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← Sydenham Garden

2024-03-31-accounts

Sydenham Garden

Trustees’ Annual Report

and

Financial Statements

For the year ended 31[st] March 2024

Registered Charity No. 1108100

Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No. 05291164

SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Contents

TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS ............................................................................................... 2 COMPANY DETAILS AND ADVISERS ..................................................................................... 3 GOVERNANCE .................................................................................................................... 4 OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................................... 4 MANAGEMENT, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ............................................................................ 6 ATTENDANCE STATISTICS (GROUPED): .............................................................................. 6 ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS ........................................................................................ 8 FINANCIAL REVIEW ............................................................................................................ 9 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ................................................................................. 12 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ............................................................................ 13 BALANCE SHEET ............................................................................................................... 14 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .......................................................................... 15

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Trustees present their report for the financial year ending 31[st] March 2024.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting for Charities SORP FRS102 and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 13 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small entities. It includes the directors’ report as required by company law.

TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS

The directors of the charitable company are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law. Throughout these statements the reference to either Directors or Trustees is a reference to both.

The following Directors have served either for the whole or part of the time since 1[st] April 2023:

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Position held / relevant dates
Kehinde Adeogun Appointed as Trustee 05/08/20, Vice Chair since 02/12/2022, re-elected
23/11/2022
Julia Brandreth Appointed as Trustee 04/04/19, Chair since 13/06/19, re-elected as
Trustee and Chair 22/11/2023
Frances Bristow Appointed as Trustee 12/04/18, Vice Chair since 05/12/19, retirement as
trustee and Vice Chair 22/11/2023
Sir Stephen Michael Bullock Appointed as Trustee 06/12/18, re-elected 23/11/22
Jullen Gordon Appointed as Trustee 05/08/20, re-elected 23/11/22
Arthur Ngoka Appointed as Trustee 29/08/17, re-elected 07/11/20, former Treasurer
Natasha Victoria Ratter Appointed as Trustee 07/11/22, elected as Trustee 23/11/22, elected as
Vice Chair 31/01/24
Laura Elizabeth Reynolds Appointed as Trustee 07/11/22, elected 23/11/22, appointed as Vice Chair
09/03/2023
Laura Saksena Appointed as Trustee 01/08/23, elected 22/11/23
Jon Sherman Appointed as Trustee 05/09/19 and Treasurer since 10/12/19, re-elected
13/11/2021
Anne Sykes Appointed as Trustee 05/07/18, re-elected 22/11/2023
Graeme Thomson Appointed as Trustee 25/08/17, Vice Chair since 06/12/18, Company
-
Secretary since 07/12/18, re elected as Vice Chair 22/11/23
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Summary details about the Trustees are set out on the Sydenham Garden website.

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMPANY DETAILS AND ADVISERS

Reference Details:

Telephone: 020 82911650 Email : info@sydenhamgarden.org.uk Website : www.sydenhamgarden.org.uk

Independent Examiner

Carleys The Fitted Rigging House Anchor Wharf, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TZ

Bankers

CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ

Registered Office

Sydenham Garden Resource Centre 28a Wynell Road, London, SE23 2LW

Solicitors

Ewings & Co 148 High Street Penge, London, SE20 7EU

Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 05291164

Registered Charity No: 1108100

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GOVERNANCE

Governing Document:

Sydenham Garden is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is established under a Memorandum of Association and governed by its Articles of Association.

Trustee Recruitment and Appointment:

Under the Articles of Association, the Board of Trustees consists of at least six and not more than thirteen individuals. One third (or the number nearest) of the Trustees, excepting those being elected or retiring, must offer themselves for re-election at each AGM, with those longest in office retiring first and the choice between any of equal service being made by drawing lots.

At the AGM in November 2023 Fran Bristow stepped down as a Trustee after five and a half years’ service. Fran used her NHS and strategy experience to make a big contribution during her time as trustee. Fran will always be welcome at our sites.

One new trustee was appointed during the year. Laura Saksena brings experience in dementia and mental health settings at a strategic level. Laura was also appointed the Trustee Board Safeguarding Lead during the year.

Trustee Benefit:

Trustees of the Charity do not receive any benefits from their position. Trustees are entitled to reclaim travel and other reasonable expenses incurred in their duties. No Trustees made a claim in the 2023/24 period (22/23: nil). The charity pays for trustee indemnity insurance.

Trustee Induction and on-going training:

All Trustees are provided with a detailed role description and given informal guidance and support regarding their role from the Chair and Vice Chairs of Trustees. All new Trustees receive a copy of the NCVO Good Trustee Guide. Trustees are encouraged to attend training to help them in their roles.

Trustees’ Responsibilities:

The Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction of the Charity, setting its aims and monitoring progress towards these. Day to day management is delegated to the Director.

Trustees’ Meetings:

The Board of Trustees have met seven times during the year. The Officers sub-group met a similar number of times during the year.

Trustee Sub-Committees:

During the financial year, two of the three Trustee Sub-Committees met periodically. These Committees are Finance and Governance (Chair: Jon Sherman) and Services and People (Chair: Anne Sykes). The Fundraising Sub-committee held its first meeting in May 2024 (Chair: Natasha Ratter)

OBJECTIVES

Objects:

The objects of the Charity as set out in our governing document are:

To promote the physical and mental health of the residents of the Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley and other South London Boroughs, in particular by providing:

(a) a community garden where horticulture is used for therapy and rehabilitation;

(b) the protection and preservation of the environment for the benefit of the public by the conservation or promotion of biological diversity through:

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Mission Statement:

Sydenham Garden aims to transform lives through therapeutic activities, enabling people to move forward in a supportive community environment. We aspire to be a diverse, inclusive, sustainably funded, quality assured organisation. We will continue to develop a range of high quality and inspiring activities and opportunities for the local community, primarily for those experiencing mental ill health or other significant illness.

Public Benefit:

To achieve our objects, Sydenham Garden provides services to the people of Lewisham, Bromley and other South London boroughs that improve their mental and physical health, and their quality of life and provide opportunities for social interaction.

Sydenham Garden’s Trustees confirm that the activities of the Charity are carried out in line with its objects, for the benefit of the public, and the impact of our work on our beneficiaries is a key criterion when deciding what activities to undertake and how best to achieve our mission. Sydenham Garden’s Trustees therefore confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission in determining the activities undertaken by the Charity.

During the year, we developed a new multi-year strategic plan to guide us until 2027. The strategic plan was developed through several sessions involving trustees, staff, volunteers and co-workers. The strategic plan, which was approved by the Board in September 2023, includes six sections: Our Activities, Our Learning and Sharing, Our Volunteers, Our Environment, Supporting Our Activities and Resourcing Our Activities. Four overall strategic aims are:

  1. To develop Sydenham Garden services to reach a larger cohort of co-workers

  2. To continuously improve the effectiveness and impact of Sydenham Garden’s activities

  3. To solidify and diversify Sydenham Garden’s funding sources

  4. To increase Sydenham Garden’s diversity at all levels.

During the year we completed reports for our funding from a range of sources including Lewisham Council, Together for Mental Wellbeing, South-East London Mind, City Bridge Foundation, Mercer’s Company, Henry Smith Charity amongst others. At the end of the year, we conducted surveys of our co-workers (56 respondents in total) and volunteers (36 respondents in total), with the following results:

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MANAGEMENT, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

Staff:

Other staff whose employment continued in 2023-24 are: Beth Jaichand, Director; Vani Niranjan, Finance Manager; David Lloyd, Growing Lives Project Coordinator; Steve Prowse, Business and Premises Manager; Charlotte Dove, Garden Project Lead; Joanna Vallis, Art & Craft Project Lead; Rachael Tyndall, Outreach and Development Worker; Sekha Hall, Environment Education and Biodiversity Officer; Inma Anido, Booking Host; and Vinay Thakrar, Booking Host.

The Trustees acknowledge and are very grateful for the enormous contribution and professionalism of the staff, past and present, to the work of the Charity. The Trustees would particularly like to acknowledge the contribution of Jermaine Bennett to Sydenham Garden during his seven years of service.

Volunteers:

Our volunteers are crucial to Sydenham Garden’s operations; the Trustees and staff record their gratitude for their time and effort. We had 71 people volunteering regularly for the Charity in 20232024, contributing on average 3 hours per week. This results in over 10,000 volunteer hours over the year.

