## **Ridgeline Trust – East Reading Hor3cultural Therapy and Community-Based Training Ltd** ## **Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2024** ## **Foreword: maintaining public trust and confidence** ## **The na3onal context** The Charity Commission regularly tracks public opinion of chari7es as part of their objec7ves to increase public trust and confidence and to promote charity compliance and accountability to donors, beneficiaries and the wider public. They reported in 20231 that chari7es con7nue to be well regarded and trusted by the public, who expect that a high propor7on of funds should directly resource charity objec7ves, and an7cipate tangible, posi7ve outcomes to be evident. Chari7es are required not only to live their values in what they achieve, but also in how they do so. Research on charity transparency found that small, local chari7es are more inclined to be trusted, where a personal connec7on to the cause is apparent. The Commission makes it clear that while chari7es are well-regarded, ranking second only to doctors for trustworthiness, there is no room for complacency. High standards in governance and performance must be both set and met. Such findings are crucial for informing individual chari7es about how to respond, develop and survive - in short, how to be agile and effec7ve in a fastchanging world. ## **At Ridgeline Trust** Ridgeline has earned strong local trust and loyal support over many years and in May 2023 we proudly celebrated a significant milestone, our 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, we held a fundraising week culmina7ng in a garden party aKended by over 300 supporters. Generous dona7ons throughout the week were made to the Big Give Kind2 Mind campaign in aid of our Special Circumstances Fund, exceeding the £5,000 target. In September 2023 an illustrated summary of Ridgeline’s first 20 years, prepared by Graham Johnson (former Chair), was presented at a Friends’ tea party. This outlined the origin and growth of Ridgeline and provided an opportunity to acknowledge the contribu7on that so many have made to its successful development. We are pleased to report con7nued growth to our services during 2023-24. We are grateful to local chari7es for suppor7ng our social prescribing sessions, as well as to other sources of funding which have helped with garden developments benefiYng our client gardeners. With much enthusiasm and 7me generously given by staff, volunteers and supporters, our popular Plant Sale in July and the Harvest Fete in September were eagerly aKended by the enthusias7c local community, raising significant income for reinves7ng directly into delivering our charitable objec7ves. Managing our expenditure prudently remained a strong impera7ve. We began the financial year with a small surplus of £2,730, and built on this to achieve £7,877 in surplus at year-end 2023-24. Achieving a small annual surplus is important to demonstrate good management of our budget and enables us to fund modest, addi7onal improvements to our services and to the garden. It is also crucial for designa7ng funds towards maintaining our estate and in par7cular our all-weather pavilion, so that we can con7nue to offer hor7cultural therapy services all year round. 1 www.charitycommission.blog.gov.uk/2023/07/14/trustee-and-public-trust-research/ ## **1. Overview** ## **1.1 What we do** Ridgeline Trust offers social and therapeu7c hor7culture to people with mental and/or physical disabili7es and other special needs. Our professionally-trained hor7cultural therapists offer safe gardening ac7vi7es all year round in our beau7ful garden near Reading town centre. With our support, beneficiaries recover and develop their skills, confidence, and self-esteem and enjoy the opportuni7es provided for social communica7on in a calm, restora7ve environment. We foster evidence-led approaches in the provision of social and therapeu7c hor7culture, delivered with a firm commitment to collabora7on, inclusion and professional prac7ce. All our ac7vi7es are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit. ## **2. Main ac3vi3es during the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024** Our ac7vi7es are set out in the form of the priori7es we agreed at the previous AGM, with brief comments on how well we have achieved them. ## **2.1 To build on the achievements of the past year to restore and expand client gardening sessions by increasing par3cipa3on across all our adult groups.** **This has been achieved and is ongoing through 2024** (previous year figures in brackets) **:** - We helped 70 (55) people to enjoy the benefits of hor7cultural therapy - We ran 196 (166) hor7cultural therapy sessions - We provided over 3,500 (3,000) hours of hor7cultural therapy ## **2.2 To con3nue to look for alterna3ve ways of funding the adult Hor3cultural Therapy sessions with a view to reducing our reliance on grant funding and ensuring that cost is not a barrier for those who would otherwise benefit from par3cipa3on.** ## **This has been achieved and is ongoing:** - The Social Prescribers at the University Health Centre con7nued to successfully iden7fy sources of funding for some of the Monday client gardeners, with further support secured from the Berkshire Nurses Relief Fund and from Reading Dispensary Trust. - We renewed our procedures for assessing clients to benefit from our Special Circumstances Fund and replenished this through the Big Give Kind2Mind match funding ini7a7ve in May 2023. This coincided with Ridgeline’s 20th Anniversary for which we held an enjoyable garden party on 21st May, and generous dona7ons made during the week-long campaign exceeded the £5,000 target by £1,336 (£1,898 with Gig Aid). This meant the addi7onal income including gig aid was unrestricted in terms of how we could use it. - The popular annual Plant Sale held in July 2023 was well aKended as ever, and raised £2,709. - Our annual Friends event was hosted by Graham and Angela Johnson on 3 September 2023. Ridgeline’s 20th anniversary was marked with an illustrated summary Graham had prepared of Ridgeline’s first 20 years, with the many Friends who have contributed over the years appreciated through this acknowledgement. - The Harvest Fete in September 2023 raised a record £3,867 including a significant dona7on from Aurum investment specialists, in response to Marc Bartsch’s guitarathon. Visitors to the garden enjoyed Marc’s talented playing as they browsed the stalls and enjoyed tea and homemade cakes donated by our many volunteers and supporters. _2_ - Now firmly established in the calendar, ”Daffodil Day" in March 2024 raised £757 through the sale of indoor, seasonal plants and refreshments. - One of our Hor7cultural Therapists, Hannah Pritchard, secured £1,000 in the prior year from the Lakeland Staff Managed Charity Fund for par7al funding of a new greenhouse which was erected in July 2023. - From January 2024, one year’s financial support was pledged through Benevity by IBM, in recogni7on of one of their employees volunteering at Ridgeline. - Having received an increased number of enquiries about Hor7cultural Therapy sessions, we planned for opening a new session on Monday mornings but this was not achieved by April 2024, owing to lack of sufficient client gardeners for the session. ## **2.3. To maintain careful monitoring of our finances in view of the infla3onary pressures on our budget and to iden3fy where savings can be made that do not impact the quality of service we offer.** **This has been achieved and is ongoing:** - We increased our current reserves to £7,877 through careful management of income and expenditure. - As part of our financial planning, we introduce propor7onate annual price increases for our services and make considered increases to staff salaries, based on infla7on and market rates. - We con7nued to work as sustainably as possible - reusing, repurposing and minimising all waste. For example, work was started on a tool washing area with a washing sta7on made from repurposed wood. Tools are dipped in a bucket containing water from a water buK before being cleaned with brushes; this is a very effec7ve water-saving measure. Any surplus pots were taken to a local garden centre for recycling. - Problems with the Pavilion roof and the plumbing were dealt with by local firms ager research to find compe77ve quotes, being always mindful of the cost to the charity. - Fundraising at the gate via bucket dona7ons at Plant Sale and Harvest Fete events con7nued to be a successful means of fundraising for specific items. Visitors enjoy seeing what their dona7ons help us provide. - Our Wednesday maintenance volunteers con7nued, as ever, to support the work of the hor7cultural therapists and to maintain the garden to a high standard, given 7me constraints and the numbers involved. They represent an invaluable resource to the garden. ## **2.4. To achieve beSer outcomes by working in partnership with other organisa3ons including schools and to con3nue to develop exis3ng partnerships and establish new ones in order to achieve our objec3ves.** **This has been achieved and is ongoing:** - As members of Reading Green Wellbeing Network (RGWN), we pay an annual membership fee of £55. We benefit from joint ini7a7ves and sharing of useful informa7on including funding opportuni7es, publicity to poten7al referrers, and links to relevant publica7ons. We aKended their conference at the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) in March 2024, where we had a stand to publicise Ridgeline. - We have benefited from our associa7on with Reading Voluntary Ac7on (RVA) which enabled us to adver7se on their site and recruit two new trustees to Ridgeline, and a number of volunteers to support client gardening sessions. - We aKended the Pepsico Volunteering Fayre organised by Connect Reading in October 2023, to promote Ridgeline and to network with the local business community for their support. It _3_ was held at Green Park and aKended by staff from companies working there. About 40 chari7es and non-profit organisa7ons aKended, with 3 from RGWN - Ridgeline, Thrive and Green Health Thames Valley. Greenery from the garden enhanced our stand and aKracted aKen7on, enabling us to raise awareness of Ridgeline’s work. ## **2.5. To con3nue to develop the garden so that it can provide meaningful gardening ac3vi3es for an increasing number of client gardeners. This has been achieved and is ongoing:** - Managing the garden and its maintenance by alloca7ng each gardening group an area for which they are responsible for its maintenance and development con7nued to work well. - ● We were sorry to say goodbye to