BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
Accounts – 31[st] March 2025
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
Charity number: 1158456
Accounts – 31[st] March 2025
INDEX
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1-4. Report of the Trustees and General Information
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
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Statement of Financial Activities
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Balance Sheet
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8-13. Notes to the Accounts
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and complies with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (second edition) and Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102.
Reference and Administration Details
The charity’s name is Bridewell Organic Gardens.
Charity Registration Number: 1158456
Principal Office and Operational Address: The Walled Garden, Wilcote, Oxfordshire OX7 3DT
Trustees
The Trustees and officers who served during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Mr Stephen Marshall – Chair (resigned 1[st] September 2025) Mr Andrew Vardé – Chair (appointed 1st September 2025) Ms Heidi Black Mr Robert Chaplin Ms Sandra Clarke - Treasurer Mr Richard Khosla-Stevens (resigned 4[th] November 2024) Ms Danie Woodbridge (resigned 7[th] July 2025) Mrs Sarah Veasey (appointed 12[th] May 2025) Mrs Natasha Wooldridge (appointed 12[th] May 2025) Ms Sarah Garrett (appointed 12[th] May 2025)
Management Team
Ms Ruth Madder - Director Ms Julie Stantiford – Recovery Service Manager (appointed 1st December 2024) Ms Madi Ffrench – Recovery Service Manager (retired 30th November 2024)
Organisational Structure
The Board of Trustees meets quarterly with the Director in attendance, as does its Finance and Fundraising and Recovery Sub Committee. The Trustees are responsible for the organisation’s strategic direction and policy making.
The Director is line-managed by the Chair on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Responsibility for the delivery of the charity’s objectives is delegated to the Director.
Objectives and Activities
Using gardening and working in nature, Bridewell supports people whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness, helping people to identify and work towards active roles in their community. Bridewell believes that everyone, regardless of their mental health, can live valued and rewarding lives. Bridewell creates a supportive, non-judgmental, working environment, where people can rebuild selfesteem, self-confidence, establish meaningful and valued roles, and are supported to find and maintain connections in the wider community.
Horticulture and land-based crafts provide meaningful activities, outlets for creativity, opportunities for positive risk taking, for working in groups and alongside people who have shared experiences of mental ill health.
The Recovery Service Manager and a team of 4 part-time Support Workers (Social and Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioners) deliver the service from the walled garden and vineyard site with the support of a team of regular volunteers.
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 ( Continued)
Objectives and Activities (continued)
As part of the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership (OMHP), Bridewell is subcontracted by Restore to provide a recovery service in West Oxfordshire. Recovery projects in the county are also delivered by Restore, and in South Oxfordshire by a partner organisation Root and Branch. Close partnership working within the OMHP provides Bridewell with access to shared insight of monitoring and evaluation, issues of safeguarding and risk, sharing best practice, and opportunities for staff training and development.
Risk Management
The Trustees consider risks and risk management throughout the year as regular business of Board meetings and Sub Committees. Oversight of risk management and audits is delegated to the Risk and Audit Sub Committee. A risk register is reviewed regularly and kept up to date.
Organisational Development
Bridewell celebrated 30 years of delivering a recovery service from the walled garden in 2024. We held a birthday tea at the gardens for people who have accessed the service, volunteers, and staff past and present.
We were delighted to welcome Dr Sue Stuart-Smith as a new patron of Bridewell in 2024. An expert in the science which underpins social and therapeutic horticulture. We are very grateful to Sue for her support.
Several key changes in staff took place during the year and the board began the process of recruitment to bring new trustees to the organisation. A long-serving member of staff, Madi ffrench retired at the end of 2024 after 18 years. She was succeeded in the role of Recovery Service Manager by our Deputy, Julie Stantiford. This continuity within the team gave reassurance to people accessing the service and to staff and volunteers. Following the retirement of our Administrator in early 2025 we developed and recruited to a new role of Project Coordinator to provide additional support for developing the service and ensuring monitoring and evaluation work is well resourced.
Service development
As well as celebrating the work of the recovery service over 30 years, we began raising funds for site improvements to support the next 30 years of the service. Funds of £104,000 were raised and pledged during this time and the pre-planning process was started to prepare drawings, specifications for an office for the recovery service team, a second polytunnel, and an open sided barn for improved storage and allseasons outdoor working.
We also began the process of adding the woodland area to Bridewell’s lease, a 1.5-acre area of trees and scrubland neighbouring the walled garden and vineyard. This area provides a working space very different to the walled garden and vineyard, with opportunities for horticultural and land management activities to complement the work that happens across the rest of the site.
Volunteers
There have been few changes to Bridewell’s core team of garden volunteers, however, we’ve welcomed several new volunteers to support the running of fundraising events at the gardens and in our local community. A team of over 40 volunteers regularly contribute to Bridewell including in the recovery service, supporting people to take part in the working day, event volunteers, weekend volunteers to caretake the site out of hours, minibus drivers, and office volunteers who help with a wide range of projects and day to day administrative tasks.
