10th Sutton Coldfield (1st Sutton Coldfield Sea Scout Group)
Charity 508682
Overview
Summary
1st Sutton Coldfield Sea Scout Group appears to be a place-based youth development organisation whose distinctive role combines conventional Scouting with sustained access to water-based skills, outdoor learning and leadership opportunities. Its location at Powell's Pool and Royal Navy recognition suggest that boating is not an occasional activity but a defining capability. The group also appears to operate as a community asset: its headquarters, volunteer capacity and fundraising activity may support both programme delivery and wider local use.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Sutton Vesey
Confidence: high
Direct evidence identifies the group as based at Powell's Pool, Sutton Park, with its HQ at Boldmere Gate. Birmingham City Council records Boldmere Gate, Sutton Park as being in Sutton Vesey ward. The group states that its Scout section boats on Powell's Pool during summer and that its headquarters is available for hire, supporting the interpretation that this is both its principal service-delivery location and physical base.
- 1st Sutton Coldfield Sea Scouts official website
The group describes itself as based at Powell's Pool in Sutton Park, provides Scouting for children and young people, and delivers sailing, kayaking, rowing and power boating. It gives its contact location as Boldmere Gate, Sutton Park, and states that its HQ is available for hire. - 1st Sutton Coldfield Sea Scouts official website
The site says that the Sea Scout section boats on Powell's Pool in the summer months and identifies the group's headquarters at Powell's Pool, Sutton Park. - Birmingham City Council planning application details, 2021/00528/PA
The Council records Boldmere Gate, Sutton Park in Sutton Vesey ward.
Remaining uncertainties
- The available evidence establishes a single principal base and service-delivery setting at Powell's Pool/Sutton Park, but does not identify the home wards or catchment of participating children and young people.
- The Charity Commission entry records Birmingham City as the charity's reported area of operation. This is broader than the direct location evidence, but does not by itself demonstrate regular service delivery across Birmingham.
- The group undertakes camping, hiking and other outdoor activities, so some activity may take place away from its Sutton Park base; no current recurring off-site venues are identified in the available evidence.
- Royal Navy recognition is evidenced, but the available material does not show that this affiliation creates additional Birmingham service locations or a materially wider local operational footprint.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual report or activity programme identifying regular venues used for meetings, boating, camps or other activities.
- Current joining, referral or membership information showing whether the group serves a defined local catchment, the wider Sutton Coldfield area, or participants from across Birmingham.
- Evidence from the group or venue operator about any formal arrangements governing use of Powell's Pool, Sutton Park or other recurring facilities.
Areas of work
- Amateur Sport
- Education/training
Who they help
- Children/young People
How they help
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Human Resources
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Water access is a defining organisational capability
The group appears to use its waterside setting and Sea Scout identity to offer a developmental pathway that is unusually practical and place-specific, rather than simply adding occasional water activities to a general youth programme.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish the group from other youth organisations: its value may lie in combining confidence-building, technical skills and outdoor participation around a local natural asset.
Show evidence
“The group is based in Powell's Pool, Sutton Park.”
Source:Organisation“It offers Sailing, Kayaking, Rowing, Canoeing and Power-boating.”
Source:Organisation“It is an RN Recognised Sea Scout Group, one of just 100 groups in the UK to hold this recognition.”
Source:Organisation
The group appears designed for long-term progression, not one-off participation
Its eight sections spanning ages 4 to 18 suggest an operating model intended to retain young people across childhood and adolescence, with increasing responsibility embedded in the Scout approach.
Why it matters
A long participation pathway can create continuity of relationships, skills and leadership. It may also make the organisation an important local route through which young people become volunteers or peer leaders.
Show evidence
“The group offers Scouting to children aged from 4 to 18 years old.”
Source:Organisation“The group is split into eight sections.”
Source:Organisation“Young people take increasing responsibility for others and work in groups.”
Source:Charity Commission
Its facilities may serve both programme and community-resource functions
The headquarters appears to be more than a meeting place: hiring it out, alongside named fundraising and quartermaster functions, may indicate a model that mobilises physical assets and volunteer roles to sustain the group.
Why it matters
This suggests the organisation's local contribution may include stewardship of usable community infrastructure, while facility income or relationships could strengthen its financial resilience.
Show evidence
“The headquarters is available for hire.”
Source:Organisation“The website lists contacts for fundraising and a quartermaster.”
Source:Organisation“The charity provides buildings, facilities and open space.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which communities and neighbourhoods are represented among participants, and whether any groups face barriers to joining.
- Whether the group collaborates with schools, other Scouts, water-sport providers, the Royal Navy or Sutton Park stakeholders.
- How volunteer capacity, safeguarding, equipment costs and access to water affect the scale and sustainability of provision.
Remaining uncertainties
- Participation, waiting-list and demographic data by section and age.
- Annual reports or accounts showing income sources, facility use, volunteer numbers and major costs.
- Evidence of partnerships, community hirers and outcomes for young people.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
In partnership with adults, young people: enjoy what they are doing; learn by doing; participate in varied and progressive activities; make choices for themselves; take responsibility for their own actions; work in groups; take increasing responsibility for others; take part in activities outdoors; make and live out their Promise.
Charity objects
THE INSTRUCTION OF BOYS OF ALL CLASSES IN THE PRINCIPLES OF DISCIPLINE, LOYALTY AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP.