an effective Young Leaders Leader in each District and build upon our County Young Leaders camps (which includes training). By 2023: • Review the support towards top awards and the pathways to them • we will have started Scouts in 500 more UK areas of deprivation reaching young people who could benefit the most • Maintain a great level of young people on the County Executive and focus on all Districts • our adult volunteers will reflect the demographics of our society achieving similar.

Youth Shaped • Focus on supporting the Explorer age ranges to build on retention Over the last four years, there has been a growing momentum to ensure young people are shaping their experiences and taking on leadership roles at Scouts. We want to continue to build • Ensure Youth Forums are happening in every District and as appropriate at County level. on this. • Build adult training to reflect the needs of our members with more programme focus By 2023: • 250,000 young people will be shaping their experiences at Scouts • Build support for an increased international programme • 50% of young people will be achieving the top awards • Build adult training to reflect the needs of our members with more programme focus • Aim to increase awareness of and promotion of, all the community activities undertaken • Build support for an increased international programme throughout the year. • Aim to increase awareness of and promotion of, all the community activities undertaken throughout the year. Supporting the Strategy

There are a number of challenges to overcome to make these aims a reality; the key one of which To support the UK strategy the County has prepared and is implementing an is finding and recruiting the right adult volunteers. orbit plan, detailed on the next page. Which sets out targets and priorities. Census & Membership

