2022-03-31-accounts - The Growing Space (Wincanton) Limited

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The Growing Space (Wincanton) Ltd

Company Number 04297947

Charity Number 1090917

Chairman’s Report for year ending 31 March 2022

It gives me great pleasure to report on the activities of The Growing Space (GS) for the year to 31 March 2022. This report should be read in conjunction with that of Nick Truman, our Horticultural Worker, which describes the achievements of the year from his perspective.

GS continues in its intended purpose of supporting those individuals experiencing disadvantage or disability with respect to mental health and emotional difficulties (These aims are embedded in the Memorandum of Association drawn up in September 2001when GS began) Such problems are often hidden and pass unnoticed society and GS provides an invaluable resource to confront and help rectify these issues. Anyone, no matter how fit and healthy, can develop mental health issues, often due to totally unforeseen circumstances. We have a close association with Wincanton Community Venture (The Balsam Centre) sharing resources and some clients.

There were no appointments to, or departures from, the Board this year, the number of Trustees remaining at six.

I would like to sincerely thank our two employees, Nick Truman and Celia Marsh, together with our many volunteers, for their dedicated work throughout the year. I’d especially like to thank Nick who has as always, and often single handedly, enthusiastically driven GS forwards in its aims and objectives i.e. helping those with mental health issues build their self esteem and help them, in many cases, on their journeys into the world of work or volunteering. I would also like to thank the Trustees for their work and support for GS through the year, in particular Chris for his work in pursuing the Lease agreement.

Our first meeting of the year was 19 April 2021and was another ‘Zoom’ meeting due to the ongoing Covid pandemic. At that time the available resources of GS were 16,614 but we were still running with a monthly deficit of approximately1,000. However, Nick was optimistic for the rest of the year with several funding applications planned. The Trustees agreed a 1% pay rise for employees, based on the current CPI, from 1 April 2021.

Income through the year continued in the form of PIPs, grants from both Wincanton and Bruton Town Councils, income from WCV for Open Mental Health and smaller amounts from session fees, donations and cash sales. An application to the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust was unsuccessful but we were encouraged to apply again. Early in the year we received our last ever grant of 2,000 from Penselwood PCC.

The year continued with a combination of therapeutic and social gardening. But by November we were still running with a monthly deficit of 1,000

There are between 20 and 30 regular clients at GS, with Nick’s usual days of work being Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Nick works Mondays at Ham Hill on the Ecotherapy (Open Mental Health) project for WCV. On Tuesdays he and Celia run an afternoon vegetable and propagation group as part of GS’s own Open Mental Health work. There is scope for more attendees. Celia runs a vibrant busy Tuesday morning social group of 8 - 12 people, some of whom pay via their PIPs

There is a quiet Contemplative Garden Group on Wednesday for clients needing a more supportive environment. There is also an Open Mental Health Group that day - although funding was for 40 people, numbers have been limited due to Covid. On Thursdays there are no supervised GS activities but the Youth Offending Team use the garden for 2 hours with their own supervisor. Friday is devoted to admin and funding bids (Nick)

The People plants and Pollinators Project (in the garden at rear of The Balsam Centre) is going well and should provide future opportunities for funding, eduction and group work. There are several skilled volunteers.

GS needs a big Capital Grant for addressing some of the physical infrastructure e.g. perimeter fence, paths, greenhouses, beds and the proposed plant sales area.

A bid to the local church was unsuccessful, mainly due to Covid limiting their own fund raising activities since March 2020. Another bid to the National Lottery was proposed especially as the process appears less long winded than in previous years. The application process should proceed through 2022.

At long last, clearance of rubbish and garden waste occupying the proposed plant sales area was achieved, at a very reasonable cost, by a former client of GS!

Bids to the Friends of Wincanton Community Hospital, Hauser and Wirth and The Newt were made during February but none had borne fruit by

the end of the financial year although H and W were very enthusiastic and will propose to their Directors that they support us

Kings School Bruton have also been approached but nothing has been heard.

