Sydenham Garden Trustees, Annual Report and Financial Statements For the year ended 31" March 2025 Registered Charity No. 1108100 Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No. 05291164
Sydenham Garden Report of The Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 Contents Highlwjhts of the Year TrS And Directors Company Detsils and Advisers GoveJnance Objettlves Management, Staff and VolUntS Attendan Statistics (Grouped) Activities And Achievements nancial Review Indepdent Examin*s Report Statement Of nanUal Activf(ies Balance Sheet Notes To the Financial Steits 10 13 14 16 18 Pag6 1
Sydenham Garden Report of The Trustees for the year ended 31 Mah 2025 Hlghllghts of the year We a krgff cohort of IxTrhwrkers (benefJ(SarEs) than the prevbus year We mera1 a gr&iter IM on ccrworker out(Dmes than the PreVu5 year •• We maintsined Sydenham Garden's dIvty of Serv1 LerS IOOOh of co-workers rqx)rt& reLIng the vi they Vfdnted We recorded a small surplus of £457 before indudlng the restrictad gft of £125.IXJO from the Edward Gostling Foundation. Tnwtees And DIOrS The directors of the tharitsble company are Its Trustees for the purpjses of tharity law. Throughout th& Statnents ref1 to Drthrs or Trust£es 15 a ref b) both. The following Dir&tors have Ser eithff for the whole or pwt of the tlme sintr 1st April 2024: Kthinde Aleogun Appointed a5 Trust 05108/20. Ye Chair Sin 02112r2022, reth 231ijr2022 ointed &% Trust 04104119, Chair sirK 13106119, re-dected as TrL and thair 2211112023 Apinted as TNst& 06112118, re-elected 19111124 Julia Brandreth Sir Stephen Mlthael Ibd( Julkn Gordon Appoint&l as TNstee 05108120, re-el&ted 19111124 Arthur Ngoka l¥)pointed as Trustee 29108117, rdeLted 19111124, fomier Treasurer Natasha Ilktorla Ra Appoint1 as Truth 07/iir22, dected as 1fj Chair 31101124, retired 28102r25 Appointed as Trust 07/IIR2, elected 2311 IR2, appoint as VKe thair 09103r2023 Appoint as Trustee 19107123. detted 22/iir23 Laura Elizabeth Rwolds Laura sa¢sa Jon ShpJman Appoffited as Tn£t 05109119 Trrff Sin 10112119, rele(teLI 1911112024 Appointed as TSt 05107118. re*l&t&l 2211 Ir2023 Anne Sykes Grbyne Thom9Jn ApFrf)intd as Trust 25108117, VKE Chair Sin 06112118, Company Sry Sin 07112118. re as Trustee & VKe Chair 22111123 Summwy d&ails about the Trust 2<e set out on the Sydenham Gard L11 Blad< (Matttnty covw slno 14 Ottober 2024) B&h Jaichand (Matemty leave sin 27 octob 2024) Charity Number: 1108100 CoMpY Number: 05291164 (Company Umlted ty arant¥ regISted in England & Page 2
Sydenham Garden Report of The Trustees for the year endal 31 March 2025 Was} Charity Off Sydenham Gar{1 Re9)Ur Ca)tre 28a Wyndl Road, London, SE23 2LW w.SYdertharnq3rden.Org.uk Solidtors: Ewings &Co. 148 Flgh Str, knge, London, SE20 7EU Bankus: CAF Bank Ltd, 25 lfjng5 Hil Avenue, West Malllngi K£nt. ME19 4JQ Independent Examlner: Tanja Lae$ FCA C2r, thartered knuntants The Rigging House AnclK+r Wharf, The Pl&oric Dockyard (hatham. knt ME4 4TZ The Trustees PreSt ther repoTt for the flnan¢ia Y ending 31st March 2025. This report has Prare1 In Ka)rdan with the Stathglt of Recornmended Practi Accounting Reporbng fr)r thwities SORP FRS102 and in accordan the speial provisk)ns of Part 13 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to snall entttis It includes the directo. report as required by company la•V. GOVERNANCE Governing DOCUM Sydenham Garden is a tharitable cOmpY Ilmitl by guarantee and is established Und a Memorandum of knciation 43nd govemd by its Artides of Awciation. Trustee Recluitsnent and Appolntment: UndeJ the tideS of AssoLiation, the Board of Trustees conssts of at kast six and nat more than thirteen indMdua& One thlrd (or the number near) of the Trust, expting those tEing dected or retiring, ML& (fftr thselveS for re-ctK)n at eath AGM, wlth those longtst In Offi rettrlng first and the chok£ between any of Ual SvI belng made by drawing lots. No new Trustees were reuuited this year. Recruitment is ajrrth fve ftir three neN Trusts&; one to lead our Equity, Induslon and Dive worK arKI two wth a focus on FUndl51n9, In(me GètIOn and thmmssK)ning. In FebNary 2025 Natasha Ratter stq)ped dovm as a TrLLqt& Just two r5, servi. Natasha used her Fundraising and income g87t10n to make a blg contributi during her time as trust. &ablthing our Fundratrjng sub-commtiee and ovasedng a new Fundralslng Strategy. Natstha will always be wekDme at our sttes. TTree Benefrt: Trustets of the thar1ty do not rKeve any befits from their posith)n. Trustees we entitled to redaim travd and other r&wJnable expen Inrra1 in their duts'es. exwses were redalM in the 2024125 lod (23124.. nil). The tharity pays for trust indnity insuran. Trustee Indudlon and onToing knining: All Trustees are prOvKI wilh a detalknl roÈ desafptbn and gi infomial gUIdan and pport rsJarding theirrole from the thair and chai of Twste& All new Trust re1ve Page 3
Sydenham Garden Report of The TNstees for the year ended 31 March 2025 a o)py of the Naio Good Trust& Guid& TVJSt are couragl to attend training to help them in their roles. Trustees. Responslbllltle&' The Trustees are responsible for the stratajlc dlrectlon of the tharfty, sing ts ain and monitoring progress towds these. Day to day management is ddegated to the Dlrector. Trustees, Meetin95: The Board of Trust m& seven times during the yew. The Offiws sub4Jroup met a similar number of time5 durng the year. Trustee Sub-committ. During the finan(ial year, the three TnISt Sub-commlttees met perfodlcally. These committ are Finan and (1)veman (thair: Jon Sh&man), servi and People (alr. Anne Sykes) and Fundraistng (thalr: Natatha Ratter, arKI as intlM thair Sin February: Julia 8randr&h). OBJECIIVES Obiert&' The objetts of the tharity as sd out in our goveming we: To Awomote the /£3/ and ntal hath of the re57dents of the Borougljs of £awsh¢V77. Bmmley andothersouth London Bomughs in Pat7&YProvAllng." (a) a omMunityga hortkvlture & used hr therapy andrthabi/itatk?n,' (b) the pmtettlon and prtservknn of the enth>nma7t for ttje ben of the public by Èfje nsErv3tlon orpromobon ofbiL7/ogdlythroUgh.. ) the pmwsion nserVatn r29toratbn orenhan1It of the naturnl habti 117 Sydaham rd,. {11) the mntenar2 orraDVay OfaSp in tsnatural habitatw sYdh5M Gard. (c) Opportunit fvr tring fv work alUtKIn,. (d) opportunts fvartiaxlua7tsye Mission Statement: Sydenham Gxden aIn to tnrni lives through thtrapaJt altIes, enabllng people tr) move forward in a supportive communty envIronmt. We aspire to be a diver4 indusive, sustainabty fund1 qualty assured organislon. We 11 continue to develop a ge of hlgh quality and Irsg activities Opportuniti for the kncal community, primarity for those experienang mentsl ill health or Oth sJnificJnt Ilne Publlc Benefi To athieve our objetts, sydenh Gard provides WviS to the ppIe of LthaM. Brom and othèx South London borough5 that improve ther mentsl and physical health, and therr quality of life and provide opportunities for social interactbn. Sydenham Cèden's Trustees o)nfirm that the a(tlvlts of the a)arSty are (2rl&J out In Ilne wlth its objects, for the LE)efit of the publio and the impatt of our work on our beneficiaries is a key uÈtttion deciding what &trivitieg to undatske how best to &thiLwe our mission. Sydenham Garden's TruStS therefore confimi that th have mmpfEd rnth the duty in tion 4 of the Charities kt 2006 to have due regard to the public benefit gUIdar publltheAI by the arity Commission in d&Ining the adivibe5 ufKl&ten by the Charity. Page 4
Sydenham Garden Report of The Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 Thls VIBS first yeAr of our ne•V multi-year strt8JK plan (in pla2 until 202n. A new orwtsatk>nal bustness plan strateJlc dathboard vR5 developed and bedded to gulde delivery across our six priority areas of ddivery: Our rtivtties, Our Leaming and Sharingi Our Voluntews Our EnvironmenL SupportirrfJ Our pLtreS and Regourdng Our Attivitie5. Our ft)ur strate4ic aims ¥e: l. To derfdop Sydenhan Gard services to rth a largw cohort of co-wotss (the title we gNe to peopk benltting frorn our Servi and pro]ts) 2. To cOntinLuslY Improve the effertineSS impatt of Sydenham Garden's athiU 3. To solidfy and diversify Sydenham Garden's funding soun 4. To incr&w SydhaM Garden's divusty at all leveLs We are Pl to rqjort that T055 these four areas l. We have reathed a larger cohort of cD-VK)rkers than l& y 2. We have mered a greats impact on o)-worker outcomes, wth more th2 a l-POIrt average inuea in co-wr>rker wellbang across ourattivities and projeLts thi5 year (with an 0.6 inrn in 23-24). 3. We have Introdu new mults"_y gmt fund&5 to our w)rtfolio as Kell as extending eduLion contracts and introducing a new fundralslng stratgJy 4. We hove maintained Sydenham &rden's C0-vrk& dwersty During the y&ryr we completed reports for our fvnding from a range of sources induding Lewtham Coun(il, Togeth for Mtal Wdbangi South-East London Mind, Uty Bridge Foundation, MerS Company and Henry Smith Chwty amongst others. At the end ofthe year, we conducted surrfeys of our -Work&S (63 rwondents in totsD and volunteus (33 respondents in totaD, vAth the foUowlrKJ results: I(IO% of COWK)rkers rq)orted rewing the therf Wdntd. 970/0 of o).wrkerS rq)ortd an inuease in (DnITr1en to advocate for thansdves. 94% of co.vh)rkers reported increas8J gageMt vath physcal tiV. 950h of co-workers reportal increaseAI Confiden in health management. 100% of co-worth report having m& more pp 95% of (D-vLirtors reported having more fulfilling relationship& 900/0 of COrk¥S reported in(T&ised contment wrth life. 970/0 of C0-)rkS rq>0rt inueased &cess to Information. 51% of co-workers reportd involVemt in volunteering. 910A of volunteers rqjorted having m& more peop. 910/0 of volunteers report incTead cvntentJnt with life. 82% of volUntS ryortoj Improval thlls as a reIt of thelr voknnte&ing. MANAGEMENf, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS Ollle Moss was appolnted Hthd of SeThices on 20 May 2024. Beth Japthand began maternity leave on 24 0(tOb 2024. LoEII Bl was appo5nt&l Int*M Dirthr as Matnity cover for this po&. Chwkne kkndevn finished contrat as The Hyde Community Growing Project Fadlltator on 31 October 2024. G&)rge Redmayne YS apFM)Inted Q)mmunlty ktivities & Volunts&ing Lead on 6 January 2025. Page 5
Sydenham Garden Report of The Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 Vani N1ranJ resh3ned from a5 FInan Manager on 27 Marth 2025. Inste3Y of replating the po&, we have 0)ntrtel an extThl finan Servi12s provKler (Charity Paounting Savices Ltd). other dff whose anpbyment continud In 2024-25 are.. David Lloyd, (knwing Lives Projett Coordinator" Sth ProKse, Business and Pranises Managw; (harlotte Dove, rd Projett Lead; Joanna Vallis, Art & Project Lead. Wiad Tyndall, Outreath and Devdopment Worf<er; Clare Phlppsi Sow & Grow Se55M)nal Worker. Lauren )ddal, m.u.(J Proi&t Lead. Natslie Whtte, Afti(an and caribb Projert Work. Sekha Flall, Environment Educ'on and Blodivty Offlcer; Inma Pnido, 8ooking St. and Vinay Thakrar, &)okkng Host. The Twstees ad<nOedge ¥e very grateful to the enormouscontribulM)n of the staffr Pa5l and pret, to the of the Charity. Volu nteers: Our voknnteers are cnKial to Sydenharn Garden's operatloKs; the Trustees arKI Staff recoKI their grBtitude for their time arKI efft)rt. We had 72 Peop volunteeiing regularty for the Chaiity In 2024-2025, contnbutirwJ on average 3 UrS per Wk. Ore again, this results in over 10,(K)O volunteer trK)urs over the year. AThENDANCE sfATISTICS (GROUPED): TrE tsble below shows the number of refeal5 a1 number of co-workers attendlng at least one session during the year, with data for prevk)us years shown for compatison. The diversty dats for our co-workers duriro tFE year E aLso presented. Dats for 2020 - 2021 is not avallab as a result of Q)vid interruptirMJ rmal servw. .. 2023 -24 277 2022 -23 213 2021" -22 2019 -20 318 2Q18 -19 20.1 7-18 313 Number of Referrals People atten(llng at least one sesslon 330 362 2023 -24 .2022. -23 2021. .22 2019 -20 4% 210h 4% 65% 0% 2018. 201 7-18 5% 27% Lewisham 2021 Census Asian Black or Black British Mixed White 90/0 16% 12% 58% 2% 2Wo 22% 230A) 26% 6% 480h 2% 7% 5% 2022 -23 63% 330 22% 3% 47% 20/0 70/0 2P/0 50/0 58% 3% 42% 440/0 4% 52% 50/0 PrefertEd not to say Not IrKlicated 13% 12% 2023 -24 64% 26% 12% 2021 .22 61% 1% 2019 2018 .19 201 7-18 570/0 420/0 Lewisham 2021 Census 53% Female Male 62% 24Wo 61% 500/0 Page 6
Sydenham Garden Report of The Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 Non4)inary Trans Other 1¥eferd not to say Not indicated Cts•worker Age. . 10 10 2% 1% 2% 0% 1% 0% 201 7-18 4% 12% 6% 16% 161 60/0 390/0 2024 -.25 12% 17% 2023 -24 130 14¥0 13% 18% 17% 110 9% 2022 -23 2021 2019 -20 2% 24% 11% 32Wo 25% 3% 2018 18-24 25-34 3544 45-54 5544 65-74 75+ Preferred rK)t to say Not indicated Co*worker sexual . orlentatlon . Heterosexual GaylLesbian Bisexual Other Preferred not to say Not Indicated Co-workor:. Dlsabili Yes No PrefeThed rt to say 3% 12% 14% 170/0 13% 13% 2% 190 io% 210/0 14% 9% 160/0 13% 90/0 15% 18% 90/ IIO/o 23% IOO/o 100 00 10/0 1% 2018,. 5% 2013 io% .2021 -22 64% 0% 201 7-18 20 .25 53% 4% 60/0 40/0 2022 -23 69% 30 3% 20h 16% 2019 -20 56% 3% 0/0 2% 3% 20/0 12% 40A) 3% 1% 8% 10/0 2019 4% 2% 11% 16% 2021 2% 11% 140/0 io% 2023 -24 680/0 6% lQ/o 2024 .25 72% 2022 -23 81% 2018 -19 50% 201 .7.18 650/0 250/0 63% 60% 3% 11% 14.5 Not indicated CtrworkerRells4on 17Q 2024 -25 230 ..2023 -24 130 2022 -23. 330 2021 -22, 2% 36% 0% 1% 1.50/0 2018 -19 2019 .20 201- 7-18 L¢wisham 2021 censu¥ Buddhist avistian Hindu Jewish Muslim No Religion Sikh Other Preferred mt to say Not iidicated 10/0 30/0 10/0 22% 250 1% 29% 471 3% 61% 440/0 20/0 oo 1% 1% 350 0% 1% 170 40/0 180 18% 23% 30% 37% 0.2Q 12% 300 15% Iioh 300 14% io% 13% 19% 40/0 3% 26% IOQ/o 2% 20/0 20/0 Page 7
Sydenham Garden Report of The Tnth for the year endexl 31 March 2025 Throughout the year, trustees have exercised governare oversigh¢ holding leadership bj account for progress on irKreasirKJ diversity throLwJhout OrganaliC)n and reflecting the ethnic and ojthrdl dNersty of our k)cal community. ACTIvrrIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS E)urlng year, Sydenham Garden has run the folowlrrfJ weekty sessiors: Adult Mental Health: Garden groups x 3 Art & Cft groups x3 AfaTr Caribbean group x I GrowirKJ Lives groups x 6 m.u.d (Young Adults 18-25 ProRct) x 2 Practical organ Gardenirrfj (leadlrKJ to an accredited qualificatDn) x 2 Dernentk?: w & GW groups x 3 Monthty Growing Together Groups School sessioThs: Brert Knoll specialist school SeSsnS x 4 Greenvak speclallst sctK)ol sessk)rkS x 2 aubs: Wild Walks Club - a walking group Wlldlife Cknb - a club to enjoy and about wildlife Activities Chjb - a club to enjoy a vatEty of textiles activities Gardening aub - a club to enpy gartsning activities Additional activities: Morthty S)w & Grow Familes Group Weekly Art Therapy prDgRmme run between Octobw 2024 and May 2025 Weekly Hyde HousirNJ Outreach sessiors on Hlllcrest Qjse and De Frene Market Garden run between March arKI October 2024. achi1Nj a further 53 ppIe viith therapeutic nature activities, arKI wekomirKJ 64 people to our B¥J Feast arKJ App k Day community events. Adult Mentsl Health groups are for peop verfng from iN-Iwlth In Lew&ham atKI the surroutKlirYJ boroughs. People were referred to us through Lewisham WelbeirYJ Hub, by secorKlary mental health serv1, or via primary care services from other boroughs. All groups have social, therapelti, creative arKI trairiry based acbvitES at their core. Sow & Grow groups are for people in the stsges of Dementia, arNJ the Famifies group - for people In the earty stsges of Dementia and their carers. Peopk were ferred to tkEse projects by the Lewisham Dementia Support Hub. Gff)ups aLso have social, therapeutic and creative activibes at therr core, arKI LfK1eln the attivities wth Cognitive Stimulation ThepY (CST), which Is an evidence4)ased approach to treating demenba. Page 8
Sydenham Garden Report of The Trusttts for the year ended 31 March 2025 School sesstons are (klivered to four classes (aged betn 6 and 18) of Brent Krnll specplist school on a Wk basis a1 two dasses of Greenvak school on a weekly basis during ts tlme. aubs are led by a staff memberorvolunteerand are open to all curent and past CO -worke well as other stsff and volunteers. In December, we became part of Lewtsham Local's 'Warm Welcomes, initratNe fo r the secotKI year. Wanm Welcomes were set up to support individuals affd by Increased ]Ivlro costs In wlnter. We secured a grart of £ 1,500 to delver Warm Wekomes sessiors from December to the eTKI of Marth 2025. Events durlng theyear In total, we received 330 referTalg duriThJ the year and 362 Covworkers attended at least one session. We We pleased to k1 a Sprirrfj Fair, a SnMer Festival, a Winter pop-up slY)p (vthen Storm Darragh forced the carKellation of 0 Winter Fair) arKI participated in Sydenham Artist's Trall duriry year. CoOrkerS and volunteers aitfvely partiapated in these events, showiNJ friends, fami and local cornmunty members arourxl our ts and sellirKJ tea, coffee, cake, food, plants, produ and craft iteffls. We also held six bring and share communty lunches during the year, attended by c0-w0e[si past cD-workers, volunteers ar1 stsff, receiving excellent feedback about these opportunities to pathipate actlvety in Sydenham Garden communty. We also hosted fNe CoOrate groups during the year wtth 72 peop partkipating in activitEs. The groups undertook WO on both of our stes incbjding constructing timber beds; cleaning the greenhouse; diggir¥J out a thy bed, demolshing a1 bulkllrKJ new composting bays as well as improviry our thld(en encklsure. This year, we had a totsl of 97 hire bookings, irUdIng church rneetirKJsi chikjren's rklture pa, reiki Workshops, art w0shopS and drity training. We gerErated income of £8,875 from corporate days and venue hire whkth suppo our charitable rk. FINANCIAL REVIEW SYdenhn Garden would have recorded a mod& excess of income ovw expendltur& of approxlmatdy £4,857 in 202415, wwe tt not for a onoff r&tri(ed gft of £125,000 from the Edward Q)stling Foundatrjn. Undw the twms of the Charty Statent of Recommend Practice FRS 102, this 15 Iquir to be shovm as Inaxne in the 2024-5knunt& Further ddals are t out below and In the P£count& For the fir six months of 202516 we wtre on budget to breai even, as of Sq)tembtr 2025 hower the ouuook for the subwuert stx months a55ume5 an ambftious fvndraislng rrtth target, whith 15 yet to be secured. In Spring 2026, a number of substantial funding CDMmltmts come to an d. Like many tharles, VR antldpate that Uring replefflt funding will be hvJhly thalknging. We have ensured that VtsE r&nain agile to the funding arManceS wa wlll need to adapt acttlrdingly. Page 9
Sydenham Garden Report of The Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 In May 2024, wwe grateful to r&eive £125,0(K) from the Edward Gjstling Foundation ID esta)lish The Edward &)&ling Fund. The trn5 of U may be sUmmarisl as: a. a dr¢wdown in any yew ran onty be male to 9jre that our Cash Reserves are in cordanCe vdth our policy of hokling fijnds of not kn than six monttrs thafftable expendlture at the end of eath accounting year. anount was utlllsd In the finandal year. b. attw the explry of fve yews from the date of the IVJreement then (a) thall cease to app and any remalnlrwJ amounts In the Endowment Fund can be 'Yor any purpose that furthtts the charftable Ob]ts of Sydhn Garden". For this reporting y thwe has not be any dra[10 ofthis re5trittd Fund into unrestrthj Raserve Policy The Trustees continued with a polcy of maintsinng unrestrict1 reserve of approximately syx months of opeRting costs (approximatety £263JJOO in the 24125 financlal year), Yéhich consijer ronains appropriate given the thalknges and un¢Htaintles faclng the chaiity. The tharity is expetted to achieve the targ reserve through the new fundraising strategy to brlng more mu1vear fijnding. The tharty holds a r&ricted rewve of £292,135 on fix&1 ass&s: this non-oth It is depreLiated every year as set out in the acojunting poli(ie& Progress Sin the of the year. a¥e Phipps post as Sow & l>ow Sewnal Worker in(reased hours of on l Aprll 2025. (harfotte Dove ended her post as Gard Projett Lead, moving to I day a wed( Oc Proj&t Lead on 27 June 2025. FkndaEon took up the Carden ProJ&t Lead role frorn that date. Je Md<ay her post as PriCal Organic Gardthing Proj& Workw on 19 June 2025. thecca le took up this poStn from l July 2025. In total. rrenty have 18 manbers of staff, three full-tim< thlrt&n part-time and two on- Risk Management The trLtS have assess&l the rnar to wA)lth the is exposed. Strategieg CDntihue to be devek)ped to mitsgate the risks and we revi by the Trust at board meetings. We began the 2025-26 finzn(ial Y with 750h (£380,314) of our foret3sted fkant income secured. As of 30 septernb 2025, we have funding appli(ions totalling £166,443 currentty being consided by a variety of fvndus. During the yw we have engajed the Servi of a ndraer who d1ver in acCOrdar with our multi-year fundirvj strategy. We recognise that charities are fa(yng a more chall1n9 furKling fVirOnMert wth growing prere5 around CesS to Sustainab grant fundiryj. Looking folvwd into 2026, we have seveRI sjbthtlal grants that Mfjll eJKI in the fir* half of the year. We are aware that many of Page 10
Sydenham Garden Report of The TNstees for the year ended 31 March 2025 these are UnlIke to be reneNed as furKlers hatrE eith chaIvJ their str7ta3y or arded fixal-term grts with no ntInuatIon optw)n. Trustw are foajsed on planning for varlous wtential finanaal outcomes to be agile and reSponve to the posltion as it evolves. In ajditt'on, the PA)ard are a]rrently reLruiting new trustees with extensive fundra11 exKErtlse and networks, as as ntinuing a drive to subm it compdling fundlng applicatiDns that would, if successful, cover thls potentSal defidt. Banklng Arrangemerts: C4F Bank remains our banku. Funds are placaj in the Gold Savings account an arrangement that a balan of £1,000 is maintsined kn our rrent acrount at the of each day. Accountants Carleys were re-appoint1 as the charftsble 0)mpanS ac£ountants at the last AGM. A resolution to rappoint Carfeys for the ensulng year as indepaldent examiner v4ps approved at the 2025 A(aY. The report has prepared having ten altaJe of the smal companies, exanption in the ComleS Act 2006 Approved by the Trust&s on 18 Decenber 2025 and sgned on their behalf by: Julia Brandreth (Chair) Pagell
Sydenham Garden Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Sydenham Garden for the year ended 31 March 2025 I report to the charrty trustees on rny &Yaminati)n of the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 which are set out on pages 13-23. Respective responslbilitie5 of tntstees and examiner The ChariV5 Trustees and also its directors for the purposes of company Faw are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (he 2LK)6 Acn. They consider that an audit 15 not required for this year u nder Section 144 of the Charitres Act 2011 {"the 2011 Actj and that they are ekngible for an independent examination. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts (under S145 of the 2011 Actl fo51ow the procedures lald down in the General Directtons glven by the Charity Commissioners (undw S145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act): and • state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of independent examiner'5 ststemerrt 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 Charty and a compartson of the accounts presented wth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disc105ures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concuning ary such matters. The procedures undertsken do not prowde all the evidence that would be required in an audiL and consequentFy I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the account& Independent Examinels 5tstement In COnnectn with my examination, I confirni that no rnaterial matters have come to my attention glving me cause to believ accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Sl0n 386 of the 2Q)6 Act: or 2. the accounts do not accord wth those records. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any reqUirent that the accounts give 3 rue and fair view. which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination: or 4. the accourrts have not been prepared in accordance with the aritIeS SORP {FRS102). I have come 2cross no other matters In connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn In thls report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Tanja Lawe5 FCA Carleys The Fitted Rigging House Anchor Wharf, The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Ken( ME4 4TZ I q December 2025 Page 12
Sydenham Garden srATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfivITIES For the Year Ended 31 Marth 2025 Company Reg. No. 05291164 Unrestrlcted En(k)wment Restricted Funds Funds Funds Total Funds 2025 Total Funds 2024 Notss Income from . Donations and legacies Charitable actlvities Other trading activities Investment Income 16,977 251,006 24,440 8,417 125,IXX) 75 142,052 233,526 484,532 24,440 8,417 23,537 377,915 23,534 4,717 Totsl Income 3040 125,000 233.601 659.441 429,703 Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitsble activities 41084 235,327 142 42,226 252,031 487,358 11.796 433,992 Totsl Expenditure 277NII 251173 529,584 445,788 Net Incorne/ (expenditu) 21429 5,000 (1&572) 129,857 (16,085) Transfer between funds Net Movement in funds 21429 125,(X)0 (18,572) 129857 {16,0851 Funds brought forward 12 22Q383 310,707 539,090 555,175 Fund5 carried forward 251812 I25.0• 291135 668,947 539,090 All the above results are derNed from continuing activities Pag8 13
Sydenham Garden BALANCE SHEEr Company Reg. No. 05291164 As at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Notes FIXED ASss Land and buildings Off ice equipment 327.558 8,904 336,462 348,540 6,919 S55.459 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Casli at bank and in hand 10 14,047 419,070 433,117 15,001 255,587 Totsl current assets 270.588 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year 11 {100,632) (86,957) NEf CURRENT ASSETS 332,485 183.631 ASSETS TOTALS 668,947 539,090 THE FUNDS OFTHE CHARITY Unrestricted funds Endowment funds Restricted fvnds Fixed assets fund Restricted projects TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 14 14 251,812 125,000 228.383 14 14 291135 310,707 6947 539,090 Page 14
Sydenham Garden BALANCE SHEET Company Reg. No. 05291164 As at 31 March 2025 For the year ending 31st March 2025 the Company was entitled to exem ption from audit under section 477 of the Companie5 Art 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the Company to obtain an audlt In accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for comptying with the requIremts of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting record5 and for the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provision5 applicable to companles subject to the small companies, re8ime The financial 5t3teMts were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 18 December 2025 and Signed on their behalf by. Julia Brandreth Chair Jon Sherman Treasur Page IS
Sydenham Garden Notes to the Financlal Statements for year ended 31 Marth 2025 Accounting Pollcles The financial statements have been prepared under the hi5toiical cost convention and In accord3ncewith FRS 102, the Statementof Recomrnded Practlce, Accounknng and Reporting by Charities (SORP FRS 1021, applicable accounting stsndard4 and company law. The charty is a public benefrt entFty. The principal accountin8 policies adopted in the preparation of the flnanclal statements are as follo. Incoming Resources Charitable trading actibftith income is inCded in the period in which the Charity is entitled to its receipt. Donatlons and Grants Income f rom donations and grants is inCded In Incomln8 resources when these are receiv3b Income Is also included when the charity is entitled to Ft, Wh it is probable it will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. The exception Is as follows: When donors impose conditions which must be fulfilled before the Charity becomes entitled to use such incom4 the income is deferred and not included in incom¥ig resources untll the pre<onditions for use have been met Rex)urce5 Expended Resources expended are Included in the Ststement of Financial Activittes on an accwal's ba51 inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. All support costs are included under'charitable activitie< ratherthan apportioned betWn each of the charfty's activities {such as fundraising), 3S such an apportionment would result in smalL immaterial amounts attributsble to non <haritable actt¥rytie5. The costsand tlme involved of cakulatlng such an apportionment would vastly outweigh the usefulness of doing so. Penslon Costs The tharity partklpate5 in a defined contribution scherne. Tanglble Flxed Assets Tangible FLxed Assets are deweciated by refrnce to their estimated useful fre$. The rates are based on straight lkne bask IT andgarden furniture. garden equipmert bee hives water tatht, Funds fjoodlights, and bKycle Carw sai7 and water iriigatiM?n system Other equipment, feing, buggy. Source pum Pvwnels. air condltlonlng, greenlwe eledrics, and offKe fwniture De Frene greenh0e, hub, edatIon compost toilet, solar kK pnth shelter, and sPEds Wynell Road Gorden De Frene Lease Accounting Funds held by the Ch3rfty are ather Unrestricted - these are funds whkh can be used n acccydance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trust& Designated Unrestricted - The tN5tee5 intend to inStIgate expansion of swvlces and physical space. Restricted - these are funds that can only be used for particular re5trrted purposes wrthin the objects of the Tharity. ReStrtionS arise when specified by the donor or when funds are ralsed for restricted purpose& 33% 20% Length of lease Length of lease Page 16
Sydenham Garden Notes to the Nnancial Statements for year ended 31 Marth 2025 ¥Restrlcted Endowment. Recdved from The Edward Gostling Foundation (see nots 3 for more details Legal Status of the Chartty The Charity is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wale5. The liabifrty of each mernber in the event of a whding up is limited to £1. Its reglstered office and business address is Sydenham Garden Resource Centrq 28A Wynell Road, London. SE23 2LW. 3 Income from Donatlon and Lesxies Unrestrkted Endowment Restricted funds fund5 funds 2025 Total 2024 Total Donations and gifts Edward Gostling Fund 16.977 75 17,052 23,537 125,CKK> 125.1))O Total from donatlons and le8xies 125,(MX) 75 142 052 21537 The Edward Gostling FUTKI donated £125,CKK) during the year as an e(pendable restricted endowment. For the first fNe years the enOent can only be used to ensure that the totsl charitable funds are not k)wer than 6 months charitsble expenditu After ftve years any remainin8 fund5 of the Endowm* wil revert to unresbicted fijnds 4 Income from Charftable activities Unyesblcted Endowment Restricted funds funds funds 2025 Total 2024 Totsl Grants receNed Sessbn fee Session produce sale 240,304 9,365 1.337 233,526 473,830 362,639 9,365 10,460 1,337 4,816 Total from chaiitable actlvltles 251,(X)6 233 526 484,532 377,915 5 Income from othertradlng activities Unrestricted Endowment Restrfcted fund5 furKIs funds 2025 Totsl 2024 Totsl Fundraising and Pubficity Rental and Corporate 9,954 14,486 9,954 10,460 14.486 13,074 Totrdl from other trading actlvlties 24,440 24,440 21534 6 Investment income Unrestrlcted Endowment Restrict funds funds funds 2025 Tot 2024 Totsl Interest Income 8,417 8,417 4,717 Page 17
