## **Annual report and accounts for the year ended** **7[th] October 2025.** 1 This report has been prepared by the Trustees of Streatham Common Community Garden, registered charity 1154156. It was agreed at the Trustees’ meeting on 24th November 2025 and will be placed on our website, https://streathamcommoncommunitygarden.org. ## **The report covers the period 8[th] October 2024 to 7[th] October 2025.** ## **Trustees’ Report** Over the last year, we have achieved the following, further details are given in the body of this report: - Creating a welcoming place for new volunteers and visitors. - Managing the Learner Plotters’ and the Little Growers’ projects. The Learner Plotters’ project continues to introduce new people to gardening and to unite people from different backgrounds through a common interest. The Little Growers’ project offers children, from 6 to 9 years of age, the chance to grow their own healthy vegetables. - Managing events throughout the year. These events aim to increase skills, bring the community together and to celebrate the diverse heritage of residents, including black history month and the volunteers’ lunch. - Growing a broad variety of fruit and vegetables on site. - Supporting habitats that encourage birds and other wildlife including frogs and toads. - Maintaining contact with our friends, colleagues and people interested in gardening through newsletters and regular updates on social media. - Working with our colleagues from Streatham Common Cooperative (SCCoop) to maintain the site. Working together we deliver something amazing that everyone can enjoy. We could not do this without our wonderful volunteers, and the following report pays testament to everyone’s efforts. Thank you! ## **Trustees, Streatham Common Community Garden** 2 ## **Our Charitable Purposes and Public Benefit** ## **Availability of the Garden** Apart from a short break for Christmas 2024 and in January 2025, we have opened each Wednesday and Sunday between 11am and 3pm. ## **Volunteers and Visitors** We continue to welcome volunteers and visitors to the Garden, showcasing a place that inspires people to garden and to enjoy nature. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers, we could not run the garden without you! Some of our volunteers have been attending the garden regularly for many years, others come along for an occasional visit. We tailor tasks to the needs of the garden and to people’s individual abilities. There is no pressure to attend every week, and people can stay for as little or for as long as they can. ## **In the year ending 7[th] October 2025 we had 110 volunteers offering a total of 2,745 hours.** This compares to the year ending 7[th] October 2024 when we had 112 volunteers offering 2,735 hours. In considering these volunteer hours it is noted that: - It does not include the Little Growers, which is a gardening activity for children. - It does include the Learner Plotters who attended in the final months of 2024 and those with a plot in 2025. Plotters contribute to the overall maintenance of the garden. - It excludes the paid for Community Gardener in both 2024 and 2025. - It excludes Trustee hours off site, which are spent managing the garden. When we look at the volunteer hours in a little more detail it gives us some interesting information, namely: - Of the 110 volunteers, 39 people volunteered for less than four hours. The picture is similar in year to 7[th] October 2024, when there were 41 people who volunteered for less than four hours. There may be many reasons this. Such as, people came with a friend, they were visiting the area, or the garden just wasn’t for them. But it suggests that there is more work for us to do to encourage people to return. - There were ten people who volunteered for more than 75 hours. These were mainly Trustees but included two Plotters and one of our long-term dedicated volunteers. Huge thanks! 3 ## **Education and training** As in previous years we have run the Learner Plotters’ project and the Little Growers’ project, supported by a Community Gardener who is on site on a Sunday. ## **Community Gardener** Catherine Birkett provided services to the end of November 2024. She decided not to renew her contract in 2025 to reclaim her Sundays and to relax! Fabrice Boltho took up the role as Community Gardener on 9[th] February 2025. He will continue until the end of November 2025. Fabrice has been a firm favourite with Plotters and Little Growers. He has impressed everyone with his horticultural knowledge and has been such as asset. We hope that he will renew his contract in 2026. ## **Learner Plotters** Our Learner Plotters start in Spring and people can continue until the early months of the following year when they clear their plot for the next intake. People without a garden apply to have a small plot to develop their skills with guidance from the Community Gardener, through workshops or from more experienced Trustees. In 2024 17 people signed up, albeit this number reduced to 15 people attending. In 2025, we increased the size of the plots slightly, with 14 Plotters for most of the season. (One Plotter came for a short time but was replaced by a couple). Whilst there has been a drop off in attendance, post summer, generally people have maintained their plot and have been very positive about the experience. The group have worked well together, and we hope that people will continue to support the garden in some way after their participation in the programme ends. ## **Little Growers** The Little Growers project is attended by children between 6-9 years of age. They meet every Sunday, from 12 noon to 1pm with a parent or carer. Each child has a section of a raised bed where they choose what to grow, how to look after their plants and to harvest their own crops. In 2025, seven children attended along with their adult companions, and occasionally a brother or sister. The parents of two of the Little Growers have said that they would like to come back in 2026 as Plotters. 