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← Tree Sisters

2024-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS.

YEAR END 31 MARCH 2024

Website : treesisters.org Email : support@treesisters.org Charity Number: 1149961 Company Number: 07369954

REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS.

Company number: 07369954 Charity number: 1149961 Registered office: 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD Trustees: Trustees who are also company directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows: J Comeau S Punja M Salas A Murray Appointed 13 February 2024 Z Rowe Appointed 13 February 2024 Chief Executive: G Gorman Bankers: The Co-operative Bank Plc PO Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP Auditors: Godfrey Wilson Limited 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

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A WORD FROM OUR CHAIR.

At the end of this financial year, I want to firstly share my deepest gratitude to you, our supporters. This has been a challenging year, for us as a charity, as individuals and for the whole of our planet. We have been faced by relentless and often overwhelming conflict and destruction around the globe. The brutal effects of climate change can be seen and felt now more than ever. The cost of living crisis continues to bring uncertainty and fear.

In the backdrop of these global and local challenges, charitable giving is, understandably, much harder to do. We have worked hard this past year to continue to support our partners, provide more opportunities for Nature reconnection and collaborate with businesses looking for positive change. Whilst we started the year planning for growth, we instead now re-enter a phase of consolidation. We are prioritising stability for our restoration partners whilst focusing on key opportunities for fundraising and income generation. This coming year, with your support we will nourish the seeds of future growth. We believe in our shared vision of a greener, more equitable future. Together, we are powerful, and together, we can make a difference.

SITAL PUNJA CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

This year, together we have made a difference by funding over 1 million trees to be planted in areas such as Indonesia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As you know we don’t just count trees, we’ve supported more than 12,000 people in those communities, including more than 7,200 women and enabled almost 500 women to take leadership roles in the projects. You can learn more about these projects and our impact in the report that follows.

Another way we hope to make a difference is through our Restoration Strategy, launched in April 2023, shifting our approach to reforestation by integrating respect, equity, collaboration and connection into ecological restoration and conservation. In June this year, just after the financial year end, we also launched ‘Rooted in Ethics: The Community Tree Stewardship Framework’. Co-created over the last 5 years with the Fountain, a group that supports and represents Indigenous people across the globe, this guide seeks to honour life through a biocultural rights-based approach to care for trees and communities. We are so proud to finally introduce this work to you.

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A WORD FROM OUR CHAIR.

And as we embed this new approach, we want to do more. We had an overwhelming response to our call for restoration project proposals last year. There were so many worthy projects we would fund if only we could. In the context of falling income, we were heartbroken to have to turn down crucial projects that would protect and restore our environment. If you or someone you know can help support ethical restoration at scale, please get in touch.

2024 is a special year for TreeSisters as it marks ten years since our charity funded its first planting project. We’ve been celebrating the occasion with an invitation to everyone to spend 10 minutes in Nature for 10 weeks and beyond. We hope that this invitation will support a mindset shift, and allow us to live more harmoniously with our incredible Earth. We believe that humans should see Nature not as a resource to exploit but as a conscious, intelligent entity deserving of rights like you or I. Ultimately, we are Nature.

We want you to know how much we appreciate your commitment to this movement, and hope you will continue to support us through the coming years. Thank you.

SITAL PUNJA CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

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TRUSTEES' REPORT.

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

CHARITABLE OBJECTS.

INCREASING GREEN COVER:

EDUCATION, EMPOWERMENT & WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP:

To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by promoting biological diversity through increased green cover.

To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment, in particular, but not exclusively by the provision of training and support to encourage leadership and participation in the work of the charity and environmental protection in general, with a particular focus on women.

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Vision:

Mission:

A world where nature and people flourish in connection, equity, and harmony.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES.

Increase, restore and protect forests and trees through women and community-led projects

Champion the global Fulfil our mission by shift to centring nature adopting the most ethical through restoration, approaches and operational connection and best practices in our education leadership, programmes and relationships

With reference to the above, the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

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ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE.

RESTORATION STRATEGY

RESTORATION PROJECTS

This year has been one of consolidation and learning for our restoration programme at TreeSisters. We finalised and shared our Restoration Strategy, shifting our approach from transactional to one that is trust-based, ethical, and transformational. The strategy also helped us identify our priorities, focusing on supporting community-led ethical forest restoration with an emphasis on women and gender equity, biocultural and Nature-led approaches, and working with Indigenous communities.

In October 2023, we issued a call for new partnerships, which enabled us to establish relationships with communities around the world. While these relationships are still in the early stages of building towards delivering forest restoration on the ground, we are excited to see that our new approach has been successful in reaching communities that struggle to find the support they need.

During the year, we funded £660,174 (2023: £638,432) in restoration projects.

This year, we provided additional support, reflecting our commitment to listening and responding to what our partners need to restore their landscapes and empower their communities.

Around Mount Kenya, we supported the International Tree Foundation in responding to requests from local women for eco-stoves. These stoves help reduce pressure on forests, alleviate the risks and burdens associated with gathering firewood, decrease cooking times, and free up time for women to engage in other livelihood activities.

We also partnered with the Boa Foundation to fund a water truck for the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute in Brazil, which can be used for extinguishing fires and watering saplings during the dry season following devastating forest fires.

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Women centred project reforesting and restoring vital water catchment in Kenya

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Partnering with International Tree Foundation (ITF)

TreeSisters has been partnering with the International Tree Foundation (ITF) to support forest restoration around Mount Kenya since 2016, and this project consistently shines for its innovation and support for women.

In 2023, the partnership planted an impressive 255,000 trees, with a survival rate of 81%, resulting in 206,500 surviving trees after inventory. This high number for 2023 was partly due to the good rains, following a period of drought in 2022.

A highlight from this year is the establishment of a threatened tree

nursery by one of the community forest associations involved, MEFECAP, at the Kithoka site. Here, community members receive practical training on the propagation of threatened species, including Vitex keniensis (Meru Oak), Ocotea kenyensis (Northern Stinkwood), Uvariodendron anisatum (locally known as Mutongu in Meru), and Prunus africana (African Cherry). When these seedlings are planted as part of the project, the groups that have propagated them receive an additional payment to reflect the extra effort required to cultivate these endangered species.

“Restoration of our forests is a collective responsibility. Trees are crucial to our living. Without trees we have no rain. We starve.”

Jacinta Karoki, project participant, Kithoka Belt

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This partnership also stands out for its focus on women, and 2023 was no exception—70% of the participants were women, and during the April-June planting season, this figure rose to as high as 90%. These women were allocated Trees Establishment Livelihood Improvement Scheme (TELIS) plots, where they were permitted to plant crops around the seedlings. This approach not only helps control weeds but also encourages community members to care for the young trees. In 2023, the women enjoyed a bumper crop of beans, which they were able to store for domestic use and sell. Many women reported that the income from these crops allowed them to invest in other livelihood activities, such as poultry, cows, and goats.

Older women working in the tree nurseries shared that the income they received enabled them to buy medicines and food, freeing them from reliance on handouts from their grown-up children. They now feel independent and are living more dignified lives.

Thanks to gender empowerment training and participation in the project, some women have demonstrated remarkable business acumen by baling the dried bean husks and selling them as livestock feed during the dry season. This is a beautiful example of women taking charge of their lives and incomes through the project’s activities, diversifying into incomegenerating ventures beyond forest products.

TreeSisters also supported ITF with the community’s requests for ecocookstoves. Fifteen people, mostly women, were trained in installing these stoves, and a total of 500 were installed, though demand remains high.

One of the main benefits of these ecostoves is that they reduce pressure on the forest by using less firewood, which is crucial in a country where 90% of the rural population relies on wood as cooking fuel. Additionally, the ecostoves reduce the workload for women, who are typically responsible for collecting firewood, and they also shorten cooking times, freeing up time for other activities. The stoves produce less smoke, leading to health benefits for women and children.

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Indigenous women leading the drive to restore and reforest the rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

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Partnering with Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) and Synergie des Associations Feminines du Congo (SAFECO)

Since 2022, TreeSisters has been supporting an incredible restoration effort led and implemented by Indigenous women in the Itombwe Rainforest, South Kivu, DRC. This initiative aims to restore large areas of natural-growth forest devastated by slash-and-burn agriculture, while also planting 25% agroforestry trees to meet the needs of the communities, thereby protecting the old-growth forest.

Led by Synergie des Associations Feminines du Congo (SAFECO) and the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), this is the first treeplanting restoration project in the Itombwe Rainforest. It is awe-inspiring, not only because it is led by local women but also because it adopts a fully community-engaged approach. For instance, the women participants began with a strategic gathering to plan the creation of five community tree nurseries. The local leadership team then met with community women leaders and village chiefs in each of the five villages to visit the identified sites before developing the nurseries.

The women reforesters, who refer to themselves as forest guardians, completed the bagging of all the seedlings before these were distributed to 1,143 women across the five Pygmy villages involved. The seedlings were transported in buckets on the women’s heads, as the entire project is carried out without mechanical equipment or vehicles due to the lack of roads in the area.

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This forest restoration effort is holistic, including significant training for nursery managers, community members involved in planting the trees, and local authorities and leaders. The training covered reforestation techniques, long-term tree care, and environmental protection, including the importance of preventing illegal logging.

Women in the villages were also trained in how to fight forest fires, and as a result, there have been no further out-of-control fires in the area.

TreeSisters is honoured to support this remarkable restoration partnership. Thanks to the success of the first phase, we have expanded funding for this project and will be increasing the number of trees planted in 2024-25.

“We don’t cut down any trees in the old growth forest anymore. We realized the forests will help us in the future generations. We must leave the forests for our children. Forests are of great wealth. We are forest keepers and planters; we look after trees like the way a shepherd looks after his cows. Now a tree has more value than a cow. To be involved in this project is of great value and joy.”

Nyantimiriza Aline, WECAN Reforester, Bafuliru Peoples from the village of Ilundu, DRC

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Restoring peat swamp forests in the species-rich Bornean rainforest

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Partnering with Health in Harmony and local partner Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI)

Since 2020, TreeSisters has been supporting the restoration of peat swamp forests in Gunung Palung National Park, Borneo, through a partnership with local organisation Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI)—which means "sustainable healthy nature"—and Health In Harmony.

The team of local community members working with ASRI on reforestation display incredible dedication and courage, travelling by canoe across waters inhabited by crocodiles to reach the restoration sites. When the water level is high, their journey is relatively smooth. However, when the water level

is low, they face the challenge of either waiting for the river to rise or getting out to push the canoe across.

Upon reaching the reforestation sites, they encounter further challenges, including relentless sun due to the lack of tree cover, the risk of lightning during rainstorms, and potential threats from wild animals like snakes and crocodiles.

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Bayas River Access, Alam Sehat Lestari
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In the third year of the project, ASRI planted 27,000 seedlings across eight hectares of peat swamp in the Sedahan Jaya region, bringing the total to 97,000 seedlings planted to date. The seedlings are sourced directly from local communities, with some purchased from local nurseries and others received as non-cash payments from patients at the ASRI Medical Center. Additional seedlings come from ASRI's forest guardians through seedling collection programmes and wildling collection— seedlings found in the forest—from the National Park.

The project has faced significant challenges in the past year, particularly flooding in the reforestation areas shortly after planting, which caused many seedlings to be inundated and not survive. In response, the team has shifted focus to species that can withstand floodwaters and are now growing them longer in nurseries to ensure they reach a height capable of surviving before being planted out. They

have also emphasised enrichment planting, and replanting areas impacted by flooding with replacement seedlings.

A hallmark of this project has been its Radical Listening approach, where ASRI holds community meetings that invite all members to participate as equals. These sessions allow the community to share their insights on the causes of illegal logging and other issues affecting the forests, as well as propose solutions. ASRI continues to conduct these sessions throughout the project to adapt to evolving circumstances and identify ways to further reduce illegal logging.

“I think this is a legacy I can pass on to my children and grandchildren as the future generations”

Jono Karno, project participant in Sedahan Jaya

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Community-based reforestation Belén de los Andaquíes, Caquetá, Columbia

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Partnering with Corporación para el Desarrollo Sustentable para el Piedemonte Andino-Amazónico (CORDESPA)

The community-based reforestation project led by Corporación para el Desarrollo Sustentable para el Piedemonte AndinoAmazónico (CORDESPA) in Caquetá, Colombia, has had an astonishing start. CORDESPA, a local NGO founded and staffed by dedicated individuals from the region, is deeply committed to doing what is best for the communities and landscapes of their area.

The project places a strong emphasis on education, particularly in reconnecting the younger generation with Nature. In the first year, three of the five nurseries created were built at schools. The children actively participated in seed propagation and were thrilled to be involved in caring for the plants. While working with their hands in the soil, they attended workshops on the importance of protecting the forests in their territory and learned about the processes of sowing and propagating seeds that grow into trees.

georeference mother trees, then collecting seeds for the nurseries. To support this effort, CORDESPA created a “Native Seeds Guide for the Andean-Amazonian Foothills” to help local people identify and grow native tree species.

As part of its partnership with TreeSisters, CORDESPA challenged itself to work more closely with women. This involved collaboration with a women’s association called Mujeres Ayakuna—meaning ‘spirit of the forest’ in Quechua—focusing on processing fruits from the canangucho and açai palms. CORDESPA also noted that around 80% of the community members attending planting and training days have been women, recognising women as ‘life generators’ who strengthen this vital work.

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In addition to holding ten environmental education workshops in schools, including tiny, remote rural schools, CORDESPA also organised five workshops with rural farmers. The farmers took part in identifying seeds by exploring local farms to locate and

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I was born and raised in the countryside, in a community of Belén de los Andaquíes, =e tal Caquetá; my father always instilled in me the importance of ecosystems in our life, he .Pit — taught us the care and conservation of fruit and timber seeds, from their planting until its use. Being part of this CORDESPA work team with the support of TreeSisters has allowed me to return to my territory and contribute to the community where I grew up, from a By professional perspective as a biologist. I am very happy to be able to pass on my knowledge and as a professional farming woman, I feel like I am restoring my own life, of because I am supporting conservation, caring for the water, the forest and the environment. | = " Ingrid Mosquera, a recently-graduated 24-year-old biologist on Ae the technical team of CORDESPA

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Increasing climate resilience and promoting gender equality in Kasese, Uganda

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Partnering with the International Tree Foundation and Alpha Women Empowerment Initiative

In 2023, we embarked on an exciting new collaboration with the International Tree Foundation (ITF) and a new local partner, the Alpha Women Empowerment Initiative (AWEI) in Kasese, Uganda.

Building this three-way partnership with AWEI and ITF has beautifully reflected the implementation of our new Restoration Strategy, which focuses on shifting from transactional to trustbased partnerships and emphasising community-led projects. AWEI, founded by women to enhance the lives of

women in their local area, demonstrates immense passion and dedication in all their endeavours.

Their holistic project combines landscape restoration—creating two nursery beds and planting 26,243 trees—with efforts to address the root causes of environmental degradation and pervasive gender violence in the area.

With ITF's technical support, the first year of the project saw a wide range of training activities aimed at empowering

Women participants, Uganda, International Tree Foundation/Alpha Women Empowerment Initiative

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local women. This included menstrual hygiene management workshops for girls, providing 120 girls with reusable sanitary pads made by a local women’s group. Additionally, 100 vulnerable girls and women received leadership development training, learning about leadership qualities, challenges, and opportunities, as well as addressing gender-based violence in their communities. AWEI also trained 42 women and 8 men as gender champions, equipping them with skills to engage community groups on gender issues, particularly those related to the environment.

As part of the pilot three-way partnership, TreeSisters organised Radical Listening training for the AWEI and ITF teams, led by our partner Health in Harmony. Radical Listening, a methodology developed by Health in Harmony, promotes genuinely equitable listening, where all community members are invited to share their experiences and ideas for solutions, allowing collective, community-led solutions to emerge.

The training was well-received and has been shaping the teams' approaches in their communities since.

To address interconnected issues of poverty, income, and domestic violence, the project offered training for 100 couples on joint planning, budgeting, and sharing benefits from coffee, vanilla, and other products. This training aimed to help couples affected by domestic violence improve profitability in their enterprises and foster greater harmony in their homes by sharing responsibilities and benefits.

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LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT.

In 2023, "TreeSisters Education" evolved into "TreeSisters Learning and Engagement," marking a shift from traditional teaching to a more collaborative and facilitative approach. This evolution built on our existing successes and laid the groundwork for both internal learning programs and external engagement opportunities. Key initiatives included crossdepartmental outreach, expert speaker panels, team-sharing sessions to connect remote colleagues, and expanded nature connection activities such as our popular meditations for supporters.

In November 2023, the Marketing team (now Communications) merged with Learning and Engagement, enhancing collaboration and impact. We redeveloped and expanded our website to better captivate current supporters and attract new ones. The updated site now features extensive information on ethical reforestation, our restoration projects, engaging blogs, thought leadership pieces, and a new family page designed to help families and children connect with Nature.

To improve user experience and maintain supporter interest, we redesigned the website to offer richer content on nature connection and themes like 'Why Women' and 'What is Climate Change.' These enhancements include detailed information on our core themes, vision, and restoration projects. We also increased our output of engaging blogs and thought leadership pieces, introduced new landing pages for family activities, donation streams, and a series of explainers, and improved website accessibility with the digital accessibility tool, Userway. Our social media channels have reported engagement rates above the industry standard, particularly on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. We have conducted extensive testing to identify the content that resonates best with our audiences.

Looking ahead to Summer 2024, the Learning, Engagement, and Communications team is designing new programs, including forest bathing, online courses, and a Nature Connection book club. We anticipate continued growth in audience engagement and new opportunities to expand our program offerings.

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ROOTED IN ETHICS

In 2019, a team of reforestation and policy experts, alongside NGOs, recognised the urgent need for a set of values, ethical principles, and practices to guide ethical reforestation and tree planting. This initiative evolved into Rooted in Ethics— formerly known as the Ethical Tree Growing Framework—a collaborative effort between TreeSisters, The Fountain, and representatives of The Mother Earth Delegation of United Original Nations. TreeSisters spearheaded a Listening Process that built trust and facilitated learning from diverse perspectives, leading to the refinement and transformation of the original texts. By 2023, this process culminated in the completion of the first iteration of Rooted in Ethics, designed as a dynamic, ever-evolving document.

Our next challenge is to widely disseminate Rooted in Ethics, starting with partners and relevant NGOs, and extending to those who can integrate its values and principles into their community and tree-related work. In 2024, we will host multiple launch events to celebrate the achievements of Rooted in Ethics and to build a network of supporters committed to advancing this initiative.

We plan to develop learning toolkits tailored to various audiences, including business partners, planting communities, and reforestation NGOs. Additionally, we will conduct a press tour and present Rooted in Ethics at conferences and events throughout the year.

TreeSisters extends special thanks to Dr. Mindahi Bastida, Grandmother Jyoti, and all contributing representatives for their invaluable help and support throughout the development of Rooted in Ethics.

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FUNDRAISING.

This year, we are hugely grateful to have received £196,721 (2023: £295,754) from our business partners, and we have been encouraged that so many companies have a shared understanding of the importance of moving towards integrating nature in all decision-making. Special thanks to the following partners for significant contributions during the year:

We were particularly honoured to have Brontie Ansell, co-founder of Lawyers for Nature—a collective of lawyers, researchers, and campaigners dedicated to working on behalf of nature—present at our first Nature of Business online event. Brontie delivered an inspiring session on 'Nature Positive Corporate Governance' and highlighted how Faith in Nature has given nature a seat and a vote on their Board of Directors.

Our campaign with the Big Give was also a success, resulting in £29,576 in donations. A heartfelt thank you to all our supporters who contributed through this campaign and other channels throughout the year.

In October 2023, our Head of Business Partners attended the Blue Earth Summit, which brought together 5,000 individuals and organisations committed to pioneering sustainable business and environmental solutions. This event facilitated numerous networking opportunities and provided valuable insights from over 200 diverse speakers.

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PEOPLE & PROCESSES.

Throughout the year, we were excited to welcome three new team members to enhance our Operations, Income Generation, and Learning & Engagement departments, significantly boosting our capacity and impact.

We also undertook a reorganisation to better support communication and collaboration across teams. Fundraising has been renamed to Income Generation; Education became Learning & Engagement and later evolved into Learning, Engagement & Communications following the merger of the two teams. Additionally, Finance and Operations have now been combined into a single department.