{post script, May 2022: bid to FOWCH was unsuccessful. They were very sympathetic but their constitution appeared not to support our cause but they are looking to possibly make adjustments to the wording of their constitution this year which MAY make another bid more promising, but there is no certainty on this.

H and W confirmed in early June that we would be one of the three local charities they support in the year from July 2022 - good news!

No response from The Newt, despite a follow up letter, not even an acknowledgement}

Throughout the year the issue of the renewal of the long lapsed (4 years) lease from the Religious Society of Friends dragged on, through no fault of our own we feel. However, towards the end of February they provisionally agreed a renewal - a 15 year lease with an annual rent of 250 and it is anticipated that the draft legal documents will subsequently be formally agreed and signed.

Financial Summary

Although the Annul Accounts to 31 March 2022 show a deficit of 9,941, this has to be put in context in that last year we had a surplus of 9,505 thanks to the Open Mental Health grant which came in at the end of 21/22. But expenditure for the year of 43,110 exceeded income of 33,189 by 9,941. Clearly this magnitude of loss cannot continue.I would like to thank Helen Ackerman for once again compiling the accounts and huge appreciation too for Nick for the bookkeeping work he does when not involved in hands on horticulture activities

Future Plans

The Open Mental Health Initiative and People Plants and Pollinators project will continue. Development of the plant sales area will be an exciting prospect, with substantial sales hoped for but enough funding will need to be sourced. To have a settled lease for 15 years should stand us in good stead with potential funders. Attracting more fee paying clients should be an ambition.

GS has for the past few years gone through many periods of financial uncertainty but, thanks mainly to Nick, has kept going. I believe the need for what GS has to offer has never been greater than at the present time.

Marcus Fellows (Chair) 29.6.22

Company number: 04297947 Charity number:1090917

THE GROWING SPACE (WINCANTON) LIMITED

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS

THE GROWING SPACE (WINCANTON) LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 TRUSTEES' REPORT

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, applicable law and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in March 2005.

Structure, governance and management

The charity was incorporated on the 19 September 2001 as company limited by guarantee, registration number 04297947. Following incorporation it was registered with the Charity Commission on the 21 February 2002, registration number 1090917.

The power of appointing new trustees is vested in the trustees. The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year were:

Dr Marc Fellows (Chair) Chris Fenton (Company Secretary) Andrew Chilton (Treasurer) Mike Rowlands Rebecca Thurgood Helena Groom

Objectives and activities

The charity works in partnership with statutory and third sector organisations to improve and sustain the health and well-being of the population living within a 10 mile radius of Wincanton, Somerset. It provides support for those experiencing disability and / or disadvantage to engage in horticultural and related outdoor activities that enable positive life change. The focus is primarily on improving and sustaining mental health, working with schools to improve children's knowledge and practical experience of food growing, and to counteract the effects of social isolation - building stronger, more resilient individuals and communities.

Achievements and performance

To the year ending 31 March 2021 the charity worked successfully with 36 children and 48 adults. 2 Employees were supported by 8 volunteers. The Charity worked with 3 schools, 6 community groups, Wincanton's healthy living centre, health visiting teams, mental health teams and other support workers and agencies. It successfully managed resources that enabled people to engage in a year round programme of horticulture and gardening activities. The charity successfully matched all the qualitative and quantitative criteria laid down by its funders and grant issuers. It has made siginificant changes to staffing and expenditure that will make it more resilient to future changes in the financial climate and is developing a new delivery plan detailing how it delivers its services. The services the charity provides have also had the effect of improving the environment of the town centre, developing the gardens and green space around the healthy living centre for public enjoyment.

Financial review

The trustees are confident that the charity has sufficient reserves to enable them to meet their aims

Reserves policy

The trustees aim to build up and sustain a reserve of no more than six months revenue turnover.

THE GROWING SPACE (WINCANTON) LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 TRUSTEES' REPORT

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have considered the guidance from the Charity Commission regarding public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activates. They are satisfied that the activities undertaken during the year fully meet these requirements.

Trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Policies (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of accounts may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

On behalf of the board of trustees

Trustee

Mr. Andrew Chilton

Dated..