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS (GROUPED):

The table below shows the number of referrals and number of co-workers attending at least one session during the year, with data for previous years shown for comparison. The diversity data for our co-workers during the year is also presented. Data for 2020 – 2021 is not available as a result of Covid interrupting normal services.

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2023- 2022-23 2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016-
24 22 20 19 18 17
Number of
258 318 441 313 421
Referrals 277 213
Number of
people
attending at 336 238 180 228 378 354 349
least one
session
Lewisham
Co-worker 2023- 2022-23 2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016-
2021
ethnicity 24 22 20 19 18 17
Census
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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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Asian 4% 6% 7% 4% 9% 5% 4% 9%
Black or Black 23% 26%
22% 21% 16% 27% 19% 27%
British
Mixed 7% 6% 3% 4% 12% 5% 11% 8%
White 44% 48% 47% 65% 58% 58% 60% 52%
Other 4% 2% 2% 0% 2% 3% 2% 5%
Preferred not 6% 7%
7% 5% 2% 2% 2%
to say
Not Indicated 12% 5% 12% 1% 1% 0% 2%
Lewisham
Co-worker 2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016-
2023- 2022-23 2021
Sex 22 20 19 18 17
24 Census
Female 64% 63% 61% 61% 50% 57% 54% 53%
Male 26% 33% 34% 37% 50% 42% 43% 48%
Non-binary 1%
Transgender 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Other 2% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Preferred not 1% 1%
1% 1% 0% 1% 2%
to say
Not indicated 5% 1% 2% 1% 0% 0% 2%
Co-worker 2023- 2022-23 2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016-
Age 24 22 20 19 18 17
18-24 13% 6% 3% 2% 2% 4% 4%
25-34 14% 16% 12% 24% 19% 12% 13%
35-44 13% 13% 14% 11% 10% 6% 9%
45-54 18% 22% 17% 32% 21% 16% 16%
55-64 17% 23% 13% 25% 14% 16% 14%
65-74 11% 10% 13% 3% 9% 6% 7%
75+ 9% 10% 18% 3% 23% 39% 34%
Preferred not 0% 0%
0% 0% 1% 1% 1%
to say
Not indicated 5% 0% 10% 0% 1% 0% 2%
Co-worker 2023- 2022-23
2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016-
sexual 24
22 20 19 18 17
orientation
Heterosexual 56% 69% 64% 80% 80% 79% 77%
Gay/Lesbian 3% 3% 3% 7% 2% 1% 5%
Bisexual 6% 3% 4% 3% 3% 1% 3%
Other 4% 2% 2% 1% 2% 2% 0%
Preferred not 21% 16%
11% 8% 12% 11% 1%
to say
Not indicated 10% 7% 16% 1% 1% 6% 0%
2023- 2022-23
Co-worker 2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016-
24
Disability 22 20 19 18 17
Yes 68% 81% 63% 60% 50% 65% 47%
No 6% 3% 1% 22% 34% 25% 36%
Preferred not 3% 3%
3% 11% 14.50% 6% 12%
to say
Not indicated 23% 13% 33% 7% 1.50% 4% 5%
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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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2023- 2022-23 Lewisham
Co-worker 2021- 2019- 2018- 2017- 2016-
24 2021
Religion 22 20 19 18 17
census
Buddhist 0% 3% 2% 1% 1% 3% 1% 1%
Christian 25% 29% 36% 44% 47% 61% 62% 44%
Hindu 1% 1% 0% 0% 3% 0% 2% 2%
Jewish 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0.3%
Muslim 1% 3% 2% 1% 4% 4% 1% 7%
No Religion 17% 23% 17% 35% 30% 18% 21% 37%
Sikh 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1% 0.2%
Other 11% 4% 10% 7% 4% 3% 3% 1%
Preferred not 30% 26%
13% 9% 9% 9% 8%
to say
Not indicated 14% 10% 19% 2% 2% 2% 1% 8%
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The trustees are committed to Sydenham Garden becoming an organisation that reflects the diversity and ethnicity of the community around them.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

During the year, Sydenham Garden has run the following weekly sessions: Adult Mental Health:

Dementia:

School sessions:

Clubs:

Adult Mental Health groups are run for people recovering from ill-health in Lewisham and the surrounding boroughs. People were referred to us through Lewisham Wellbeing Hub, by secondary mental health services, or via primary care services from other boroughs. All groups have social, therapeutic, creative and training based activities at their core.

Sow & Grow groups are for people in the early stages of Dementia and the Families group is for people in the early stages of Dementia and their carers. People were referred to these projects by the Lewisham Dementia Support Hub. Groups also have social, therapeutic and creative activities at their core, and

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

underpin the activities with Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), which is an evidence-based approach to treating dementia.

School sessions are delivered to four classes (aged between 6 and 18) of Brent Knoll specialist school on a weekly basis and two classes of Greenvale school on a weekly basis during term time.

Clubs are led by a staff member or volunteer and are open to all current and past co-workers as well as other staff and volunteers. In December, we were excited to become part of Lewisham Local’s ‘Warm Welcomes’ initiative for the first time, which saw our clubs transform into welcoming spaces for new visitors to the gardens. Warm Welcomes were set up to support individuals affected by increased living costs in winter. We secured a grant of £5,500 to deliver Warm Welcomes sessions from December to the end of March 2024 and had 472 visits to the groups over this time.

February saw the design and delivery of an intergenerational LGBTQIA+ History Month project, Supportive Herbs. Intertwining our 18-25-year-old's group, m.u.d. with elders from the LGBTQIA+ community, we decided upon a project that revolved around medicinal herbs. We explored our nature reserve, spent considered time with wild herbs, and conducted research at Chelsea Physic Garden. Filmmaker, Jack Hogan, composed a 28-minute film collaging our research and intergenerational conversations together. Screening this to the public, and exhibiting our botanical art, gave us the chance to meet new people from this community.

In partnership with Trinty Laban we held summer, autumn and winter series of dance for wellbeing workshops open to our current co-workers. Eighteen co-workers took part in the dance sessions which received very positive feedback. One co-worker said: “I can’t tell you how much this experience has helped my mental and physical health.”

In total, we received 277 total referrals during the year and 241 co-workers attended at least one session.

We were pleased to hold summer and winter plant sales, the De Frene Summer Festival, and participate in Sydenham Artist’s Trail during the year. Co-workers and volunteers actively participated in these events, showing friends, family and local community members around our sites and selling tea, coffee, cake, food, plants, produce and craft items. We also held six bring and share community lunches during the year, attended by co-workers, past co-workers, volunteers and staff, receiving excellent feedback about these opportunities to participate actively in the Sydenham Garden community.

We also hosted four corporate groups during the year with 50 people participating in activities. The groups undertook work on both of our sites including constructing a new wildlife pond; replacing two of our raised brick planter beds with new timber beds; building a new wood store and cleaning the greenhouse. This year, we had a total of 93 hire bookings, including church meetings, children’s nature parties, reiki workshops, art workshops and charity training. We generated income of £12,000 from corporate days and venue hire which supports our charitable work.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The charity planned to spend more than its income for the year in order to support both restricted and core projects. This was made possible by using leftover unrestricted reserves from the Covid period. Consequently, the charity spent £16,085 more than its income (compared to a deficit of £140,570 in

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2023). The total income for the year was £429,703 (compared to £343,762 in 2023), and total expenses were £445,788 (compared to £484,332 in 2023). Despite this, the charity is continuing to make progress in delivering its services.

Reserve Policy

The Trustees continued with a policy of maintaining an unrestricted reserve of approximately six months of operating costs (approximately £241k in the 24/25 financial year), which they consider remains appropriate given the challenges and uncertainties facing the charity. The total reserves as of year-end were £228,383 which is less than six months of the operating cost. The charity is expected to achieve the target reserve through the new fundraising strategy to bring more multiyear funding. The charity holds a restricted reserve of £310,707 on fixed assets: this non-cash item is depreciated every year as set out in the accounting policies.

Progress since the end of the year:

In total, we currently have 17 members of staff, three full-time, twelve part-time and two on-call.

Risk Management

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Strategies continue to be developed to mitigate these risks and are reviewed by the Trustees at board meetings.

We have secured £342,000 of the budgeted income of £483,000 for the year 2024-25 (as at June 2024).