4 The parents have been very positive about the 2025 programme. Not only have the children enjoyed the time that they have spent in nature, but they have also had great growing success and made new friends. ## **Duke of Edinburgh Award Participants** Three Duke of Edinburgh Award participants volunteered at the garden during the Spring and Summer of 2025. We were particularly impressed by their enthusiasm, reliability and willingness to undertake tasks. All participants attended in accordance with our safeguarding policy requirements. ## **A Growing Hub and Wildlife** Every growing year presents new challenges. After a wet November and December 2024, the Spring and Summer of 2025 were exceptionally dry. We have therefore spent hours watering plants, and this is something for us to consider in the future as we adapt to climate changes. Apples and quinces were abundant this year and we were fortunate not to be hit by tomato blight until October 2025. Other areas of note are:  The ‘no dig’ gardening method, continues to be successful. Though we have used significant amounts of compost in ground cover we are addressing this, see below. - The polytunnel was an asset when sowing - seeds and providing cover for tender plants. - Potatoes were a great success.  The bed for medicinal plants is well established. We have also joined a collaborative natural dyes project run by _The Remakery_ based in SE5. - We continue to get good results from the - world garden including the polytunnel for the growing of plants not normally seen in south London. - Although robustly pruned, the fig tree has been quick growing and produced a lot of fruit. - We reduced the area of the asparagus bed and introduced spaces for growing pumpkins and squashes of different varieties. - We have extended the composting area and are now getting good results. We would like to do more on this and have submitted a bid to the National Garden Scheme for funding. 5 ## **Maintenance of the Site** Unfortunately, our security was tested by a break in and a man who was sleeping at the garden. Working with SCCoop, the incidents were reported to the police, albeit there was no further action. Locks were replaced and we took actions to ensure that anything of value was secured, and people were not on site alone. On a more positive note, we have purchased new furniture for the Education room to make better use of the space and to ensure it’s a welcoming and attractive area for people to use. We hope those attending the AGM on 4[th] January will enjoy the enhanced space. ## **Events Held at the Community Garden** In addition to workshops included in the Learner Plotters project, we held events for volunteers and the wider community. These were – **----- Start of picture text -----**
Event When What we did.
Black History month October 2024 Held just inside this reporting period. The story
of sugar cane and cotton, plus a lunch to
celebrate people’s cultures and heritage.
Wreathmaking November and Four workshops, on making Christmas wreaths
Workshops December 2024 with natural materials.
Tree Pruning January 2025 Workshop on winter hard wood pruning.
Outdoor Science April 2025 Celebrating the launch of a book written by a
Activities former Trustee, to give parents ideas for easy
and fun activities to support their child’s formal
learning.
Volunteers lunch June 2025 A bring and share lunch with Plotters, Little
Growers and volunteers.
Natural Dye July 2025 Two workshops on using natural dyes, as noted
Workshop elsewhere in this report we hope in the future to
use dye plants from the garden.
Tree Pruning July 2025 Workshop on soft fruit pruning.
Apple Day September 2025 A fun day of apple pressing and all things
apples!
**----- End of picture text -----**
Please note that the Wassail event planned to follow the AGM on 5[th] January 2025 was cancelled. Extremely heavy rain meant the ground was too wet for Brixton Tatterjacks to perform safely. All the events brought people into the garden to enjoy a very special place. They also provided skills, enhanced knowledge, recognised the contribution of our volunteers bringing our wonderful community together 6 ## **Communications** Over the last year we have sent out regular newsletters. These keep our supporters up to date with what is happening in the garden as well as news about our partners. We have also increased our social networking presence, with regular updates on Instagram and Facebook. These have been very successful, and we continue to grow following. Using a snapshot at the end of September 2025, our followers were Facebook 1.3K and Instagram 2.1K. ## **Working with Partners** We have continued to work positively with our partners and neighbours, Inkspot brewery, as well as representatives from Lambeth Council. We would like to particularly thank Vicky Peet the manager of SCCoop with whom we have worked closely and who has given us particular support at the Wednesday sessions. ## **Considering the above, the Trustees are satisfied the charity has met its obligations for charitable purposes and for the public benefit** . **The remainder of the report considers Trustee appointments and the financial accounts** 7 ## **Trustees** ## **As at year end (7[th] October 2025) the Trustees were as follows:** Adam Gibbs Barbara Booth Kate Daly Katharine Samuel Jill Seymour Steph Smith Helen Swan Oliver Holliday (co-opted Trustee 1[st] March 2025) Jo Ristovski (co-opted Trustee 19[th] August 2025) ## **Those who resigned during the year.