The average Section size in the County is 19. By increasing the average Section size by +1 would add a further 315 (5.4%) young people, and by +2 would add 630 (10.8%). There are 26 Sections required to make every Group & District complete (with at least one Colony, one Pack, and one Troop in every Group and one Explorer Unit in every District). There are 46 Sections with fewer than 12 members (and 9 which have fewer than 5 members). If all Sections in the District reached at least 21 young people this would add 1349 (23.1%), or 2046 (35.0%) if all Sections had at least 24 young people. On the census there are 596 young people declared to be on waiting lists. There are 10 Sectional waiting lists of 12 or greater. 10 new Sections at 20 per Section would add 200 (3.4%) young people. The Goal is to have at least 2 Young Leaders in every Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and Scout Troop. There are currently 312 Young Leaders across 89 Colonies, 101 Packs and 95 Troops. To achieve at least two in every Section there would need to be at least an additional 314 Young Leaders. There are 182 Sections with fewer than 5 female young people as members. There are 12 Sections with fewer than 5 male young people as members. If every Section had at least 5 male and 5 female members then this could add 570 (9.7%) more members. Hannah Ruth Oliver Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Adult Awards Sarah Diane Osborne Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Helen Louise Rees Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Congratulations to all our members listed here. Dawn Saunders Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service All of whom fully deserve the recongnition they have recieved. Beth Smith Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Lisa Joanne Timms Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Name Award Darren William Vander Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Michael John Thompson Silver Wolf Linda Ann Warrington Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Ryan Michael Heath Silver Acorn Rachel Alison Wilson Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Fiona Alexandra McKeand Silver Acorn Sarah Wright Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Leonard Alfred Mowatt Silver Acorn John Robert Askew Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Barbara Carol Omahoney Silver Acorn Laura Jayne Balkwill Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Jonathan Peter Payne Silver Acorn James Frank Barnett Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Christopher Steven Roberts Silver Acorn Leigh Ashton Barratt Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Timothy John Smeaton Silver Acorn Emma Alexandra Bell Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Harold John Stribblehill Silver Acorn Lindsey Benjamin Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Mark Quinton Allen Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Luke Price Benson Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Stephen Karl Bailey Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Alan Patrick Blake Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Karen Blanchfield Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Martin Roland Bott Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Martin Gerard Bradley Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Charles Bourn Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Jane Elizabeth Briney Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Georgina Zoe Braley Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Jamie Lee Brockett Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Emily Elizabeth Breeze Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Heather Budden Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Emma Jane Bretherton Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Susan Kim Burgess Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Deborah Brookes Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Susan Elizabeth Coleman Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Susan Kim Burgess Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Michael John Davies Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Helen Chadderton Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Emily Kate Denton Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Sarah Chedgzoy Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Fern Louise Harkness Fellowes Day Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Gillian Mary Collins Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Holly Clair Ferris Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Graham Howard Coomber Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Matthew Charles Fox Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Anthony Clayden Corby Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Norman Arthur Greybanks Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Jennifer Cormack Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Jonathan Lee Halloran Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Kat Crockford Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Ryan Jack Hardiman Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Emma Davies Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Martin Homer Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Jade Chelsea Dawson Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Sarah Elizabeth Jones Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Emily Day Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Cath Lendon-Montrose Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Samantha Jane Dongworth Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Alexander David Manville Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Stephen Mark Dorans Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Lindy Sandra Millard Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service Sophie Louise Duffy Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Michelle Claire Dyke Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Alex Martin Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Anthony Owen Evans Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Phillip McHague Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Steven Faulds Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Paul Edward Young Milne Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Holly Clair Ferris Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Claire Georgina Nicholls Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Chloe Emma Louise Field Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Michele Joan Palmer Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Sean David Flanagan Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Laura Cathryn Payne Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Simon Christopher Fox Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Rohanna Bella Phelps Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Scott Gale Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Fiona Phillips Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Natasha Marie George Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award James Pontifix Price Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Ashley Robert Gillam Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Lewis Simon Read Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award John Miles Goode Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Sarah Louise Anne Recker Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Andrew Charles Gowthorpe Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Robert Anthony Roberts Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Lynda Elizabeth Graham Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Helen Russell Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Emma Louise Graham Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Lee Russell Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Margaret Gray Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Martin Andre Scholefield Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Lynne Elizabeth Griffin Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Neil John Schroeder Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Andrew Charles Griggs Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Michael Julian Short Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Michael Charles Hancox Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Jeffrey Simms Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Joanne Penelope Hanslow Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Rachel Smith Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Ross Herbert Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Nina Stanfield Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Ashley James Heron Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Andrew George Stevenson Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Peter Hicking Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Iain Sweatman Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Richard Horton Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Catherine Amanda Jane Thomson Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Morgan John Hudson Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Lisa Joanne Timms Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Carlene Jackson Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Joseph Robert Timney Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Simone Sharne Jenks Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Joanne Turnbull Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Simon Charles Jones Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Jayne Marie Vander Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Susan Margaret Jones Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Alexander James Wells Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Lee Ralph Kelsall Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award David Timothy Whelan Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Rosemary Veronica Kelsall Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Craig Kenneth Wood Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Samantha Louise King Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Benjamin Andrew Johnstone Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Elliot Charles Kowal Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Deborah Lorna Emma Lennox Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Sharon Lamb Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Paula Jane Little Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Wendy Dawn Langard Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Duncan McLeod Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Susan Hayley Langley Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Alicia Charlotte Mucklow Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Joanne Louise Lewis Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award David Geoffrey Neale Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Jessica Locke Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award William David Nichol Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Naomi Caroline Margetts Chief Scout’s 5 years Service Award Elaine Clare O’Grady Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Jennifer Anne Packer Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Anne Elizabeth Griffin Chief Scout’s 20 years Service Award Charlotte Emma Paddock Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Sandra Karen Luff Chief Scout’s 20 years Service Award Allan Graham Page Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Joanne Lesley McCulloch Chief Scout’s 20 years Service Award John Keith Parks Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Graham John Penny Chief Scout’s 20 years Service Award Lorraine Michele Penlington Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Christine Southan Chief Scout’s 20 years Service Award Mark Robinson Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Rebecca Baxter Chief Scout’s 25 years Service Award Nicholas Trevor Shaw Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Adam Hewson Chief Scout’s 25 years Service Award Philip Neil Sheldon Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Karen Margaret Joanna Mason Chief Scout’s 25 years Service Award Thomas Francis William Shepherd Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Paul Stephen Thornley Chief Scout’s 25 years Service Award Kay Vanessa Shuard Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Alan John Vaughan Chief Scout’s 25 years Service Award Robert William Sidley Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Ryan Michael Heath Chief Scout’s 30 years Service Award Tracey Smith Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Anthony Richard Marsh Chief Scout’s 30 years Service Award Alan John Smith Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Michael Andrew McAuliffe Chief Scout’s 30 years Service Award Graham Smith Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Ian Strangward Chief Scout’s 30 years Service Award Jane Lucy Sparrow Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Jacqueline Linda Morris Commissioners Commendation Daniel George Wakefield Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Andrew Norrys Tulk Commissioners Commendation Christine Ellen Jane Warner Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Alison Heather Woodcock Commissioners Commendation Julie Ann Willetts Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Robert William David Woodcock Commissioners Commendation Michael Adrian Wood Chief Scout’s 10 years Service Award Harry Batham Jones Commissioners Commendation Andrew Adams Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Nicola Hedley Commissioners Commendation John Michael Beard Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Mia Grice Commissioners Commendation William John Bratt Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Anna Stowell Commissioners Commendation John Richard Burton Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Mackenzie Hardman Commissioners Commendation Ann Davies Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Megan Bradley Commissioners Commendation Fern Louise Harkness Fellowes Day Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Rebecca Palmer Commissioners Commendation Sian Louise Haynes Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Eleanor Sidley Commissioners Commendation June Holdsworth Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Hannah Graham Commissioners Commendation Gemma Frances Jenkinson Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Sian Telfer Commissioners Commendation Andrew Joseph Powell Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Mark Graham Commissioners Commendation Paul John Preece Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Rob Williams Commissioners Commendation Sheila Elizabeth Reynolds Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Matt Fox Commissioners Commendation Thomas David Routledge Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Robin Gray Commissioners Commendation Janet Rae Smith Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Nicole Compton Commissioners Commendation Colin Andrew Teasdale Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Ty Butler Commissioners Commendation Shelley Veronica Lucy Turner-Barratt Chief Scout’s 15 years Service Award Byrony Francis Commissioners Commendation Simon Neal Brown Chief Scout’s 20 years Service Award John Clark Commissioners Commendation Paul John Carpenter Chief Scout’s 20 years Service Award Jess Sullivan Commissioners Commendation Catherine Louise Cook Chief Scout’s 20 years Service Award Ben Johnstone Commissioners Commendation Jacky Williams-Smith Commissioners Commendation Mark Atkinson Commissioners Commendation The Money Chris Jefferies Commissioners Commendation Chloe Field Commissioners Commendation Mark Burford Commissioners Commendation Financial Review Ian Newman Commissioners Commendation Jenny Newman Commissioners Commendation The principal funding sources are membership subscriptions, Sarah Bennett Commissioners Commendation activity and camping fees. Rebecca Kerridge Commissioners Commendation The charity uses these to provide support, adult training, Jos Bignell Commissioners Commendation activities and camping facilities.

