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← FarmAbility

2025-09-30-accounts

FarmAbility

(formerly Farm Inspiration Trust)

A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity No. 1153282

UNAUDITED TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT Year End 30 September 2025

www.farmability.org.uk

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

FarmAbility

CONTENTS

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers 3
Trustees’ report 4
Independent examiner’s report 13
Statement of financial activities 14
Balance Sheet 15
Statement of Cashflows 16
Notes to the financial statements 17

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE TRUST, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Trustees Mr L Coupland
Dr J Samuel
Mr N Sleight
Ms R Warren (Chair of Trustees)
Ms H West
Mr M Crosby
Mr W Gale (Treasurer), retired 24thOctober 2024
Ms H Saunders (Treasurer), appointed 24thOctober 2024

Charity Name: On 3[rd] March 2021 the Charity changed its name from Farm Inspiration Trust to FarmAbility

Charity registered Number 1153282
Principal & Registered office 1 Abbey Street
Eynsham
Oxfordshire
OX29 4TB
Senior Management Team Ms Coralie Hopwood, Chief Executive
Mr Olek Salmanowicz, Programme Manager
Ms Jenny Creese, Operations & Projects Manager
Ms Jenna Crook, Finance Lead (appointed April 2025)
Ms Helen Saunders, Treasurer (from 24thOctober 2024)
Charity Banking Provider CAF bank Ltd
25 Kings Hill Avenue
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4JQ
Independent Examiners Gravita Audit Oxford LLP
First Floor, Park Central
40-41 Park End Street
Oxford
OX1 1JD

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of FarmAbility for the year ended 30[th] September 2025.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objects and Aims

The objects of the Charity, as set out in its Constitution, are:

“The advancement of education and the relief of those in need, by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage through learning about the practical experience of farming, the countryside and interaction with animals and the natural environment”.

Activities for Achieving Objectives

FarmAbility’s vision is of an inclusive society where people with disabilities lead fulfilling lives by taking active roles in their community.

Our mission is to enable people with learning disabilities, some of whom are also autistic to develop skills and competencies for purposeful living and occupations, through participation in programmes on farms and in outdoor productive spaces.

People with learning disabilities face multiple barriers to leading fulfilling lives; FarmAbility is committed to improving quality of life of our participants through access to meaningful activities. Our particular focus is on people who face the most significant barriers to community inclusion, and who experience the lowest levels of employment in the UK workforce. This group of people is susceptible to experiencing health inequalities, social exclusion, mental illness and poverty.

Of the multiple barriers faced by people with disabilities, at FarmAbility we are best placed to tackle the barrier they face to finding a regular, meaningful occupation, with all the benefit to physical health and mental wellbeing that having an occupation brings. This is because our experience and skills are in using outdoor spaces and work

environments to generate a range of purposeful activities that can engage people with differing abilities and needs in the way that many indoor environments cannot. The outdoor environment and natural, green spaces, offer a wealth of health benefits and opportunities for focus, concentration, independence and reduction in anxiety and sensory overwhelm.

We want to increase the opportunities for meaningful occupation open to people with learning disabilities, and to increase their capacity to take up those opportunities. We also want to encourage local employers to offer opportunities in the workplace through paid employment or volunteering, as this is where many people will find progression. If we can positively impact in these areas, we should see progress towards our intended outcome.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Our primary role is to use purposeful, outdoor programmes as a means to increasing skills and confidence, building useful experience, and enabling progression. Over the past thirteen years we have learned that our programme model (small group work, applying Occupational Therapy theories and practice and using an enabling approach to support) can encourage significant and positive change in the degree to which someone can successfully engage in a range of activities. Those who attend FarmAbility are called “co-farmers".

Our secondary role is to work beyond the boundaries of the farm to increase the number and range of meaningful opportunities for co-farmers in their community. This means working in partnership with other charities to strengthen our capacity and exploring partnerships with employers to create workplace opportunities.

We offer co-farmers a changing seasonal schedule of activities, informed by personal choice and preference, which includes activities such as vegetable gardening, woodworking, basic animal husbandry and horse care, woodland work (coppicing, tree planting), and seasonal farm tasks.

Weekly programme of outdoor, purposeful activities

FarmAbility’s core service is a weekly programme running throughout the year that provides activities for cofarmers in a range of farm, horticultural and nature-based settings. Our main bases for regular sessions in the year 2024-2025 have been FAI Farms at Wytham, Park Farm on the Blenheim Estate, Willowbrook Farm at Hampton Gay, Millwood Market Garden at Long Hanborough, Sandy Lane Farm in Tiddington, Oxford City Farm, The MAP Garden at Gagingwell. We have also maintained monthly outreach visits to Long Mead Meadow Conservation Project in Eynsham and Sarsden Glebe near Chipping Norton.

Key characteristics of our service include:

If a co-farmer has a Personal Budget or receives Direct Payments from the Local Authority they contribute to the costs of the service; if not, then we endeavour to subsidise their attendance through a Bursary Fund. There is no time limit on a person’s attendance at FarmAbility unless they are receiving a subsidy, which may be offered for a fixed time period.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Opportunities for school and college students between 16-19 years

We recognise that the transition from full-time education to adulthood is particularly challenging for people with learning disabilities and additional needs. In order to address this we started the Schools Programme aimed at enabling students in their final three years of school or college to join FarmAbility in order to build their confidence and skills for the transition, and to encourage them to move on to meaningful occupations.

From September 2024 to July 2025, MacIntyre Endeavour Academy students continued to attend on a weekly basis during term time, further developing relationships with our team and with the wider co-farmer community on site at Millwood Market Garden.

Additionally, through grant funding from Bicester Village, Oxford University and Tesco Stronger Starts fund we were able to invite students from more SEND schools to have experiences on our host farm sites. From January-July 2025 we worked with Bardwell School (girls), Frank Wise School and Mabel Pritchard School to offer tailored taster activities to their students, broadening experiences and opening up interest in future outdoor learning opportunities.

Impact and Outcomes

This year, with funding support from the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, we have established the new role of Co-Farmer Outcomes Lead, funded for 3 years until December 2027. Over the 9 months from January to September 2025 the remit of this role was to establish a refreshed, fit for purpose monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) framework, to better record experiences, co-farmer and family voice, observations and outcomes and describe the impact of our service to an external audience.

FarmAbility’s new monitoring process provides a structured, consistent way to understand each co-farmer’s journey from referral through to exit. It brings together all the information we gather into a single, coherent system. The aim is to capture meaningful evidence of change, celebrate achievements, and ensure families, co-farmers and Programme Leaders have a shared understanding of progress. It also helps us identify where we can improve our service and demonstrate impact to commissioners and funders.

The process begins at referral and onboarding. Initial information is gathered through the Referral Form, the taster session, and the new Knowing You and Health Measure Forms.

Two key measurement tools begin at onboarding:

A new three-month check-in form for families provides early feedback on how things are going, what is working well, and anything that needs adjusting. Throughout the year, additional qualitative data is collected from ad hoc testimonials, case studies, student assessments, and co-farmer focus groups.

Visual evidence is captured daily through the digital SeeSaw platform, giving families insight into activities and providing rich material for demonstrating progress. These images and videos support both ongoing goal review and the annual review.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

The year culminates in the Annual Review, which brings together all strands of information. In Part 1, staff share highlights from SeeSaw, examples from observations, any relevant qualifications, and updates on past goals. Together with the co-farmer and family, new goals are agreed for the year ahead. Our new Part 2 of the review gathers structured feedback from co-farmers and families on enjoyment, challenges, suggestions for improvement, impact on wellbeing and skills, and future hopes.

“coming here has given me that confidence that I can speak out”.- co-farmer, September 2025.

“ It’s his favourite day of the week - of all the services he attends!”- parent, August 2025.

When a co-farmer leaves the service, an Exit Form records the reason for leaving and welcomes feedback before administrative closure. Co-farmers may leave for a number of reasons and it helps us gather information on what we can adjust, improve, maintain, as well as feedback to share with the team on how they have impacted a person’s life.