Rachel Jarvis who resigned from her roles as Hor7cultural Therapy Coordinator and lead for the Addington School Groups, as she was leaving Reading. Rachel contributed much to Ridgeline’s development during her involvement with the garden and school groups. - Julie Roberts, who was appointed Garden Coordinator on the departure of Rachel Jarvis, smoothly transi7oned into the role and effec7vely supported Margaret Osborne in leading development and maintenance of the garden. - We were also pleased to welcome exis7ng volunteer Catherine Watkins as the new HT lead for Addington School. - The new greenhouse was erected in July 2023, giving more growing space and extending the growing season. It has toughened safety glass and is wheelchair accessible. - In the garden, the Goat Willow was pruned for safety and three new steps were created from the Welcome Bed to improve access. These were built by one of our recently recruited volunteers, using repurposed materials. Client gardeners who are unsteady can now fully access the bed and as the steps are light-coloured, this also enables those who have sight difficul7es to see them clearly. - Volunteers with DIY skills con7nued to make a very valuable contribu7on to the general maintenance of the garden, for example mending benches and tables and fixing water buKs. - ● We were delighted to make a presenta7on in July 2023 to Gill Grainger and Carol Woodward for their dedicated and commiKed work since the garden's founding. ## **2.6. To commit resources and energy to professional prac3ce and good governance. This has been achieved and is ongoing:** - The Trustees met regularly, every 4-6 weeks throughout the year, and some7mes with the wider Planning Group. At these mee7ngs, progress on our objec7ves was monitored and a number of policies and procedures were reviewed according to schedule. - Our finances were closely monitored by our volunteer Treasurer, Gillian Charles, and through her excellent repor7ng and helpful financial analysis we were able to achieve a posi7ve yearend ouKurn. Ager 5 years of excellent service much appreciated by the trustees, Gillian stood down as treasurer at the year-end in April 2024. - We welcomed Karine Ferreira into the treasurer role, ini7ally as a volunteer and subsequently as a trustee. - We welcomed MaK James as a new trustee. MaK brings current HR experience and knowledge. - We reviewed our procedures for volunteer recruitment and improved our induc7on materials and prac7ce. _4_ - We embarked on a document management project, to make fuller and beKer use of Google Workspace, to ensure current and historical informa7on is logically categorised and can be retrieved more efficiently and effec7vely. ## **3. Brief summary of significant ac3vi3es and developments since the end of the financial year, for informa3on:** - The Plant sale in May was very well aKended and raised £3,743. We were able to coincide this with our Big Give Kind2Mind appeal, exceeding our fundraising target of £5,000. - An Easy Fundraising Account was set up in June 2024, so that Ridgeline supporters who register for shopping through the Easy Fundraising site would aKract dona7ons from over 7,000 brands every 7me they made purchases. - ● We were pleased to appoint Ka7e Andrews in July to provide HT support to cover expansion in our services. - Summer holiday sessions for some of our school aKendees were trialled in July/August 2024. These proved popular with both the aKendees and their carers and feedback has been collected with a view to building this provision into subsequent school holiday periods. - On 14 August we were grateful to 6 volunteers from Vodafone, who created 4 new nursery tables, cleared behind the polytunnel and did some path weeding on behalf of their company’s volunteering commitment. - ● New chairs were purchased for indoor and outdoor ac7vi7es, beKer suited to client gardeners with disabili7es. - ● The Annual Friends tea party was held on 1 September, aKended by 12 Friends ● The Harvest Fete was well aKended on 15 September and raised £2,713. ● Autumn 2024 sessions include adult client gardeners aKending on Monday mornings (as a small trial for this 7me slot), on Monday agernoons, and on Tuesday mornings and agernoons). - Autumn term 2024 school groups have expanded to include Brookfield (Wednesday mornings, 10 week trial from 11 September), Addington (Thursday mornings and agernoons, Friday mornings), Avenue (Friday agernoons, 8 sessions from 13 September). - ● In September, RGWN supported the University Community Fair in Freshers Week, which we aKended. - The trustees have updated Ridgeline’s strategy and the 2024-27 version is available on the website at the _Our Mission_ page. ## **4. Finance** ## **4.1 Accounts for 2023-2024** The accounts have been circulated prior to the AGM. All figures quoted here will be subject to Independent Cer7fica7on. Last year’s figures are shown in brackets for comparison. - In summary, our income for the period was £54,774 (compared with £43,882 in 2022-23). - £8,942 (£6,180) came from project grants (prior year included grant for the Coronavirus Job Reten7on Scheme), £13,224 (£12,477) from fundraising ac7vi7es and dona7ons and £32,609 (£25,224) from charges for our services. _5_ - We spent £7,327 (£5,330) on grant-funded projects, including the Social Prescribing