As a fully remote organisation, fostering strong relationships among team members is vital. To support this, we held a Team Gathering in September 2023 in the Malvern Hills over three days. The event was a productive blend of collaborative work on our organisational objectives, pottery making, and an in-depth exploration of our Rooted in Ethics framework. The gathering was a great success, leaving the team energised and deeply connected. We plan to organise similar events twice a year.

This approach not only enhances team cohesion but also allows us to save on costs and reduce our environmental impact.

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To drive meaningful change and champion gender equality, equity, and justice, we must lead by example and encourage others to do the same. This year, our Executive Director, Georgina Gorman, took maternity leave, providing an opportunity to put our parental policies to the test in a realworld scenario. We believe that having children shouldn’t mean being forced to pause your career progression, and it is the responsibility of organisations to ensure they have the support and structures in place to assist parents effectively. At TreeSisters, we value our staff highly and are committed to fostering a healthy working environment with genuine opportunities for everyone, rather than imposing limitations. In today’s world, leadership roles can adapt through flexible working arrangements and job sharing.

Georgina commented:

“ I have more incentive than ever to do my utmost for TreeSisters. Not only to live up to the example set by the Board to be strong in our integrity, be equality-driven and stand for the rights of others, but because the future of our planet, the one my child will inherit, is at stake. ”

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PLANS FOR . 2024/25

Our key objectives for the coming year align with our three strategic goals and address the need to adapt to a decrease in income while ensuring our long-term impact:

INCREASE INCREASE INCOME ENGAGEMENT

Implement a transformative Engagement Strategy that leverages our recent success in integrating marketing and education into a unified approach. This strategy will focus on cohesive learning and engagement through informative campaigns, Nature connection programming, and strategically involving both new and existing audiences in our restoration projects and communities.

Design and implement Phase 2 of Rooted in Ethics (formerly the Ethical Tree Growing Framework). Our current plans include establishing a community of practice, creating a business partner offering to integrate ethical practices in the workplace, securing funding to expand the Rooted in Ethics network, collecting case studies of its application, and organising a press tour to share its successes.

Implement a robust Income Generation strategy that includes regular donations, one-off donations, major gifts, business partnerships, and grants/trusts, all aligned with our Engagement strategy.

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TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

FINANCIAL REVIEW.

Overall income for the year decreased by £517,857 to £910,726 (2023: £1,428,583), and the organisation’s net movement in funds was a deficit of £626,029 (2023: surplus of £7,079). As mentioned in last year's report, we had an intentional plan for a deficit this year to use high levels of reserves and maximise impact. We therefore planned to increase our restoration activities and held a call for new partnerships. Unfortunately, this coincided with a drop in charitable donations throughout the year. After a reforecast in January from our Income Generation team and the loss of several major donations, we were unable to expand our Restoration activities as intended. We have continued to fund our existing restoration partners as planned using reserves for that purpose. We are now implementing a robust Income Generation strategy to reverse this trend and engage our existing donors and inspire new ones.

RESERVES POLICY.

The trustees have reviewed the financial statements and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund the activities of the organisation for the foreseeable future. In considering adequate reserves, the trustees take into account the growth of the organisation and have agreed to a policy of three months of core costs as the unrestricted reserves required, estimated at £216,108. Core costs include all non-tree program staff and all ongoing contracted expenses to support the running of the organisation.

Total reserves were £456,602 (2023: £1,082,631), restricted funds of £57,307 (2023: £748,090) and unrestricted funds of £399,295 (2023: £334,541). This means the reserves policy is met. Reducing our reserves from the high in 2022-23 was intentional and reflected in our budget for 2023-24.

MANAGING RISK.

The trustees have overall responsibility for managing the risks of the organisation, and they ensure that the employees and volunteers are aware of the importance of risk management within the organisation by having in place a risk policy and reviewing this on a regular basis.

Risks are identified through reviewing and understanding the organisation's systems and processes and the potential risks that may arise. Where possible, risks are managed in a way as to eliminate the risk. Where this is not possible, then the risk is managed by having control systems within the organisation to manage the risk.

Key risks identified through the risk management process include:

PAGE 24

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

S TRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT.

The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objectives and powers of the company and is governed under its Articles of Association. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the charity.

On 31 March 2024, the board was made up of five trustees. Two trustees were appointed during the year following a robust recruitment process and assessment against required skills and competencies.

Recruitment of trustees is undertaken by the trustees and Executive Director with support from the Head of People. Potential trustees meet with and are interviewed by the Chair, one other trustee, the Head of People and the Executive Director prior to putting the proposal to the entire board. Once appointed, new trustees will be given an induction programme, including meetings with the Chair of Trustees and key team members, alongside an induction pack covering key information on the charity.

TreeSisters supports the principles of the Charity Governance Code, and we will review our practice against the Code’s requirements as part of continuously improving our governance arrangements.

The Leadership Team meets weekly to review strategy, operational and financial performance, to set operating plans and targets and measure performance against our annual budget. The Leadership Team facilitates a financial review at each meeting of the trustees. The Leadership Team makes all decisions regarding the day-to-day operation and running of the organisation. Any strategic risks that exceed the authority of the Leadership Team are taken to the trustees.