We have funding applications totalling £265,000 currently being considered by a variety of funders. In addition to this, all secured grants and Service Agreement funds continue to be received such that 71% of 24/25 projected grant income for the year has been secured.

The charity’s initial budget for 2024-24 indicated a surplus of £1,924 for the year.

During the year we have engaged the services of a Freelance Fundraiser and developed a multi-year funding strategy.

We have been awarded a £125,000 endowment fund from the Edward Gostling Foundation. Terms state that for five years the capital and/or interest from the endowment fund must be used to ensure our reserves meet our policy of six months operating costs at the end of the each year. After five years, the restrictions lift and trustees may decide how to use the endowment fund, while meeting Charity Commission rules.

We have also been awarded a grant of £278,000 over three years from the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. The grant will start on 1 September 2024.

Banking Arrangements:

CAF Bank remains our banker. Funds are placed in the Gold Savings account with an arrangement that a balance of £1,000 is maintained in our current account at the end of each day.

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Accountants

Carleys were re-appointed as the charitable company’s accountants at the last AGM. A resolution to re-appoint Carleys for the ensuing year as independent examiner will be proposed at the 2024 AGM.

The report has been prepared having taken advantage of the small companies exemption in the Companies Act 2006

Approved by the Trustees on 19 November 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Julia Brandreth (Chair)

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SYDENHAM GARDEN FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2024 which are set out on pages 13-21.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity’s Trustees and also its directors for the purposes of company law are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”). They consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”) and that they are eligible for an independent examination.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In connection with my examination, I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:

I 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.

Tanja Lawes FCA,

Carleys

3rd December 2024

Carleys

The Fitted Rigging House Anchor Wharf, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TZ

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2024)

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 05291164

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Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Income from:
Donations and legacies
Donations 23,537 23,537 12,304
Charitable Activities
Grants received 174,917 187,722 362,639 298,645
Session fees 10,460 10,460 8,495
Session Produce Sales 4,816 4,816 4,077
Other trading activities
Fundraising and publicity 10,460 10,460 6,765
Rental and Corporate 13,074 13,074 12,009
Investment Income
Bank Interest received 4,717 4,717 1,467
Total Income 241,981 187,722 429,703 343,762
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 11,796 11,796 3,750
Charitable Activities 111,309 322,683 433,992 480,582
Total Resources Expended
123,105 322,683 445,788 484,332
(see note 16)
Net movement in funds
118,876 (134,961) (16,085) (140,570)
(see note 10)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 215,850 339,325 555,175 695,745
Transfer between funds (106,343) 106,343
Total funds carried forward 228,383 310,707 539,090 555,175
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All of the above results are derived from continuing activities.

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2024

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2024 2023
Notes
£ £
Fixed Assets:
Tangible assets 4 355,459 389,996
Current Assets:
Debtors 5 15,001 30,031
Cash at bank and in hand 255,587 186,668
270,588 216,699
Liabilities:
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 6 (86,957) (51,520)
Net Current Assets 183,631 165,179
Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 539,090 555,175
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year 0 0
Net Assets 539,090 555,175
Represented by:
General Unrestricted funds 228,383 215,850
Designated Special Unrestricted fund 0 0
Total Unrestricted funds 228,383 215,850
Restricted funds - tangible assets 310,707 339,325
Restricted funds 0 0
Total funds 539,090 555,175
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For the year ending 31[st] March 2024 the Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the Company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements on pages 13-14 were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 19 November 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

Julia Brandreth Jon Sherman Chair Treasurer

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2024

1. Accounting Policies

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with FRS 102, the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP FRS 102), applicable accounting standards and company law. The charity is a public benefit entity. The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

Incoming Resources

Charitable trading activities: income is included in the period in which the Charity is entitled to its receipt.

Donations and Grants

Income from donations and grants is included in incoming resources when these are receivable. Income is also included when the charity is entitled to it, when it is probable it will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. The exception is as follows:

When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the Charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the pre-conditions for use have been met.

Resources Expended

Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. All support costs are included under “charitable activities” rather than apportioned between each of the charity’s activities (such as fundraising), as such an apportionment would result in small, immaterial amounts attributable to non-charitable activities. The costs and time involved of calculating such an apportionment would vastly outweigh the usefulness of doing so.

