Charity number: 1158797 The Forest Upcycling Project Trustees' report and fnancial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025 **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## Contents ||Page| |---|---| |Legal and administratve informaton|1| |Trustees report|2 - 16| |Independent examiners' report|17| |Statement of fnancial actvites|18| |Income and expenditure account|19-20| |Intentonally Blank|21| |Notes to the fnancial statements|22 - 32| ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## Legal and administratve informaton Charity number 1158797 ## Trustees |Tanya Jenkins|22/01/20| |---|---| ||24| |Carl Laworth|09/12/20| ||24| |Andrea Davies|03/10/20| ||22| |Roger Burrows|16/11/20| ||19| |Jenifer Jenkins|22/01/20| ||24| ## Accountants Oversby & Company Unit 1C Crucible Close Coleford Gloucestershire GL16 8RE ## Bankers Santander The Co Operative Bank **Page 1** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** The Trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025. The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1. ## Structure, governance and management ## Policies and procedures of Trustees This is the Eleventh Trustees’ Annual Report since the Charity was established in June 2014. The Forest Upcycling Project is a charitable organisation. The Charity was started on 1st June 2014 and registered with the Charity Commission on 6th October 2014. The charity was established under a constitution which was written in June 2014. Our Registered Charity number is 1158797. There have been some changes to the board of Trustees with the appointment of Tanya Jenkins (Chair) and Carl Lapworth. Ashley and Rona Martin have stepped down as Trustees after 10 years. They still volunteer every week and have transformed our newest warehouse, Cwmbran As existing Trustees, we elect new Trustees in accordance with the terms of our Constitution. On appointment, all new Trustees receive an induction pack, which consists of a copy of the Constitution, together with the Charity Commissions booklet 'Essential Trustee'. Trustees are elected to serve for a maximum of three years, after which time they must seek re-election at the next Annual Meeting. Trustees are free to resign from their post at any time. In the event of the Project being wound up the liability of Members (Trustees) is limited to a sum not exceeding £1. The affairs of the charity are controlled by the Trustees and meetings occur at least 4 times a year at an agreed location. The decisions of the board are carried out by Matthew Jones (Project Manager). ## The charity's organisat i onal structure The day-to-day management of the project is carried out by the Charity founder and former Trustee Matthew Jones. This includes purchasing necessary equipment, assigning roles to staff and accessing funds available. He is also responsible for recruitment, training and induction of new employees and volunteers. The Charity is exploring the establishment of a linked charity arrangement, in which a CIC would undertake trading activities to generate income, enabling the CIO to focus exclusively on its charitable purposes and public benefit. Decisions made regarding purchasing large items such as vehicles, rental agreements and management of employee contracts are made together with Trustees at Trustee meetings. **Page 2** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## The Charity's wider network The charity has established robust partnerships with Gloucestershire County Council, Torfaen Council, Swindon Council and Monmouthshire Council, particularly collaborating with the waste team-Roger Smith, Tony Privitera, and Carl Tourig - to generate funds through recycling credit. In addition, the charity has formed valuable connections with Monmouthshire Housing and GDAS, strengthening volunteer placements and community support through the Chepstow branch. Significant collaborations have also been forged with organizations such as Two Rivers Housing Association, Gloucestershire City Housing, Wyedean Housing, Salvation Army, Green Square, Monmouthshire Housing, MENCAP, Gwent Drug and Alcohol Support, and various local churches. These partnerships ensure that vulnerable members of the community have access to essential home furnishings and appliances. Moreover, the charity has provided numerous work experience opportunities, in partnership with Cinderford, Coleford & Chepstow Job Centre Plus, Volunteers, Mencap, Heart of the Forest School, Forest High School, National Star College, Jobs Growth Wales, and Monmouthshire Housing. In 2024/25, the charity also hosted 24 Duke of Edinburgh volunteers for six-month placements, as well as seven work experience placements in collaboration with Wyedean School and Cinderford College. Many volunteers found their experiences so rewarding that they chose to continue their involvement even after their official placements concluded. ## Risk Management The project employs several key controls, overseen by the Trustees, to ensure effective governance and risk management. These include: "Formal Agendas for Board Activities: Structured agendas guide all Board meetings to ensure focused and effective decision-making. "Budgeting, Planning, and Management of Accounts: Comprehensive financial oversight ensures that the project's funds are managed responsibly. "Structured Induction and Reporting: New staff and volunteers undergo a formal induction process with clear reporting lines to maintain consistency and accountability. "Annual Policy Reviews: Detailed written policies are in place and reviewed annually to ensure they remain relevant and effective. "Training in Safety Procedures: Staff and volunteers receive adequate training in safety, fire safety, and first aid to ensure a safe working environment. "Peninsula - is employed by the charity to give HR and Health and Safety support While these systems provide a strong framework, it is acknowledged that they offer reasonable but not