Please see the separate Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2020 for full details.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees consider that the reserves of the Charity should equate to between six and twelve months of the Charity’s annual expenditure excluding events and activities i.e. between £99,401 and £198,802 based on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2020.

The Charity’s net funds and investments at 31st March 2020 amounted to £108,423.

Investment Policy

It is the policy of the Trustees to invest reserves in interest bearing bank accounts and inlow risk charity investment bonds. Our People Young Leaders

There has been two very successful training camps for Young Leaders, one in October covering the First Aid Module & one in February covering 5 modules. These camps were extremely well attended with around 60 young leaders attending each. For our February Camp we offered a new opportunity for Young Leaders who had already completing the training to come back and help to deliver modules to other Young Leaders as part of their top award. This went extremely well with 6 young Leaders taking this up & giving good feedback about the experience.

Future plans for County Young Leaders involves us building on the success of last year. This includes us getting Young Leaders getting more involved with what we run and how we run it, working in conjunction with the County Youth Commissioner Team & offering training and experiences other than just the module training weekends. We also want to offer more support for adult leaders working with young leaders & Explorer Scout Leaders - Young Leaders to better help Young Leaders at a grass roots level.

The DCC People role was introduced in Autumn 2019 to support our work in the County lining up with the People pillar of work in the UK “Skills for Life” strategy. Mel Brammer is currently Deputy County Commissioner responsible for the people element.