SETTING PAY & REMUNERATION.

Our rates of pay are set out in a policy which notes we benchmark rates of pay against the industry average, and when a new role is created, the pay offered is within 10% of the average to ensure fairness. Finances permitting, an annual review is undertaken to consider inflation and any cost of living pay rise that should be reflected, which will be reviewed and approved by trustees. Any other pay rises, e.g. performance related, are considered in line with the People Strategy.

PAGE 25

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

FUNDRAISING POLICY.

Our fundraising activity currently consists of individual giving, corporate donations/sponsorship and grants; we have developed a more detailed fundraising strategy and operational plan, which also includes earned income, events and legacies. Our fundraising approach is primarily through digital means using the website, social media and emails.

All fundraising campaigns are analysed to assess performance and identify any learning points. Fundraising carried out on TreeSisters behalf by companies is covered in agreements to ensure compliance with all legal requirements and with our branding guidelines. Individual fundraising is done through platforms such as JustGiving and Facebook and must comply with all

----- Start of picture text -----
TREESISTERS
FUNDRAISING
POLICY.
----- End of picture text -----

We are Nature. Nature is not somewhere you visit. It is us and it is home. Shifting our perception and reconnecting with Nature will change how we live and treat the world.

requirements of those platforms and our brand guidelines.

We are currently preparing our application to the Fundraising Regulator under the Code of Fundraising Practice, and we hope to have this in place by the end of 2024.

During the financial year, we received no complaints about our fundraising.

Our safeguarding policy covers individual fundraising for the charity; in addition, the above-mentioned measures would ensure we do not involve vulnerable individuals in fundraising activities.

----- Start of picture text -----
YEAR 2022-23
----- End of picture text -----

We are rebalancing power structures, embedding gender equity, and uplifting and empowering communities to lead the restoration of their lands.

PAGE 26

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES.

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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

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

In so far as the trustees are aware:

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

PAGE 27

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

AUDITORS.

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as auditors to the charitable company during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to the small companies regime as set out in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Approved by the trustees on 18 September and signed on their behalf by

Sital Punja, Chair of Trustees

PAGE 28

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TREE SISTERS.

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Tree Sisters (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and the related notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable

law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

PAGE 29

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TREE SISTERS.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

PAGE 30

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TREE SISTERS.

Responsibilities of the trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out in the trustees’ report, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The procedures we carried out and the extent to which they are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, are detailed below:

PAGE 31

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TREE SISTERS.

(1) We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, and assessed the risk of non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Throughout the audit, we remained alert to possible indications of noncompliance.

(4) We enquired about any non-routine communication with regulators and reviewed any reports made to them.

(5) We reviewed the financial statement disclosures and assessed their compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

(6) We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected transactions or balances that may indicate a risk of material fraud or error.

(7) We assessed the risk of fraud through management override of controls and carried out procedures to address this risk. Our procedures included:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or noncompliance with regulation. Irregularities that arise due to fraud can be even harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at:

www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

PAGE 32

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREESISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF TREE SISTERS.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charityʼs members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charityʼs members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorʼs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Alison Godfrey

Date: 18 September 2024

Alison Godfrey (FCA) (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

PAGE 33

TREESISTERS.ORG

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES.

(Incorporating an income and expenditure account)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2024
2023
Restricted
Unrestricted
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
199,021
701,844
900,865
1,426,081
-
9,861
9,861
2,502
Note
Income from:
Donations
3
Investments
191,021
711,705
910,726
1,428,583
Total income
-
405,442
405,442
404,108
889,804
241,509
1,131,313
1,017,396
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
889,804
646,951
1,536,755
1,421,504
Total expenditure
4
(690,783)
64,754
(626,029)
7,079
-
-
Net income / (expenditure)
Transfers between funds
(690,783)
64,754
(626,029)
7,079
748,090
334,541
1,082,631
1,075,552
Net movement in funds
5
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
57,307
399,295
456,602
1,082,631
Total funds carried forward

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 15 to the accounts.

PAGE 34

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

BALANCE SHEET.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
Current assets
Stock
11
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
14
Funds
15
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Total charity funds		 £
1,798
64,111
432,525
498,434
(49,936)		 2024
£
8,104
448,498
456,602
57,307
399,295
456,602		 2023
£
4,580
1,798
83,747
1,028,705
1,114,250
(36,199)
1,078,051
1,082,631
748,090
334,541
1,082,631

Total charity funds

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

Approved by the trustees on 18 September 2024 and signed on their behalf by

Sital Punja - Chair

PAGE 35

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2024
£
(626,029)
5,854
(9,861)
0
19,636
13,737
(596,663)
9,861
(9,378)
483
(596,180)
1,028,705
432,525		 2023
£
7,079
8,618
(2,502)
(298)
53,817
22,011
Cash used in operating activities:
Net movement in funds
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Interest from investments
Increase in stock
Decrease in debtors
Increase in creditors
88,725
Net cash provided by operating activities
2,502
(1,248)
Cash fows from investing activities:
Interest from investments
Purchase of tangible assets
1,254
Net cash provided by investing activities
89,979
938,726
(Decrease) / Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
1,028,705
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

The charity has not provided an analysis of changes in net debt as it does not have any long term financing arrangements.

