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2021-03-31-accounts

Martineau Gardens

A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 2 1

Martineau Gardens is a highly valued and much-loved, organicallymaintained Community Garden close to Birmingham city centre. A place to learn, to heal, to connect with nature and to play.

The Gardens are open six days a week, as a tranquil place that is free to visit, thanks to the dedication and generosity of our volunteers and supporters.

A MESSAGE FROM THE TRUSTEES

2020 was a difficult year for everyone, with talk of Covid-19 dominating every public and private sphere. We are immensely proud of Martineau Gardens staff and volunteers who successfully navigated all the obstacles posed by the pandemic, and we are thankful to have ended the year financially resilient and with the Gardens looking spectacular. A bright spot at a particularly gloomy time, was achieving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This recognises the dedication of hundreds of people over the past 23 years that has made Martineau Gardens an exemplary community garden.

Delivery of our charitable objectives required many changes in 2020, not least the need to increase the staffing numbers required to support socially-distanced and smaller groups for Therapeutic Horticulture. Over the year, despite three lockdowns we lost only eight weeks of Therapeutic Horticulture and, throughout the many disruptions, hundreds of hours were dedicated to staying in touch with volunteers unable to return to the programme. We are thankful for Covid-19 Emergency Funds from Heart of England, Mind and The National Lottery. This financial support, plus the Job Retention Scheme, enabled us to continue to be a lifeline for many vulnerable people, The grants also made possible several much-needed improvements to covered working spaces, providing a new roof for the potting shed, an extension to the green wood-working shelter and a dedicated covered wood-chopping area with storage. Work also began on improvements to the play area, with funding from Persimmon Homes and the Co-operative Community Fund.

Public engagement through social media and newsletters kept us in touch with our wider community and helped with two on-line funding appeals. The response to these indicated just how much love and support there is for Martineau Gardens and the work we do. We are, as in every year, deeply indebted to our regular Friends scheme donors, to the unwavering support of Jo Malone London and to everyone who made one-off gift contributions. Highlights of the past year included delivering produce to volunteers unable to visit the Gardens; opening for a plant sale in July, where a line of socially distanced supporters patiently waited up to an hour make their purchases, and being able to reward all our wonderful volunteers with a Christmas gift bag. The latter was made possible by an additional grant from the Heart

of England Community fund. We took a cautious return to public opening for first time in over a year, welcoming visitors for “Martineau Mondays” on a sunny 29th March 2021, just as new life was visible on the trees to bring hope for a better future.

In closing, we remember two much-loved volunteers, Maggie and Steve, who passed away in 2020, and send our condolences to those of you who also lost loved-ones.

Tim Bruton, Chair of Trustees

OUR TRUSTEES

Tim Bruton, Chair; Peter Arnold; Liz Hensel; Glenys Thomas; Peter Townley MBE, Tom Walkling. (Out-going: Sue Roberts, Sarah Colles)

OUR STAFF 6.2 (Full Time Equivalent)

Gill Milburn, CEO; Jane Bradshaw, Deputy; Michael Burnett, Fundraising; Sarah Hill-Daniel, Marketing and Communications; Juliette Green, Environmental Education; Stewart Holmes, Therapeutic Horticulture; Miranda Kingston, Therapeutic Horticulture; Felicity McCabe, Administrator; Alec Middleton, Event Host. Jacky Hotchin;

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Therapeutic Horticulture 55 Visitor Welcome 4 Events Support 6 Corporate 0

THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we were using a self-reported wellbeing assessment. developed by The International Wellbeing Group, to monitor wellbeing of volunteers on the therapeutic Horticulture programme (TH). Our data suggests that in every area of life that contributes to wellbeing, current TH volunteers’ average score was higher than that of prospective volunteers, particularly with Overall Life Satisfaction.

We had to pause assessments in 2020 because it is impossible to correct for the impact of the pandemic. Lockdown, fear of the virus and social contact, inability to access normal support services, isolation from support networks and lack of access to safe outdoor space have all had a massive impact on our volunteers’ wellbeing. We closed in March 2020 and kept in regular telephone contact with volunteers. It soon became apparent that people’s mental health was deteriorating, so we re-opened in smaller groups with increased staff ratios. We have found that in this situation, the most effective means of evaluating our impact has been by listening.

soon as I came back to the Gardens, I could feel my heart rate drop, it was like the stress was just oozing away”.