The People team includes the ACC Inclusion and Diversity (Andy Hopkins), County Training Manager (Role Vacant covered by DCC People), County Training Administrator (Mark Strain), ACC Pride (Phil Lacey) and ACC Executive Support (John Day). The focus of the DCC People, as well as supporting this team, has been on how we support adult volunteers as they begin our journey with us, looking at induction, Getting Started training and the importance of our line managers as they recruit and support new members. Mel has also been working on compliance with mandatory processes and training across the County. Mel is delighted that in terms of compliance we are now one of the best counties in the country. By ensuring that our adults are appropriately trained and managed, we make sure that we are offering safe scouting to all our young people.

Mel also is responisble for the role of County Training Manager, and took over this role in the Autumn from John Day, who has done an incredible job steering adult training in our County since before the inception of our current training scheme. A huge thanks to John for all his continuing support and hard work. This year we have continued to deliver Wood Badge training modules in the County, making use of residential courses as well as evening and weekend daytime opportunities. The Local Training Managers have continued to work with Training Advisers to ensure that members are able to access the learning they need and to validate their modules by demonstrating them in action in their Scouting. Top Awards & Belts Kinver

Some Kinver Camp basic facts for April 2019 to March 2020 Across Hereford and Worcester County we currently have active Scout Networks within five of the nine Districts, which have District Scout Network Commissioners in place. Two of them • Number of nights camping on site by individual groups 250 have been appointed in the last 12 months so are re-establishing themselves as District Scout • Number of nights indoor sleep overs by individual groups 400 Networks. I can see these will go from strength to strength in the forthcoming months. Instead • Number of different Scout Groups using site 136 • Number of other youth groups using the site i.e. school D of E 787 of running additional County Events to ShireJam for Scout Network this year, we decided to • Number of individual Activity sessions delivered for groups 242 publicise the national events that take place around the country for the Scout Network Members to attend and participate in. Revolution 2019 on the Isle of Wight held over the Easter Weekend, Numbers and income was up for the year with a small increase on 2018 to 2019. The site saw a slow was one such event that Scout Network from across the County attended. The 16th World Scout increase in new visitors to the site and much was done by the site staff to reinforce our links with our Moot in Northern Ireland in 2022 is also currently being promoted. regular users.

In March 2020, the approach to Scout Network had to change to accommodate face-to-face Take-up for the Activity Training Courses introduced back on to the site programme has remained meetings stopping due to Covid-19. It goes without saying that we look forward to face-to-face strong and from these courses the site has benefited by the introduction of cross bow shooting Scouting restarting so that programmes can include the active and adventurous aspects that our added to the range of pursuits on offer. members enjoy taking part in. During the middle part of the year the Executive Committee advertised for a full time paid Operations Manager to run the site. This bold change of management was seen One main focus of this year has been to support youth members from across the County to as the best way forward for the site. Much interest was generated by this advert achieve their Explorer Belt, one of the Top Awards that either an Explorer Scout or Scout Network and over 70 applications were receive. After initial short listing and interviews member can achieve. The Explorer Belt involves spending 10 days in a foreign county and work two candidates were selected for second interview and finally Megan Williams towards a major project of their choice whilst travelling under their own steam for a minimum of was offered the role. 50 hours, which generally translates to about 100 miles or 160 kilometres. Training camps and route planning sessions culminated in the expedition itself taking place in Austria towards the Meg took over the role in January with Rob Williams stepping down end of August. 4 Explorer Scouts and 7 Scout Network achieved their Explorer Belts. We would from the Warden position but initially staying on as DCC (Kinver) to personally like to thank Matt Fox, Ben Johnstone, Robin Gray, Nicole Crompton and Chris “Sats” give some support to the new job. Jefferies for their support in running this Explorer Belt Expedition to Austria. Things started well for Meg with a volunteer recruitment day Top Awards this year have seen 9 Queen’s Scout Awards for Youth Members across the county, but unfortunately the year ended with the outbreak of Cov- id 19 and the site closing its gates to visitors. which is an increase on all previous years that are on record. It is great to see more Explorer Scouts and Scout Network members striving to achieve the Top Award in Scouting. We are in A big thank you to all the Kinver Staff, Activity awe of what the young people do to complete their award and how they make it personal to Instructors and Hereford & Worcester Scout them with the choices that they make about what to do for each of the sections. We are hopeful County staff who have supported the running that the interest that has been generated in the Queen’s Scout Award will see even more being of the site over the last year. Without their awarded in 2020/2021 and look forward to seeing their future presentations. hard work and support the site would just not function. This year has also seen the first Scouts of the World Award being presented. The award is a Scout Network only award that gives members the chance to undertake a project of their choice within the themes of Peace, Environment and Sustainably and take action on their chosen issue. We currently have 3 other young people working towards this award and we hope to award some more in the near future. Inclusion & Pride World Scout Jamboree 2019