Sydenham Garden Notes to the Finanaal Statements for year ended 31 March 2025 Total other income 417 417 717 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDrruRE 2025 Total 2024 Total funds funds Fundraising expenditure Fundraising event cost, Fundraising cost 2,788 39,296 142 2,930 39,296 2,196 9,600 42,084 . 142 42 Charitsble expendTbJre Stsff expenses Other human resources costs Project costs Premises costs OffKe expenses Infonnation Technobgy Insurance Loss on sale of FA Dq)reciation Overhead c05t allocation 175,424 19,495 6,694 26,507 13,049 10,291 4,713 180,446 2,037 23,097 150 355,870 21,532 29,791 26,657 13,084 10,291 4,713 316,397 9,226 22273 18,642 15,848 11,83S 5,563 35 4,587 {27.694) 18,572 27,694 23,159 31,550 233 066 97 431,821 Govemance Cost Trust Meeting and Expenses Independent Examiner 37 2,224 61 37 371 1,800 1171 61 Total ch*ltsble expenditwe 235 27 252.031 487,358 433,992 8 Stsff and Pension Costs 2(Y25 2024 Salarie5 and wages Social security costs Pension cost (def ind contribution scheme) 315,491 21,949 282,304 17,477 18.430 16,616 355,870 316,397 Page 18
Sydenham Garden Notes to the financial Statements for year ended 31 Marth 2025 No employee recaved wnOlumts of ovw £60P)O durlng the year (2024: nil). No trustee recelved any remuneration. The average number of empby&s in the year was 20 (202. 15). The equivalent full-time number of empklyees was 10 (2024: 9) The Charity operates a defined contnbution pension scheme for the benefrt of employees. Contrtbutions payable by the Charity for the period were £18,430 2024: £16,616}. 9 TANGIBLE FIXED AssErs Land and EqulpmentarKI Bulldlngs Fumiture Total At 31 March 2024 Addttion At 31 March 2025 595,110 55,749 650,859 595.110 59,911 655 021 Depreciation At 31 March 2024 Charge for the year At 31 March 2025 246,570 20,982 267.552 48,830 295,4CX) 23,159 318559 Net book wdlues At 31 March 2025 327 558 336,462 At 31 March 2024 348,540 355 459 10 Debto 2025 Grant receivable Prepayments Accrued Income: Donation 10,559 1,766 10,697 2,304 14,047 ,001 11 Credltors - fallingdue within a year 2025 2024 Trade Credttorfs 5,357 83,956 1,765 7.434 4.405 Deferred Income 79,487 1,565 1,500 Other Creditorfs Accruals Page 19
Sydenham Garden Notes to the Flnandal Statements for year ended 31 Marth 2025 Pension payable 1120 100,632 86.957 12 Net movement In fvnds 1025 2.024 This 15 Stated after char8in8: DepreCiatn Leaseslpramlses rent 23,159 1,170 31,550 1,020 24 13 Commitrnents: The Charfty has a comm itment to the National Allotments Society that expires within 98 3 years ffi respert of the lease of allotment land at De Frene Road Allotments, De Frene Road, Lewisham, London SE26, from and including 1st January 2010, to and including 31$¢ December 3a08. The lease was acquired for a prnIUrn of £3,250 with rent of £150 a year payable in advance on l January ew year. Rent will be doubled with effect 1st January 2060 and again every 150 years after thaL The totsl amount payable to the end of the lease in 3(K)8 is £3,780,91)O. The charity is oblEed to notlfy the Landkxd withln one M¢th rf they vacate, dispose to another party, or cease operations or if there are any other circumstances in which the lease ceases to be Invest in the Charrty. A reasonable fee of at least £50 Is payable on notrfication. The Charfty also Ix)Ids a lease from LoNisham Cwncil on the Queenswood Road Nature ResVe, accessed from Wynell Road, the site of the Sydenham Garden Resource Centre, which expires on 261h September 2042. A peppercom rent was payable per annum If demanded for the flrst ten years to 26th September 2017. For the next five years and subsequent five-year periods, either rent is payable based on that for the immediately precedin8 period or at open Maet vakje. To date no amount has been SpIrEd by Lewisham Counal. The Charity can vacate the lease on Wltten notice being given to the Landlord wlthin at least six months of vacation. The Chartty entered into an agreement in April 2022 f( the hlre and maintenance of the franking machine until May 2027. £224 is payable each year. 14 Charity funds AtIAwl 2024 Fund Transfer At31 March 2025 Fund name Incorne Expenditure Unrestricted Fwxls 228.383 309.840 (277,411) 251,812 End0ent Funds I25,1) 125,000 Page 20
Sydenham Garden Notes to the finandal Statements for year ended 31 Marth 2025 Restricted Funds Fund held as cash and debtors African Carlbbean Art ProJect De Frene Growing Lives Fund Garden Fund Dementla Sow & Grow Culturally diverse Youth Project Hyde Charttable Fund Devek)pment TNL- Comm Warm Welcome 9.415 4,500 SS,075 15.OQK> 44S1)0 36,825 (9,415) (4,5(X)) (55,075} {15,000) (44,500) (36,825) (ts,Isi) (3,ocKI) 151.685) (1.450) {233,6011 12,151 51.685 L450 233,601 Furmls held as tsnglble assets Wyndl Greenhouse Garden Resource Centre building De Frene GrnhOuSe incknding stove De Frwte Comp05t toikt De Fre equipment De Frene HUB buildlng De Frene Education Hub Path Shelter 25,259 (1,394) {11,773) 23,865 250,521 238,748 747 1647l 1,087 336 5,787 782 23,333 2855 310.707 14321 (3361 (1,853 {313} (1,667) (151 (18,572) 655 3,934 469 21,666 2,698 292,135 Tot Restslcted funds 310,707 23301 (2511731 292.135 Total Funds 539.090 659.441 1529,584) 668,947 The providers of the above restricted funds in note 14 are as follows: l) The National Lottery Awards for All Fund 2) Together for Mental Wellbein& The Lee Charity of William Hatchff< BeCkhaM Theatre Trust, Bentley Advancing Life Chance5 31 The City Bridge Trust 4) Together for Mentsl Wellbeiig. Shanty Foundation, the Julia & Hans Rau5ing Trus( HDH Wills Charitable TrusL VandeNell Foundation, Nine4eh Trust 5) merc5, Company. 29 May 1961 Chaiitable Trust 6) South East London Mind Hyde Charitable Trust 81 The Henry Sm ith Foundation Page 21