Steve said: “This is the only place I feel safe now, I hadn’t realised how important the Gardens were to me until I couldn’t come

In addition to quantitative data collection, we also collect testimonials,

which shed a more qualitative light on the benefits of the Programme, for example Aubrey: “I needed to work. I need to make some change in my life. It was only moving furniture into a van, I knew I could do it, but as soon as they saw my prison record they rejected me. I felt proper wounded, I just wanted a chance to work. When I’m working [at Martineau Gardens], Stewart notices if I don’t know how to do something. I don’t even have to ask. He shows me without making me feel stupid. That matters. This place has given me hope.

Hope that I can get a legal job and never have to be looking over my shoulder again.” Aubrey has now left the programme and set up his own business. He often visits us.

From April 2020 to March 2021

55 volunteers completed 2549 hours of therapeutic gardening and we facilitated 17 private visits to the Gardens. An additional 14 volunteers contributed 541 hours to help maintain the Gardens.

OUR CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES IN PRACTICE

We provide:

A safe and welcoming space which enables adults, young people and children to connect with nature and improve their wellbeing.

Long-term social and therapeutic horticulture and related programmes, which facilitate improved wellbeing and the development of transferable skills of vulnerable people. Including but not exclusively: people with mental health issues; brain injury; Autistic Spectrum Disorder; Special Educational Needs or those living with dementia.

High quality, affordable, Environmental Education for children of school age and engaging family activities using the natural landscape and features of the Gardens to encourage outdoor play.

Gardens and woodland managed along organic principles with biodiversity and sustainability at its core and which seeks to enhance visitor understanding and appreciation of food growing, caring for the environment and the positive impact a green space has for a local community.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

A full diary of school bookings had to be postponed or cancelled, and mindful that many local children do not have access to a garden or live near a green space, environmental education moved online. The wonder of the natural world and the consistency that it

presents is enormously beneficial, particularly at a time of great uncertainty. We added to our range of online resources to spark children's adventures in the natural world, and Facebook became

the conduit for reaching families, with weekly live streams. These were supplemented with short engaging videos of things to look out for on the daily walk, and hands-on, nature-based craft ideas for families to undertake together.

The whole range of ideas and activities, from pond-dipping to making dragonfly wings can be found on our website at:

https://martineau-gardens.org.uk/education/family-activities/martineau-gardens-nature-for-kids-in-lockdown/

WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION

The dedication of our wildlife volunteers reaped real joy this year. They continue to carry out conservation activities to preserve habitats and increase biodiversity within the SLINC. Wildlife recording identified our 400th

species of moth,the Ruby Tiger Moth, over 60 fungi, including two new species one of which is the Redlead Roundhead (actual size 2mm across); 60 birds and 22 butterflies identified on site. Along with 32 other green spaces across the country, we were delighted to receive The Bees’ Needs Champion Awards for 202This recognises our efforts in demonstrating pollinator-friendly habitats, and food-growing sources to the public. The cycle of weather, heavy rains, periods of drought all puts a strain on mature trees in the woodland. We have sadly lost one or two. Where possible, their trunks remain to provide new habitats for wildlife. We are grateful to the Woodland Trust for donating 400 British native saplings, which were planted in our wildlife areas by the Therapeutic Horticulture Team.

Income £212,096

Expenses People £158,881 654

Grants 80% Charitable Services <1% Sales <1% Donations 16% Building Development 0% Friends Scheme 3% Bank Interest 0%

TH Salaries 36% Other TH costs 14% Charitable services 11% Premises / overheads 9% Public engagement 21% Building development 6% Cost of sales 3%

TH Volunteers 97 Visitor Welcome Team 4 Events Volunteers 6 Corporate Volunteers 0 Trustees 6 Staff (FTE) 6.2 Friends 135 Visitors 400 approx.

Balance: at 31.03.20 £133,568 at 31.03.21 £186,783

Martineau Gardens is a registered charity (1092364) and a company limited by guarantee (4273209) 27, Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UG. Tel: 0121 440 7430 email: info@martineau-gardens.org.uk www.martineau-gardens.org.uk

Martineau Gardens

Report and Financial Statements

Registered number 4273209

31 March 2021

Legal and administrative information

Status

Martineau Gardens is a charitable company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its memorandum and articles of association. The company was incorporated on 20 August 2001 and registered as a charity on 7 June 2002 (charity number 1092364).