“The service is amazing and we will really miss it. FarmAbility has been life enhancing for M and quite irreplaceable. […] Every single time, for years on end, at the end of a FarmAbility day, whenever I asked M how his day had been, he’d put his hands in the air, smile and shout ‘fantastic’! […] I never once in 10 years heard him say anything negative about his time at FarmAbility… never cold, never ever bored”.- parent, exit form 2025

“…The rhythm of a FarmAbility day, like the rhythm of the seasons, was well practised for staff and cofarmers alike. The confidence that grew in the knowledge that soil may be sifted or pots weeded, that tea and some fantastic edible creation would be enjoyed, and lastly, a gentle, humorous walk to appreciate together, and apart, with people swapping stories and jokes like a wave down the road. To the inevitable end of a splendid game of poo sticks in the stream. What more beauty is there in life? M’s spirit soared on these days. As did mine.” – Co-farmer support worker, exit form, 2025.

Across this process, we aim to measure:

“We are all so impressed with how much FarmAbility helps A and have all noted a lot of progression, especially in his ability to do many more things independently and generally getting stuck into tasks a lot more confidently”. -Parent of co-farmer, July 2025.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Our volunteers and pro-bono support

In 2024-2025 nine new volunteers joined us. 4 volunteers stood down due to health reasons, 4 left to go into employment (one of whom took up a position within our charity) and we established a waiting list for new applicants. There were 32 regular volunteers supporting our work each month. Altogether our volunteers support us to a total of 150 – 160 hours per week. Our Step Change project, funded by Oxfordshire Community Foundation, concluded in July 2025, having been successful in allowing us to recruit a Volunteer Co-ordinator, streamline and improve our volunteer recruitment procedures and professionalise our induction and training offer, ensuring volunteers receive better communications and more support at every step of their experience with us. Most of our volunteers work alongside Programme Leaders to increase co-farmers’ engagement on our various activities, while some volunteers provide specific expertise, for example in craft projects and woodworking and even on areas such as IT support. Many volunteers also help us to run our community events throughout the year, providing much needed extra hands to ensure such activities run smoothly and with everybody made to feel welcome.

Pro-bono support this year has come from many sectors: Gerard Schoor of Integration Consulting has supported us with organisational development; Bryony Hart-Brooks of Addleshaw Goddard LLP has guided us in the development of a future lease agreement with our newest host site. We have also gratefully received support from all of the sites where we have based our activities in the form of access to meeting rooms, office accommodation, sheltered spaces, toilet facilities and a range of activities for our co-farmers to undertake (two sites do make a charge for sole use of facilities alongside their pro-bono support in other areas). Without these, we could not operate and we would like to record our gratitude for their generosity. The pro-bono provision of facilities has not been included in income or expenditure in the accounts.

The host centres providing this support:

In 2024-25 we continued to receive pro bono support from other volunteer groups, including 3Keel, MACE Construction and MatchTech. 3Keel supported us to lay a wheelchair and mobility aid accessible path through the growing space and into a polytunnel at FAI Farms in Wytham. MACE Construction designed, planned, built and financed another path, to replace the waterlogged, muddy access around the barn at Willowbrook Farm, dramatically increasing safety and reducing the trip hazards posed by the previously muddy and uneven surfaces. The market value of this work including labour and direct costs of materials was £19,000. MatchTech meanwhile supported our newest site to get ready for the growing season by helping us construct and fill a series of raised beds. We also received a number of enquiries from other companies and local institutions and began to develop a pack to provide companies and other supporters with a range of ways in which they can support us through their work.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

FarmAbility grew further in 2024-2025 to finish the year with 18 part time colleagues (from 9 to 12 FTE), thanks in large part to the substantial grant received from the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, which provided us with the resources to recruit and employ to 4 new positions across the charity: Communications and Events Officer, Fundraising Officer, Finance Lead and Co-Farmer Outcomes Lead. The purpose of this funding and of this project (The FarmAbility Foundations Project), is to allow us to establish a solid foundation of background operations that will be suitable and sustainable for the growing needs of our charity, as our turnover has more than doubled over the past five years, and our delivery model continues to expand in both scope and aspiration with new partners and project collaborations becoming possible. Whilst we have expanded our staff team to better meet the needs of the organisation, our co-farmer numbers and delivery days have stayed constant this year, with a small reduction in sessions delivered. Average co-farmer sessions per week were 69, with 56 co-farmers attending, some for more than one day a week. This compares with 72 sessions and 55 individuals a year ago. Some of this stabilisation of numbers was due to another relocation of a service day from an existing host to a new site, rather than the development of a new day. We also had lower than anticipated recruitment into the available spaces in the service, with a slow start to the year in January 2025. This reflected our capacity to recruit rather than the underlying demand for our service which remains high. With our new Communications & Events and Co-Farmer Outcomes roles in post we anticipate a renewed increase in numbers next year.

Community and Fundraising

In October 2024 we held our annual Apple Day celebration, hosting co-farmers and families at our Wytham site for freshly squeezed apple juice, fireside snacks and some craft activities. In April we had FarmAbility Fest, a celebration of achievements and community, with outside games, a silent disco, crepes made to order and films celebrating the year before. In September we invited supporters and local guests to the official launch of our new host site at Gagingwell- The MAP Garden. We were delighted to have special guests from our host farming family who cut the ribbon and declared it officially open, as well as the new co-farmer group describing their work so far and showing people around on the evening. In October 13 runners took part in the Oxford Half Marathon, between them raising over £7000 through sponsorship, and in May two co-farmer families took part in the Blenheim Fun Run, raising over £900 to support our activity. Local organisations offered us their support by way of donations, including Hook Hatcheries, Wallingford School Non-Uniform Day and the local Freemasons Chapter. We also raised money through our May plant sale and sales throughout the year of produce and crafts, including honey, apple juice, jams, bird feeders and decorations.

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FarmAbility

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Other formal fundraising efforts during the year were successful with many valuable grants, including from:

We are very grateful to all our funders for their generous support.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

In the year we set an ambitious budget, against the backdrop of securing the National Lottery funding over 3- years. The year ended with a surplus of £6k, £37k below the budgeted surplus. Reasons for this were:

• Total income was down on budget by £29k, with expenditure slightly over budget by £8k.

• Premises costs were higher than budget due to the move to a larger office space at Eynsham reflecting the larger team size.

• Day service income was down on budget by £46k. This is an area we need to continue to focus on.

• Our grants income was also below budget, but up on the previous year; this reflects the ambitious budget we set. Although our fundraising efforts were impressive, this indicates that we are stretching ourselves to achieve our current grant funding needs.

• Unrestricted income exceeded expenditure, resulting in an increase in our unrestricted reserves. Restricted expenditure exceeded income; this is a result of restricted donations/grants received in the previous year being spent down during the year.

Reserves policy

The trustees review the reserve levels of the charity on an annual basis. This review includes the nature of the income and expenditure, the need to match income with commitments and the composition of the Charity’s reserves. The Trustees also take into consideration the future plans of the Charity, any uncertainties regarding future income streams and other key risk identified during the risk review process.

FarmAbility’s free cash reserves, represented by unrestricted and designated funds, at 30 September 2025 were £119k (2024: £81k, (excluding tangible assets)). An increase of 47% on 2024. It has been our intention to increase our unrestricted reserves in line with our budgeted expenditure. Our budget expenditure for 2025/26 is £555k (cf actual expenditure of £515k in 24/25).

In addition, there were £93.8k of restricted reserves in September 2025 (2024: £133k). The majority of restricted reserves (over 90%) are available to spend on project activities which form part of our day-to-day services, including the associated salary costs. Those activity costs are included in the budgeted expenditure

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

FarmAbility

of £555k. Our largest source of restricted funding is a grant of £271k from the National Lottery Reaching Communities which started in January 2025. A large portion of this grant is for roles and systems that are helping us to grow from a small to a medium sized service provider. We have successfully recruited a number of key positions over 2025 which are helping us to do this. However, any positions funded with restricted project finance are on a fixed term basis to minimise future risk.