absolute assurance against all major risks. The day-to-day risk assessment in each location is the responsibility of Matthew Jones, the project manager, and his management team. Risk management to include 'Fire Strategy' and the need to undertake a Fire Risk Strategy. The project also seeks yearly advice on fire safety from a designated fire officer, which includes the annual inspection of fire extinguishers. Additionally, new staff and volunteers are trained by the management team in safe lifting techniques and appropriate work attire. Essential safety gear, such as steel toe cap boots and goggles, is provided to staff, while volunteers receive supervision tailored to ensure their safety and well-being. **Page 3** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** The original aims of the charity as set out in its const i tut i on 1.To relieve poverty for families and individuals in need by providing furniture or other goods at a highly reduced rate or in extreme cases free of charge. - 2.To advance education for people who are unemployed or otherwise in need of such education to equip them with the skills necessary to be able to find employment. 3.To protect and preserve the environment for the public benefit and future generations by the promotion of waste reduction, re-use, reclamation, recycling and use of recycled products. ## Public Benef i t The Trustees adhere to the Charity Commission's guidance on Public Benefit, ensuring that their activities meet these requirements and that they report on how this is achieved. The Forest Upcycling Project delivers public benefit across nine key areas: - 1.Affordable Access to Household Goods: - Those in need can purchase household items at significantly reduced prices compared to other retail outlets in Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. The project offers a wider selection than most other second-hand stores. - A free furniture collection service is available for individuals wishing to donate items. - A house-moving service is provided at reduced rates, making it affordable for those moving under challenging circumstances. ## 2.Education and Work Experience: - The project offers education and work experience opportunities for individuals facing long-term unemployment. Additionally, volunteers receive support in CV writing and job application processes. - 3.Low-Cost Gardening Services: - The project offers gardening services at extremely low costs and actively identifies and assists individuals in need by providing free gardening support. ## 4.Environmental Conservation: - -By diverting unwanted goods from landfill and focusing on reuse and recycling, the project contributes to environmental conservation efforts. - 5.Support for Marginalized Individuals: - The project provides work experience and paid employment opportunities to those on the margins of society, including individuals with disabilities, learning difficulties, substance abuse issues, depression, mental health challenges, and long-term unemployment. - 6.Bike Recycling and Servicing: - Employing Paul Whitcombe, a bike mechanic with ADD, the project recycles and services bikes, furthering their commitment to sustainability and inclusion. - 7.Community Space: - The project operates a community café open to all, which serves as a regular meeting place for groups such as a Ukulele group, Welsh group, and Arty Rats. - 8.Employment and Support for Vulnerable Individuals: - The café employs a Ukrainian refugee and provides support and training to several individuals with disabilities. Evening events are staffed by individuals with profound needs, creating inclusive employment opportunities. - 9.Expansion and Success: - The latest branch, Upcycle Swindon, has been a tremendous success and continues to experience weekly growth, further extending the project's impact. Through these initiatives, The Forest Upcycling Project effectively delivers substantial public benefit, supporting diverse communities and promoting sustainability. **Page 4** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## Main act i vit i es of the Forest Upcycling Project The project operates by collecting unwanted furniture, household goods, bicycles, and other items from the community. These items are then cleaned, repaired, or upcycled and sold in our showrooms located in Cinderford and Chepstow. The project also has two gardening teams that provide private services for residents and undertake larger contracts for local businesses, with much of their work coming from repeat customers. In addition to these services, the project runs a Coffee Shop that hosts evening events, including classical music concerts that have been well-received by the local community. The Chepstow Cycling Club also utilizes our venue for their Audax events and evening master classes. To support our extensive work in Uganda and Jamaica, we have employed Carys to boost our book sales. Furthermore, we collaborated with Wilcox to reuse all bric-a-brac and clothes/fabric, ensuring that even broken TVs are responsibly recycled by a local electrical firm. The project remains committed to supporting individuals facing economic hardship by providing low-cost or, in many cases, free furniture in the Forest of Dean, Monmouthshire, and Swindon. Our initiative, "Kids Upcycle," has been particularly impactful, assisting low-income and often single parents in setting up for a newborn or a new home, easing the financial burden during these costly times. Additionally, we offer affordable house clearance and house moving services, which have seen increased demand, particularly during the 2023/24 period. Through these diverse activities, the project continues to make a significant positive impact on the community, both locally and abroad. ## Stafng At the end of our 10th Year, the staff at Upcycle is made up of 43 people in the UK and 1 employee (Joel) in Uganda. New appointments this year have included: Carl Morgan - Recycling