=| CHARITY COMMISSION {ye} FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 6 April 2024 Period startdate To 5April2025 Period end date
Charity name: Wildlife Gardening Forum
Charity registration number: 1156608
Objectives and Activities
|a
Summary ofthe purposes of||Le
Para 1.17|a)To promotethe conservation,||
|---|---|---|---|
|the charity as set out in its||protection and improvement ofthe||
|governing document||physical and natural environment of||
|||gardens and their biological diversity.||
|||b) To advance the education ofthe||
|||public in the conservation, protection||
|||and improvement ofthe physical and||
|||natural environment and biodiversity of||
|||gardens and the consequent human||
|||health and well-being benefits.||
|Summary ofthe main
activities in relation to those ||ioe 1.17and
°|Gardens are diverseand important
habitats for our declining wildlifeand||
|purposes forthe public||where the great majority of children find||
|benefit, in particular, the||their first directcontactwith nature.||
|activities, projects or||Nearly 90% of UK households have||
|services identified in the||gardens and so ourworkcan benefit a||
|accounts.||very large proportion ofthe publicwho||
|||wish to manage their gardens||
|||sustainably and with wildlife in mind.|In|
|||planning and executing ourwork, the||
|||Trustees have given careful||
|||consideration to the Charity||
|||Commission’s general guidance on||
|||public benefit and in particular to its||
|||public benefit guidance on advancing||
|||education and on conservation ofthe||
|||environment.||
|||Object a) Promoting conservation,||
|||protection and improvement...||
|||The Wildlife Gardening Forum furthers||
|||this object through issuing four||
|||newsletters per yearsummarising new||
|||research and best practice findings.We||
|||maintain a largewebsite to provide||
|||access to evidence-based information||
|||on the science ofwildlife gardening and||
|||on garden organisms, including||
|||practical
guidance.Weseektoinform||
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|the|work|of the|many|charities|and|other|
|organisations|within|our membership|
|and|contacts.|We|influence|decision|
|makers|through|working|with|other|
|charities|and|disseminating|evidence.|
|The|influence|of the|Forum|on|social|
|media|has|grown|remarkably|on|its|
|Facebook|group|and|is|developing|on|
|Instagram|and|X|(formerly|Twitter).|
|Our website|is|undergoing|migration|to|
|a|new|platform|to|help|meet|the|
|ambition|of|it|becoming|a|‘one|stop|
|shop|for|scientific|and|practical|
|information|about|gardens|and|wildlife’.|
|It|contains|extensive|background|
|information|in|garden|and|wildlife|
|science|and|planting|for wildlife,|
|reviewing|information|largely|
|unavailable|to|a|general|reader.|It|
|constitutes|the|largest compendium|of|
|freely|available|information|about|
|garden|biodiversity|anywhere|on|the|
|web.|
|The|Forum’s|Manifesto,|available|in|
|English|and|Welsh|on|the|website,|
|provides|a|simple|introduction|to|
|decision|makers|about the|policy|
|changes we|would|like|to|see|to|improve|
|the|status|of gardens|for|wildlife|and|
|people.|Our membership|of the|umbrella|
|organisation|Wildlife|and|Countryside|
|Link|is|allowing|the|Forum|to|contribute|
|its|voice|alongside|other|charities|in|
|environmental|issues.|
|Object|b)|To|advance|the|education|of|
|the|public....|
|This|object|is|addressed|through|the|
|creation|of publications|and|
|newsletters,|provision|of professional|
|guidance|and|training|for teachers|and|
|practitioners|and|maintaining|a|website|
|to|provide|access|for everyone|to|
|evidence-based|information|and|advice.|
|The|Trustees|ensure|a|powerful|
|educational|outcome|by|insisting|on|
|testing|all|statements|and|guidance|in|
|our|material|and|on|our website|against|
|established|and|published|fact,|giving|
|attribution|so|that|those|who|wish|can|
|have|access|to|original|work. We|
|identify|and|point|out areas|where|
|evidence|is|inadequate and|have|
|succeeded|in|starting|research|projects|
|(such|as|the|RHS-run|“Plants|for|Bugs|
|Project”|investigating|the|relative|value|
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| of native and non-native garden plants) | ||
|---|---|---|
| where a major deficiency ofevidence | ||
| has let myths and assumptions stay | ||
| unchallenged. | ||
| While most of our focus is on | ||
| biodiversity, our education objective is | ||
| also concerned with the role ofgardens | ||
| and urban green space on human | ||