As FarmAbility continues to grow its income and service provision over the next few years, the Trustees aim to increase the level of unrestricted reserves relative to restricted reserves. We are budgeting for a small overall surplus in 25/26 with another increase in unrestricted reserves compared with restricted reserves. Total cover of reserves to budgeted expenditure are estimated at 39% (21% unrestricted) which the trustees consider to be a prudent amount in order to cover us for major contingencies without unnecessarily holding back funds. We will continue to monitor the situation and adapt our policy as and when necessary.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

In the latter part of 2025 we began working on a pro bono basis with an experienced management and strategic development consultant Gerard Schoor, of Integration Consulting introduced to us by Oxfordshire Community Foundation. Together with Gerard we have updated our Strategy and identified the key drivers and work strands to pursue over the next 3 years. This strategy will be published in 2026. We will work to consolidate 4 pillars of support for the organisation: setting our ambition in terms of scope; raising organisational performance and impact; shaping and enhancing co-farmer journeys in our service; growing our influence through sharing knowledge and impact. We are at a time full of potential and optimism for the charity, in a position to recognise our development and evolution to date, and build on that for a strong and resilient future for our work and for the community that we serve.

Going concern

Having reviewed the situation, the trustees do not have any material concerns about the charity’s ability to continue in the foreseeable future.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution

FarmAbility is a charitable incorporated organisation, incorporated and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 7 August 2013. The primary governing document of the Charity is its Constitution, which was amended in March 2021 to reflect the change of name to FarmAbility. The Constitution states that the Trustees shall be the Members.

Names of the Trustees who served throughout the period are included in the Reference and Administrative Details on page 3.

Method of Appointment or Election of Trustees

The Trust’s Constitution specifies that the number of Trustees shall be not less than three (3) Trustees are appointed for a three-year term. The Board of Trustees will consider nominations for new Trustees who can make a valuable contribution to the strategy and management of the Trust, with any appointments being approved at a meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Policies Adopted for the Induction and Training of Trustees

All Trustees receive a general introduction to the Trust, its organisation, structures and employees. The Trustees are also provided with periodic updates on relevant changes in charity law and Charity Commission guidance.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Organisational Structure

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance of the Trust. They set the general strategy and business plans for the Trust, approve an annual budget, monitor performance against the plans and budgets and make major decisions about the Trust’s strategy and development and any staff appointments. The Trustees meet at least four times each year.

The Trustees have delegated the day-to-day management of the Trust’s programmes to the Chief Executive.

Risk Management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those relating to its finances, charitable activities, facilities and other operational areas. The Trustees have implemented a number of systems to assess and minimise those risks, including internal controls. Where significant financial risk still remains, the Trustees have ensured the Charity has adequate insurance cover in place. The Trustees examine the financial health of the Charity formally every quarter, reviewing performance against budget and overall level of expenditure. The Charity also has a risk register in place, which is regularly reviewed in light of any new information and formally reviewed annually by the Trustees.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirement in the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit in exercising their powers and duties. They have referred to this guidance when reviewing the Trust’s objects and aims and in planning its future activities and are satisfied that the Trust’s activities comply with this guidance and are of public benefit.

This report was approved by the Trustees on 12[th] March 2026 and signed on their behalf by :

Ms R Warren Chair of Trustees

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FARMABILITY (‘the Charity’)

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of FarmAbility (the charity) for the year ended 30 September 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Peter Foley ACA Gravita Audit Oxford LLP

First Floor, Park Central 40-41 Park End Street Oxford OX1 1JD

18.03.26 Date: ............................

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

FarmAbility

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Unrestricted Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and
legacies
3
61,495
195,986
Charitable activities
4
279,090
-
Other trading
activities
5
410
-
Investments
6
3,789
-
Total income
344,784
195,986
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
1,141
-
Charitable activities
8
298,848
234,771
Total expenditure
299,989
234,771
Net income/(expenditure)
and movement in funds
44,795
(38,785)
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 October
2024
93,345
132,581
Fund balances at 30
September 2025
138,140
93,796		 Total Unrestricted Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
257,481
42,874
169,932
279,090
239,326
-
410
1,358
-
3,789
2,912
-
540,770
286,470
169,932
1,141
1,695
-
533,619
299,938
61,202
534,760
301,633
61,202
6,010
(15,163)
108,730
225,926
108,508
23,851
231,936
93,345
132,581		 Total
2024
£
212,806
239,326
1,358
2,912
456,402
1,695
361,140
362,835
93,567
132,359
225,926