Trustees

Mr T Bruton (appointed as Chair on24[th] October 2020) Ms S Roberts (resigned as Chair and Trustee on 24[th] October 2020) Mr P Arnold Ms G Thomas Mr T Walkling Mrs S Colles (resigned 24[th] October 2020) Mrs L Hensel Mr P Townley

Secretary

Mrs G Milburn

Registered Office

27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7UG

1

Martineau Gardens

Company No. 4273209

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2021 (incorporating the Directors’ report)

The Trustees, who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their report for the financial year ended 31 March 2021.

Review of financial results and future developments

Martineau Gardens continues to generate public benefit through its main activities, namely Therapeutic Horticulture and visits from schools, groups and the public, providing opportunities to learn about plants, biodiversity and food growing.

During this financial year, incoming resources have exceeded outgoing resources by £53,215. There was a £70,606 surplus on restricted funds and a £17,391 reduction in unrestricted funds in the year. Overall net assets at the year-end was £186,783.

The year to March 2021 was, like all areas of life, heavily impacted by Covid-19, which forced us to close the Gardens and furlough staff in March 2020. Fortunately, our staff and volunteers stepped up to the challenge and we were able to partially re-open the Gardens in June 2020 and we are now back operating normally.

We received some Covid specific grant help from Government bodies and other charitable bodies, which has enabled us to survive during the pandemic, but most praise must be to the staff and volunteers who worked hard to safely maintain the Gardens and each other through the period.

Our work in Therapeutic Horticulture continues to rely on grants from Charitable Trusts including on-going support from Jo Malone London.

Environmental Education sessions with schools and other groups have been restricted this year, with delivery moving online. We are looking to bring this back to its previous level in the next year. Income generating activity was reduced due to the Garden closure, but, thanks to our Friends, donations have remained in line with prior years.

Trustees have continued to review income generation with the aim of increasing income from: -

Following the completion of 2 major projects in the last 12 months, the primary focus of our income generation activities continues to be on securing funding for our running costs.

We plan to replace the current Mollie Martineau building in the near future, to provide a warmer and more welcoming space for staff and volunteers. The Trustees have moved £50,000 into building funds for this purpose.

Reserves Policy

The Charity has agreed the level of reserves, that is, those funds that are freely available that the Charity ought to retain for the unexpected and for future investment. The Charity aims that cash or borrowing facilities are available to cover three months of normal unrestricted expenditure which now amounts to approximately £11,000 and year end unrestricted cash amounted to £24,000. The Charity considers that in the current economic conditions, it would be prudent to maintain a higher than normal level of cash until future operating conditions become clearer. In future years, higher levels of funds may be retained to support our further refurbishment plans.

Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

The Charity does not hold any funds as custodian trustee on behalf of others.

2

Martineau Gardens

Company No. 4273209

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2021 (incorporating the Directors’ report)

Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

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

The trustees have given consideration to the Charity Commission guidance and the Charity Act 2011 with regards to public benefit.

Independent examiners

The trustees have appointed Birmingham Voluntary Services Council (BVSC) to carry out an independent examination of these accounts.

By order of the Trustees:

Tim Bruton (Treasurer)

5th October 2021

Approved by the Board and Membership at the AGM of 23[rd] October 2021

3

Martineau Gardens Company No. 4273209

Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 31 March 2021

Notes
Incoming resources
Grants
Charitable services
Sales
Donations
Building development
Friends Scheme
Bank interest
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Charitable expenditure
Therapeutic horticulture salaries
2
Other therapeutic horticulture costs
Charitable services
Premises and overheads
Public engagement
Building development and depreciation
Other expenditure
Cost of sales
Total resources expended
Transfer of funds
Net movement in funds
Total funds at start of year
Total funds at end of year		 Unrestricted
Funds

£
35,889
120
2,911
33,695
-
5,474
-

Restricted
Funds

£

132,972

1,035

-

-

-

-

-

Total Funds
2021

£

168,861

1,155

2,911

33,695

-

5,474

-

Total Funds
2020

£

124,962

5,951

48,406

14,616

5,120

6,587

284
78,089
134,007
212,096
205,926
-
-
-
(5,571)
(33,493)
(40)
(4,859)
(56,863)