THE GROWING SPACE (WINCANTON) LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

I report on the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2021, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and the related notes.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees (and the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. You also consider that an audit is not required for this year under the Companies Act 2006.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) of the 2011 Act, and state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:c g es e easo ab e cause o be e e a a y a e a espec e 1) requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies
• Act 2006; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the
• accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
2) understanding of the accounts to be reached

Helen Akerman

……………………

Dated: .........................

THE GROWING SPACE (WINCANTON) LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

			2022		2021
	Note	Restricted	Unrestricted	Total
Total incoming resources		2 2,500	30,669	33,169	46,951
Total resources expended		3 - 2,989	- 40,121	- 43,110 - 37,446
Surplus/(Defcit)		- 489	- 9,452	- 9,941	9,505
Brought forward balance		10,431	5,408	15,839	6,334
Carried forward		£ 9,942	-£ 4,044	£ 5,898	£ 15,839

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

THE GROWING SPACE (WINCANTON) LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 BALANCE SHEET

COMPANY NUMBER: 04297947

2022 - 190 38 234 462 5,765 490 6,255 819 5,436 £ 5,898 15,839 - 9,941 - 4,044 9,942 £ 5,898	2021 - 14 51 311 376 14,995 1,927 16,922 1,459 15,463 £ 15,839 6,334 9,505 5,408 10,431 £ 15,839	2021 - 14 51 311 376 14,995 1,927 16,922 1,459 15,463 £ 15,839 6,334 9,505 5,408 10,431 £ 15,839
5,765 490	14,995 1,927
6,255	16,922
819	1,459
15,839 - 9,941	6,334 9,505
		£ 15,839
		5,408 10,431

		£ 15,839

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2021. No member of the company has deposited a notice, pursuant to section 476, requiring an audit of these accounts.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for: (a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with the Act; and

(b) the accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

The accounts were approved by the Board on ......................

Marc Fellows Chair

THE GROWING SPACE (WINCANTON) LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1) Accounting policies

1.1) Basis of accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice. "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (SORP 2005) issued in March 2005 and the Companies Act 2006.

1.2) Incoming resources

All income is credited in the statement of financial activities in the period in which it is receivable.

1.3) Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates to write off the cost of each asset over its useful economic life, as follows:

Leasehold property	Over the lease life
Plant and machinery	25% reducing balance
Furniture and fttings	25% reducing balance
Computer	25% reducing balance

2) Analysis of incoming resources

Donations and fundraising activity Penselwood PCC Moorland Trust Yeovil College Education & Schools (Somerset County Council) Direct Payments, PIPs & Session Fees Bruton Town Council Wincanton Community Venture Wincanton Town Council Donations Plant sales Bank interest Covid-19 Business grant CJRS grant	Restricted UnrestricteTotal Total 2022 2021 - 2,000 - - - 500 500 500 - 4,760 4,760 - - - - - - 14,721 14,721 19,132 1,000 - 1,000 10,431 - 8,170 8,170 - 1,500 - 1,500 - - 399 399 450 - 119 119 88 - - - 3 - - - 11,000 - - - 5,347
	£ 2,500 £ 30,669 ### ###

3) Analysis of expenses expended

Staf costs Staf costs - Bruton Town Council Volunteer expenses Training Travelling Clinical supervision Utilities Insurance Decking Area Costs Plant Sales Area Costs Balsam Gardens Costs Balsam Gardens Costs - Wincanton Town Council Open Mental Health costs Garden Running Costs Administration Rent Teaching & Therapeutic Resources Fees and subscriptions Bank Charges Depreciation	-33,981 33,981 31,575 1,000- 1,000 - -- - - -- - - -1,192 1,192 267 -- - - -505 505 492 -563 563 577 -- - - -503 503 1,793 1,171 1,171 436 1,500- 1,500 - 489- 489 - -1,461 1,461 1,267 -465 465 - -- - - -- - 835 - - - - -127 127 79 -153 153 125
	£ 2,989 £ 40,121 ### ###

Liability of Trustees

Every Trustee of the Company undertakes to contribute such amount as required (not exceeding £1) t th C ' t if it h ld