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WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT IINCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK INTRODUCTION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 310ECEMBER 2025 The Directors. who are also the trustees of the charity forthe purposes of Charity law. present their annual report, which is also the Directors report as required by the Companies Act and the audited financial Statement of the charity for the year ended 310ecember 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accountin8 policies as set out in the note I to the financial statements and comply with the Charities Att 2011 and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Prattice ISORPI-Accounting and Reporting by Charities applicable to entities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS1021~ as amended lor accounting period commencing from l January 2019. This report represents the hvelve months to 31 December 2025 and describes what the Wilderness Foundation UK achieved during the year through its progr3mmes in environmental protection, education and outdoor therapy, explains our constitution and governance arrangements, and outlines our future strategv. We would like to thank the donors. sponsors. volunteers and friends of the Wilderness Foundation for their tremendous contribution5 and support in enèbling US to make meaningful impacts for nature and people, and continue to reach thousands of beneficiaries, during the year.
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK INTRODUCTION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Trustees Toby Aykroyd (retired 16 December 20251 Dr Steve J Carver Incent IGVBI Thompson IChaiTI Deborah Fielding Julie A Fosh Andrew LJ Gibbs (retired 26 June 20251 Perdeep Grewal Dr Peter Hobson Iretired 30 September 20251 Peter Martin Iretired 26 June 20251 Glyn Parry Tomilewa Platts Joanne K Roberts Andrew Sheepshanks Murray D Soutar Mark Thomasson (sadly deceased 9 May 20251 Matt A Williams Iresigned 26 June 20251 Ross Brockman Alan Somerville Secretary Joanne K Roberts Charlty Number (England & Wales) Charlty number Iscotland) Company Number Reglstered offi¢e England and Wales: Trinity House 2 Whitbreads Fami Lane Chatham Green Chelmsford Essex CM3 3FE 1118493 SC041697 06fy)3527 Scotland.. Wilderness Foundation clo Scottish Land and Estates Stuart House Eskmi115 Business Park Musselburgh EH217PB Audltor Edmund Carr LLP 146 New London Road, Chelmsford Essex. CM2 OAW
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Chair of the Board of Trustee's Re ort It is with great pleasure that I report another successful year of progress at the Wilderness Foundation UK IWFUKI where the demand for our services continues to increase in the wake of Covid, reflectin8 the increase in mental health problems, particularly amongst the younB, and increased concerns arising from global political uncertainties and the vulnerable state of our planet. Our Financial Review shows our progress over the past five years since Covid with core total income increasing from £621k in 2021 to £929k in 2025, a compound increase of 8.4% pa over the five-year period. Over the past year, income, excluding our Mann Wood acquisition, has increased from £803k to £929k, an increase of 16% with costs increasing from £830k to £875k leaving a healthy margin of £54k and reserves, ex Mann Wood, of £299k. The number of beneficiaries in 2025 was 8755, over one thousand more beneflciaries than last year. Throughout the year, we continued the strategy adopted in 2021 Ireviewed again in 20251 to increase our presence across the county ol E55ex wilh the openiTr801 a lurther Isatellitel operation at High Woods Country Park, Colchester n conjunction with Colchester City Council to serve areas of deprivation in the north-east of the tounty. This has been followed by the introduction of a new allotment project in Brentwood in conjunction with Brentwood Borough Council supported by the current Mayor. Councillor Jay Laplain. We are looking to continue our expansion in both areas during 2026 in line with this five-year strategy. Our various programme5 and activities ère covered in the Tru5tee5 Report so I will not repeat here other than to highlight progress at Mann Wood now we are into the second year of ownership with extensive use by our various programmes and with artive research projects studyingthe impact of our non-extractive strategy in conjunction with Anglia Ruskin University IARUI. ARU provides and supervises the four PhD researchers involved with financial support from WFUK. Our relationship with ARU develops followin8 Its mer8er with Writtle Agricultural College where we have had a close relationship for many years thanks to our trustee. Prof Peter Hobson. We are currently engaged in developingthis relationship through ARU'S Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, psychology and environmental sciences given the clear synergies and our longstanding involvement with academic impact assessment and research into matter5 relating to both mental health and the environment and the interrelationship between the two. Over the weekend of 23 to 25 Ocrober 2026, we will be celebrating our 50 anniversary in conjunrtion with ARU as part of their annual Chelmsford Science Festival which thi5 year is entitled Future Worlds.. Earth, Space, You. The WFUK three-day event entitled Wild Voices: Connecting Science, People and Nature will be celebrated at Writtle and comprise a reception dinner on the Friday. headline speakers on the Saturday and workshops on the Sunday. The event will also involve our sister operations in S Afric3 and the US.
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 After manv vear5 faithful service in building WFUK into the force that it now 15, in 2025 we said goodbye to some of our key trustees who have contributed so much to this development being: Peter Martin, a trustee for eight years and my predecessor as Chair for five- Matt Adam-wllllams, a trustee for eight years who built our Governance system,. Toby Aykroyd 3 trustee for 28 years and Prof Peter Hobson 10 years who together contributed so much to our environmental work and especially to the purchase of Mann Wood. plans for its management related research: and Andrew Gibbs. six years who played a key role in ensuring our financial stability. Happily, in 2026, we have been able to adtl new trustees with relevant expertise and great enthusiasm being Ross Brockman who joins our Finance and General Purposes Committee.. Alan SommeNille who joins our Scotland and Environmental Committees: and Alexandra Johnson who joins our Governance Committee. And l am delighted to report the return of Julle Fosh after her sabbatical for her year as High Sheriff a role she carried out with exceptional and widely acknowledged success. The resultant contacts and respect she has achieved will greatly enhance the standing of WFUK in the greater Essex community. Sadly, notwithstanding the demand for our setvices, the funding market gets ever more difficult whilst our attempts to build commissioned income from the NHS and education services are further complicated by plans for local government reorganisation and the establishment of five unitary authorities within greater Essex. This means that henceforth WFUK will need to engage with five different entities in E55ex regarding healthcare and education rather than the single Essex County Council but we are well positioned thanks to varlous ol our trustees and the preparation we have undertaken. I leave to last the single most important aspect of my report namely the recruitment of a successor for our exceptional Chief Executive, lo Roberts, as referred to in my last report. ¢er her 28 years with WFUK, Jo has bullt a small entity with limited operations into a nationally recognised organisation supporting thousands of voung people and other beneficiaries to build resilience. confidence and mental wellbeing through nature- based interventions, building pro-environmental programmes. and actively conserving wild nature through the purchase of 92-acre Mann Wood. Jo remains as a trustee and will continue to play a vital role as Clinical Lead ensuring the continued strength and integrity of the Foundation's therapeutic programmes and approach. Our sincere thanks to Jo for her remarkable achievements. The Trustees recognised the difficulty in recruiting 3 worthy successor to Jo so have been happy to take their time and search widely which ends with the happy conclusion of the appointment of James Davey to take over as CEO a5 from the conclv5ion of our AGM and Board meeting on 25 June 2026. james brings 25 years of senior leadership experience across international NGOS where he has guided organisations through growth and so is well equipped to lead the Foundation through the next stage of its development. The celebration of lo's remarkable success and the formal welcome of James will be central to our celebrations for the 50, anniversary of the Foundation in October. Finally, I would like to record my sincere thanks to Jo. her excellent team and my fellow Trustees for their dedication and hard work in support of The Wilderness Foundation in its mission to support some of society's most vulnerable people and to protect our planet from exce55ive exploitation. And my thanks too to our funders without whom none of this would be possible. Vlncent Thompson Chalr of Trustees, June 2026
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Our Objects and Aims Founded in 1976, WFUK has sought to pursue its objectives through the three disciplines ovtlined below, all of which are interrelated and support each other. Our approach to all three disciplines has been academic with regular and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation supported over time by The University of Essex, The Judge Business School, Cambridge and more recently Angli3 Ruskin University. The five-year record of accomplishment included under the Financial Review on page 43 bears witness to the success of our approach and the increased demand for our services. as well as our growth over the past year. We aim to continue our development of all three disciplines with environment gaining a significant enhancement in 2024 due to the Foundation's purchase of 92 acres of semi natur313ncient woodland. Our charity's objects as set out in the company's memorandum of association are.. To advance the edu¢atlon of the publ1¢ by In¢reasln8 knowledge and understandln8 of wllderness and the ¢onservatlon thereof and the Interrelatlonshlp between wllderness and the envlronment 8enerally by the provlslon of Instw¢tlon and of opportunltles for dlrert eMperlen¢e of wllderness; to Inltlate and martage stxlal benefit progfammes whl¢h use wllderness experlence to enable vulnerable and dlsadvanta8ed people to play a fuller role In soclety lespeclally the young). These phi1050phies are deeply embedded within the guiding principles of the organisation, and WFUK undertake to support and facilitate programme5 and advocacy under the following banners: EMVIRONMENT EDUCAT THERAPY Climate change mitl8ation, adaptation and biodiversity enrichment, rewildin& community engagement, outdoor therapy, and sustainability has been a focus for the management of our own 92-acre woodland. Emphasis is also on incubatin8 youth ambassadors for wild places and nature,. and buildin8 on climate mitigation projects in schools. Environmental and curriculum-based workshops for Primary. Secondary and SEND schools as well as our Leadership Academy involving team building and wilderness expeditions keep us linked to our roots. Supporting vulnerable young children. teens and adults in personal growth. improved mental health. and resilience, alongside inspiring them to feel part of the natural world remains at the heart of our work. Working within wild nature as a therapeutic tool to gain perspertive and understanding for group5 and individuals, has grown into a highly respected and popular programme5, Partly due to more people recogni5ing the value of the outdoors in how theyfeel.
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 The nature of our work intertwines these objectives. Those who are referred to us for a therapeutic rea50n always leave with a connertion and understanding of the natural environment and vice versa. Therefore, whilst the following report looks to define the work undertaken within each discipline, there are often overlaps. Most of the work is undertaken at OLtr headquarters at Chatham Green, located in the rural outskirts of Chelmsford in Essex and our newly acquired Mann Wood only a short drive or an hour's walk away in Great Leighs. Other satellite sites include Essex based sPaS such as Spains Hall Estate (near Finchingfieldl. Highwoods Country Park Icolchesterl. Hatfield Forest Inear Harlow) and a range of rural Scott15h estate5. primarily in South Lanarkshire. Perthshire. and Aberdeenshire. We refer to the Charity Commissions of England and Wales, and OSCR in Scotland for guidance on public benefit when reviewing our objerts and aims and on planning our future artivities. In particular, the Trustees tonsider how planned activitie5 will contribute to the objerts and aims they have set. In 2021 our Governance Committee updated our Memorandum and Articles of Association and worked through the Charity Commission to have these amended and filed. Throughout 2025 we conducted further tralnlng and development In, for example, Outdoor Flrst Ald, menlor training, Outdoor therapists CPO and trainin& GDPR, health and safety, Level 2 safeguarding and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training across the entire organisation. This was driven to a degree bv a new contract with Essex County Council's IPES alternative education provision. This expanded our part time alternative education for bespoke Broups and individuals that we were already providing and prepared u5 to take on the additional work in 2026. We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator. Public Benefit Statement This statement complies with the duty set out in settion 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to publlc benefit as publlshed by the Commission. The charity was founded in 1976 by Dr lan Player DMS and Slr Laurens van der Post with the aim of raising the profile and value of wilderness areas, through offering direct experience of wild places to a wide range of the public, with a focus on young people. We continue this work today, with our activities focused on three key areas the environment, education lincluding leadership) and outdoor therapy with its concomitant social benefits. Regularly connecting with the public is key to the organisation and is achieved through communitv engagement event5 by our Development and Marketing team. We also use a range of communication tools. such as open days, trainin& blogs. articles. podcasts. lectures. events. sharing research outcomes and Social media as well as our quarterly newsletter helps us to reach beyond our immediate communitv of participants and friend5 on the need for our work. As we cornmunicate the urgency of creatin8 global and local awareness of the balance between people and nature, we advocate for the wellbeing of both through conservation effort5, social programmes, nature therapy, outdoor activities, and leadership. We are honoured to include among our Patrons.. Sir Humphrey Wakefield Bt- Patron in Chief Lord Petre
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Dr. John Hemming Bruce Little Nicky Rattray Cathy O'Dowd Simon Hall Our Ambassadors include.. Samantha Gare Christina Ballard Tim Sayers Wouter Schuitemaker Jack Harrison l.The Wilderness Environment We alm to protert wllderness and wlld places by hi8hll8htlng the economlc, soclal. mental health and biodiversity benefhs of wild naiure. We en¢ou¢a8e our participants to take artion to build a sustainable planet. In 2024 the Foundation made a ground-breaking development- securlng the purchase of Mann Wood, a 92 acres site of semi-natural ancient woodland close to our base at Chatham Green and the towns of Braintree and Chelmsford. During 2025 we have continued to work on management strategies and actions, community engagement, education. therapy and research in the woodland. Working closely with Anglia Ruskin University and support from Leed5 University Wildland Research Institute. we developed four PhD opportunities to research and build data on the woodland's ecology, climate adaptability and biodiversity- The first Ph0 student costs were shared between ARU and Foundation and will run for three year5 Starting in 2026.The others are to be self-funded. The Environment Committee meets quarterly in support of the main l)oard of Tru5tee5. They continue to focus on strategic application for our environmental engagement goals and maintaining our wilderness ethos across oijr sites and programmes. Part of thhs committee is a working group on the
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 manaBement of Mann Wood and we co-opted a new advisor Dr Owen Middleton, who 15 an ecologist and work5 in the field of carbon financing. We also had a change at the end of the year in the Committee structure with Toby Aykroyd Chair of the Committee retiring from a long trusteeship with the Foundation remaining an advisor, being replaced by Prof Steve Carver. Professor Peter Hobson, also stood down after a long trusteeship and stays as an advisor. Current management planning is 8A of the woodland being in non-invasive stewardship and 2(VA managed for group and community engagement. This is a holding space whilst we wait for the PhD data to become available. To add to our engagement footprint and strategy. we continue to grow and develop partnership5 Wlth landowner5 Wlth similar objectives such a5 The E55ex Wildlife Trv5t and The National Trust and continue to drive our network to expand our reach. We have used opportvnities to educate and advocate on how biodiversity and rewilding can support the mitigation of climate change. We have engaged in volunteering in both England antl Scotland and offered facilitation that supports groups or individuals produce ways we can all help to reduce our carbon impact on the planet. Our work with Beaver Education at Spains Hall Estate has been key to this along with our Wild Schools pro8ramme wh5ch reaches, classrooms, schools and the parent network throughout Essex. Through our social media, public talks and engagement programmes we draw attentlon to the105s of biodiversity, increasing population, pressure from housing development and infrastructure on fragile and disappearing space for natufe across Essex and nationally. and the positive impact of wilderness and protected green space in mitigating climate change and biodiversity decline. Both our CEO and Professor Peter Hobson. adviser of the Environment Committee. continue to serve as cornmissioners on the Essex Cllmate Actlon Commlsslon. This enables us to make a difference through the comrni5sion on clirnate change mitigation and reaching carbon net zero goals by 2050. We have benefitted from being at the forefront of action across Essex and other parts of the UK. Our CEO also serves on the Local Nature Partnershlp in Essex. This forms part of a national initiative for raising awareness of existing and potential areas for protection in each county. The Envlronmental Edtjcation team joln various think tank groups of other environmentalists and educators across the country such as Conservation Optimism, Heads of Education Sustainability Group, and have close links with Chelmsford City Councillors who are focused on sustainability and environment. We believe that communities. government. and business leaders have an inherent responsibility to act as responsible custodians of the environment and to support 3 healthy society through best practice. We ran a range of outdoor activities for corporates. social service providers. and others on sustainabilitv and human wellbein& delivered during the year. Through the development of ESG and CSR. we continue to engage with corporate organisations such as QBE. Rotary and other community groups. 1.1 Partnerships In 2025, we continued to maintain and grow partnerships with third party landowner5, such as Colchester City Council, Brentwood Council, Hatfield Forest in Takeley owned by The National Trust, Essex Wildlife Trust and Spains Hall Estate in Finchingfield lowned by Archie Rug8le5 Bri5el amongst others.
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Colchester City Council enable us to deliver programmes in Highwoods Country Park on the edge of the city. The area provides access to commurhitie5 of high levels of disadvantage such as Clacton and Jaywick, and other more remote parts of north Essex up to the Suffolk border. Hatfield Forest offers an exciting opportunity to deliver education programmes. It is an internationallv significant site, both for its ecology and cultural heritage and is the most complete exarnple of a medieval royal hunting forest surviving today. With over l.IKA) acres of ancient coppices and wood pasture and I,OC() years of continuous management. it provides a unique insight of how the countryside was shaped in the years following the Norman Conquest. Spain's Hall Estate complements our education programmes and environmental goals through regenerative farrning and the recent reintroduction of beavers, the first in Essex for over 4CIJ years. Our environmental edutation team deliver their edvcation programmes on the beaver habitats, cornplementing the established education programme5 at Chatham Green, by providing a new innovative experience. The Foundation works wlth the Essex Wildlife Trust, John Mulr Trust, Institute of Outdoor Learning, Learning Outside the Classroom, X-Adventures amongst others. 1.2.1 Environmental Programmes, Young Ambassadors and Climate Action 1.2.1 Treun Scotland Treun is a wilderness therapy, personal growth, community volunteering and resilience building programme that operates across various estates in Scotland. For volunteering the participants spend a day working with rangers and ecologists to give back to the land. Volunteerin& can include peatland restorations, wetland management, vegetaiion clearing, making birdboxes and tree plantlng. This goe5 alongside therapy.based wilderness trails over five days. The programme in 2025 was primarily delivered at Glenlivet Estate in Aberdeenshire and we carried out workshops in areas around the various schools who were engaged with us, both pre and post expeditions.
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Durlng thelr weeklong wilderness therapy programme, partidpants had the opportunity to earn a Leave No Trace ILNTI certificate. We also continued our partnership with the John Muir Trust IIMTI. a Scottish charity. established in 1983 to conserve wild land and wild places 'for the benefit of all. The LNT and IMT awards help the participants to Bain a sense of accomplishment. improving self-confidence and self. awareness. At the same time. it advances the participants, understanding of the natural environment and helps develop practical employability skills and care for the natural world. During 2025 we a150 became AAL4 licensed which enables our own accredited guides to run the expeditions in house. 1.2.2 The Learning Outside the Classroom ILOtC) Quality Badge In 2025, we proudly continued to be awarded the Lotc Quality 8adBe accreditation, conflrming that we meet rigorous standards in both learning and risk management needs across all our programmes on offer. 1.2.3 Wild Schools 'Wild Schools,, is our Climate Action Outreach programme for Year S and 6 students where we work within the school and with a whole year group. Understanding climate change is complex and our team make the programme easily digestible. Simple in message. and empowering young people to act and influence in their school communities by becoming 'environmental heroes,. Learning covers the importance of nature and our relationship to it. the definition of climate change. sustainability and all the concept5 around climate change that are out there. After presentations. the young people create a youth led environmental project over 4 weeks. Under guidance and supervision. the groups decide on a common goal they want to champion. For example, one School focused on the plight of hedgehogs and created a campaign which they Spread through theirvillage and community afterengaging Wlth their parish council. During 2025 we were recipients of a generou$ 8rant from a London insurance company which will enable us to deliver to 12 schools, starting in 2026. io
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 1.2.4 Down to Earth Allotments in Chelmsford Our Down to Earth Allotments Project manages 6 allotment plots in Melbourne Community Allotments, central Chelmsford. A variety of different fruits and vegetables are grown. alongside ornamental plants, and areas left wild for the benefit of native wildlife induding a new nature pond and wetland area. During 2025 hu8e progre55 was made on site, and we particularly enjoyed a visit frorn our local MP Marie Goldman, and Cllr Rose Moore on a hot and beautiful afternoon. They were particularly interested in a new SEND school nearby who visit the allotments every Thursday for their students to engage in outdoor activities and our solar panels that were fvnde(J throu8h a grant from Chelmsford City Council. This ha5 enabled us to use our container as a working meeting space, with electricity for lights, heating, a small stove and the particularly important kettle. This means we can cook together using allotment Brown vegetables, stay warm in the winter and an excellent shelter from inclement weather at other times. The Tuesday group has grown with new members. The project supports adults who have various additional needs including mental health difficulties, learning challenges, and social exclusion. The group met weekly througholrt the year in all weather conditions. taking on seasonal tasks including sowing seeds and planting out. harvesting produce, alongside routine jobs like weedin& watering, mowing the grass. and pruning. The group sit together li
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 for breaks and at lunchtime to help reduce the feeling of isolation whilst learning new social skills that they may not experience in their daily lives. Corporate sponsors included SureGreen who donated sleepers reconstructing a raised bed, Chandlers who donated the timber for a pergola, constructed by two of our skilled wilderness volunteer5, and it has provided a 'social hub, for breaktimes. IThis social engagement. is as important as the horticultural skills they develop whilst on site. particularly for vulnerable adults who experience lonelinessl. We are grateful also to Envar. Longacres and Abercorn Garden Centres who donated compost and seed potatoes, respectively, a5 well a5 Asda who donated craft materials and gardening tools. Impact: In 2025, there were 380 attendees with over 1165 hours spent on the allotment by participant adults and children, with many further hours given freely by our team of volunteers to help maintain the allotment space. Some of these hours were kindly donated by groups of corporate volunteer5, including Braintree Rivers Rotary Club and Giant Group who kindly joined the Allotment team to help barrgw a delivery of manure up and down the sitel In the autumn John Lewis returned to finish paintin8 the hub, Family Solutions cleared undergrowth at the Chelmsford allotment and Giant Group were also back to do some woodland floor regeneration at Mann Wood, a job continued a few weeks laier by a team from QBE. Braintree Rivers Rotary Club came for another sesslon, thls time repairing the shed and raised beds at the Chelmsford allotment The Sir Geoff Hurst School Group at the 02E Allotments Sir Geoff Hurst Academy is a local special school offering a nurturing, inclusive environment for pupils with SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) and associated needs, whom we welcomed as a new group to OLJr allotment for weekly gardening sessions for the children aged 9-11. When they started in March 2025 behaviours were challengin8 and their attention span was low. However, by attending weekly the children have developed an appreciation for where our food comes from having planted seeds through to harvesting, and cooking with the produce. Pond dipping in our wildlife pond was a particularly popular activity followed by digging for potatoes. which they said was like digging for treasurel The horticultural facilitator has noticed a decrease in antisocial behaviour on a month-by-month basis. as the children's trust and engagement deepen and their nature connection grows, resulting in improved emotional regulation. The class teacher stated that Yhe allotment is their happy place". 12
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Braintree Community Garden In 2025 we were funded for a second year by Braintree District Council and the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund IUKSPFI to continue to Brow and develop our Braintree Community Garden projert. This weekly group wa5 set up to help provide a safe, supportive, and iherapeutlc Space for Braintree residents facing complex challenges and a disconnection with their local environment. The garden is located within central Braintree and through a partnership with Braintree Council and the Braintree Recreation Ground Trustees. we were able to set up a weekly gardening group to help vulnerable participants engage in gardening. Each week the group were helped to build confidence, reslllence, and practical skllls, actively combatting social Isolation by creating a welcoming and inclusive space where individuals can connect with nature ènd people, build friendships, and feel a sense of belon8in8. During the year we started a partnership with DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) who would refer clients to the allotments as part of their engagement with them. This work continues to increase, and we are keen to get it established to the same extent at our Melbourne Allotment5. There were 158 attendees over the year with 294 hours of participation, with participants regularly attendin8 each week for a two-hour session. In March Braintree Rivers Rotary Club brought in two groups. One helped wheelbarrow two bulk bags of compost at Braintree Community Garden, with the other assisting at the allotments. 1.2.5 Leave No Trace Training We continue to promote Leave No Trace values throughout all our programmes and through our outreach over the years, we have delivered LNT Awareness training for hundreds of children and adult5. This teaches the values and ethic5 of respecting nature and the outdoor5, managing your personal impact on the earth and learning not to leave litter ortraces of ourselves wherever we travel outdoors. 13
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 All humon life ond being is inextricobly entongled with und suffused by everything else. This brood commonweolth irtcludes every inhobitont of the biosphere, the onimols, plonts, fungi, bocterio ond viruses. It includes the rivers, seos, winds, stones ond clouds thot support, shoke ond shodow us. These animateforces, these companions on the greut udventure of time ond becoming, have much to teuch us ond hove ulreody taught us o great deul. We ore who we ore becouse of them. and we connot live without them. James Bridle 2 Environmental Education and Leadership Throy8h the year we educated over 7941 youn8 people •bO blodlverslty and nature, thelr relatlonshlp to the wlld and how they tan Care for It. We develop leaders for the l¢rture who understand the ¢ru¢lal need for a balance between humans and nature, to ensure a sustalnable fvture for all. We conilnue to develop our offerln8 to Include prlmaryi secondaryi graduate, and postgraduate educatlon. alongslde bespoke tralnlng or engagement days for buslnesses and corpoiates. 2.1 Education We understand that learning from an early age embeds practice and forms mindsets. For this purpose, we take our role as environmental educators very seriously. Through the year. we delivered a range of curriculurn-based edutation opportunities to children and teenager5 about wilderness ethics, our relationship to nature, biodiverslty, natural history, and geography linked to landscape and the sciences. During the outdoor classes we teach Leave no Trace ethics, meet and match curricular requirements, principles of sustainable livin& and aim to build a Ion8 and lastin8 love and connection to the wild. We continue to work with schools and young leaders to develop a social and ecological experience through wilderness journeys. Since Covid we had not replaced our South African Wilderness leadership trails for senior schools which have existed since 1976 but have been offering wilderness journeys in Scotland in its place. This year we Continue to run a bespoke expedition to Scotland for students drawn from the Haberdashers, Company. Our itinerary included paddling Loch Awe from end to end, climbing Ben Nevis and volunteering with the Nevis Partnership during ten days in July. The work is focused on empowering young leaders of the future to discover wild places. how to travel through and in them. and to build nature connections and knowledge to carry back into their schools and embed in future lives. 14
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 2.1.1 Wilderness Environmental Education The Wilderness Environmental Education Programme engaged a total of 7941 young people from January to Oecember 2025. In 2025 the team delivered across 4 sites in Essex including headquarters at Chatham Green, Mann Wood, National Trust Hatfield Forest and Spain's Hall Farm Estate in Finchingfield. They also went into schools to deliver our Wild Schools programme. a pilot for our River Schools programme, alongside various events for outreach opportunities. See below for a graph which demonstrates the full reach of the pro8r3mme delivery and numbers. This year the environmental education programme has been produced by 4 regular freelancers and four fulltime environment education staff: Environmental Education Numbers 2025 Home School FS kn 441 Birthday Parties • 87 Beaver Tour 1 21 Wild Schools 240 Youth Groups/voice 374 Camps 743 SEN (inc CCI) 893 School Visits 2776 500 Nu IIoEf fy°YstRfopI?000 2500 3000 15
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 School Visits Environmental Education School Visit Numbers 2019- 2025 3000 2776 2351 2089 2018 2000 1580 1237 1000 2019 2020 2021 2022 YEAR 2023 2024 2025 Across the year the team engaged over 2.776 young people of children visiting our site, spanning from early years all the way into secondary school. See above for a graph to show the numbers of young people engaged through our school visits at Chatham Green 2019-2025 and Hatfield Forest 2022 to 2025. Camps School holiday camps have continued to be successful across 202S with a total of 743 young people joining us throughout the year. We continve to have an increase in SEND youn8 people joinin8 our camps. so we continued to adapt and empower each child to gain the most from their visit. In October 2025 we piloted the first Mann Wood Camp for 11-16-year-olds and due to the success of this camp we will be providing this across the year in 2026. See the graph above for our numbers of young people for camps from 2019. Neurodiversity Camps During the year to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND needs who struggled to be in the larger tamp Èroups we started spetialist neurodiversity holiday camps with smaller numbers run by therapists. Over 14 sessions during the year held on site at Chatham Green we delivered 396 hours to 67 younE people. 16
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Youth Groups 2025 was another succe55fv1 year for delivering VOLrth groups. These groups encompass our own Youth Voice programme and delivery to groups such as scouts. cubs. beavers. brownies. guides and rainbows. In 2025 we delivered sessions to a total of 374 young people through a range of workshops including pond dipping, bug huntin& nature walks, bat evenings and, new for 2025, Bird Ringing demonstrations. These groups are important to the programme as they provide OLrtTeach to a wide range of young people and families. Often youn8 people that visit Chatham Green or Harfield Forest on school visits or through tamp5 also visit us for their evening groups, whith imbed5 nature connection and intreases familiarity with WF. SEND School Visits SEND groups have continued throughout the academic year. In 2025 we have been worked closely with Edith Borthwick, CCI ènd Farnham to provide weekly sessions for the students. We have had a total of 883 SEND 5tudent5 VlSIt U5 acr055 the year and we continue to work closely with each school, ensuring that every visit is specifically tailored to the young people's needs. It is important to note that students that visit us from Edith Borthwick have high physical and mental needs,. often these learners have not been Biven the opportunity to be out of school and will do this for the first time on a visit to us at Chatham Green. This is hi8hliBhtin8 the team's ability and the sites tapabilities to provide a safe, secure and fully inclusive experience for all youn8 people. We have found over the pasi few years 3n(J more notably that during 2025 we are supporting an increase in SEND individuals through all our programmes. This does mean that the education team must adapt and be flexible with every group to ensure that the correct support can be provided to the whole group, and to those individuals who may need a different learning style or adaptations within the session. Forest Home School The Forest Home School sessions have continued to grow throughout 2025 with home school numbers nearly reaching 500 for 2025. The team increased the sessions in the autvmn from a half day to a full day of forest school being run at Mann Wood. We have been able to engage a small group of volunteers who regularly support the sessions who work alongside the team. Youth Advocacy and Climate Action 2022 Saw the launch of Wild Schools, a new Climate Artion outreach programme for Year 5 and 6 students. The programme for 2025 was funded for 2 classes to each receive 4 interactive presentations focused on the importance of nature, understanding climate change, sustainability, and planning environmental projects. Wild Schools has been an influential programme, delivered within schools to encourage stewardship of the environment by giving young people the knowledge and empowerment to make a difference. 17
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 "Nature is important to me because nuture keep5 Us ulive and ifwe kill oll of it we will not be able to survive. People in thefuture ore counting on us to do our part to help keep the world nutural ond avoid it being man mode. Also. I love taking G walk in thefresh air ond I love seeing the unimuls but if we don't look ofter noture oll of thot will be 9one s00n.- Year 5 student at Writtlejuniors In 2025 we also got the opportunity to work with the Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust to provide engagement workshop5 for Fordham All Saints Primary as part of a River Sthools pilot programme. This project helped to connect the local school to their river and understand the work that 15 being carried out to the Fiddlers Hill Meadow and the riparian zone next to the River Colne to improve habitats, increase biodiversity and reduce flooding of the road. We have developed a River Schools programme and currently are seeking funding to run this in parallel with Wild Schools. Youth Volunteers and Work Exper5ence Over the year we have been fortunète to have multiple work experience students and youth volunteers. Some of these young people have been coming to events with the charity such as camps since they were 6-7 year5 old and actively want to Bive back and go into a career working in the environment. with young people or both (see Oscar in Ihe photo on the rightl. Some students found out about us through their school led work experience 8nd have continued to volunteer once their work experience finished. 'Durlng my work experience ot The Wilderness Foundotion, I hove completed physical ond online work like buildingfencesfor thefruit bushes, helping with school visits ond writing social medio posts to promote the chorities therapy and counselling opportunities. This hos shown me the opportunity of working in on office os well os beirtg outside workin9 Wlth my workmotes ond whotit's like being in a work envAronment.' The team joined 3,000 school chlldren at the Essex Schools Food and Farmlng Day at ARU Writtle. The Essex Schools Food and Farming Day is a significant event for Essex schools as it provides an opportunity to learn about food production, sustainability and career5 in agriculture and the environment. The team had a wonderful day talking to young people about the importance of the natural world whilst leaf rubbing to create colourful bookmarks. 2.2 Leadership and Corporate Programmes Whilst protecting the environment. we also understand that effertive leadership and advocacy is enhanced through direct experience of the natural world. We facilitate this through volunteering days, wellbeing days and team building exercises. We make sure we can support businesses to evidence through this work that they are contributing to targets such as Corporate Social Responsibility ICSRI and Environmental. Social and Governance IESGI requirements. 18
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 We live in a world where the disconnection with nature grows daily and there is urgency to addre55 this as resources and biodiversity diminish. Climate change is a vital area to address and support all groups to play their part in contributing to a more sustainable future. The Foundation is linked to a wide range of influential groups and think tanks in this re3lm such as the Essex Climate Action Commission, and the Nature Landscape Partnership. and seeks to address public engagement and action through its varied programmes and outreach, both social and environmental. The increase in corporations and organisations looking to evidence their environmental and social responsibility dovetails into this work and we continue to build relationships with a r3n8e of business Broups and corporates who volunteer or donate to support ourwork. This is an area we wish to do more of and were grateful to have a John Lewis sponsored staff member who joined our team for 6 months and who worked on our corporate outreach. team building and ESG opportunities. Her report is available on request. We are grateful to John Lewis for this opportunity. All our programmes have included: • the joy of volunteering ESG oftsets and helping staff learn MO about sustainability building respect for the earth's rich but diminishing biodiversity and resources,. the value of simple and low impact experience of the outdoors,. the benefits of leaving no trace and an undisturbed environment.. how we as individuals and communities can support nature and the environment,. nature needs half and leaving space for nature to thrive • global awareness of wilderness at risk 19
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 2.2.1 Wilderness Leadership Academy ContinuinB many years of workin8 with Haberdashers, Company schools, we ran a new expedition for a vounger intake of year 11 students thi5 year. We worked closely with Haberdasher5' Company to select young people for scholarships that could demonstrate how this experience would be impattful and a real opportunity. Students mostly came from inner city London with little or no experience of wilderness in Scotland, wild camping and exploring remote places. This opportvnity had taken a break in 2024 but we continued to develop the programme ready for another expedition in 2025. We had excellent outcomes and reviews both for the individuals and for the schools. The same programme is planned for 2026 after a presentation by students to the Charity Committee of Haberdashers, who could directly listen to students on the impact on their lives. 3.Social Benefits and Outdoor Therapy Programmes We provlde early Interventlon. professlonal mental health support for vulnerable chlldren and young people. However, our adult interventions such as women sur¥Nors of domestic violence. men only group5 and mixed group5 Wlth mental health presentations all benefit from our intervention5 With hi8h Scores of positive shifts in their mood. connection5 to others and nature. personal growth and resilience. We work with nature as a therapeutK tool to gain per5pertrve. a 5en5e of belon8ing and understsndin¥. A growlng numbèr of people around the globe are gaining undèrstanding of how much naturè Improves how they feel and thelr overall wellbelng. We are uniquely positloned In thls work havlng years of research and experlence under our belts. Our outcomes often contaln words such as 'relaxed'. 'peaceful'. 'flndlng myself. 'feel l am part of somethln¢. We are confident that the MSX of nature and wild places. with excellent therapy and outdoor facilitation, is effective and often life changing for our participants. 20
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Through this year, we continued to experience the impact of Covid on children and young people5, poor coping ski115, lack of resilience, dysregulation, school avoidance, anxiety and depre55ion. We have worked on key social and physical improvements, plus emotional regulation and strengthening skills through OLJr group programmes and one to one counselling in nature. We have continued to grow and develop our work with SLtrvivors and witnesses of domestic abuse- with increasingly large waiting lists, particularly for children -where early intervention is key. We continue to support the police. and referrers such as Next Chapter amongst others. for the referrals that we receive and their recognition of a safe next pathway for their clients. We remain continuously grateful to our generous funders who support us in this wot*. In our Trevn Scotland programme we also foun(J increasing numbers of referrals for young people who have experienced domestic abuse, again much inflamed during the Covid pandemic. We experienced intreasingly challenging behaviovrs in our school groups coming through our Treun expeditions at Glenlivet Estate. This has encoura8ed us to add in more en8a8ement before and after trails includin8 workshops, parent outreach, anil follow ups. During 2025 we also saw a large Increase In all age groups who came for therapy sUPPOrt for SEND needs, hoping to improve coping skills, behaviour and mental health through improved connettion to nature. Durin8 the year we adapted our services to become more inclusive wherever possible and started up neurodiversity camps to support children and younger teens in the holidays as often their struggle to connect well with others could isolate them and exacerbate low feelings and loneliness. In late 202S we expanded our team training to provide trauma informed approaches to clients. In addition. towards the end of the year we upskilled the entire workforce. volunteers including trustees and freelance partners in increased levels of safeguardin8, inclusive prattice and Prevent training against radicalisation. At the core of these interventions are Carefully developed physical and psychological wellness programmes, which aim to provide specific support for our porticipants. These include talking and practical therapy, as well as tools to regulate their mental health, employability soft skllls, resilience buildin8, coping mechanisms, aspiration. self-esteem & confidence buildin8, and skills development or vocational training aspetts. Through research, and our monitoring of social and personal change, and improvements in mental health, we have been able to share our outcomes through social media, articles and speaker opportunities. This demonstrates the positive benefits and value that wilderness and wild places offer everyone in our communities. with a focus on those in need. The Measured benefits of time in the wild. supports our narrative of the imperative to save and protect our remaining wild and green spaces - not just for their biodiversity and landscape value - but also to improve the wellbeing and mental health of all of us. We Share our outcome5 widely through a range of papers, blogs, conferences. documentaries. and the media. 21
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 hose who ¢ontemplote the be17uty ofthe earthfindreserve5 of strength th17t will endure 05 long 0$ life losts. There Is somethlng Inflnltety heollng In the repeoted refrolns of noture- the ossuronce thot down comes ofternlght. ondsprlng after wlnter." . Rochel Cotson. Sllolllkn. Treun Scotland Treun supports young people In areas of hlzh youth unemployment and dlsadvantage In Scotland. Young people aged 13-15 are put forward by thelr schools to take place In a range of workshops In the outdoors where they learn teamwork, so¢lal. physical and ¢ampinB skllls- followed by flve day tralls on remote estates such as Glenlbvet. Many put forward for the programme have adverse chlldhood experfences dlfflcultles wlth thelr mental health. asplratlon and behav5our. The prolert provldes nature.based experlences and ¢onservatTonvolunteerlnB opportunitles, focuslng on personal development, wildèrnèss therapy and skIlls-bas learnlng opportunlties wlthin wild, rural areas. We remain a proud partner with Scottish land and Eststes. During the year, the team continued to focus on areas of deprivation in and around cities, and some rural schools with a new school in Blairgowrie joining our portfolio. We also brought on two new guides who have extensive experience with young people and communities. During the year we workedwith teens aged beeen 13-15 years old. with different emotional and behavioural needs. Mental health difficulties include trauma. depression. anxiety. gender dy5phoria, suicidal thought5, self-harm, Surviving domestic violence. behavioural and emotional disorders, eating disorders, bullying and self-esteeffl i55ues. Participants are encouraged from all background5, and the programme is inclusive, seeking to engage all gender5, sexual orientation. and ethnic group5. We are still experiencing the devastating impatts of the Covid pandemic in terms of young people's mental health, school engagement and behaviour31 problems and this year we had to manage increases in young people's low level coping skills, incre35ed dysregulation and complex behaviours. We reduced 22
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 number5 to manage this and proudly graduated a group of young people over the year who completed the prograrnme and took a huge amount from it. We delivered four programmes during 2025 and introduced our new element of running workshops both prior to the trails and after trails to maintain contact with the groups. One to one time, as well as group therapy, offers a powerful opportunity to build self-confidence, social skills and to work through issues that may be troubling them. Being away from home for a week is a challenge as well as being out of their comfort zone. Many of our young participants did not often get out of their home community so this was a big challenge for them all. We have built a positive volunteering element to the programme, and they earn the John Muir Award and Leave No Trace accreditation. Six weeks support counselling is made available for graduates to support them once home after the trail. Group siies range this year were for 6 participants thus keeping the groups small to ensure personalised attention, and measured impacrs included-. • Happlness Leave No Trace awareness Teamwork Understandin8 feelin8S Friendship • Liking myself Camping skills Nature ID Case Study.. T- 14, came from a solid lamily background. At home he has an older brother who has complex mental health needs and it was good to him out and aboui and away from home to express himself. He experiences uncertainty about his future and can suffer with anxiety. Outcomes: He enjoyed climbing to the top of the hill which he found rewarding. He enjoyed the exercise. He found it hard sleeping away from home and being away from his familv T showed a strong sense of discipline. and determination not to give up. 120251 Out There Wilderness Academy The academy delivers early intervention through bushcraft and nature-based challenges for young people aged between 11- IS years old who are primarily referred by schools but include the police and social care. Our expansion to work with the younger age group has proved an essential intervention, supporting them with the transition to secondary school. The younger age group has been made up of those with challenging behaviours and other5 who were school avoidant, or who were not engaging due to adverse childhood experience5, for example. In our groups we deèl with complex needs, such as anger and emotional regulation problems, ADHD, anxiety and depression, 5elf-harm, Brief, gender i55ues, exposure to gangs, Other spertrum challenges 23
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 where m05t are not attending education or on a limited timetable. It 15 a six-week course, one full dav a week with additional therapy offered to those who need more sUPPOrt. Quote5 from client5', '1 have leorned about wht7t stresses me out ond how to take core ofmy emotions. '1 don't orgue tss much ond try not to let my emotions boil over, 'I'm more pr?rticol, ond l in glod to be here, Out There portiopont5 in their own words. We measure outcomes in social, personal and outdoor elements of our delivery. In 2025 we delivered 4 Cohorts which ran from March to December 2025 and delivered 690 Participant Hour5. An example of the complexity of our referrals is below: 11 year old female with limited education Self-harm issues raised- needs supervision around sharp objects. Not eating and drinking well. need5 supervision to do so. to avoid dehydration. On ASD pathway, ADHD returned 35 inconclusive. Does not see father. Difficulty regulating emotion5/feelin85. Uncomfortable around young children. 24
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Supportfrom CAMHS. Mum is supporting and liaising with school to support her needs. Reduced School Timetable. Medication.. Melatonin YP wants to feel better in herself. he best thing I will toke owoyfrom Out There is how I regulote myself OT3 "I hove leurnt se-cOntrol and how to stay owore oAhow l amAeeling" OT5 'Go outside & listen to nature & the bird5 singing., OT5 Makingfood on ufire, making a den, putting up t7 hummock, mokingfriends, doing afire, ploying new games being hoppy.. OT4 We believe the Out There programme enables young people to realise their potential and feel confident in moving forward in education or employment. We don't preach to them,. we encourage and mentor them in belSevlng in themselves and the posslbllltles the future holds. Nature allows them to find the space to grow and find their emotional resilience and by working in a Broup and takin8 Part in al¥ltIes, they can consider the effects of their behaviour on other people. Evaluated outcomes: 67% .' 17 participants reported feelin8 happv 56%.. 14 participants reported they can communicate better 56%.. 14 participants reported they have improved respect for others 52%,. 13 participants reported they feel hopeful 56%.. 14 participants feel that they can better look after themselves TurnAround- Cohort 18 Turnaround held its first programme in 2007.lt 15 our longest programme, delivering initially a year, but now nine- month intervention, for youn8 people aged between 16-24 years old. They are referred with significant complex mental heatth, trauma, relationship, and behavioural needs from a wide range of referrers. The programme includes one to one weekly mentoring, regular fortnightly workshops. and two wilderness therapy expeditions, family mediation, one to one therapy, group therapy, pathway referrals, employability skills development and a formal graduation. It is run by wilderness therapists supported by a highly experienced outdoor guide and are supported by dedicated and very experienced mentor team150me have been with us for 16 years). 25
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 TURNAROUND y8 2025 -WILDÉRNEs> We cornpleted cohort 18 of the TurnAround Project with a graduation in December 2025. Outcomes Included.. From March -December we (Jelivere(J over 2256 hours of support. ICKI.OO% of the grotjp showed improvements in their happiness, Self-confiden and self-acceptance. • 71.43% of the group showed improvements in their ability to trust and love others, and substance misuse. • 42.86% of the group showed improvements in their family and other relationships. 57.14% showed improvements in their independent living skills. • 2 graduates volunteered as Peer Leaders and were superb in terms of supporting the group and leader5. 26
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 October trail on the Gower Peninsula 2025 Example5 of what young people achieved In thelr own word5: 'Thefir5t troll w05 the horde5t port ond the best memory. I hod o breokthrou9h, but it Wa5 o long chollenge." "I hove gained confidence & self-worth. I can tolk to people comfortably & shore whot I wt7nt to. I hove leorned thot I can do o lot more physicolty than I thought & it mokes me hoppy" "I hove become more confident. Detennined and disciplined. I hove learnt thot there is a lot more to life t7nd to keep pushingforwurds" Blossom Domestic Abuse Project Blossom Is a nature ba$ed ten-week therapy programme, set up to empower ¢hlldren, teens and women who have experlenced I wltnessed domestlc abuse. Partldpants learn strategles fty self-care and understandlng of how to prtxess the past and bulld new fthures. 7 cohorts completed as of 091121202513 Children. l Teens and 3 Womenl. A totsl of 70 days from the 7 cohort5 which is one more than last year. • A total of 56 participants for the 7 cohorts. A total of 2,105 hours. We are currently planning to run 7 cohorts in 2026. 27
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Women's 8roup feedback example: "It has built my confidence in newsettings,. tought me to build trust in people I don't know. Allowed me to open up obout my experiences withoutleeling judged or emborrossed. It hos shown me there 15 hopefor the future ond my post doesn't need to dictote myfuture." "It's been o turning point in my recovery, knowing I'm not alone. Its the best thing I hove done. Didn't even feel like I've hod theropy, but I hove. "Meeting women who have been through shored troumo. reulising l om not olone ond tht7t mvfeelings and emotions ore volid. A sense oAbelonging ondfelt less oshamed of whot I hud been through. Brave Futures Therapy Programme Brave Futures offers mentsl health support In nature-based workshops for adults. chlldren. and teens. The groups attend for elght weeks. one day a week. The programme Is run by two outdoor theraplsts w5th the help of volunteers. We had funded places for different areas of Essex which was restricted. We have been particularly focused on providing seryices c105er to where people live and 8r¥in8 easier acce55 to SUPPOrt. 28
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Is Brave Futures- Fundln8 -Llvewell I Colchester CounclllActlve Essex 5 Cohorts 2025-11 Teen, 2 Children and 2 mixed ages for Tendring College) A total of 38 participants153 spaces offered) The Brave Futures waiting list has now been merged to all Essex. Participant Hours.. 1215 Brave Futures- Braintree I children cohort completed as of 0910512025 • A total of 8 days from the I cohort. • A total of 8 participants. A total of 270 hours. In 2025 we opened to a 'Men Mental Health, group run by male therapists and volunteers. It was enormously powerful and we are keen to continue this work dependent on referrals and funding. Men's mental health remains of real importance. Work on a 'pop in no tie5 therapy programme is in discu55ion for the Foundation to meet future mental health needs for men. Brave Futures- Essex 6 cohorts completed as of 041121202513 Children. 2 Teens and l Men) A total of 48 days from the 6 cohort5 compared to 4 Brave Future Cohorts last year. A total of 49 participants for the 6 cohorts. A total of 1.830 hours. 29
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 'One participantarrivedin an IncrediblyneouS place. One ofhis big issues was 8 qulte pronounc&d stutter, which me8nr he struggled to gei his words outgt times. He w8S 9150 incredibly nervous to try anything new, often s8ying he was excited but then pushing back when the 8ctivitystarted. Over the weeks he started to use a knrfe safely, successftjlly lit his own fire and participated in group conversations in an incrediblypositive way, responding well io encouragement. It Was Posltive to hear his nan s&yhowmuch he hadgained from the experience and thathis speech had reallyimproved." 'The f8milystill t81k 8bout Wilderness to this d8y.- 8bout howf8nt8stie it W8S 8nd wh8t8 difference it m8d&. From the referrer. Bespoke Personalised Servlces for Autistlc Spectrum Dlsorder level 617 transitlon group I Children Cohort in 2025 6 offered, 6 accepted. Participant Hours:410 lune to July 2025 1-2-1 Nature-based and Online Counselling The Foundation has offered a total 3,306.S hours of 1-2-1 counselling to individuals in202S, vs 2,853 hours in 2024. Demand of 1-2-1 counselling increased significantly since March 2025. We ceiVed a record high of 89 referrals in June 2025 when we received average 40 referrals per month in year 2023 and 2024. Waiting time for free counselling prolonged massively due to the influx of referrals and to ensure our 5UPPOrt is provided in time when needed, we made a difficult decision to pause taking new referrals from July 2025. The 180+ referrals on the waiting list were cleared before Christmas and we resumeil taking new referrals from mid of January 2026. While The National Lottery Fund remain5 the rnain Source of our counselling funding in 2025, our free counselling was also offered thanks to the grants and donations from= 30
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Norman Garon Trust • Gordon Sanders Charitable Trust Questionnaires Completed and returned show encouraging improvements= Young People Adults Social Isolatien Challenging Behaviours Challenglng BehaaUl$ Emotional Oi5tre5S elatlonship Breakdown As8re55ive bEhaviour Conflict wirh Family Risky 8ehaviour orher elati0Thship Breakdown e55ive behaviour Corbflict with Familv Risky BehavUr 0% 20% 40% 80%1{& 0% 20% 60% 80% 1(o% Accordlng to our 1-2-1 counselling satisfaction suThey in 2025.. • 95% of clients responded they will recommend Wilderness Foundation to others • 81% of clients rated our counsellors 10 out of 10. and 21.5% rated 8 out of 10. • 73.4% of clients rated their overall experience 10 out of 10, and 15.2% rated 9 out of 10. "Such a rewording experienceAormy child tofind his voice." "Louise wos Incredible, ond I truly connot believe how much these sessions helped me. The difference 6 weeks con moke is crozy. She mode mefeelseen, heord ond helped me understond ond occept the things thot hove hoppened ond why lftel the woy I do. I honestly connot thonk you enough for oll the help.. 'My son realty enjoyed these sesston.. he come home hoppy just like he used to be." -1 om incredibly grtstefulfvr the support offered to me thmugh the Wilderness Foundution, ot D time when I felt I needed it the most. I hove token owoy o huge omountfrom the sessions to work upon ond would highly recommend your orgonisotiort to onyone in o similorsttuotion. Thonk you 0g01rt." "My child struggled to engage with ony other t7dult outside of the homefor his whole life. However, Lauro mt7naged to break through thot and really bonded with him. He has come on leaps and bounds since hoving thert7Py with Laura, 17nd it hos been beyond vuluable to him nd us (15 of(Jmity- I cun'tsing your prui5es enough." "My w(Jlk5 Wlth my coun5ellor were unburdening, therapeutic. informutive und supportive. I w(Js uble to reflert on my life, live in the morrreJTrt (75 well 05 lookfvrword to ufvture with mNrJdfvlness. Not only do I Aeel lighter. but Ifeelbrove enough to weother the storm. Thunk you, I hove recommended WFUK tofriends that ore going thmugh such similor times with obusive ex portners and huve like me. precious children thot hove been obondoned by their dad's love und so desperately need supportfrom u beoutiful ploce like WFUK. Especially calm. understonding ond 31
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 supportive people like Nicola. It makes our role as mumsftel like we're not drowning andft7iling. Thank you. Lots of love t7nd hugs xox" Yhe outdoor or)d reloxed ntsture oAthe 1-2-1 counsellin9 se$5ions my son received ot The Wfflderftess Fo(AndutNon hove been fufttastic. The lostAew yeors hove been very difficult, ond (71most all intervention hosfoiled, let7ving him Asoloted ond lonely. He neededporentol stjpport initiolly, but he soonfelt confident to go with his cotsnsellor olone ond he thoroughly enjoyed Itghtingfires whilst chotting with o sofe odult. The support provided by The Wilderness Foundotion hos been invaluoble ond we ore incredibly groteful tht7t he hod the opportunity. Thank you." 3.7 Mentor Training The Foundation continue to use an online training which has been tailored to the needs of the Foundation services. However. ongoing trainin8 is delivered during reflection post programmes, additional CPD offered to mentors throu8h outdoor agencies on matters of relevance in youth work and youth-based psychotherapy, alongside bushcraft, first aid, safe8uardin8 and in house training on our group work ethics and practice. Marketing & Fundraising Activity 4.1 Marketing In 2025 we continued to see a steady gr0h in enga8ement through s¢xial channels, website and online marketing campaigns and fundraising. With expansion of education and therapeutic programmes, and the increased cost of living, our fundraising targets increased to help provide funded support for the increase in need we see year on year. Events and Community Engagement Events In 2025 Wildernes5 x2 Walks Wilderness x2 Talks Open Garden Quiz Night Charity Golf Day Open Farm Sunday Schools Food & Farming Day Wild Schools Educational Workshops in Schools RGS- Leave Some for the Honey Badger film evening 32
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 In lune. the Foundation held an Open Garden event at Little Bentley Hall. kindly hosted by Christopher Palmer- Tomkinson, who has cared for the property for over 50 years. The event provided a rare opportunity for visitors to explore one of East Anglia'5 most remarkable private gardens, with all ticket proceeds supporting the Foundation's work. The day enabled us to engage both longstanding supporters and new audiences, raising awareness of our activities across Essex while generating over £3.CW in support of our programmes. Our annual Wildernes5 Charity Golf Day took place at Braintree Golf Club in Jvne, welcoming 12 teams. Throu8h team entry fee5, sponsorship from A jolly Consulting. a silent auction and raffle, the event raised vital funds towards our Wilderness Therapy programmes. The Golf Day continues to be a successful and well-supported fundraising event and has already been confirmed for 2026. We also hosted our annual Wilderness Quiz N58ht in partnership with Rotary, whose volunteers generously supported the evening by actin8 as quiz master and asslsting with raffle 531es. The Foundation once again participate(J in Open Fam) Sunday, welcomin8 local residents and fèmilies to Chatham Green. Visitors enjoyed 8uide(J tours of the 40-acre farmland site led by the local farm manager, alongside nature crafts and pond dippinB activitie5 delivered by the Education Team. The event provided an opportunity for families to explore the site. enjoy the outdoors and learn more about the Foundation's work. Soclal Medla For the first time, there has been a dedicated effort on social media. with daily posts and regular campaigns across four platforms- Linkedln, In5tagram & Facebook. On Facebook posts were viewed 272,006 times with $2% being by non-followers Ithis is a less follower-centric platforml. This was an increase of 333% on 2024. Followers climbed from 3,601 to 3,995, a net increase of 394 Iii%i. On Instagram posts were viewed 84.500 times with 82% being by followers (this is a much more follower-centric platforml. Followers climbed from 3.987 to 4.397. a net increase of 410110.2%). Linkedln only provides analytics on the last 365 days. However. between May-December 2025 posts had 29,273 views and the page tlimbed from 1,810 followers to 2,119 a net increase of 309117%). X (Twitterl page has a following of 2,499. 4.3 Fundraising Fvndrai5ing activity throughout the year remained diverse, enabling the Foundation to secure income through charitable trusts, foundations. corporate partnerships and community support. New corporate sponsors were 33
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 secured to SUPPOrt programmes including Wild Schools and the purchase of equipment, alongside multi-year and continuation funding for core operations. education. therapy services and Mann Wood. The Foundation continued working with two external fundraising consultants, including SUPPOrt with grants and tenders. Durin8 the year, we were also invited to apply for a significant donation from a private donor and selected as a Corporate Charity of the Year partner. with a fundraising target of over £SO,¢JJ) over 12 months. We were pleased to be one of only a small number of charities seletted for a secondment placement through the john Lewis Golden Jubilee Trust this year. This partnership enabled a John Lewis employee to join the Foundation for six months, supporting programme delivery. events and administration. with salary costs fully funded by John Lewis. We also secured 16 places over 4 years with the London Marathon through their Golden Ticket scheme starting in 2026. This is an amazing opportunity to help raise fun(Is through an internationallv renowned sporting event that will help us extend our outreach to new funders and supporters. Community Fundraising and Outreach The Foundation regularly attended community outreach and networking events throughout the year, including Braintree Council Mental Health Forum, Chelmsford and Tendring CVS, ECVYS, Artive Essex mental health events and annual conference, ECC CFS and CAYPS meeiings, Leathersellers Link & Learn, Chelmsford College event5, Essex Community Tree, E55ex Police Conference. Volfest and the ARU Growing Places Conference. We also hosted neOrkIng and group meetings at the Chatham Green Education Centre for organisations including Active Essex and ECVYS. Staff delivered presentations and talks at a variety of events includin8 the Nature Recovery Partnership Event, Rotary District New Years Lunch, Braintree Council Mental Health Forum. The Lord Lieutenant's Event, Moulsham College and the Institute for Outdoor Learning. Community fundraising efforts during 2025 included participation in sporting events Such a5 the London Landmarks Half Marathon and the Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge. which was completed by one of our youth mentors. Additional fundraising support came from Maltese Primary School. the White Horse Pub who ran quiz night as well as Natwest employees and Little Baddow Runners, who fundraised in memory of Trustee Mark Thomasson. Eccle5 & White House school from the Aurora Group organised a Xmas and summer fete i support of the Foundation. while our very own Down to Earth facilitator Jane completed the Loch Ness Marathon. The Foundation also continued to benefit from online fundraising through lustGiving and The Big Give, including the successful Christmas Challenge and Earth Raise match funding campaigns we do each year. 4.4 Community Fundraising & Events Corporate Partnerships Corporate partnerships continued to play an important role in supporting the Foundation's work. We were joined by 13 separate corporate and community groups volunteer throughout 2025. In May, Birketts LLP brought a team to trim our entire network of path5 at Chatham Green and finish the new bridge into the woodland. Staff from Chelmsford City Racecourse also joined us to tidy up our sen50ry garden. Meanwhile, lune saw Braintree Rivers Rotary Club return to paint our cabin. whilst employees from John Lewis helped us by painting the volunteer hub. 34
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 QBE funded the Mann Wood Volunteer Hub. while Boddington5 Electrical Ltd funded the Mann Wood Pod and donated solar panels and a power unit for the site. ECI undertook a range of fundraising initiatives in support of their £50,IK)O target, including a woodland sleep-out. an abseil from their London office buildin& a silent auction and a quiz night whllst Manulife helped raise funds by recycling their old devices. In the autumn John Lewis returned to finish painting the hub, Family Solutions cleared undergrowth at the Chelmsford allotment and Giant Group were also back to do some woodland floor regeneration at Mann Wood, a job continLJed a few weeks later by a team from QBE. Braintree Rivers Rotary Club came for another session, this time repairing the shed arhd raised beds at the Chelmsford allotment before our final volunteering 5e5sion saw UK Power Networks and Ceva Logistics partner up at Chatham Green to remove a polytunnel. build a fence and a bug hotell Rotary remained a valued supporter of the Foundation, with volunteers regularly contributing their time to support events and onsite conservation activities. Additional corporate supporters during the year included JW Steele, Suregreen, Medivet, Gleeds Foundation, Essex and Suffolk Water, John Lewis and Saffron 8uildin8 Society. We also received donations in the form of workshop materials and tools from Envar, Tescos and Perrywoods to name a few. Volunteers Volunteer numbers started 2025 at 43 with steady increases through the year to 54 by December. However, thi5 does not represent the overall number of volunteers recruited as a lot of work was done to follow up with volunteers who were renewing their paperwork, at cost to the charity, but not actively contributing volunteer hours. A numbei of volunteers wefe removed for this reason. Recruitment included advertisin8 volunteering at community events, a full update of our listings on Volunteer Essex, joinin8 the new Royal Volunteering Service listin& regular calls for volunteers on social media, attendante at VolFest in lune and a full overhaul of the volunteering p38e on the website. Enhanced social media presence and dedicated volunteer recruitment efforts have also increased recruits by word of mouth. In total, 25 new volunteers were successfully onboarded during 2025 across Education, Site Maintenance. Down To Earth, Therapy Groups, Treun and Admin roles. 8ird RinginE The South Essex Ringing Group. led by WFUK staff. delivered several Bird Ringing Demos with the public connetting 45 adults to nature alongside a further four Youth Group demos engaging 76 children. The team ringed SIO birds of 34 species and worked with scientists from the Zoological Society London on the Usutu Virus monitoring project. 5. Future Plans We will continue to demonstrate. advocate and appfy the positive impart of wilderne55 and wild places for the wellbeing of the individual and society. Beneficiaries comprise a range of demographic5 and the 5pertrum spans from the most vulnerable to those with leadèrship potential. Wé stratègitally wish to be Èstablished a¢ro Esse4 and spreading organically into our neighbouring tountie¥ whilst meeting the needs of the most vulnerablè and disadvantaged. 35
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 To meet the growing interest in WFUK. we continue to work to our growth objectives that remain con51Stent and unchanged from 2023 although we have had to adapt to the increasing demand that we are experiencing on the therapeutic services we offer both in Essex and Scotland. l. Sustainably grow and manage the impact and outputs of beneficiaries supported by our sotial benefit/therapy, educational and environmental progr3mmes- approximately 8750 in 2025. Growth must reflect maintaining the high quality of service we work hard to achieve. Increase in numbers from 2024 in educational visits and therapy participants due to an increase in funding and staffing levels. 2. Extend the areas where our programmes are provided within Essex and Scotland, focusing on areas of deprivation and environmental restoration programmes. 3. Develop and grow our operations, through carefully selected partnerships and new satellite spaces to serve new communities. 4. Increase our advocacy for nature. climate change mitigation and the crucial role of nature in improving mental health and wellbeing. 5. Manage our own semi-natural woodland to increase positive imparts on biodiversity enhancement, research and citizen science around woodland protection, and social benefits from wild land in an increasingly busy world. 6. Continue to sustainably grow our revenue to deliver increased impact whilst intreasing our operational and financial strengths. 7. Increase and reevaluate our research, monitorin8 and evalu3tion to ensure it meets national and lotal objectives and can have benchmarked outcomes. We wlll do thls by undertaklng a¢tlvltles that: Educate and inspire people to experience and connect with wild places. Provide an integrated service for improving the lives of the most vulnerable in our society, through the positive benefits of wilderness. • Grow natural leaders of the future. through directly experiencing the positive benefits of wild nature. Protect and enhance biodiversity and green space5. • Continue to promote and support mental health and wellbeing across client5 in Scotland and the rest of the UK. • Promote and practice solutions to meet the Climate Change Crisis. • To 8row and strengthen our impact for environment and people we will.. Introduce people and children to nature. Educate people how to love the natural world. Change people's lives throu8h nattjre. Practise what we preach in caring for the earth and people. Continue to grow our network in across Europe and our glob31 relationships. As WFUK increases its activities, we will also seek opportunities to build on and expand our understanding of wilderness and wild places for the benefit of both planet and its people. 6. Governance Ouring 2025 we continued to manage our governan. with quarterly 8o¥ernance committees and across the programme5. The Governance Comrnittee report5 to the Board on policies. risk management, Trustee recruitment, staff handbook and articles of asso¢iation amidst all other ¢omplian¢e issues. A full review of all our risk assessments was reviewed and implemented 2025. 36
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Achieving AALA status in Scotland was a150 an important milestone. 6.1 Status The charity is a company limited by guarantee. Our governin8 document is a Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 20 November 2006, with an update to objects in 2010 and certain revisions in 2021. 6.2 Governing Body and Structure The Trustees. who are also the directors for the purpose of company law. who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Toby Aykroyd Dr Steve J Carver Vincent IGVBI Thomp50n Deborah Fieldin8 Julie A Fosh Andrew L J Glbbs Perdeep Grewal Dr Peter Hobson Peter Martin Glyn Parry Tomilewa Platts joanne K Roberts Andrew Sheep5hanks Murray D Soutar Mark Thomas50n Matt A Williams Ro55 Brockman Alan Somerville Iretired 16 December 20251 Chair of Environment Committee Chairman Chair of Social Benefits Committee Iretired 26 June 202SI Chair of Governance Committee Iretired 30 September 20251 Irelired 26 June 20251 Chair of F&GP Committee Chief Executive Officer Vice-chairman Chair of Scotland Committee Isadly deceased 9 May 20251 Iresigned June 20251 The Chief Executive lo Roberts has dispensation from the Charity Commission to serve as Founding Direttor on the board, alon85ide workin8 as Chiel Executive Officer. Our governing body is a Board of Directors of the charity and has an active Governance Committee made up of Trustees, including the Chair. As of 31 December 2025, there were 12 Trustees. The Board of Directors is responsible for providing overall clarity for the vision, mission and strategic focus of the organisation. It also holds the Chief Executive to account against planned objectives. The Board meets four times over the course of the year, and Directors are involved in other operational matters as needs dirtate. Several committees offer more detailed support to the overall governance. programme oversight, strategy and finance- and report back quarterly to the main Board. Since 2024 a special Mann Wood working group convene to support the management and oversight of the woods. alongside the Environment Committee leading on strategy and management. The Wilderness Foundation UK forms part of the independent ilderneSS Foundation Global" a consortitjm of forward-thinking, like-minded independent organi5ations with different skill sets. The organisation5 all share a common past, each founded andlor inspired by Dr. lan Player, South Africa game ranger and international conservationist and his Zulu mentor and ~brothe, the13te Magqubu Ntombel3. 37
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 The other members of the Wilderness Foundation Global are The Wilderness Foundation Africa. The WILD Foundation IUSAI and the Wilderness Leadership School in South Africa.. Senior staff meet annually to set shared objettives, agree ethics and working partnerships and projects. All members of the network are completely independent of each other but share a common past. They have no financial ties or obligations beyond goods or services provided Ipredominantly by the Wilderness Leadership School which facilitates wilderness trails in South Africa for UK beneficiaries and client groupsl and these are charged at the time the liability is incurred. 6.3 Decision Making Responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organisation is delegated to the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team. The Board of Directors focuses its attention on matters of policy and general strategv, the approval of plans. the monitoring of progress with projects and financial control. New Directors are appointed by the Board and are a55e55ed a5 to their suitability and the benefits that their appointment would bring to the Foundation, in terms of additional ski115, experience and opportunities for promotion of the Foun(Jation's aims and objettives. A full induction programme is carried out covering all asperts of the work of the charity, the governance, the memorandum and artlcles of association and a review of the latest accounts. On occaslon, the Board may extend invltations to individuals to attend meetings in an advisory or observatlonal apacity, where it is felt that the individual concerned can bring insi8ht to an issue. or matter under review. An ambassador patrons programme invites people who can brin8 a benefit to the Foundation through their networks and are equally passionate about its objectives. They have no official role but abide by a set of principles and a formal agreement. 6.4 Risk Management The Foundation is exposed to financial as well as operational risks and through the valuable experience and knowledge of 115 Board of Trustees, It proactively manage5 these through robust corporate governance and entouraging expert field-based awareness in all its endeavours. To mana8e and mitigate risk, a risk register is annually scrutinised by the Board of Trustees. The board allocate each risk to the committeels it is most relevant to, who are then responsible for reviewing them on a quarterly basis. The senior management team review the risks internally and report any new or escalated risks to the main board. The committees collectively oversee a range of tasks, ensuring the organisation remains compliant. These include but are not limited to data protection, policies. health and safety, legal requirements & updates, whistleblowing and complaints. We have a robust child protection policy. safer recruitment practice. and safeguarding policy and procedure5. to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all the young people, staff, and volunteers we work with. We maintain a register to ensure that all e55ential training is UP to date. 38
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 7. Scotland For reporting purposes to the Offices of the Scottish Charity Regulator IOSCRI, we are required to make a separate statement of our work in Scotland. In this document we outline our achievements in the delivery of the Treun Pro8r3mme. This work provides public benefit for the people of Scotland, particularly young people. The pro8ramme includes our project management team, headed by our CEO, Operations Manager and an administrator, guides, volunteers, and facilitators. A Scotland committee oversees our work and delivery in Scotland, and we report annually to OSCR. We work in partnership with Scottish Land & Estates and have benefitted from the kindness of several landowners who have given access to their land. including Atholl Estates. Angus and Douglas Estates and the Glenlivet Estate. Our participants have been involved in conservation volunteerin& and we continue to work closely with the estates to offer benefits through thi5 activity. The programme includes 6 optional follow-on therapy sessions for the participants as vlell as workshopslor meetings in advance of trai15 Wlth the schools. 8. Financial Review Financial Review 2025 was another significant year in the development of WFUK as we continued the growth in our service delivery and developed plans to integrate Mann Wood into our operations. As we reported last year Income in 2024 of £1,614,888 was significantly impacted by the funding of the purchase of Mann Wood, 92 acres of seminatural ancient woodland. Income in 2024 excluding ihe funding of the purchase of Mann Wood was £797.747 and our income in 2025 increased by 16% to £928,936. This was an exceptional performance against a challenging fundraising environment. In 2025 our expenses increased by 5% to £874,611 and we 8enerated a modest surplus of £54,325. Our total reserves at 31 December 2025 are £1.124.603 or £382.814 excluding the Mann Wood fixed asset value. Unrestricted reserves were £143,460. 3 decline of £12,011 in the year. and we believe it is prudent going forward to maintain these reserves or grow them modestly given the current high levels of uncertainty in the macroeconomic and Beopolitical environments and also to enable us to respond to future development opportunities. 8.2 Five Year Track Record De15verables Number of Beneficiaries 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 8,2 690,455 757.342 {66,8871 285.517 126.274 159,243 7500 8755 Total Income 621,938 439,733 182.205 409.835 207.942 201.893 558,400 615,831 157.4311 352.404 173.672 178.732 1,614,888 830,127 784.761 1.070,278 914.807 155.471 928,936 874,611 54,325 1.124.603 981.143 143.460 Total Expenses Surplu5 1 Deficit Total Reserves Restricted Reserves Unrestricted Reserves 39
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 8.3 Investment Policy As WFUK have not historically been required to make any finantial investrnent, it wa5 not previously deemed necessary to hold an Investment Policy. However, the Tnjstees reco8nise that this could become a requirement in the future as the charity continue5 to grow. 8.4 Affiliate Funds As in previous years, WFUK continue to be custodian trustees. managing funds and donors. on behalf of affiliate charities overseas, with whom we sharethe same values and mission. There are individual contractual agreements with each charity, which derive a small amount of income to cover overheads. 9. Responsibilities 9.1 Guarantors Every member promises, if the Charity is dissolved while he or she is è member or within twelve months after he or she ceases to be a Member, to contribute such sum Inot exceeding £10) as may be demanded of him or her towards the payment of the debis and liabilitie5 of the Charity incurred before he or she cea5e5 to be a member and of the costs and char8e5 and expenses of windin8 up and the adjustment of the rights of the tontributories among themselves. 9.2 Trustees, Responsibilities The Trustees, who are also dlrectors of Wilderness Foundation UK for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accountin8 Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practicel. Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. These must give a true and fair view of the situation of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources. This include5 the income and expenditure of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements. the Trustees are required to: • Select Sultable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. • Observe the methods and principle5 Ifb the Charitie5 SORP. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. • State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company. These enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 26. the Charitie5 and Trustee Investmentlscotlandl Act 2W5 and the Charitie5 Accounts (Scotlandl Regulations 21)J6 las amended). They are also responsible for safeguarding the as5et5 of the charitable company and hence fortaking reasonable Steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
WILDERNESS FOUNDATION UK TRUSTEE'S REPORT (INCLUDING DIREcfoRS REPORTI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Approved on behalf of the Director5'. Mrs Joanne Roberts Chief Executive Officer Ignaturel Date.. 8 July 2026 Vincent Thompson Chair Si£naturèl Date.. 41
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Wilderness Foundation UK Opinio We have audited the financial Staments of Wilderness Foundation UK (the 'charitable company,) for the year ended 31 December ?095, M'hich comprise the Sthiemeni of Financial Acriviries. Balance Sheet, Statement of ash Flo.$. and Noies to the Financial Sthiemenis. including significani accounring w)licies. The financial reporting framework ihai has been applied in iheir prepardiion is applicable la and United Kingdom Accounting Siandards, including Financial Reponing Sthndard 10? The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Uniied Kingdom Generallv AcCepd Accouniing Practice). In our opinion the financial statements.. give a true and fair view of the stsie of the charithble company's arrairs as ai 31 December 20?5 and of lis incoming resources and applicaiion of resources. including its income and expenditure, for ihe year then ended; have been properly prepared in accordance with Uniied Kingdom Generally Accepied Accouniing Practice., have been prepared in accordance M'iih the r¢quirements of ihe Conipanies Act ?006. the Charities and Tru5t¢¢ Inv¢s¢m¢nl {Scoiland) Act ?005 and r¢gulJlion 8 of th¢ Charili¢s Ac¢vun¢s {Scoilaiid) R¢gyuldtiuiis ?006. Basis for opinion WL LondiiciL'd our audil in accordance with Intemaiional Standards on Audiling {UK) IISAS (UK)) and applicablc law. Our responsibilities under ihose stsndards are further described in the auditor responsibililies for the aLidit of the flnancial statements setiion of our report. We are independent of the chariiablc comp21)y in 2¢cordance w'ith the eihical requirements thai are relevani to our audii of ihe finaiicial stÈieiMci)Is ii) Ihc UK, ineliiding the F RC'5 Ethical Standard. and w'e have fuifill¢d our oiher ethical respoI)sibilities in aceordance M'ith these requirements. We believe ihai the audii evidence w.e have obtsiiied is S1¢1¢n( &)d appropriaie io provide a basis for our opinion. Contluslons relaiing to going eoneern In auditing the financial sla¢emenls, we have concluded that the tnjstees use of the going concern basis of accoUntinTr in the preparation of the financial sthlem¢nts is appropriate. Ba.%cd t>n the work wc havc pcrfornicd. Me havc nol idcntified any malcrial uncertainties relating to events or ¢ondition5 that, individually or collectively. may casl significant doubt on the charitable company'5 ability to continue as a goin&? concern for a period of ai le&si twelve month5 from when the ori8inal financial statements were aiithorised for issue. Our responsibilities and ihe responsibililies of the irusitts with respeci to going concern are described in the relevanl sections of this report. Other informatton The trubiees are responsible for ihe oiher infomiation. The other infomialion comprises the infomialion included in ihe annual repon. oiher than ihe financial sthiements and our audiior's report ihereon. Our opiniL)n on ihe rinancial sthtements does noi cover the other infonnaiion and. except ts) the exnI otherwise explicitly stared in our reporL M'e do not express anv fomi of assurdnce conclusion ihereon.