(22,310)

(17,523)

(8,168)

-

(10,054)

-
(56,863)

(22,310)

(17,523)

(13,739)

(33,493)

(10,094)

(4,859)
(62,155)

(7,253)

(34,707)

(16,664)

(40,778)

(10,884)

(11,742)
(43,963)
(114,918)
(158,881)
(184,183)
(51,517)
51,517
-
-
(17,391)
41,725
70,606

91,843
53,215

133,568
21,743

111,825
24,334
162,449
186,783
133,568

4

Martineau Gardens Company No. 4273209

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2021

Notes
Tangible fixed assets
3
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
4
Debtors
5
Creditors falling due in one year
6
Net current assets
Net assets
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
7
Fixed asset fund
Total funds		 2021

£
17,992
2020

£

25,402

128,896

3,150

132,046

(23,880)

108,166

133,568

41,725

66,440

25,403

133,568
183,481
605
184,086
(15,295)
168,791
186,783
24,334
144,457
17,992
186,783

For the year ended 31 March 2021, the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

There were no related party transactions in the current or prior period.

No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibility for:

  1. Ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386; and

  2. Preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of its financial year and of its profit and loss for the financial year in accordance with section 393 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act relating to accounts so far as applicable to the company.

Approved by the trustees on 5[th] October 2021 2021 and signed on its behalf by:

Tim Bruton (Treasurer)

5

Martineau Gardens

Company No. 4273209

Notes to the accounts

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16[th] July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011 and the UK Generally accepted Practices it applies from 1 January 2015.The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Capitalisation and depreciation of tangible assets

All assets costing more than £200 are capitalised, including, where applicable, irrecoverable VAT. No depreciation is charged in the year of acquisition. The cost of these assets is then written off by equal annual instalments over their expected useful life as follows:

Equipment: 3-10 years

Incoming resources

Grants are generally recognised in full in the Statement of Financial Activities, in the year in which they are receivable. Grants received which support future charitable activity are deferred.

Statutory income, sales and donations are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.

Resources expended

Resources expended are recognised in the period in which they are incurred.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as general funds.

2. Staff costs

Staff costs (net of furlough claims) were as follows:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Total funds		 2021
£
85,807
2,793
2020

£

114,109

2,487
88,600
116,596

Within the Statement of Financial Activities wages and salaries are allocated to the category of expenditure to which they relate.

The average weekly number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:


quivalents, was as follows:
2021 2020
Project co-ordinators and management 4.8 5.1

No trustees receive any remuneration or benefits, no trustee expenses were paid and no staff earn over £60 , 000

6

Martineau Gardens

Company No. 4273209

Notes to the accounts

3. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2020
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2021
Depreciation
At 1 April 2020
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 March 2021
Net book value
At 31 March 2021
At 31 March 2020
4. Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank
5. Debtors
Trade debtors
6.
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Deferred revenue		 2021
£
183,481		 Equipment
£
44,510
894
(6,083)
39,321
19,108
8,304
(6,083)
21,329
17,992
25,402

2020

£

128,896
183,481
128,896
2021
£
605
2020

£

3,150
2021
£
2,795
12,500
2020

£

1,380

22,500
15,295
23,880

Deferred revenue represents grants and statutory income received in the year that relates to the future periods.

7

Martineau Gardens Company No. 4273209

Notes to the accounts

7. Restricted Funds

Opening balance
Income for the year
Expenditure
Transfers
Closing balance		 Therapeutic
Horticulture
Building
Funds
Charitable
Services
BUPA
Other
Total
21,774
2,906
-
14,665
27,095
66,440
104,100
-
6,535
-
23,372
134,007
(84,618)
(1,789)
(7,196)
(1,195)
(11,853)
(106,651)
-
50,000
661
-
-
50,661
41,256
51,117
-
13,470
38,614
144,457

8

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Martineau Gardens

I report on the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner:

The trustees (who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

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:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

have not been met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

..................................... Paul Bowater ACA Independent Examiner 11 October 2021

BVSC – Accountancy Services 138 Digbeth Birmingham B5 6DR