| mental and physical health, and the | ||
| cohesion and better function of | ||
| communities. This is another relatively | ||
| new field of research that has not yet | ||
| become widely known among the public | ||
| and decision makers but is of increasing | ||
| importance as Britain becomes steadily | ||
| more urban. There is greatsynergy | ||
| between this aspect ofgardens, and | ||
| biodiversity conservation, andwe see | ||
| our role as helping tomake the health | ||
| research findings accessible to | ||
| everyone alongside the biodiversity, and | ||
| with the same standards of rigour. | ||
| Statement confirming | Para 1.18 | The Trustees confirm that in the period |
| whether the trustees have | covered by this report they have had | |
| had regard to the guidance | regard to the guidance issued by the | |
| issued by the Charity | Charity Commission on public benefit. | |
| Commission on public | ||
| benefit |
Achievements and Performance
| Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY CO a The Forum trustee meetings continued |
|||
| Summary of the main | to be conducted remotely with the | ||
| achievements ofthe charity, | exception ofan in-person Away Day and | ||
| identifying the difference the aha charity’s work has made to |
ji | ara 1.20 | AGM held atRyton Gardens in Coventry F in July. |
| the circumstances of its | |||
| beneficiaries and any wider | The Forumwas able to fulfil its core | ||
| benefits to society as a | purposes in a numberofways; | ||
| whole. | |||
| Activities were held to mark the Wildlife | |||
| Gardening Forum’s 20" anniversary | |||
| from its original formation in March | |||
| 2005. This took the form of recorded | |||
| birthday wishes from friends ofthe | |||
| Forum such as wildlife author and | |||
| presenter Kate Bradbury, a press | |||
| release sent out in March 2025 marking | |||
| 10 wins and 10 challenges from the last | |||
| 20 years, and a book giveaway of20 | |||
| signed copies ofChris Baines’ book | |||
| RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening. | |||
| The book giveaway received nearly 100 | |||
| applications and generated many | |||
| positive stories ofpeople keen to make | |||
| a difference to wildlife in theirgardens | |||
| orcommunities. |
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|To|further|dissemination|of current|
|wildlife|gardening|research|through|
|online|events,|the|Forum|partnered|with|
|the|Biological|Recording|Company|to|
|deliver|a|hugely|successful|Wildlife|
|Gardening|Symposium|in|January|2025,|
|an|event which|sold|over|600|tickets.|
|The|3-hour event|included|a|round-up|of|
|wildlife|gardening|research|from|2025|
|by|the|Founder|Patron,|Steve|Head;|a|
|talk|on|hedgehogs|and|their|safety|in|
|gardens|from|international|researcher|
|Dr|Sophie|Lund|Rasmussen;|impact|of|
|wildlife-friendly|gardening|practises|on|
|butterflies|from|Dr|Richard|Fox|
|(Butterfly|Conservation|Trust);|the|
|challenges|and|trade-offs|of feeding|
|garden|birds|by|Dr|Hugh|Hanmer|(BTO);|
|and|gardening|for|bats|and|people|with|
|Jo|Ferguson|(Bat|Conservation|Trust).|
|Recordings|were|made|available|via|the|
|website.|Preparations|are|underway|for|
|a|similar|event|in|2026.|
|The|Forum’s|Facebook|presence|
|continued|to|excel|in|2024/5,|giving|the|
|charity|a|strong|online|presence|and|
|channel|for messaging|through|its|
|organisational|page|(>18,000|followers)|
|and|supporting|the|national|and|
|international|wildlife|gardening|online|
|community|with|experienced|
|moderators|through|the|Forum's|public|
|group|(>130,000|members|+|>120,000|
|visitors,|giving|a|combined|total|of|over|
|quarter|of a|million|people).|
|The|Forum’s|website|of|over|500|pages|
|contains|excellent|and|extensive|
|content|on|the|subject|of wildlife|
|gardening|but the|board|identified|the|
|need|for|its|redevelopment|asa|priority|
|if|it|is|to|serve|the|aims|of the|charity.|
|Thanks|to|a|generous|donation|work|
|began|in|March|2025|to|move|it toa|
|more|flexible|and|stable|platform.|This|
|is|a|major|project|being|taken|forward|
|by|a|web|developer and|one|of the|
|trustees.|
|Our member’s|free|quarterly|newsletter|
|has|continued|to|inform|over|3,000|
|gardeners,|garden|designers,|
|landscapers,|conservationists|and|other|
|practitioners,|giving|them|the|tools|to|
|make|direct changes|to|benefit|
|biodiversity|and|the|environment.|
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Financial Review
s
| Review ofthe charity's | Para 1.21 | The charity’s operating costs have been |
|---|---|---|