Impact
Bridewell continues to monitor outcomes using a range of methods, looking at qualitative and quantitative measures, using standardised tools (ReQoL and goal based-outcomes) as well as thematic analysis of feedback shared by people as they leave the service.
These central themes emerged again from feedback received in the last year. Together, they indicate what makes Bridewell work and the value of this working community:
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 ( Continued)
Impact (continued)
Rebuilding a sense of self: finding purpose, building confidence, reducing isolation “It gave me a purpose to leave the house and challenge my anxieties.” “Bridewell helped me to be me again”
Connecting with peers
“Everyone is respectful that we have different struggles and needs and I didn’t feel judged by anyone.”
Support of staff and volunteers: the team are described as calm, non-judgemental, encouraging “ They listen and give advice but without telling you what to do.”
“You make every person feel valued and important.”
The role of the garden: the garden is described as a sanctuary, a place of safety and positive change “There are jobs to suit every mood.”
“I enjoyed watching the seasons change and seeing plants grow that I helped to plant.”
- “Not only do plants, fruit & veg grow & are nurtured here, but also the people”
Of those who left Bridewell’s recovery service last year, 49% moved on with a plan, accessing paid or voluntary work, connecting with social or community activities in the local area.
Financial Review
The total income for the year was £378,096 and total expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £291,289.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees review the reserves policy bi-annually, examining the charity’s requirements for reserves taking into account the main risks to the organisation, budget and business plans. The calculation of desired reserves levels is reviewed annually.
The reserves policy is established to ensure that Bridewell can:
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continue to fund its activities during periods when income may be uncertain, or if expenditure is higher than normal;
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ensure that there would be time to seek alternative funding if Bridewell’s primary funding was removed;
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reserve sufficient funds for winding down the charity including the cost of redundancy payments and meeting lease requirements to leave the site as leased.
Whilst income funds stand at £360,786, £79,403 represents restricted funds and a further £101,627, represent the fixed assets of the charity. The present level of the general reserves available to the charity of £179,756 is viewed as sufficient to meet the requirements of the reserves policy.
Designated Reserves
The Trustees have designated £25,000 of general reserves towards two strategic priorities. Towards a planned capital project we have designated £15,000 to progress planning and design work and to provide a contingency. Towards piloting new areas of service delivery we have designated £10,000.
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 ( Continued)
Governing Document
Bridewell was first registered as an unincorporated charity in 1998, operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation since 2014.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed by the Board of Trustees. Bridewell benefits from the broad skills mix of the Trustees covering knowledge of mental health, social work, health, finance, charity governance and business expertise.
Approved by the trustees on 18th December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Andrew Vardé …………………………………………… Chair of Trustees
Witney
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bridewell Organic Gardens for the year ended 31st March 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
Since the charitable company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 accounts to be reached.
A P Williams FCCA CTA A J Carter & Co Limited Chartered Certified Accountants
22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB
19th December 2025
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(including an income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and grants 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Other 6 Total incoming resources Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year Transfer between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds 2025 £ £ £ 130,796 80,858 211,654 161,573 - 161,573 4,347 - 4,347 522 - 522 297,238 80,858 378,096 2,404 - 2,404 277,510 11,375 288,885 279,914 11,375 291,289 17,324 69,483 86,807 - - - 17,324 69,483 86,807 264,059 9,920 273,979 £281,383 £79,403 £360,786 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 140,446 147,311 4,068 4,600 |
|---|---|---|
| 296,425 | ||
| 2,345 292,254 |
||
| 294,599 | ||
| 1,826 - |
||
| 1,826 272,153 |
||
| £273,979 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
BALANCE SHEET as at 31[st] March 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Total fixed assets Current assets Stock 13 Debtors 14 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 15 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors:falling due after more than 1 year Provisions for liabilities Total net assets 16 The funds of the Charity Restricted income funds 17 Unrestricted income funds 17 Revaluation reserve Total unrestricted funds Total charity funds |
2025 £ 101,627 101,627 15,944 465 255,721 272,130 12,971 259,159 360,786 - £360,786 79,403 281,383 - 281,383 £360,786 |
2024 £ 111,234 |
|---|---|---|
| 111,234 | ||
| 19,820 500 152,468 |
||
| 172,788 10,043 |
||
| 162,745 | ||
| 273,979 - |
||
| £273,979 | ||
| 9,920 | ||
| 264,059 - |
||
| 264,059 | ||
| £273,979 |
These accounts were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on: 18th December 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:
Andrew Vardé
………………………………………….. Chair of Trustees
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
1. Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
a) Basis of Preparation
The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
b) Public Benefit Entity
Bridewell Organic Gardens meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
c) Going Concern
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
d) Income Recognition Policies
Items of income are recognised and included in the accounts when all of the following criteria are met:
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The charity has entitlement to the funds;
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any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met or are fully within the control of the charity;
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there is sufficient certainty that receipt of the income is considered probable; and
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the amount can be measured reliably.
Income received in advance of a specific performance or provision of other specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
e) 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 bank.
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
f) Fund Accounting
- Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Designated Funds (Revenue) comprise money raised by supporters of Bridewell where no restriction has been placed on the use of the grant but where Trustees of Bridewell wish to use the money for designated purposes.