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
14
Current assets
Debtors
15
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
16
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The funds of the charity
Restricted income funds
18
Unrestricted funds
19		 2025
£
23,844
220,500
244,344
(30,602)



 £
18,194
213,742
231,936
93,796
138,140
231,936		 2024
£
12,222
239,083
251,305
(37,393)		 £
12,014
213,912
225,926
132,581
93,345
225,926

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 12[th] March 2026

Ms R Warren Chair of Trustees

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

FarmAbility

STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from
operations
22
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Investment income received
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash generated from financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2025
£
(10,920)
3,789		 £
(11,452)
(7,131)
-
(18,583)
239,083
220,500		 2024
£
(11,214)
2,912		 £
109,876
(8,302)
-
101,574
137,509
239,083

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

FarmAbility is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), incorporated and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the members of the CIO have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities. The address of the registered office is 1 Abbey Street, Eynsham, Oxfordshire, OX29 4TB.

1.1 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees do not have any material concerns about the charity’s ability to continue in the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Donated facilities and donated professional services are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the Charity has control over the item. Fair value is determined on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity. For example, the amount the Charity would be willing to pay in the open market for such facilities and services. A corresponding amount is recognised in expenditure in the year of receipt.

Grants are included in the statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

No amount is included in the financial statements for general volunteer time in line with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). Further detail of the volunteer support provided to the Charity is given in the Trustees’ Report.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs. All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

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FarmAbility

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Plant and equipment 10% straight line Fixtures and fittings 25% straight line Motor vehicles 25% straight line

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

Tangible fixed assets costing £2,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

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FarmAbility

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.10 Taxation

The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

1.11 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.12 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.13 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no estimates or judgements considered critical.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Donations and gifts
14,742
-
Grants
27,719
195,986
Donated goods and
services
19,034
-
61,495
195,986		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
14,742
15,785
1,682
223,705
27,089
168,250
19,034
-
-
257,481
42,874
169,932		 Total
2024
£
17,467
195,339
-
212,806

4 Income from charitable activities

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Day Service fees 260,093 230,420
Fees received 9,103 6,891
Other income 9,894 2,015
279,090 239,326

5 Income from other trading activities

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Produce Sales 410 1,358

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

FarmAbility

6 Income from investments

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Interest receivable 3,789 2,912

7 Expenditure on raising funds

**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Fundraising and publicity
Other fundraising costs 1,141 1,695
Expenditure on charitable activities
Charitable Charitable
activities activities
2025 2024
£ £
Direct costs
Staff costs 394,708 296,592
Depreciation and impairment 4,740 800
Equipment and consumables 20,958 9,669
Transport costs 8,203 6,290
External Service fees 211 215
Bursary Grants 1,410 510
Other direct costs 4,899 392
435,129 314,468
Share of support and governance costs (see note 9)
Support 98,490 46,672
533,619 361,140

8 Expenditure on charitable activities

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Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

FarmAbility

Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 298,848
234,771
533,619		 299,938
61,202
361,140

9 Support costs allocated to activities

Premises costs
Staff Recruitment, Training & Support
Insurance
IT
Telephone
Professional fees
Other support costs
Bad debt expense
Governance costs
Analysed between:
Charitable activities		 2025
£
63,653
14,441
3,654
7,813
1,777
2,378
1,231
(57)
3,600
98,490
98,490		 2024
£
29,515
4,513
1,683
4,048
2,433
1,866
514
-
2,100
46,672
46,672

Premises costs include an amount of £19,034 which is the estimated value to the charity of pro-bono professional services provided by MACE in 2024-2025.

Other voluntary support has not been included in income or expenditure, owing to the difficulty of calculating a monetary value.