** Anna Savage resigned as a Trustee on 22[nd] July 2025. ## **Changes for year 2025-2026.** Jill Seymour has noted her intention to resign with effect from 31st January 2026 ## **Elections** In view of the resignation of Anna Savage and the intended resignation of Jill Seymour, no further Trustees will stand down this year. Whilst not a requirement of the Constitution we will use the opportunity of the AGM on 4[th] January 2026 to formally elect the Coopted Trustees, Oliver Holliday and Jo Ristovski. At the time of writing we hope that an additional applicant will be stand for election at the AGM, details to be confirmed on the day. We will also seek to confirm Adam Gibbs continuing in the role of Treasurer. 8 ## **Finance Report** The final page of this report shows the full year statement of accounts for year ending 7[th] October 2025. These will be subject to approval by Members at the AGM on 4[th] January 2026. ## **Notes on the Financial Statement of Accounts** To confirm, the accounts show the full year position, on a cash accounting basis, as of 7[th] October 2025, based on money in the charity’s bank accounts. Any income or expenditure passed through the bank account after this date are not included. The balance of money held is primarily unrestricted. Overall, our financial position has improved by £1,070. Expenditure increased in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. A lot of this is due to investments in new equipment for the garden, such as tools for tree care and new storage for the education room, but there is also an increase in the cost of general supplies. ## **Restricted Funds** In 2025 the Learner Plotters’ project and Little Growers’ project (including the Community Gardeners) have been part funded by money received from City Bridge. Drawn from a three-year grant awarded in July 2023. This is lower than previous grants, so the garden is funding the difference from reserves. ## **Events** Paid events were a significant contribution to our overall income, showing an increase compared with last year, but with a much smaller increase in the associated costs. This category does not include regular donations or sales made during the event, but these also increase on days when large numbers of visitors are brought to the garden. ## **Sales and Donations** The previous year had an unusually high total for this category due to a very generous one-off donation. Therefore, this the decrease in donations this year represents a return to typical levels. One area that increased noticeably was donations through the Easy fundraising scheme, which is shown as a separate category. ## **Sales** Sales at the garden of fruit and vegetables as well as plants and event-specific things such as apple juice and pumpkins usually account for a smaller, but still significant, source of income for the garden. This year had a large decrease in this category, which continues the trend of previous years. ## **Other** Insurance costs have remained static, and the website supplier has not levied charges again this year. We opened a charity savings account in September which 9 allows the garden to earn interest on the amount in reserves, which will start to appear in the accounts next year. The financial statement is in the two tables below. ## **Streatham Common Community Garden** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Income & Expenditure
8/10/24 - 7/10/25 Year Ending 7/10/25
INCOME UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL
Total Yr Difference
Ending 2024 &
£ £ Total £ 7/10/24 2025
Grants (City Bridge & Higgidy) 5,090 5,090 7,945 -2,855
Sales 983 983 1,779 -796
Donations 1,030 1,030 2,241 -1,211
Events 2,607 2,607 1,818 789
Prizes 0 0 0 0
Easyfundraising 107 107 29 78
Gift Aid 0 0 0 0
Gross Income 4,727 5,090 9,817 13,812 -3,995
UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL
Payments
Community Gardeners - City Bridge 5,523 5,523 4,864 659
Restricted Donations 0 0 0 0
Garden Supplies 759 759 529 230
Equipment 1,055 1,055 0 1,055
Maintenance 584 584 453 131
Volunteer Expenses 25 25 0 25
Events 801 801 771 30
Insurance 0 0 124 -124
Website Hosting 0 0 0 0
Total Payments 3,224 5,523 8,747 6,741 2,006
UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL 2024 Variance
Gross Income Less Total Payments 1,503 -433 1,070 6,663 -5,593
Transfer between funds 0 0 0 0
Cash Funds at 7/10/24 22,859 10,570 33,429
Cash Funds at 7/10/25 24,362 10,137 34,499 33,429
Petty Cash 7/10/25 15 0
Bank Balance at 7/10/25 24,362 10,137 34,499 33,414 1,070
Total Cash Balance 24,362 10,137 34,499 33,429 1,070
**----- End of picture text -----**
10 ## **Streatham Common Community Garden** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Balance sheet
For the year ended 07 October 2025
07/10/2025 07/10/2024
Current assets: £ £
Net Current Assets 34,499 33,429
Total Net Assets 34,499 33,429
The funds of the charity:
Restricted funds 10,137 10,570
Unrestricted funds 24,362 22,859
Total charity funds 34,499 33,429
**----- End of picture text -----**
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