| financial position at the end | maintained in the period due to income | |
| ofthe period | from the virtual symposium. Projects | |
| (i.e. web development) | ||
| have been primarily funded through | ||
| donations ratherthan drawing on | ||
| reserves. | ||
| Statement explaining the | Para 1.22 | The Wildlife Gardening Forum has |
| policy for holding reserves | general funds, currently approximately | |
| stating why they are held | equal to one (normal) year’s operating | |
| costs, which the Trustees consider | ||
| prudent to maintain the charity’s core | ||
| activities, especially in current financial | ||
| uncertainties. There is £3,000 in | ||
| restricted funds designated for use on | ||
| website development. | ||
| reserves + aaa deficit Explanation ofany uncertainties about the |
aianS Para 1.23 |
nS |
| charity continuing as a going | ||
| concern | ||
| Structure, Governance | and Management | |
| ie SESea trusts: (trust deed, royal charter) |
||
| How is the charity | Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| constituted? | ||
| (e.g unincorporated | ||
| association, CIO) | ||
| Trustee selection methods | Para 1.25 | Appointed by existing Trustees on the |
| including details of any | basis ofa Board Skills Auditand | |
| constitutional provisions e.g. | informal interview. | |
| election to post or name of | ||
| any person orbody entitled | ||
| to appoint one ormore | ||
| trustees |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity’s principal address | Mollys Lodge | |
|---|---|---|
| Little Wolford | ||
| Shipston on Stour | ||
| Warwickshire | ||
| CV36 5NR | ||
| ae) | eeeaa |
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Helen Bostock Chair + Vice-chair Apr 2024 — Nov 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| Nov 2024 —Apr 2025 | |
| (Vice-chair) | |
| 9 | (trustee) Nov 2024 —Apr 2025 |
| (Chair) | |
| s[aiviae |
—S~*dATYeari [MarkGoddard |
Corporate trustees — names of the directors at the date the report was approved egg a SS aes i Rees |Gee SeySree eS Yee paneerin eminenteer ee aaey| es| eee |e eee Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity [Trusteename———~C~C=~diCDattesacctedifnotforwholeyear [| (ctl aA: TE i ea |e Sea pee|ee es) eeeee ee eeeeeseee (eyeee eeeeae
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
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held in this capacity
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Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser Hon, Mare Carlton 10, Portwall Road,Chepstow,NP16 5DL Treasurer
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
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Chair, etc)
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Date O£/ lilis
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES The Wlldllfe Gardenlno Forum 1156608 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe perlod from 6th April 2024 5th April 2025 To Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrlcted funds Restrlcted funds Endowment fund8 Total funds Lastyear lo the nearo8t lo th9 nfrarg8t £ (o thg near88t £ to tho ngarest £ to thè ng¥r4st £ A1 Recel ts Voluntary eceipts: Donations Charitable activity: Conference income 332 3,000 '3,332 337 2,250 2,045 tota ross Income AR) 3,000 6,682 A2 Asset and Investment sales, (see table). Total recelpts A3Pa ments Charitable Activit Website Charltable Activity. Working Groups Charitable AGtlvlty: Conferences 2,333 366 204 Charitable Aclivit Influence Mallchimp costs Governance costs 87 871 941 Sub total A4 Asset and Investment urchases see table Sub total Total payments Net of recelpts/(payments) A6 Transfer8 between fund8 A6 Cash fund8 last year end Cash funds thls year end 87 CCXX Rl accounts (SS) 0411112025
ection B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period ,.1r85trlct8d funds io nearèsi t Rastrlcted funds Endowment fund8 io noargBI I --orieS ueialis B1 Cash funds 6,006 3,000 Total cash funds 3,000 1agn• balonctt wlth rncolpts and p8ym8nls ¢4unl{s)i (iK :. iJnrestricted to ne8rest£ oi< Endowment to nearest £ Restricted to nearest£ l oÉsij- Fund to whlch Curront valu& Details Cost (optlonaj) B3 Investment assets Fund to whl¢h Cost (opllonal) Current valu• B4 Assets retalned for the charlty's own use Detalls Fund to vthl¢h "Amount du• When due B5 Liabllities slgned by one or iwo truslees, on-- l)ehalf of all IhB Irustefrs . . .. <- Prlnt Name., Date of Jackson Helen Bostock 6 11125 CCXX R2 a1Unts (SS) :. .. 0611112025 ..