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Wilderness Foundation UK In connection H'ith our audit of the financial statements. our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so. consider M'hether the other inforn]ation is materiallv inconsistent M'ith the fin]CIal statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otheTh*'ise appears to be maieriallv misstaied. If .£ identify such material in¢onsistenci¢s or apparent material missiat¢m¢nts, M'e are required to detennine 'bed)er th¢r¢ is a material misstatement in the fituncial siat¢m¢nts or a material misstatement of the other inforn]atioJ). If, based 01) the Ork we have perfornied, we conclude that there is a material misstalement of this other information. we are required to report that fact. We have nothing io report in this regard. Opinion on other rnalt¢r prescribed bv ¢h¢ CompaDi¢S A¢¢ 21M16 In our opinion. based on the W'ork. undertaken in ihe course of ihe audii.. the information given in the TSlee$. Rcwjrt lincoryK)fdting the Direclors, Rcport) for the financial yeaT for which the financial staicmcnis arc prcparcd is Consis[ M'ith thc financial siaiemenis: and th¢ Dire¢tors' Report has been prepared in a¢¢ordan¢¢ with 8pplicabl¢ l¢gal r¢quirements. Matters on which we are required to report by exeepiion In th¢ ligrht vl- our knowl¢dg¢ wid UndersId11)g of ih¢ charitsbl¢ ¢ompony and its ¢nviroiimenl obtaii)¢d ii) the our5¢ of th¢ aiidi¢. w'¢ hav¢ no¢ id¢nlifi¢d malerial misslalwn¢Trts in ih¢ Dir¢¢lors' R¢port. We have noihinb) io report in respect of ihe following maners u,here the Companies Aci ?006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotlandi ResJulation$ 7006 requires us io report io you if. in our opinion.. adequa¢e accountin&? T¢COTds have not been kepl. or returns adequate for our audit have not been received Irom branches noi visiied by us., or the finan¢ial siat¢m¢nts are noi in agreemeni with ihe a¢¢ountin8 re¢ord$ and retums: or certain disclosures of directors. remuneration specified by lau, are noi made: or we have not received all ihe infomialion and explanations we require for our audit. the trustCC5 wcrc not eniitlcd to prcparc the fiiiancial siatcmenis ill accordancc with the sinall compai)ics rebTimc and take advania&?c of thc Small companics ¢xcmptioiis in preparinbj th¢ Di(10r$ R¢port aiid from the requiremcnt to prepare a Strategic Rcport. Responslbilltle5 of trustees As explained more fully in the Stalemenl of tTusiees' responsibiliiies (set oul on page 4). the trustees (who are also the direciors of the charilable company for the purposes of company law} are Tesponsible for ihe preparaiion of ihe financial siaiements and for being satisfied thai they give a true and fair view, aiid for such internal cotitrol as th¢ tTUSt¢es deterniine is necessary to enable the pr¢paralion of financial staternents that are free from material misstatemenL whether du¢ lo fraud or error. In preparitlg the financial statements, the trnstees are responsible for as5eS5in8 the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. disclosing. as applicable. matters related to goiiig concern and using the going concem bc15iS of accounting unless the tnJ5tee5 either iniend to liquidate the charitsble compai)y or to cease operdtion5, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Page 43
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Wilderness Foundation UK Auditor re5ponstbiltties for the audit of the finacIal stateJNeDts We have been appoinied as audiior under seciion 441 l Hcl of ihe Chariiies and TTUStee Invesiment Iscoiland) Aci ?005 and under ihe Companies Aci ?006 and rewn in accordance 1th ihe Acts and relevant regulations made or having effeci ihereunder. Our objeciives are io obthin reasonable assurance about hether ihe financial staiemenis as a 'hOle are free from material misstsiemenL M'hether due io fraud or error, and to issue an auditor s report ihai includes our opinion. Reasonable assurdnce is a high level of assurance, but is noi a guarantee ihai an audii conducted in accordance Miih ISAS IUKI will alwavs dereci a marIal misstaiement hen it exisis. Missraicmcnis can arise from fraud or error wid are considered Jnaterial if, individually or in thc aggrcgatc, they could rcasonably be expecied io influence the eci)nomic decisions of users taken on the basis of Ihesc financial staicmcnis. Irr¢gulariti¢s, including fraud, are instan¢¢s of noTrcomplianc¢ wilh laws pnd regulations. W¢ d¢sign proc¢dur¢s in line w'ith our responsibilities, outlined al)ove. io deieci maierial misstsien)enlS in respeci of ]egUlarl¢1es, including fraud. The e.¥tent io whi¢h our pro¢¢dur¢s ar¢ ¢apable of deiecting irregularili¢s, including fraud is detailed below-. Our approach t(Tr ideniif}'ing and assessing the risks of maierial missthiement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and n0c()mplian¢e wilh laws and regulaiions. *'as as follo5. I'he eiibiagemeni partner ensured ihai ihe engagemeni aM collectively had the appropriate competence. capabilities and skills (o ideniify or recognise nonqcompliance M'iih applicable laws and regulations. We ideniified the laws aiid regulaiions applicable io ihe chariiable compwiy ihrough discussioiis with trustees and other manabyemeni. and from our commercial knowledge and e¥periei)ce of the chariiv secior Wc assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulaiions ideniified above through making enquiries of manag?cinLnt. We assessed the su5cepiibiliiy of ihe group and parent chariiable compan> s financial siatements to material mi5slatLment. includinb> obtaining an understanding of hom. Iraud mighi occur by: Makinbi enqiiiries of manabiemeni as io Mhere they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledgte of actual. suspected wid alleged fraud. c.onsidering the intemal controls in place lo miiigale the risks of fraud and noTrcompliance M'ith laws and Tegulations. To address ihe risk of fraud through managemeni bias and override of controls, e., Perfomied analytical procedures to identifv any unusual or unexpected relaiionships Tested joiirnal entries to iden¢ify unusual transactions lllvestigated the rationale behind significanl or unusual transactions Because of the inherent limitation5 of an audit. there 15 a risk that we will not detect all irre8ularitie5, including those leading to a material misstatemertt irt the financial Statements or non<oinpliance w'ith regulation. Thi5 risk increases the more that compliance w'ith a lam. or regulation is removed from the event5 and tran5actlOll5 reflected in the financial statements. a5 "e w'ill be le55 likelv to becotne aw?re of instance5 of nO1COmPliallCe. The risk is also greater regarding iTregularitle5 occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involve5 intentional concealtnent, forgeTr'. collu510ll, 0rn155ion or rni5representation. A funher descripiion of our responsibiliiies is available on the Financial Rekkning Council's website at.. w.frc.org.ukJaudiiorsresrA)nsibiliiies. This descriplion fornis part ofour auditor's report. Page 44
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Wilderness Foundation UK Use of our Teport Thi.$ repon is made solely to the charithble company's irusiees, as a in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Lompanies Aci ?006 and in accordance M'iih Regulaiion 10 of ihe Charities Accounts Iscoiland) regulaiions ?006. Our audir work has been undenaken so thai we mighr sthie io the charitable company's Irustees ihose matters we are required io siaie io ihem in an audiior's reEx)n and for no other purpose. To the fullesi extent nitted by laiv. e do noi accept or assume resw)nsibility 10 anl'one other ihan ihe charitable company and lis irusiees as a body, for our audii M'OTk. for ihis report. or for the opinions M'e have fornied. S Moe1] (Senior Statiilory Auditor) For and on behalf of Edmund Carr LLP. Ststuiory Audiior 146 New London Road Chelmsford Essex CM? OAW Dat¢.. Edmund ca LLP is eligible to a¢t as an #udilor in tems of section l ? l? ofthe Companie5 A¢1 ?006. Page 45
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Statement of Finaneial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 {Ineluding Income and Expenditure Aeeount and Other ComprehensiTre Income) Total 2025 Total 2024 Unrestricted Restricteij Note Ineorne and EThdowmeDts from: Donations and legacies Charitable aetlVilie5 Investment incom 18.5?9 502.370 87.480 720.899 108.740 ?,577 1,460.554 71.997 ?,77 79.567 Oth¢r in¢omc 19.864 76.856 Total income ?6? ?30 666.706 9•8.936 1,614.888 Expenditure on: Raising funds Chariiable aciiviiies 44.326 60(1.?70 8?1.319 Total expenditure 774.?41 61)11.370 874.611 8311.1 ?7 Nei {expendi(ureyincome Nei movemeni in funds 66.336 784.701 66.336 54.3?S 784.761 Reconciliation of funds Toial fLinds brous>hi fotyard Total furtds ¢arri¢d forward 155.471 914.807 1.070.778 ?85.517 19 14i.460 981.143 .1 ?4.603 1.070.?78 All of the charitable company'5 aclivilie5 derive from continuing opernlions during the above two period5. Page 46
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK (Registration number: 06003527) Balanee Sheet as at 31 December 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 14 778,095 746.753 Current assets Debiors Cash ut bank and in hand 15 1.902 36J.8i4 37.907 346.199 385.736 384.IU6 Creditors: Amount5 falling due within one vear 16 39.??8 60.581 Net current asset5 346.508 Ntt #sstls .1 ?4.603 1,070.278 Funds of the ehAritAblt tomp#ny: Re5tri¢led income fund5 R¢stri¢l¢d lunds 19 981.143 914.807 Unrestricted incorne funds UnrLilriLlid liinds 143.460 Total funds 19 .1 14.603 1,070.•78 For the finanLial year endins 31 December ?0*5 ihe charitable company was eniitled to exemption from audit under section 477 ofthe Companies Aci ?006 reiaiing io small companies. Directors, re5ponsibilities'. Th¢ memkrs have not required the ¢haritsble ¢ornpany to obtain on oudii of its account5 for the year in qu¢stion in ar¢ordanc¢ with s¢Ction 470: and The director5 a¢knowledbTe thtir resnSIbL111les for complying with the rtquirements of the Act with respect to accouniinsp record5 and ihe prepard(ion of accounts. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance M'ith the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime w'ithin Part 15 of the Companies Act ?006. The financial statement5 on pa¥e5 46 to 64 were approved by the trustees. and authorised for issue on - and signed on iheir behaifby.. G Pany Trustee G VB Thompson Chaimian and Trustee Page 47
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 2025 2024 Note Cash flows from operaling activities Net movement in funds per SOFA 54.i25 784,761 Adju51mentS Depr¢ciation Invesiment income 12.599 12.5771 975 (2.770) 64.i47 782.966 Working capital adjustrnent$ Dccrcasc in stocks Decreaseliincreasel in debtors (Decreasellincrease in crediiors 1.640 (19,6141 15 16 16.005 ?l.j53 Nei cash flows from operating aciiviiies 58.999 791.747 Cash flows from investini atlivitles Interest receivable and similar income pUhse of iangibl¢ fixed assels !.577 9,770 74.$.1 ?8 14 Net ¢ash nows from investing a¢iivitie5 41.364 74?.3.$8 Net increase in ¢ash and ¢&sh equivalenls 17.635 49.389 Cash and cash equivalents ai l January 346.199 ?96.810 Cash and cash equivalents ai 31 tkcember 363.834 346.199 All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above periods. Page 48
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 Charitablt Company sttus The charitable company is limited by guaraniee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does noi have share capitsl. Each of th¢ irusie¢s is liable to contribute an omi)unt not ex¢e¢ding £1 tom'ards the assets of the charitable company in the event of liquidalion. 2 Accounting policies Summarv of si%nifieant eeountin% polities and ktv aeeouNtin% estimatts 'I'he principal accounting policics applied in thc prcparJiion of ihcse financial slatements are set out below. These policies have been consistenily applied w all the years wesenied, unless othenvise stared. St#terncnt of compliance 'I'h¥ Iinancial staiLmLiiis have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reponing by Charities.. tatcmeni of Recommcndcd Prdciice lapplicablc io chariiics preparing their accounis in accordance with the inancial Reporting standard applicable in thc UK and Rcpublic of Ireland {F RS IO*)) (issued in Ociober IU1g1 {Charilies SORP {fRS 10?)), Ihe Financial Reponing Sndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 10?) and the Companies Acl )006. Basis of preparation Wilderness Troundaiion UK meets ihe definiiion of a public benefit enliiy under FRS 10? Assets and liabilities are initially Tecog?nised at historical cosi or transartion value unless otherwise 5ted in the relevani accounting policy noies. Going eoneern The tTUbtees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charitsble company's ability ¢0 continue as a going? concem nor any significani areas of uncertainlv thai alTeci the carrying value of assets held by ihe charitable company. Income and endowments All inuome is reLogrnised once the chariiable company has enlitlement lo the income, it is probable that the incorne will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably. Donfjlion.s legacies Donations arc rccogniscd w'hen the charitable company h&s bccTr notified in WTlting of both thc amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation 15 subject to condition5 that require a level of perfom)ance by the charitable company before the charitable compartv 15 entitled to the fund5, the income 15 deferred and i)ot recog7nised until either those conditions are fullTr met. or the fuifilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charitable company and it is probable that these condition5 will be fulfilled in the reportin& period. Grunls reLelvuble Grants are recognised when the charitable company has an entiilement to the funds and any conditions linked to Ihe grants have been met. Where rfL}M70n¢e condiiions are allached to the grant and are yet to be met. the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released. Page 49
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 Donuiedsemces undfucililies Goods donated for resale are included at fair value. being the expected proceeds from sale less the expected costs of sale. If it is prdctical to assess the fair value at receipt, it is recognised in stock a]id 'li)come from other trading activities,. Upon sale, the value of the Stock is charged against 'lncome from other trdding activities and the proceeds are recogni5ed a5 '1ncome from other tradin¥ activities, Where il is itnprdcticial lo fair value the item5 due (o the volumne of low. value ilem5. they are nol reco¥ni5ed in the financial 51atenients until ihey are sold. This income 15 reco¥nised within 'lncorne from her tradin¥ activities,. Glfi uld Incoming resources from lax reclaims are included in the Sment of Financial Activities ai the same lime as Ihe gift io which they relaie. Expenditure All LxpLndirure is accounied for on an accruals basis and has been included under eXngeS categLiries that aggregate all cosis for allocaiion to activiiies. Support costs. M'hich cannoi be direcily attribuied io panicular aciiviiies. have been proportioned io the direci staff cosis allocaied activities. Governance cosis include the cosi8 of scrviciiig Trustecs, mceiing& audii and sirdicgic planning. Tongible fixed 855et5 Individual li.Kcd assets costing £1.5LN) or more are initially recorded ai COSL less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequeni accumulated impaimieni losses. Tangible fixed assets are initially measured ai and subsequently measured at cost or valuation. net of depreciation and any impairnient losses. Depreciation is recognised so as io MTile olT the cosi of valuaiion of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases.. Plant and equipment per annum siraight line basis Fixtures and liitings per annum strdighi line basi5 The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an assel is deierniined as ihe difference bete¢n the sale proceeds and the canying value ofthe assel, and is recognised in the sthiement of financial activities. Stock Net Tealisable value is the ¢siimated selling price less all estimaied costs of ¢omplelion and ¢05ts to be incurred in marketing. selling and distribution. Cash artd c*5h equivalents Cash and cash equivalen¢s comprise cash on hand and call deposi. and other short-lerm highly liquid invesiments thai are readily convertible lo a known amouni of ¢h and are subject lo an insignificant risk of change in value. Page 50