10 Net movement in funds 2025 2024
£ £
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial
statements 3,600 2,100
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets 4,740 800

11 Trustees

During the year, no Trustee received any remuneration (2024 - nil), and no trustees were reimbursed for expenses (2024: £134 to one trustee).

Donations from Trustees without conditions totalled £229 from five trustees (2024: £550 from two trustees)

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

12 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2025 2024
Number Number
Service delivery - number of employees 21 14
Service delivery - full time equivalents 12 9
12
Employees
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs		 2025
£
350,732
21,900
22,076
394,708		 2024
£
270,630
14,740
11,222
296,592

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:

2025 2024
£ £
Aggregate compensation 145,821 117,147

In the year ended 30 September 2025, there were four members of key management personnel remunerated (2024: three)

13 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

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October 2024 – September 2025

FarmAbility

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

14 Tangible fixed assets

Plant and
equipment
Fixtures and
fittings
£
£
Cost
At 1 October 2024
-
11,214
Additions
8,100
2,820
At 30 September 2025
8,100
14,034
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 October 2024
-
-
Depreciation charged in the year
608
3,332
At 30 September 2025
608
3,332
Carrying amount
At 30 September 2025
7,492
10,702
At 30 September 2024
-
11,214
15
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors

Prepayments and accrued income

16
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors

Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
 Motor
vehicles
£
3,200
-
3,200
2,400
800
3,200
-
800
2025
£
17,200
6,644
23,844
2025
£
8,232
15,638
3,028
3,704
30,602		 Total
£
14,414
10,920
25,334
2,400
4,740
7,140
18,194
12,014
2024
£
12,222
-
12,222
2024
£
4,927
28,277
1,989
2,200
37,393

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

17 Retirement benefit schemes

Retirement benefit schemes
2025 2024
Defined contribution schemes £ £
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes 22,076 11,222

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

18 Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

At 1 October Incoming Resources At 30
2024 resources expended September
2025
£ £ £ £
FarmAbility Restricted fund 12,490 18,808 (26,660) 4,638
National Lottery Community fund - 92,570 (61,556) 31,014
Gagingwell 56,083 1,696 (33,951) 23,828
Oxford Community Foundation Step Change 4,759 31,991 (36,750) -
Barriers to Employment 12,550 21,058 (17,786) 15,822
Oxford Community Foundation Cancer
Prevention 11,822 - (11,822) -
The Fore 4,909 10,000 (11,993) 2,916
Oxford Community Foundation Thriving in
Nature 19,863 19,863 (24,148) 15,578
Well Together 10,105 - (10,105) -
132,581 195,986 (234,771) 93,796

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FarmAbility

Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Previous year: At 1 October Incoming Resources At 30
2023 resources expended September
2024
£ £ £ £
FarmAbility 3,600 11,689 (2,799) 12,490
National Lottery Awards for All 8,977 - (8,977) -
Willowbrook Barn 4,640 1,000 (5,640) -
Oxford Community Foundation Step Change 6,634 25,308 (27,183) 4,759
Gagingwell - 56,083 - 56,083
Barriers to Employment - 14,538 (1,988) 12,550
Oxford Community Foundation Cancer
Prevention - 20,821 (8,999) 11,822
The Fore - 10,000 (5,091) 4,909
Oxford Community Foundation Thriving in
Nature - 19,863 - 19,863
Well Together - 10,630 (525) 10,105
23,851 169,932 (61,202) 132,581

18 Restricted funds

Description of Funds

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

FarmAbility Restricted

This fund holds a number of smaller grants received by the Charity. In 2021-22, we received a grant from the Axis Foundation to enable us to purchase a minibus to support our work across our many operational sites. The depreciation of the minibus is charged to the grant and concluded in 2024-25. In 2023-24, Bicester Village donated £3,540 to enable us to run taster days for girls and young women living in the Bicester area; this grant was carried forward into 2024-25. Also received in 2023-24 and brought forward into 2024-25 were a donation of £1,000 towards pathworks from Stanton Ballard Charitable Trust, £2,000 from HDH Wills towards weather suitable kit for co-farmers, £1,200 from the Oxford University Community Fund towards working with school groups and £3,949 from BOB ICB towards Making Every Contact Count training and dissemination within our staff and volunteer team.