Scouts Hereford & Worcester sent 36 Young people and 4 Adult leaders who joined over 40,000 Scouts for three weeks in the USA for the World Scout Jamboree.

Spending 2 days in New York sightseeing, they travelled down to Summit Betchel for the 10 day Jamboree.

This was followed by visit to Washington DC visiting the capital city and a baseball game. The first year of Pride for Scouts H&W was fabulous. The last 5 days were spent visiting We arranged in a short period of time to attend our first Pride event in Worcester, showing both Canada and being hosted by St Puis our members and the wider community that we are an inclusive County. Church and Toronto Scouts.

We hoped to attend with approximately 10 members for our first year, we attended with 44 in the parade and another 7 around the stall area, this was amazing.

Feed back was positive and we set to work on plans to attend at least 3 pride events in our county in 2020.

After discussions with other members of the team, we set to work on an lgbtq+ inclusion programme, to be adapted and suited to each section. This has been done and tested and feed back is positive.

We discussed having a point of contact in district s for leaders and members to be able to obtain advice and assistance. This is something we are still working on. We have decided that young leaders will be best suited for this and I will work closely with Sian to achieve this.

Current situation has put a halt to this year’s pride celebrations, however plans can and will be transferred to Pride 2021

Shirejam Shirejam 2019

Joined by over 4,000 people on the Three Counties Showground, the first County Jamboree for over 30 years. All Districts within the county came togther for a weekend of fun and adventure.

The event had over 5 activity zones, where young people alternated between the zones and activities. The site was supported by National Scout Support units including ScoutMed, Scout Radio and Scout Media. We had great support from GO Outdoors and other local retailers. Leaders across the county pulled together to help run the zones, all led by Team Shirejam.

During the event we were visted by Lord Lieutentant for Hereford The Dowager Countess of Darnley CVO and also for Worcester, Lt Col. Patrick Holcroft LVO OBE CstJ. We also hosted numerous mayors and civic personal, including Scouting Silver Wolf Holders.

On the Saturday evening we hosted Shirejam’s Got Talet, showcased our young performers and the evening was rounded off with a disco.

A Big thank you goes to Malvern Scaffolding who sposnored the Adventure Zone and provided the climbing tower. BushScout Special Thanks

2019 has been a very busy Scouting year , with lots of adventure, change and new friendships we would like to say a special thank you in a random order to the following leaders who helped at Shirejam 2019:

Robin Gray Bryony Francis Lee Fletcher Jess Sullivan Matt Fox Mark Burford Chris Jefferies Mr & Mrs Hardman Ben Brookes Chloe Field Robert Williams Sarah Bennett Ben Johnstone Pete Clasby Jamie Sandison Dave Barnes Phil Smith Robert Sidley Rob Williams Phil Lacey Ian Newman Meg Wiliams Mel Andrews Jenny Newman Gail Bishop Viv Ware Jo Turnbull John Clark Paul Goodyear Poppy Turnbul Sian Telfer Harry Bantham Jones Lucy Turnbull Hannah Oliver Abi Mcfarlane Martin Bradley Mark Graham Chris Jones Joe Angel Val Leddington Mark Atkinson Three Counties Showground

.... and all the leaders that helped on bases and other administrative tasks, including Unit 81, UK contingent from the World Scout Jamboree who helped on all the areas of the site.