Coordinator Caroline Reader - Recycling Coordinator Charlie White - Recycling Coordinator Erin Jones - Barista Freya Freeman – Monmouthshire Upcycle Manager Gareth Davies - Recycling Coordinator Katherine Neville - Recycling Coordinator Lewis Allen - Recycling Coordinator Mariam Eastwood - Recycling Coordinator Megan Wood - Recycling Coordinator/Books Menna Cristie - Recycling Coordinator/Books Natalia Lutaienko – Coffee Shop Manager Nia Rathkey - Recycling Coordinator Oleh Onopa - Recycling Coordinator Susan Williams – Events Coordinator **Page 5** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees** ## **for the year ended 31 May 2025** Within our team there are staff with learning disabilities, hearing disabilities, long term unemployment, depression, single parents, autism, PTSD, refugees and those recovering from addiction. **Page 6** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** Monmouthshire Upcycle became the second branch of the Forest Upcycle Project when it opened its doors in 2018. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant hub, supported by more than 20 dedicated volunteers and staff who bring their time, energy, and passion for reuse and community to everything we do. A recent addition to our team is Lewis, who joined us while navigating personal challenges related to mental health, addiction, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Since becoming part of the Monmouthshire Upcycle family, Lewis has made incredible strides in his confidence, physical wellbeing, and self-esteem. Now a familiar face in the main unit, he warmly greets visitors at the front of the shop and has built meaningful connections with both customers and colleagues. His journey is a powerful testament to the healing impact of community, routine, and social connection. Over at our Chepstow site, our community café-lovingly managed by Carys and Natalia-has quickly become a favorite gathering spot for locals. With its cozy corners, shelves of hidden treasures, and the ever-popular "talking table" that encourages friendly conversation, the café is about much more than food and drink-it's about connection and belonging. We run a "pay it forward" scheme and offer hearty, homemade soup for a donation, ensuring everyone in the community can enjoy a warm, nourishing meal regardless of their financial situation. Throughout the summer, the café and its courtyard are transformed into a lively venue for community events, including: "Live music evenings "Food and drink socials "Easter card-making workshops "Ukrainian tea parties "Spanish conversation meetups Here's what some of our visitors have said: ""Great coffee spot. Couldn't believe how great value for money was! Lovely atmosphere." ""When we pop over to Chepstow, this is our go-to. Staff are lovely, quality is fab, atmosphere is lovely and relaxed." ""Amazing coffee. Probably the best I've had! Blown away by how nice the café is. I think this will be our meeting place forever." Monmouthshire Upcycle also plays a vital role in supporting individuals and families facing hardship. Through partnerships with local councils and housing associations, we've developed a voucher system that enables people to select essential household items from our store. When vouchers aren't available, we still provide key furniture like sofas, beds, wardrobes, white goods, and chests of drawers-often alongside bric-a-brac, bedding, and small appliances. Our commitment to community extends beyond individuals. We regularly donate bundles of useful items to local schools, shops, pubs, and small businesses-helping reduce waste and supporting the fabric of our community. We're especially proud to report that in May alone, Monmouthshire Upcycle diverted more than 14 tonnes of furniture and materials from landfill. This milestone reaffirms our core mission: building a more sustainable, compassionate, and connected future through reuse and community action **Page 7** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees** ## **for the year ended 31 May 2025** At Upcycle Cinderford, we're committed to making a tangible difference in our community. Recently, we've had the privilege of assisting individuals transitioning from homelessness by providing essential furniture for their new homes. One particularly touching moment involved donating a large teddy bear to an elderly lady who, after losing her husband, found comfort and companionship in this simple gift. Our volunteers are the heart of our operations. William, one of our dedicated team members, had an unforgettable experience joining Dan and Ryan in the van for a day, gaining firsthand insight into our outreach efforts. His enthusiasm and joy were truly inspiring. We're also thrilled to welcome Caitlin to our team. She's been doing an outstanding job managing our children's section, bringing creativity and care to every interaction. To better serve our community, we've expanded our office space in Cinderford. This enhancement has made our facilities more accessible and efficient, and positive feedback from our customers has been incredibly encouraging. Thank you to everyone who supports Upcycle Cinderford. Together, we're creating a more compassionate and connected community. **Page 8** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** Upcycle Swindon continues to grow into a well-liked, much needed resource in the Swindon area. Whilst it has been a tough year financially, we have seen some great strides in certain areas of our offering and strengthened relationships with other charities in the local area. Sadly, this year saw us say goodbye to Carlos, our Veteran employee, as he has moved on to concentrate on family life back in Lincolnshire and this left us with a tough challenge to cover the van. Whilst finances haven't allowed us to employ another driver just yet the team have pulled together to ensure that our collection and delivery offering has remained at 4 days per week consistently, and