In 2024-25, we received the following donations allocated to the FarmAbility Restricted Fund:

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

Additional restricted Funds in the year consisted of:

National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund

In October 2024 we were granted funds towards a 3 year project from the National Lottery Communities Fund to enable the establishment of 4 new roles within the staff team, to focus on Communications & Events, Fundraising, Finance and Impact and Monitoring. This project will allow us to develop our operational capacity and provide us with stronger foundations to grow and nurture the organisation in the future. This project will run to December 2027.

Oxford Community Fund Step Change

This fund was to support our development of volunteering opportunities for the charity and to enable us to recruit more people who will then be better supported and trained to help our overall delivery team (and offer more places as a result). This fund was fully spent down in 2024-25.

Gagingwell Project

Through a combination of crowdfunding using the Spacehive platform and a number of notable charitable donations from West Oxfordshire District Council, JK Foundation, Cooper Charitable Trust, PF Charitable Trust, Rockcliffe Charitable Foundation, ENCON, Agrivert and individual donors who wish to remain anonymous we raised a substantial fund to dedicate to the establishment of a new host site with associated infrastructure and staffing costs. This fund remains open and received further donations in the year 2024-25 to contribute to the ongoing development costs.

Barriers to Employment

West Oxfordshire District Council awarded us a grant to deliver 8 new co-farmer places, 6 work experience placements and 2 tailored training opportunities to people experiencing barriers to employment between September 2024 and March 2025. A second grant was awarded to continue this project into 2025-26 which is due to be spent down by September 2026.

Oxfordshire Community Foundation Cancer Prevention

Oxfordshire Community Foundation with support from BOB ICB awarded us a grant to work on public health messaging and healthy lifestyle initiatives within our activities, to support participants to recognise risk factors for cancer and make healthy choices around diet, exercise and seeking advice. This fund was fully spent down in 2024-25.

The Fore

This fund will support us to develop growing spaces for saleable produce at our new project site and to develop other opportunities to make crafts and items for sale, which in turn will enable us to generate a small income through our activities and extend the opportunities for participants. The grant runs to March 2027.

Oxfordshire Community Foundation Thriving in Nature

This fund delivered through Oxfordshire Community Foundation is for a three-year project to establish structured learning opportunities within our service. We will pilot and review the delivery of a variety of qualification and award schemes to our participants to enable them to gain recognition for learning and achievements in skills related to rural crafts, nature conservation, animal care, horticulture and nature connection. It runs to August 2027.

Well Together

This fund helped us conduct outreach to connect with local people in nearby communities who may have wanted to attend our service but faced barriers (financial/ transport) to being able to do so. This fund was fully spent down in 2024-25.

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

19 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 October Incoming Resources At 30
2024 resources expended September
2025
£ £ £ £
Premises 30,000 - - 30,000
General funds 63,345 344,784 (299,989) 108,140
93,345 344,784 (299,989) 138,140
Previous year: At 1 October Incoming Resources At 30
2023 resources expended September
2024
£ £ £ £
Premises 30,000 - - 30,000
General funds 78,508 286,470 (301,633) 63,345
108,508 286,470 (301,633) 93,345
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds
2025 2025 2025
£ £ £
At 30 September 2025:
Tangible assets 18,194 - 18,194
Current assets/(liabilities) 119,946 93,796 213,742
138,140 93,796 231,936
Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds
2024 2024 2024
£ £ £
At 30 September 2024:
Tangible assets 12,014 - 12,014
Current assets/(liabilities) 81,331 132,581 213,912
93,345 132,581 225,926

20 Analysis of net assets between funds

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FarmAbility Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements

October 2024 – September 2025

21 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).

22
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations
Surplus for the year
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
Movements in working capital:
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
Cash (absorbed by)/generated from operations		 2025
£
6,010
(3,789)
4,740
(11,622)
(6,791)
(11,452)		 2024
£
93,567
(2,912)
800
1,668
16,753
109,876

23 Analysis of changes in net funds

The charity had no material debt during the year.

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