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 Trade creditor5 Trade crediiors are Oblig10$ to pay for giKKls or services thai have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as curreni liabiliiies if ihe charitable company does noi have an unconditional righL ai ihe end of ihe reponing period. io defer settlement of the creditor for at least elve monihs after ihe rerting dale. If ihere is an unconditional righi to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the rewjrting date. they are presenied as notFcurreni liabilities. Tradc crcdiiors are rccognised initially at the Iransaciion price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Firtaneial instruments Clu.s.siJiculion Financial assets and financial liabililies are recognised when the charitable company becomes a party to the onlractiipl provisions of the ins¢rum¢ni. Financial liabilities and equity instrumenls are cl&ssified according to the substance of the contractual arran&i¢ments entered inio. A Th ¢quitv inslwment is any conlrdci that evid¢n¢¢s a residual interest in ihe assets of the charitable company after deducling all of ils liabiliiies. RecvKnl¢lun ondnwfjJurem¢nl The charity has elected 10 apply the provisions of seciion I I 'Basic Financial Insirumen(s' and Seciion 12 .her Financial Instruments Issues, of Tr RS 10? io all of lis financial instruments. Financial instruments are recobTnised in the charity's balance shtti m.hen ihe charity becomes party to the coniractLial provisiorts of ihe instrnmeni. Financial assds and liabilities are otTsei. with ihe nei amounts presenied in the financial statements. when (here is IcbTally enforceable ris?ht io sei off the recobjnised amounts and ihere is an intention io seiilc on a net basis or io realise the asset and settle ihe liabiliiy simultsneoulsy. Basic financial assets Basil finanLial assets. N.hi¢h include debtors and cash and bank balances. are iniliallv measured ai tra115action price inLludin¥ transaction cosls and are subsequenily carried ai amortised cosi usin¥ ihe effective interest method unle55 (he arransemen( constiiute5 a financing Irdnsaciion. M"here the iran5a¢(ion is measured at the present value of the future receipts dis¢ounied aL a mat&"ei rate of interes(. Financial assets classified as receivable w'ithin one year are not amortised. Basic financial liabilities Basic financial liabilities. including crediiors and bank loans are iniiiallv recognised al transaction price unless Ihe arrangemeni consliiuies a financing irdnsaciion. w.here ihe debi instNmeni is measured ai ihe present value of the fuiure paymen¢s discoun¢ed al a markei rdie of inieresi. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cosL using the effective interest raie method. Page51
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 3 Ineome from donationg and legaeies VDrestricted funds Restricted funds Tolal 2025 th)nations Grants receivable Commissioned work 114.459 103.340 730 17.516 484.154 600 131.975 587.594 1.330 ?18.59 50.370 7*0.899 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 t)onations Grants receivable Cumtnissioned work 78.7J7 107.769 99.610 171.347 1.289.179 186.006 1 ?74.548 1.460.5.54 In •0?4 Ihcrc was a resiricicd one off donation of £77.500 and a reswicied one off grant received of £734,391 towards thc purchase of Mann Wood. 4 Ineome from eharitxblt #elivities Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2025 Bespoke educaiion & therapy her income 74.552 1 ?.9?8 74.552 34.188 87.480 108.740 Unrestricted funds Restrieted funds Total 2024 Therapy camp5 & trainin8 Bespoke education & therapy Other income Out there income J(NJ 300 54,545 15,44? 1.710 54.545 15.342 1.710 15.6A? 56.i55 71,997
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 5 Othtr income VDrestricted funds Restricted funds Tolal 2025 Other generaied income Managerneni fees Eveni income 1,319 7.976 10.569 76.856 78.175 7.976 10.569 19.864 76.856 96.720 Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Other generaied income Manabiemeni fees Event incotn¢ 3.510 863 1.S.997 59.197 62.707 863 1.S.997 59.197 79.567 Page 53
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 6 Investment income VDrestricted funds Restricted funds Tolal 2025 Inieresi receivable on bank deposiis 2.577 ?.577 2.577 UDrestricted fund5 Restricted funds Total 2024 Inierest receivable on bank deposits 9.770 ?.770 ?.770 7 Expenditure on raising funds Costs of %enerAting donations and le%aeies Restricied Total Unrestricted funds funds 2025 Nole Raising) and publicly seeking donations. gran and leb)acies 53.19? Restricted Total Unrcstricted funds funds 2024 Nole RaisinbF and publicly seeking donations. ¥ran and lebjacies ?8.605 15.721 44.3?6 8 Expenditure on charitable aclivitie5 Unrestricted fun(Is Total 2025 Restricled r4ote Direct cost5 Staff costs Support Costs Governan¢¢ ¢95ts 11.895 169.753 ?6.j96 l i.505 36.817 496.656 48.215 48.712 66.5,909 74,611 32.087 ??1.049 600.270 821,i19 Page 54
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 Total Unrestrirted fund$ Restricted funds 2024 Note Direct Costs Staff costs Support eosts Governance costs 5.380 96.235 117.396 458,452 38.656 5.993 192.776 554.687 79.932 165.304 6?0.497 785.801 Page 55
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 9 Analysis of govtrnanee and support eosts Support e05ts allo¢*ted to eharitablt aetivitits Total 2025 funds Governgnce costs Other support costs Rates Office expenses Profe55ional f¢¢5 Insurance Markeiing Travel Sundry expenses Bank charb7es Deprecia¢ion Trustee expenses 7.436 6.978 6,978 18.i05 4.679 8?0 18.i05 4.679 8?0 1.891 32.807 32.807 1.170 12.598 14 12.598 Total for 2025 3?.087 74.61 106.698 Total for 2024 8.406 Go%'ernanc¢ costs 741.931 Oih¢r support 108.337 Total 2024 Rates Office expenses Professional fees Insurance MaTk"eting Travel Sundry expenses Bank ¢harspes Depreciation 6.75? 11.04S 6.75? 11.04S 26.968 3,814 2,935 6.968 3.814 ?.935 ?3.774 3.774 463 975 463 975 79.931 108.337 Page 56
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 Governartee costs Tot41 2025 Total 2024 Trustees remuneration and expenses Profe55ional fee5 Depr¢ciation. wnort15alion and oiher similar cosls Other governance costs 14 18.305 1?.598 1.170 26.968 975 463 3?.087 ?8.406 10 Net ineomingloutgoing resources Net incoming resources for ihe year include.. 2025 2024 Operating lease5- plant and machinery Operating? leases- other assets Audit fees Deprcciation of fixed &ssets 1.138 ?5.313 15.600 ?4.776 14.400 975 l Tru51ees remun¢r8lion and expenses No trusiees. nor any persons connecied N'iih ihem. have received any remuneraiion from ihe charitable company duringi the year for their role as a TTusiee. £14 M'as reimbutsed io Trusiees for expenses duri1)¥ the year (9024.. £Nil). The Chief Executive Officer received Temuneraiion for her role as an employee which amounied to £51.956 90?4'. £50.063) and emploj'ers pension coniributions or £ i. Jti I 1*074.. 1 1531. As the CEO is also a tTUStee of the charity, remuneration for this role was agrttd M'ith the Charity Commission. 12 Staff cost5 The aggregate payroll cosls were as follows: 202S 2024 Staff costs during the year were: Wages and salaries Social securiiy costs Employer pension costs Sessional staff Staff training and supervision 371,063 32.471 8.042 228.760 349.659 7.728 167,970 665.909 5.54.687 Page 57
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 The monthly average nUMr of persons (including senior managemeni I 1eadethIp team) employed by the charitable company during the year expressed bv head eouni M'as as follows". 2025 No 2024 No Average monthly number of employees 14 No employee received emoluments of more than £60.000 during the year. The total employee benefits of the key managetnent personnel of the charitable company w'ere £51.956 (20?4- £50,063) employ¢r5' p¢n5ion conlribution £l.)?1 {20?4..£1 ?53) and etnployers, Nl £6.7631?0?4.. £5.653} 13 Taxation The charily is an ¢x¢mpt charity w'ithin th¢ m¢anin¥ of sch¢dul¢ 3 of th¢ Chariti¢s Acl ?0 I I )d is considcr¢d to pa55 th¢ tests set oul in Para¥rJph I Sch¢dul¢ 6 Finance Act 2010 and ih¢r¢for¢ it meets 7¢ d¢fii)i¢ion of a haritablc companv for UK ¢(Trrporation tax purp05¢S. 14 Tangible fixed assets Land and building$ Plant and equipm¢nl Fi¥ture5 and rittinE$ Tol81 Cost At l January ?0?5 Additions 741.789 31.44? 37.8?4 10.?18 783.449 43.941 At J l December 20?5 741.789 69.?66 16.355 8)7.390 Depreeiatio At l Janiiary 20?5 Chargc for the year ?6.478 36.696 918 At 31 December 2025 38.159 49.?95 Net book value At 31 December 20?5 741.789 31.107 5,199 778.095 At 31 December 2024 741.789 746.753 Included M'ithin Land and Buildin¥s is Mann Wood a 97 acre $eMnalra] anclent WO(Klland that was puhaSed for £741,789. This woodland has not been depreicaied on the basis it has an infinite life. Page 58
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 15 Debtors 2025 2024 Trade debiors Prepayments and accrued income 8.306 li.596 14,i96 37.907 Page 59
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 16 Creditors: amountg falling due witbin one year 2025 2024 Trade creditors S(Kial security and other t&xes Other creditors Accnials and dcferred income 8.007 13.483 1.-fj78 16.160 4.989 8,343 14.S50 60.581 2025 2024 Deferred income at l January ?0?5 Resources deferred in thc pcriiKI Amounts released from previous periods Deferred income ai year end (450) 11.1601 450 (450) 11.1601 14501 Deferred income include5 coun5ellin¥ fee5 thal relale lo the ?0?6 year. 17 Obll%8tlons under Itases and hlre preaSe eoniraets Operaiing least commitments Total future minimum lease payments under nonllcancellable operaiin8 leases are as follows.. 2025 2024 Land & Building5 Within onc j'car 5.820 5.313 Other Within one year Between one and fiv¢ y¢ars 1.138 1,138 ?.560 3,698 18 Retirernent benefit 5cheme5 The charity operates a defined contribution nSIon scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from ihose of the charitv in an independently administered fund. Page 60
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 19 Funds Curreni iyeor.. Balance at 31 Derernber 2025 Balance at I Januarv 2025 IDCOmlDg resources Resources expended Unre.flricledfund.f Other unrestricied funds 155.471 262.?30 (274.241) 143.460 Restricted LGP TREUN TumAround Essex 183.833 47,750 50.500 ?8.966 194.418 161 ?39 (154,0fj7) 134,936) 170.84?) (12.587) {273,505) 54.473 ?9.806 2.814 {10.O(KJl Out Ther¢ Academy Wilderness and Nature Therdpy Maiin Wood 16.379 8.S.065 895.313 164.15? 718.547 Total resiricted 914.807 666.706 600,370 981.143 Total funds 1.070.?78 9?8.936 1874,611) ,] ?4.603 Page61
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 Prloryear." Balance at 31 Decernber 2024 Balance at I January 2024 IncorniNg resources Re50urce5 expeDded Transfers Unre5trirled funds Unreslricledfunds Other unrestricted funds 159.243 ?24.788 (193.909} (34,651) 155.471 Restricted CCJP TRF.UN TumAround Essex Out There Aeademy Wilderness and Nature Therapy Mann Wood 4.451 9.893 71.815 3.266 121.7?3 11.550 57.5N) 25.0 (136.4781 (54.80?) (87.107) {?9.254) 10.i04 23.359 {1 0,000) 42.108 988 36.849 357.186 817.141 1??9.8831 98.594 164.15? 718.547 Total rtrIcted funds 1?6.?74 l. j4)0. l (KJ 6)6.?18 34.6$1 914.807 Tot81 fundg ?85.517 1.614.888 1830.1?7) 1.070.?78
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 The specific purposes for which the funds are io be applied are as follows: Restricted funds have been disclosed M'iihin ihe iequiremenis of ihe SORP. Included within each fund are individual giants for specifie purposes that fit ihe naiure and spirit of each fund disclosed. Chatham Green Project {CGPF an education iniiiaiive being delivered ai Chaiham Green and Mann Wood in Essex. It includes SEND programmes. allotmenis for aduli w'ith compleN needs. lId school climaie action and hLime school. Treun- Ihis fund is for the delivery of iherapeuiic w'ilderness programme in Scotland. Turnaround - Launched by ihe Wilderness Foundaiion UK in Ocwber ?007. Focused on employment skills, aspiraiions and behavior changes. li is a mulipfaceied. naiure based M'ildemess therapy prog*ramme enabling vulnerable voung people to mak'e posiiive changes io their lives. This is achieved by linking) communiiy mentors, wildcmess expeditions. skills %'orkshops and supw)rt for employment )d funher educaiion in 9 month cycles. Out Ther a progrdmme for young people facing difficuliies in school and home lives such as school refusal. cxcliision, family issues and ncurodivcrsiry. Runs during tenn lime offering a personal develop curriculum for children agics 13-15 ycars old16 wccks). Wildcrncss and Naiurc onl(One Thcrap),. this is a range of diffcreni prog?rammes offcrinbi onliiic or face to face therapv services. We work wilh individuals. families. couples and groups. The prograinme addresses ihe needs of children, adolescents and adulis. Blossonp 'This prograinme Works w ith childrcn, leeiis, and aduli omcn who have been affecied by domestic violence. {10 week). Brave fuiures- works wilh childrei), leei)s and adults experiencingi mental health challeng7es18 M'eeks) Mann Woo& A 97 acre wOland which has been purchased io expand the charities services M'ithin the Essex area. In ?0?4, £811.891 was rec¢iYed as a capithl contribution lowards the purchase of Mann Wood. 20 An8ly515 of net a55ets beiween funds Total funds at 31 December Unrestriclcd funds Rtstrictcd funds 2025 Tangible fixed a55et5 Currcnt assets 36.306 IU7.154 741.789 ?39.354 778.095 346.508 Total net assets 14i.4(10 981.143 .1 ?4.603 Page 63
Wilderne55 FoundatlOD UK Notes to the Financial Statements Tor the Year Ended 31 December 2025 Total funds at 31 December Unrestricted funds Restricted fund$ 2024 Tangible fixed assets Curreni assets 741.789 17i.018 746.753 323,525 150.507 Totsl nei assets 155.471 914.807 1,070,278 21 Affiliate funds At the year end, the client held affiliaie lunds of £i8.498 1?0?4.. £4i.0851 relaiin¥ lo Bush IltrilA¥e Australia and WF Africa. There is a creditor on ihe balance sheel of £7? l that is due lo be paid io WF Africa after year end. The total sum received in ?0?5 £78.i60 (?0?4." £37.1751 and speni £82.947 (70?4'. £49.i891 as acting agents. 22 Analysi5 of net cash At31 Deeember Al l January 2025 Flnattein% cash flows Cash ai bank and irt hand 346.199 17.635 36i.834 Nei deb¢ 346.199 17.635 363.834 At31 December 2024 Ai l J#nu#ry 2024 Finaneing cash flows Cash at bank and in hand ?96.810 49.389 346.199 Net debt ?96.810 49.389 346.199 23 Related party transactions During the year, th¢ Wilderness Foundation paid an employee. who is th¢ daughter in law of a truste¢. remuneration of £23.180 (2024.. £44.6941. 'fh¢ trust¢e resigned on 01107120?5 which is when the related party eased. Page fvl