PAGE 36

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. Accounting Policies

a. Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Tree Sisters meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

b. Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern. The influence of the economic climate has had some impact on the Charity resulting in falling donations, however, the fact that payments to restoration partners, which is the Charity's main expenditure, are wholly dependent on the volume of donations received during the year mitigates this. The charity holds unrestricted, general reserves of £399,295 which is more than 3 months of core costs and a cash balance of £432,525. Because of this, the trustees consider that the charity has sufficient cash reserves to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which these financial statements are approved.

c. Income

Income is recognised when the charitable company has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

d. Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charitable company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

PAGE 37

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. Accounting Policies (continued)

e. Funds accounting

f. Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

g. Allocation of support and governance costs

2024 2023
Raising funds 26% 28%
Charitable activities 74% 72%

PAGE 38

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. Accounting policies (continued)

h. Tangible fixed assets

Computer equipment 4 years’ straight line Website 4 years’ straight line

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £500.

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Donated items of stock for resale are recognised at fair value which is either the cost of the item to the donor or the estimated resale value.

j. Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charitable company has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

m. Grants payable

Grants payable are charged in the year in which the offer is conveyed to the recipient except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attached have been fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions at the year end are noted as a contingent liability but are not accrued as expenditure.

PAGE 39

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1. Accounting policies (continued)

Depreciation

As described in note 1h to the financial statements, depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. Depreciation rates in operation during the current and prior period are described in note 1h.

Contingent liabilities

As described in note 1m to the financial statements, grants subject to conditions at the year end are noted as a contingent liability but are not accrued as expenditure.

PAGE 40

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

2. Prior period comparatives

Income from:
Donations
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds		 Restricted
£
768,823
-
768,823
-
776,095
776,095
(7,272)
311
(6,961)		 Unrestricted
£
657,258
2,502
659,760
404,108
241,301
645,409
14,351
(311)
14,040		 2023
Total
£
1,426,081
2,502
1,428,583
404,108
1,017,396
1,421,504
7,079
-
7,079

PAGE 41

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

3. Income from donations

Individual giving
Corporate giving
Grant income
Gift aid
Total income from donations
Prior period comparative
Individual giving
Corporate giving
Grant income
Gift aid
Total income from donations		 Restricted
38,070
107,467
53,484
-
199,021
Restricted
506,169
203,273
15,000
44,381
768,823		 Unrestricted
596,575
89,254
-
16,015
701,844
Unrestricted
405,231
92,481
152,375
7,171
657,258		 2024 Total
634,645
196,721
53,484
16,015
900,865
2023 Total
911,400
295,754
167,375
51,552
1,426,081

The charitable company received no government grants in the current or prior year.

PAGE 42

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4. Total expenditure

Raising funds
£
Staf costs (note 8)
222,683
Grants to partners (note 6)
-
Restoration costs
-
Website and IT costs
18,217
Audit and accountancy
-
Consultancy
49,328
Administrative costs
412
Donation fees
17,486
Fundraising/Marketing
11,315
Depreciation
-
Foreign exchange loss
1,767
Sub total
321,208
Allocation of support
and governance costs
84,234
Total expenditure
405,442		 Charitable
activities
Support and
governance costs
£
£
184,284
262,235
660,174
-
12,148
-
-
18,953
-
11,682
38,706
-
962
19,892
-
-
-
657
-
5,854
-
-
896,274
319,273
235,039
(319,273)
1,131,313
-		 2024
Total
£
669,201
660,174
12,148
37,170
11,682
88,034
21,266
17,486
11,972
5,854
1,767
1,536,755
-
1,536,755

Total governance costs were £10,500 (2023: £8,000).

PAGE 43

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

4. Total expenditure (continued)

Staf costs (note 8)
Grants to partners (note 6)
Website and IT costs
Audit and accountancy
Consultancy
Administrative costs
Donation Fees
Fundraising/Marketing
Depreciation
Foreign exchange gain
Sub total
Allocation of support and governance costs
Total expenditure		 Raising
funds
£
163,075
-
34,788
-
78,597
2,286
38,254
426
-
-
317,426
86,682
404,108		 Charitable
activities
£
63,420
638,432
-
-
88,977
8,333
-
-
-
-
799,162
218,234
1,017,396		 Support and
governance
costs
£
198,710
-
15,403
17,780
16,878
47,613
-
-
8,618
(86)
304,916
(304,916)
-		 2023
Total
£
425,205
638,432
50,191
17,780
184,452
58,232
38,254
426
8,618
(86)
1,421,504
-
1,421,504

PAGE 44

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Depreciation
Trustees' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Auditors' remuneration:
Statutory audit (incl. VAT)		 2024
£
5,854
Nil
Nil
10,500
2024
£
95,319
206,818
-
18,427
62,470
37,540
30,152
119,299
76,020
-
14,129
660,174		 2023
£
8,618
Nil
Nil
9,600
2023
£
199,198
127,689
45,930
-
48,041
62,772
74,493
43,802
36,000
507
-
Grants payable
otal grants paid to institutions during the year were as follows:
The Eden Projects
International Tree Foundation Projects
WE Forest
Boa Foundation
Health in Harmony
Aquaverde
CORDESPA
Voix Libres
WECAN
Associain de Mujeras
Alpha Women Empowerment
638,432

6. Grants payable

Total grants paid to institutions during the year were as follows:

PAGE 45

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

7.
Grant commitments
Grant commitments brought forward
Grants committed during the period
Grants paid during the period
8.
Staf costs and numbers
Staf costs were as follows:
Salaries and wages
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2024
£
-
660,174
(660,174)
-
2024
£
598,166
58,052
12,983
669,201		 2023
£
-
638,432
(638,432)
-
2023
£
383,682
34,084
7,439
425,205

Included in salaries and wages are redundancy payments totaling £3,482 (2023: nil).