Pension Costs

The Charity participates in a defined contribution scheme.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible Fixed Assets are depreciated by reference to their estimated useful lives. The rates are:

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IT and garden furniture, garden equipment, 33% straight line basis
bee hives, water tank, floodlights and bicycle
Canopy sail and water irrigation system 20% straight line basis
Other equipment, fencing, buggy, heat 10% straight line basis
source pump, PV panels, air conditioning,
greenhouse electrics and office furniture
De Frene greenhouse, hub, education hub, 10% straight line basis
compost toilet, solar kit, path shelter and
sheds
Wynell Road Garden Buildings Length of lease straight line basis
De Frene Lease Length of lease straight line basis
----- End of picture text -----

Funds Accounting

Funds held by the Charity are either:

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. Legal Status of the Charity

The Charity is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The liability of each member in the event of a winding up is limited to £1. Its registered office and business address is Sydenham Garden Resource Centre, 28A Wynell Road, London, SE23 2LW.

3. Staff and Pension Costs

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----- Start of picture text -----
2024 2023
Gross wages and
£282,304 £327,362
salaries
Employers NI £17,477 £21,954
Pension costs £16,616 £18,826
£316,397 £368,142
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No employee received emoluments of over £60,000 during the year (2023: nil). No trustee received any remuneration.

The average number of employees in the year was 15 (2023: 16). The equivalent full time number of employees was 9 (2023: 9)

The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for the benefit of employees. Contributions payable by the Charity for the period were £16,616 (2023: £18,826).

4. Tangible Fixed Assets

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----- Start of picture text -----
Land and Equipment &
Total
Buildings Furniture
Cost £ £ £
At 1st April 2023 595,110 68,977 664,087
Additions 0
Disposals (13,228) (13,228)
At 31st March
595,110 55,749 650,859
2024
Depreciation
At 1st April 2023 218,328 55,763 274,091
Charge for the year 28,242 3,308 31,550
Disposals (10,241) (10,241)
At 31st March
246,570 48,830 295,400
2024
Net Book Value
At 31 [st] March 2023 376,782 13,214 389,996
At 31 [st] March 2024 348,540 6,919 355,459
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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5. Debtors

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2024 2023
£ £
Grant receivable 10,697 25,247
Prepayments 2,304 2,784
Other debtors 0
Accrued Income: donation 2,000 2,000
Total 15,001 30,031
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6. Creditors : Amounts falling due within one year

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2024 2023
£ £
Trade creditors 4,405
Deferred Income 79,487 45,401
Other creditors 1,565 2,544
Accruals 1,500 3,575
Total 86,957 51,520
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Deferred income relates to rental income received in the year but relating to the year ending 31[st] March 2025.

7. Commitments:

The Charity has a commitment to the National Allotments Society that expires within 985 years in respect of the lease of allotment land at De Frene Road Allotments, De Frene Road, Lewisham, London SE26, from and including 1[st] January 2010, to and including 31[st] December 3008. The lease was acquired for a premium of £3,250 with rent of £150 a year payable in advance on 1[st] January every year. Rent will be doubled with effect 1[st] January 2060 and again every 150 years after that. The total amount payable to the end of the lease in 3008 is £3,781,200. The charity is obliged to notify the Landlord within one month if they vacate, dispose to another party, or cease operations, or if there are any other circumstances in which the lease ceases to be invested in the Charity. A reasonable fee of at least £50 is payable on notification.

The Charity also holds a lease from Lewisham Council on the Queenswood Road Nature Reserve, accessed from Wynell Road, the site of the Sydenham Garden Resource Centre, which expires on 26[th] September 2042. A peppercorn rent was payable per annum if demanded for the first ten years to 26[th] September 2017. For the next five years and subsequent five-year periods, either rent is payable based on that for the immediately preceding period or at open market value. To date no amount has been specified by Lewisham Council. The Charity can vacate the lease on written notice being given to the Landlord within at least six months of vacation.

The Charity entered into a new hire agreement with Pitney Bowes Finance Limited in April 2022 for the hire and maintenance of the franking machine until May 2027. After renegotiation of the lease, £224 is payable each year in quarterly amounts of £56. The total amount payable to the end of the agreement is £896.