Sydenham Garden Notes to the Financial Statements for year ended 31 Marth 2025 9) The National Lottery R&3ching communit Fund 101 London Borough of Lewisham NCIL Ward The fijnders of the above tsngible assets are as follows: Friends of Sydenham Garden and indNidual Donors Greenhouse appeal, Horniman Museum, the Heritage Lottery Fund b) The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation, Guy5 & St Thomas, Charity - pcr Development Fund. London Borough of Lewlsham. Garfidd Weston Foundation, The Clothworkers, Foundation, The Coutts Charitable Tru¢ The MacRobert Trus( The worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Friends of Sydenham Garden and Individual Donor5 Bu11ng Appeal The Percy Bilton Charify, Beatrice Laing Trus( The Tudor Trust, The Trusthouse Charjtable Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, The Henry Smith Charity, City Bridge Trust, London Borough of Lewisham Energy Fund, combined contribution from South London and Maudsley N HS Foundation Trust and NHS Lewisham and London, South London and Maud51ey NHS Trust Charitsble Funds London Borough of Lewi5ham - Soclal Entwprise, Big LOttY Fund - Award5 for AIL Blg Lottery Fund - Reaching Communities Big Lottery Fund - Reaching cMmunitieS and Individual doners, Evans Comish foundation and London Groundwork Big Lottery Fund - Reaching Comrnunities, Evans Comish foundation, and London Groundwork h) The Edward Gosling Foundation (fornieth The ACT Foundatlon) The aothworker5' Foundation Friends of Sydenham Garden and iNlividual t)onors Sheltw Fund, Michael Dufton Memorial & Dementia Fund Other grant funders are as follows Barratt London Charnpniss Charitsble Trust Edward Gostling Foundation Garffield Weston Foundation Landsec Futures Community Fund Merchant Taylors, Foundation Orange Tree Trust Peter Stebbings Memorial Charity The D'oyly Carte Charitable Twst The Li mE>Jvme Trust The Smith and Mount Trust Wllliarn Allen Young Charitable Trust Yorkshire Building Society Prlor year comparative Fund name Atl April 2023 Income Expenditure Fund At 31 March Transfer 2024 Unrestrirted Fund 215,850 241,981 {123,105) <106343) 228,383 Restricted Fund Fund held as cash and debtors Page 22
Sydenham Garden Notes to the Financial Statements for year ended 31 Marth 2025 African CanTr>bean Art Project De Frene Growing Le$ Fund Garden Fund Dementia Sow & @ow NCIL Ward Meeting Up OCN F*3Ctlcal organlc rdening Culturally diverse Youth Project Hyde Charftsble Fund 11,250 63,785 S.OCKI 32.503 8.100 27.OtM) 37250 1834 187,722 147,6101 169,726) 142.281} 136,870) {8,100) (35?53) (49060) 14265) (294,065J 36B60 5.941 37,281 4,367 8,353 12,610 1,431 106,343 Funds held as tSIble assets Wynell Greenhouse Garden Resource Centre building De Frene Greenhouse including stove De Frene Compost toilet De Frene equipment De Frene HUB building De Frene Education Hub Bu8gy Path Shelter 26h24 264.747 (1,365) (14,226} 1754) 1758) 1888) (2,0191 (406) (5,779) (1,667) (756) (28,618) 25,259 250,521 1.501 747 IB45 1224 7006 1.188 5.T79 25,C(JO 3,611 339,325 1,087 336 5.787 782 23,333 2,85S 310,707 Totsl Restricted fvnds 339325 187.722 (32Z683) 106343 310.707 Totsl Fund5 555,175 429,703 1445,788) 539,090 15 Analysis of net assets between funds Restricted fund5 tsngible assets Restricted project funds 2025 Total Current year Unrestiicted Endovfinent funds funds Frxed assets Current assets Current liabilities 44.327 308,117 (IlJ),632) 292,135 336,462 433,117 {IClJ,632) 125,000 P8ge 23
Sydenham Garden Notes to the Finanaal Statements for year ended 31 Marth 2025 Net assets at 31st March 2025 251012 125,000 292,135 668,947 Restrrcted funds tsn8ible a55ets Prforyear Unrestricted Endowment funds funds Restrirted project funds 2024 Totsl Fixed a55ets Current assets Current liabilities 44,752 270,588 (86,957) 310,707 355,459 270,588 (86,957) Net assets at 31st March 2024 228283 310,707 539,090 16 Related PartyTransactions The charity received donations from the Trustees in the year of £260 {2024: £100). No payments wwe made to rdated p3rties in the year <2024: nil). 17 Trustees Expenses Trustees are titled to claim travel and Subsistence and other EApense5 related to carrying out their duties at Sydenham Garden. There were no expenses in the year (2024: nil). 18 Independent Exaninels Fee £1,890 was accrued in the year bang the cost of the 1ndq)dent examination for 202 5 (2024: £1,800). 19 Volunteers During the year the Charity had 72 volunteers that supported ti on a weekly basi& The Charlty has benefitted from these unpaKI volunte$ and this is not recognised in the financial statements. 20 Govemment Grants Government grants, including local govemment arKI NHS Trusts have provided funds of £118,250 in the year bang 25% of total grant ncome {2024: £157,183- 42%). Pag8 24