This has been a terrific first year for Bushscout in Hereford and Worcester. I learnt about Bushscout UK in September 2018 and immediately recognised it as the training I thought was missing from my own Scout journey and for lots of other leaders in my group. I attended my first training session with Bushscout in Danemead near London in Spring of 2019 and was immediately taken with the way that Bushscout training combined practical skills training with a focus on ensuring the young person succeeded with the skill and was safe whilst doing it!

Fast forward to October 2019 and after much organising we managed to put on our inaugural Bushscout training day at Kinver Scout Campsite! The day was enormously successful and the feedback actually took me back! The enthusiasm generated by the training was a joy to watch! I heard so many leaders leaving for the day and planning on cancelling all their plans and changing it to practical skills sessions with their young people.

2020 was going to be the year that Bushscout took a much bigger role in County events, providing bushcraft and practical skills activities - we’ll just have to save up all that fun for 2021! Our Governance Our Governance

Other Key Roles during the year: Constitution Deputy County Commissioner People Mel Brammer (from 01/06/2019) The full name of the charity is ‘Hereford and Worcester Scout County’ and the charity registration Deputy County Commissioner Perception Peter Dodman (from 08/10/2019) number is 505004. The charity is an educational charity established in accordance with the Policy, Deputy County Commissioner Programme Vacant Organisation and Rules (POR) of The Scout Association. The County is registered with The Scout Deputy County Commissioner Activities John Clark Association, number 16100. The County Scout Council has adopted the standard constitution rec- Deputy County Commissioner Growth 14+ Robert Williams ommended in chapter 5 of POR and adopted the necessary associated resolutions, e.g. quorum Deputy County Commissioner Kivner Rob K Williams for meetings. County Youth Commissioner Harry Bantham Jones Deputy County Commissioner Adult Support John Day (until 01/10/2019) Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, em- Deputy County Commissioner Programme & International Ann Clark (unitl 19/11/2019) powering them to make a positive contribution to society. Assistant County Commissioner International Ann Clark As defined in POR, Scouting takes place when young people, in partnership with adults, work Assictant County Commissioner Young Leaders Sian Telfer together based on the values of Scouting and: Assistant County Commissioner Explorers Martin Bradley (unitl 01/01/2020) • enjoy what they are doing and have fun Assistant County Commissioner Network Matt Fox • take part in activities indoors and outdoors Assistant County Commissioner Inclusion Andy Hopkins (from 01/06/2019) • learn by doing Assistant County Commussioner Pride Phil Lacey (from 01/06/2019) • share in spiritual reflection Assistant County Commissioner Exec. Support John Day (from 01/10/2019) • take responsibility and make choices County Training Manager Mark Stratin (from 23/10/2019) • undertake new and challenging activities County Activate SAS Manager John Stribblehill • make and live by their Promise. County BushScout SAS Manager Lee Russell County Appointments Chair Alan Lane County Appointments Secretary Gareth Roberts County Safeguarding Coordinator Val Leddington Trustees County Badge Secretary Jacky Green County Presidents Sasha and Nyree Kindred Ex Officio Robert Sidley - County Commissioner Structure, Governance and Management Jamie Sandison - Chair Ian Newman - Treasuer Scouting in the United Kingdom is organised in Scout Groups, Scout Districts, Scout Counties and Joanne Turnbull - Secretary Country Headquarters. These ‘units’ of Scouting provide: • support; Elected • channels for communication; Matthew Fox • opportunities for youth Members and Leaders to make decisions and take responsibility; Robert Williams • functional units through which the design and delivery of the programme can be best Harry Bantham-Jones - County Youth Commissioner achieved; Hannah Oliver As a Scout County, Hereford and Worcester is comprised of nine Scout Districts, two County Nominated Scout Active Support Units and a County Team. Scouting in the County is run by the County Team Alan Lane lead by the County Commissioner and supported by the County Executive (the Trustees). Robert Nichols Nicola Hedley - Deputy County Youth Commissioner (from 23/09/2019) Trustees comprise 3 County Officers, the County Commissioner, the County Youth Commission- er, up to 4 persons nominated by the County Commissioner and approved by the County Scout Council plus up to 4 persons elected by members of the County Scout Council at the annual meet- ing. Proposals are invited prior to the annual meeting for elected trustees. The number of nomi- nated trustees may not exceed the number of elected trustees. Our Governance Our Governance