Project with the University Health Centre, and on usage of our Special Circumstances Fund. - Events and General opera7ng costs were £37,447 (£33,700), of which £29,906 were employment costs (less staff costs aKributed to the Social Prescribing Project). - Deprecia7on on the building was £2,123 (£2,123) - Income exceeded expenditure by £7,877 (£2,730). - Total assets at 31 March 2024 stood at £72,305 (£64,427 at 31 March 2023). The Pavilion building is a fixed asset, currently valued at £27,594 (£29,717) ager deprecia7on. Net current assets totalled £44,710 (£34,710). Of these current funds, £2,102 (£1,562) were treated as _6_ restricted with the remaining £42,608 (£33,148) available in reserves for running costs, general garden development and con7ngencies. • Since the year-end, grants totalling £12,640 have been received. **4.2 Grants from Organiza3ons during the financial year 2023-24:** |**_Organisa(on_**|**_Purpose_**|**_Amount_**| |---|---|---| |_Reading Dispensary Trust_|_For Social Prescribing client gardeners_|_£1,606 (£1,866 including £260_
_refunded in 2024-25 fnancial_
_year)_| |_Berkshire Nurses Relief Fund_|_For Social Prescribing client gardeners_|_£1,000_| |_Big Give_|_Special Circumstances Fund for_
_benefciaries with mental health needs_|_£5,000 (Restricted), £1,335_
_(Unrestricted)_| |_Lakeland Staf Managed_
_Charity Fund_|_New Greenhouse_|_£0 (£1,000 funds awarded in_
_prior year, cost incurred in_
_2023-24 fnancial year)_| **4.3 Friends of Ridgeline Scheme:** This encourages regular dona7ons, providing a degree of reliability in our income. £2,434 was contributed by a total of 16 Ridgeline Friends. We con7nue in our efforts to encourage more of our supporters to join this scheme. A further £3,271 was raised in one-off dona7ons from generous supporters of Ridgeline Trust and Gig Aid. **4.4. Reserves Policy:** Our aim, in which we have succeeded in the year under report, is always to maintain a balance of sufficient funds in the bank to enable us to con7nue to meet our ongoing obliga7ons and to operate for at least three months (and preferably six months) in the event of unforeseen con7ngencies or failure to aKract sufficient income or grant funding for providing our core Hor7cultural Therapy services. These reserves are regarded by the Trustees as virtually “ringfenced” in the charity’s management accounts. Three months’ funding at current levels is approximately £12,000. ## **5. Strategy and Development** ## **2020-23** Our Ridgeline Strategy for 2020-2023 provided clear direc7on and concrete steps for how we would resume our work in pandemic condi7ons, priori7sing the safety of our clients, staff and volunteers. It aspired to diversify and extend our services to addi7onal clients, including those in need of support and rehabilita7on as a result of the new circumstances arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it affirmed our commitment to good governance and professional prac7ce. This Strategy was largely met as it con7nued to inform our proposals on the priori7es for year under report ## **2024-27** A new strategy has been developed for 2024-27 to determine our development priori7es going forward and may be viewed on our website via a link embedded in the _Our Mission_ page. _7_ ## **6. Priori3es for the year 2024-2025** 1. To build on the achievements of the past year and expand client gardening sessions by increasing par7cipa7on, with a focus on our adult groups. 2. To con7nue to look for alterna7ve ways of funding the adult Hor7cultural Therapy sessions with a view to reducing our reliance on grant funding whilst also ensuring that cost is not a barrier for those who would otherwise benefit from par7cipa7on. 3. To maintain careful monitoring of our finances in view of the infla7onary pressures on our budget and to iden7fy where savings can be made that do not impact on the quality of service we offer. 4. To achieve beKer outcomes by working in partnership with other organisa7ons including schools and to con7nue to develop exis7ng partnerships and establish new ones in order to achieve our objec7ves. 5. To con7nue to develop the garden so that it can provide meaningful gardening ac7vi7es for an increasing number of client gardeners. 6. To commit resources and energy to professional prac7ce and good governance. ## **7. Governance and Organisa3on** **7.1 Governing Document:** The organisa7on is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 12 May 2003 and registered as a charity on 15 September 2003. The company was established under a Memorandum of Associa7on which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Ar7cles of Associa7on. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10. The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Ar7cles are known as Trustees. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Ar7cles of Associa7on, one third of the Trustees are required to re7re each year by rota7on in the order of the 7me since their appointment. Re7ring Trustees may be re-elected at the Annual General Mee7ng. **7.2 Organisa3on:** The running of the Charity is managed through the efforts of an enthusias7c but small number of regular volunteers from the local community. A brief overview of the governance arrangements is as follows: - Members of the Charity (of whom there were 15 at 31/3/2024) who aKend and are en7tled to vote at all General Mee7ngs of the Charity, are appointed by the Trustees. More Members would be very welcome. - Trustees (currently seven), appointed by the Members, of whom Sara Uren was formerly Chair. We recruited two new Trustees in 2023-24, bringing in new skills which enable us to spread responsibili7es and ensure succession planning for the future. We expect their appointments to be formally confirmed at the AGM in November 2024. - The Planning Group comprises all Trustees and the Development Manager. The agenda includes standing items for repor7ng any health and safety and safeguarding items at each mee7ng. The Hor7cultural Therapists submit reports for considera7on and may aKend mee7ngs from 7me-to-7me. Mee7ngs take place at least every two months, at which planning and any significant developments are tabled, so that opera7onal decisions can be taken. In Trustee mee7ngs, strategic decisions are taken, approvals are given, policies and procedures are reviewed, and finances and budget are monitored with input from the Treasurer trustee. In addi7on, informal Garden Planning discussions take place regularly throughout the year. - Staff, Volunteers and Friends are invited to aKend as observers at the AGM. _8_ The Trustees con7nue to encourage and recruit volunteers for the essen7al and rewarding work of running the garden and the Charity’s client services. From 7me-to-7me, we also welcome interest from volunteers who have the skills or experience to contribute to the administra7on of the Charity. Our Management Structure and our 23 policies and procedures are carefully reviewed, through an annual calendar of agenda items at the Planning Mee7ngs. The monitoring of risks to the Charity is undertaken, in line with guidance from the Charity Commission, principally in terms of governance, external, regulatory and compliance, financial and opera7onal risks. The aim is to sa7sfy ourselves that our iden7fica7on and management of risk enable us to fulfil our duty of accountability to our stakeholders, including beneficiaries, donors, funders, employees and the general public. The Trustees are grateful to our accountant Peter Tilbury for his assistance in cer7fying our accounts, providing payroll services and hos7ng our Registered Office. Sara Uren was re-elected at the November 2023 AGM via resigna7on and reappointment of one third of Trustees by rota7on, as required by Ar7cles of Associa7on. **8. List of Trustees of the Charity** (all of whom were appointed at a General Mee7ng under the Ar7cles of Associa7on, originally adopted on 10 May 2003, and were Directors of the Company) during the period under report: - Sara Jane Uren - Rosalind Jessie Richards - Margaret Osborne - Stuart Donald - Jane Ruse - Karine Ferreira - MaK James ## **9. Companies Act requirements** For the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 the Company was en7tled to exemp7on from audit under sec7on 477 of the Companies Act 2006 rela7ng to small companies. Directors’ responsibili7es: - The Members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in ques7on, in accordance with sec7on 476. - The Directors acknowledge their responsibili7es for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accoun7ng records and the prepara7on of accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. **Public Benefit Statement:** The Trustees have complied with their duty to have regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and du7es. **The above Directors’ Report is to be presented at the Annual General Mee3ng of the Charity on 11 November 2024** ## **Board of Directors/Trustees** _**East Reading Hor(cultural Therapy and Community- Based Training Ltd (The Charity known as Ridgeline Trust)** Company limited by guarantee - Company no. 4760734 - Registered Charity no. 1099441 Registered Office: 6 Windsor Square, Silver Street, Reading RG1 2TH admin@ridgelinetrust.org.uk www.ridgelinetrust.org.uk_ _9_ Q) o(N U) C (n i a)7) CLL C LU a) L) ID no on¢ OCD￿ U)uJC l 1]2kll lilli ]I' Ill uoo OOCNI coo¢ too 00 ioo (+4 (n a) £ (n Q(n u(n QL) W< GF- Ow CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examine￿5 Report Report to the trusteesl members of East Reading Horticultural Therapy and Community Based Training Limited (known as Ridgeline Trust} On accounts for the year ended st 31 March 2024 Charity no (if any) 1099441 Set out on pages 1&2 ber- Oi 2Adi I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above harity {'the Trust.) for the year ended 31103 12024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}Ib) of the Act. Independent examiner's ststsment I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination disda9￿. which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect,: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts did not accord wrth the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no COn￿rn8 and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: 19th December 2024 Name". Petsr N. Tilbury Relevant professional qualificationls) or body (if any): Fellow of the Association of Intsrnational Accountants (FAIA) (Membership Number 142181) IER October 2018 Address.. 6 Windsor Square, Silver Street, Reading, Berkshire. RG12TH Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. NONE IER October 2018