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8. Movement in restricted funds

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Balance Incoming Outgoing Transfer Balance
31.3
01.04. 2023 between
Resources Resources 2024
funds
£ £ £ £ £
Funds held as cash and debtors:
1) Art Project costs - 11,250 47,610 36,360 -
2) De Frene Growing Lives Fund - 63,785 69,726 5,941 -
3) Garden Fund - 5,000 42,281 37,281 -
4) Dementia Sow & Grow - 32,503 36,870 4,367 -
5) NCIL Ward Meeting Up - 8,100 8,100 - -
OCN Practical organic
6) - 27,000 35,353 8,353 -
gardening
7) Culturally diverse Youth Project - 37,250 49,860 12,610 -
8) Hyde Charitable Fund - 2,834 4,265 1,431 -
Sub-total – cash and debtors - 187,722 294,065 106,343
-
Funds held as tangible assets:
a) Wynell Greenhouse
26,624 1,365 25,259
b) Garden Resource Centre building
264,747 14,226 250,521
De Frene Greenhouse including
c)
stove 1,501 754 747
d) De Frene compost toilet
1,845 758 1,087
e) De Frene Equipment
1,224 888 336
f) De Frene Hub building
7,806 2,019 5,787
g) De Frene Education Hub
1,188 406 782
h) Buggy 5,779 5,779 -
i) Path
25,000 1,667 23,333
j) Shelter
3,611 756 2,855
Sub-total (tangible assets) 339,325 - 28,618 -
310,707
TOTAL RESTRICTED RESERVES 339,325 187,722 322,683 106,343
310,707
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The providers of the above funds in note 8 are as follows:

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The funders of the above tangible assets are as follows:

Other grant funders are as follows

Dr P Cawley Henry Smith Charity

Merchant Taylors' Company Mrs Smith & Mount Trust Orange Tree Trust The 29th May 1961 Charity The Champniss Charitable Trust The Edward Gostling Foundation The London Borough of Lewisham Main grant The National Lottery Together

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

9. Net movement in funds

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2024 2023
£ £
The net movement in funds are shown after charging:
Depreciation 31,550 33,469
Leases/premises rent 1,020 1,179
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10. Summary of Assets and Liabilities by Fund

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Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted Funds
Restricted
Designated Total
General Fund Fund tangible assets Funds
2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023 2024 2023
Fixed
44,752 50,671 310,707 339,325 355,459 389,996
Assets
Net Current
183,631 165,179 183,631 165,179
Assets
Long term
liabilities
Total 228,383 215,850 0 0 310,707 339,325 0 0 539,090 555,175
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11. Related Party Transactions

The charity received donations from the Trustees in the year of £15 (2023: £455). No payments were made to related parties in the year (2023: nil).

12. Trustees Expenses

Trustees are entitled to claim travel and subsistence and other expenses related to carrying out their duties at Sydenham Garden. There were no expenses in the year (2023: nil).

13. Independent Examiner’s Fee

£1,500 was accrued in the year being the cost of the independent examination for 2024 (2023: £1,500).

14. Volunteers

During the year the Charity had 71 volunteers that supported it on a weekly basis. The Charity has benefitted from these unpaid volunteers and this is not recognised in the financial statements.

15. Government Grants

Government grants, including local government and NHS Trusts, have provided funds of £157,183 in the year being 42% of total grant income (2023: £127,337- 43%).

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SYDENHAM GARDEN: TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16. Analysis of Expenses

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Total
Charitable Support Fundraising Total
Charitable
Activities Costs Expenses Expenses
Activities
£ £ £ £ £
Human resources 179,453 146,170 325,623 325,623
Project costs 22,273 22,273 22,273
Premises costs 18,642 18,642 18,642
Office expenses 15,848 15,848 15,848
Information
Technology 11,835 11,835 11,835
Insurance 5,563 5,563 5,563
Loss on Sales of FA 487 487 487
Depreciation 31,550 31,550 31,550
Governance Costs 2,171 2,171 2,171
Direct fundraising costs 11,796 11,796
TOTAL 201,726 232,266 433,992 11,796 445,788
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