Risk and Internal Controls The County Executive Committee manage the County infrastructure and support services, meeting four times a year. The Executive Committee exists to support the County Commissioner The County has in place systems of internal controls that are designed to provide good assurance in meeting the responsibilities of the appointment. against material mismanagement or loss. These include two independent authorisers for all payments and comprehensive insurance policies to ensure that insurable risks are covered. Members of the Executive Committee act collectively as charity Trustees of the Scout County, and in the best interests of its members to: The Trustees regularly review the risks to which they might be exposed and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. The Trustees updated the County risk management approach • Comply with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association. developed by The Scout Association. This involves initial review, dedicated risk assessment workshops and further review and iteration leading to a comprehensive risk register with • Protect and maintain any property and equipment owned by and/or used by the County. mitigating actions and responsibilities which is regularly reviewed by the Trustees. • Manage the County finances. The County has a well-established Safeguarding Coordinator, working in conjunction with the • Provide insurance for people, property and equipment. County Commissioner. A number of training initiative and updates have taken place including the • Provide sufficient resources for Scouting to operate. This includes, but is not limited to, revision of The Scout Association’s yellow card policy. supporting recruitment, other adult support, and fundraising activities. Contribution of Volunteers • Promote and support the development of Scouting in the local area. • Manage and implement the Safety Policy locally. Scouting across Hereford & Worcester County is entirely dependent on the combined resources • Ensure that a positive image of Scouting exists in the local community. of thousands of adult volunteers to lead, manage, administer and support Scouting. The County greatly appreciates the generosity, time and effort given by these volunteers (and their families) • Appoint and manage the operation of any sub-Committees, including appointing Chairmen to and the fantastic impact that they have on delivering the fun, challenge and everyday adventure lead the sub-committees. that is Scouting. • Ensure that Young People are meaningfully involved in decision making at all levels within the Nevertheless, the County is limited in the amount of Scouting that it can provide (directly or County. indirectly) by the number of adult volunteers that it has. We are therefore constantly on the • The opening, closure and amalgamation of Districts and Scout Active Support Units in the lookout and proactively recruiting additional volunteers (to whom we provide full training).

County as necessary. Our Paid Staff • Appoint and manage the operation of an Appointments Advisory Committee, including The County currently has two members of staff. The pensions provsion is provided for by the appointing an Appointments Committee Chairman to lead it. Scouts Association.

The Executive Committee also: County Administrator; full time part time hours contract

• Appoint Administrators, Advisers, and Co-opted members of the Executive Committee. Operations Manager for Kinver; full time fixed term contract. • Approve the Annual Report and Annual Accounts after their examination by an appropriate Financial auditor, independent examiner or scrutineer. • Present the Annual Report and Annual Accounts to the County Scout Council at the Annual The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act to have due regard to guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission when General Meeting; file a copy with National Headquarters and submit them to the Charity reviewing the charity’s objectives and in planning future activities.’ Commission. • Maintain confidentiality with regard to appropriate Executive Committee business. Our Governance

Declaration: The Trustees declare that they have approved this annual report at their virtual meeting on the 18th August 2020.

Signed on behalf of the charity Trustees:

Signature:

Full Name: Jamie Sandison

Position: Chairman

Date: 8th September 2020

County Secretary

Joanne Turnbull, 16 Northwick Close, Worcester, WR3 7EF e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.scoutshw.org.uk