Designated Funds (Capital) relates to funds spent to date on the construction of a new garden room. The project is now complete and the costs will be amortised over fifty years.
Restricted Funds are subject to restrictions as imposed by the donor of through the terms of an appeal.
- g)
Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.
- h) Tangible Fixed Assets
Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on the straight line basis as follows:
Asset Annual Category Rate Equipment Over 7 years Building Over 50 years
-
i) Stock
-
Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value.
-
j) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amounts due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
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k) Cash at Bank and in Hand Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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l) Creditors and Provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity 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.
2. Legal Status of the Charity
Bridewell Organic Gardens was first registered as an unincorporated charity in 1998.
The charity is now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The charity adopted a Constitution that establishes the objectives and powers of the organisation on 28[th] May 2014.
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
3. Income from donations
| Gifts and donations Grants |
2025 £ 128,129 83,525 £211,654 |
2024 £ 65,678 74,768 |
|---|---|---|
| £140,446 |
Of the £211,654 of income received in 2025 (2024: £140,446) £80,858 was restricted funds (2024: £30,643) and £130,796 (2024: £109,803) unrestricted funds.
4. Income from charitable activities
| Fees Sales 5. Income from investments Interest |
2025 £ 122,856 38,717 £161,573 2025 £ 4,347 £4,347 |
2024 £ 122,856 24,455 |
|---|---|---|
| £147,311 | ||
| 2024 £ 4,068 |
||
| £4,068 |
| 6. Other income Other 7. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities Core staffing costs Core operations Administration Independent examination Total |
2025 £ 522 £522 2025 Total £ 207,152 73,680 7,009 1,044 £288,885 |
2024 £ 4,600 |
|---|---|---|
| £4,600 | ||
| 2024 Total £ 197,457 82,814 10,987 996 |
||
| £292,254 |
Of the £288,885 expenditure in 2025 (2024: £292,254), £277,510 was charged to unrestricted funds: (2024: £257,215) and £11,375 to restricted funds (2024: £35,039).
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
8. Net income/(expenditure) for the year
| This is stated after charging: Depreciation Independent examiner's fee |
2025 £ 9,607 1,044 |
2024 £ 17,513 996 |
|---|---|---|
9. Analysis of staff costs and trustee remuneration and expenses
| Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs |
2025 £ 186,635 9,877 5,479 £201,991 |
2024 £ 178,594 9,081 5,109 |
|---|---|---|
| £192,784 |
Some of the above staffing costs appear in fundraising costs on the SOFA.
No employees had emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2024: Nil).
The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £Nil) neither were they reimbursed expenses during the year (2024: £Nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £Nil).
Key management personnel were paid £68,572 in the year (2024: £86,699).
10. Staff numbers
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Number | Number |
| 9 | 9 |
11. Corporation tax
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
12. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost: As at 1 April 2024 Additions As at 31 March 2025 Depreciation: As at 1 April 2024 Charge for year As at 31 March 2025 Net book value: As at 31 March 2025 As at 31 March 2024 13.Stock Stock 14.Debtors Trade debtors Other debtors 15.Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Creditors Accruals |
Building Equipment £ £ 109,279 105,661 - - |
Motor Vehicle £ 31,625 - 31,625 31,625 - 31,625 £- £- 2025 £ 15,944 £15,944 2025 £ 465 - £465 2025 £ 7,232 5,739 £12,971 |
Total £ 246,565 - |
|---|---|---|---|
| 109,279 105,661 |
246,565 | ||
| 21,074 82,632 2,185 7,422 |
135,331 9,607 |
||
| 23,259 90,054 |
144,938 | ||
| £86,020 £15,607 |
£101,627 | ||
| £88,205 £23,029 |
£111,234 | ||
| 2024 £ 19,820 £19,820 2024 £ 500 - £500 2024 £ 4,012 6,031 £10,043 |
BRIDEWELL ORGANIC GARDENS
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 (continued)
16. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible fixed assets Cash at bank and in hand Other net current assets/(liabilities) Creditors of more than one year Total |
General Designated Restricted Fund Funds Funds Total £ £ £ £ 67,715 33,912 - 101,627 176,318 - 79,403 255,721 3,438 - - 3,438 - - - - |
|---|---|
| £247,471 £33,912 £79,403 £360,786 |
17. Analysis of charitable funds
Analysis of movements in restricted funds
| Balance | Incoming | Resources | Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01.04.24 | resources | expended | Transfers | 31.03.25 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Restricted Fund 9,920 |
80,858 | (11,375) |
- | 79,403 |
| Total £9,920 |
£80,858 | £(11,375) | £- | £79,403 |
| Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds | ||||
| Balance | Incoming | Resources | Funds | |
| 01.04.24 | resources | expended | Transfers | 31.03.25 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| General fund 229,119 |
297,238 |
(278,886) | - | 247,471 |
| Designated fund 34,940 |
- |
(1,028) | - | 33,912 |
| Total £264,059 |
£297,238 | £(279,914) | £- | £281,383 |