One employee earned more than £60,000 during the year (2023: nil).

2024 2023
No. No.
Average head count 17 14

The key management personnel comprise the Executive Director and Head of Finance & Operations. Total remuneration paid to the key management personnel during the year was £129,046 (2023: £103,957).

PAGE 46

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

9. Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

10. Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
On disposals
At 31 March 2024
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023
11. Stock
Donated goods for sale		 Computer
equipment
£
2,482
9,378
-
11,860
1,418
2,338
-
3,756
8,104
1,064		 Website
£
33,737
-
(33,737)
-
30,221
3,516
(33,737)
-
-
3,516
2024
£
1,798		 Total
£
36,219
9,378
(33,737)
11,860
31,639
5,854
(33,737)
3,756
8,104
4,580
2023
£
1,798

PAGE 47

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

12. Debtors

Prepayments
Accrued income
Other debtors
Creditors: amounts due within 1 year
Accruals
Other creditors
Other taxation and social security		 2024
£
8,827
47,648
7,636
64,111
2024
£
30,936
19,000
-
49,936		 2023
£
6,224
27,958
49,565
83,747
2023
£
26,176
-
10,023
36,199

13. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

Restricted funds
£
Tangible fxed assets
-
Current assets
57,307
Current liabilities
-
Net assets at 31 March 2024
57,307		 General funds
£
8,104
441,127
(49,936)
399,295		 Total funds
£
8,104
498,434
(49,936)
456,602

PAGE 48

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

14. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

Prior period comparative

Tangible fxed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Net assets at 31 March 2023
Movements in funds
At 1 April
2023
£
Restricted funds
Trees
680,750
Behaviour change fund
53,231
Education fund
14,109
Cooking stoves
-
Total restricted funds
748,090
Unrestricted funds
334,541
Total funds
1,082,631		 Restricted funds
General funds
£
£
-
4,580
748,090
366,160
-
(36,199)
748,090
334,541
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
between
funds
£
£
£
176,341
(799,783)
-
-
(53,231)
-
15,000
(29,109)
-
7,680
(7,680)
-
199,021
(889,804)
-
711,705
(646,951)
-
910,726
(1,536,755)
-		 Restricted funds
General funds
£
£
-
4,580
748,090
366,160
-
(36,199)
748,090
334,541
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
between
funds
£
£
£
176,341
(799,783)
-
-
(53,231)
-
15,000
(29,109)
-
7,680
(7,680)
-
199,021
(889,804)
-
711,705
(646,951)
-
910,726
(1,536,755)
-		 Total funds
£
4,580
1,114,250
(36,199)
1,082,631
At 31 March
2024
£
57,307
-
-
-
57,307
399,295
456,602
-
-
-

15. Movements in funds

PAGE 49

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

15. Movement in funds (continued) Prior period comparative

Movement in funds (continued)
Prior period comparative		 Movement in funds (continued)
Prior period comparative
Restricted funds
Trees
Organisational
development
Inclusivity training
Year of the Tree
Behaviour change fund
Education fund
Total restricted funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds
Purposes of restricted funds		 At 1 April
2022
£
691,161
12,709
(311)
22,046
29,446
-
755,051
320,501
1,075,552		 Income
£
663,430
-
-
-
90,393
15,000
768,823
659,760
1,428,583		 Expenditure
£
(673,841)
(12,709)
-
(22,046)
(66,608)
(891)
(776,095)
(645,409)
(1,421,504)		 Transfers
between
funds
£
-
-
311
-
-
-		 At 31
March
2023
£
680,750
-
-
-
53,231
14,109
311
(311)
-		 748,090
334,541
1,082,631
Trees Funding raised towards increasing green cover.
Behaviour
change fund		 Funding for supporting reconnecting with nature and changing behaviour
from consumer to restorer.
Education
fund		 Funding for the role of Head of Learning & Engagement.
Cooking
stoves		 Funding for energy saving cookstoves in Kenya.

16. Related party transactions

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

PAGE 50

TREE SISTERS

YEAR 2023-24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

17. Contingent liabilities

Grant commitments under current agreements are not recognised because the liability is not certain as the conditions attached to the grant were unfulfilled at the year end.

Due within 1 year
Due within 2-5 years		 2024
£
487,710
330,273
817,983		 2023
£
524,574
465,396
989,970

PAGE 51

We thank you for your ongoing support of TreeSisters.

TreeSisters Fifth Floor, Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol England BS1 4QD UK Charity ID. 1149961