we have been able to do this thanks to the support of our hardworking and dedicated volunteer team of Hazel, Jill, Teresa, Dave, Linda, Alfie, James, Angela and Sreetika. We have, however, welcomed 2 new members of the team to help in the warehouse. Charlie joined full-time to take over the running and organisation of the children's area. Since her arrival the children's sales have consistently improved from an average of £30 per day to approx. £75 - £90 per day. The care and consistency she apply to the role has enabled her to create a rapport with our customer base who can trust that all items have been tested and cleaned prior to sale. We have also employed Katie on a part-time basis to help with the day to day running of the furniture and bric a brac section of the warehouse. Her ideas have shaped how we display smaller, more unusual items and we again have seen an increase in these items being sold, whilst also providing valuable support to our customers. We have increased our visibility on social media in the past year and hit a milestone of 10,000 Facebook followers which is rapidly growing each day, and we have seen word of mouth recommendations increase also. We have successfully formed a partnership with New College Swindon to support young 16- 24-year-olds with anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism to gain real life working skills. So far, we have had 2 successful participants through on a 12-week program and both have gone from shy individuals to confident and sociable adults who have both gone on to secure work placements within Swindon Borough Council. We hope to extend this offer to youth justice and one of the local youth centers going into 2025/2026 and offer interview and CV building skills into this. We have also continued to work with Alfie, one of our young volunteers, and he has grown to be a much-loved member of the team and we are proud of how far he has come since starting with us last year. We have continued to work closely with our local recycling centre and regularly pick up items of furniture from them to resell in our warehouse, typically we pick up 500 - 600kg of items each time which mutually helps the local council meet its greener goals and saves items from landfill. We have also maintained our support of Ukrainian refugees by working with the local team within the council to provide free/ low cost furniture through our voucher scheme and have presently helped 25 families who have been displaced by the ongoing war within Ukraine. We have also donated children's items to local church groups, and kindergartens, a ping pong table to a local youth centre and multiple items of household furniture through our referrals process. Lastly, we have secured a £10,000 grant from Nationwide to enable us to begin construction of a mezzanine floor to house either children’s items or the bric a brac section. The mezzanine will be a much-needed addition to help us expand and increase our large furniture sales as more floor space becomes available. **Page 9** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** Since opening Cwmbran in December 2025, we have gained a number of volunteers, each with a backstory we currently have: - "Julie, who has retired and loves coming in Julie works super hard sorting the clothes section out. She loves talking to the customers and feels part of the team in Cwmbran. "Jack, who is accompanied by a member of his care team, jack loves coming in to sort through donations and is often found talking to customers about their weekend. "Andrew loves books, he comes in to sort them weekly and said that they remind him of good memories, he also said he loves coming and seeing the staff at Cwmbran. "Leo volunteers when they feel they can due to their mental health, they find comfort in coming into upcycle as they have made friends with the staff, they love to do most jobs, and say they are learning more and more each time they come. "Kirean has a stressful day-to-day job, so finds volunteering with partner Abbie on a Saturday very therapeutic and enjoyable. They said it's great for their mental health to do something for charity that they enjoy. "Abbie is lovely, she comes in when she can and is always a massive help, especially in the kid's section. Cwmbran wouldn't have been possible without Ashley and Rhona our wonderful, retired trustees, they were instrumental in the building work done in the months before opening. Building shelves and a sold area out of recycled doors, which looks amazing. Since our opening, they are still volunteering around the shop. ## Good things we have done "We have helped multiple families who are starting out with nothing to furnish their houses. These families have been refused leave from us by local organisations who have little funding and need extra help. "We have donated dresses and items to make a dressing room for a local school who were making a prom shop so every student could go to prom no matter what the budget. "We regularly donate items to schools for their mud kitchens. "Given a huge discount on kids' items to local nurseries. "One of our elderly customers was on a mission to find 100 soft toys for a local charity tombola, so of course we donated a bin liner full to get her past her goal. She was so thankful and said we were the first charity to donate some to her, which made her day. "We donated tea sets to a local tea rooms who do afternoon teas for elderly people with declining memory. "A local community theater group with a very small budget came to see what they could get for the props for their show. We lent them the items we needed and they will be returning them once they have finished. This was a massive help to them and the show to make it more realistic; unfortunately, without places like this, it wouldn't be possible for them. "Donated a lot of items to dog homes, ie, towels, bowls, toys. "Our Delivery guys go the extra mile; they stayed on to help an elderly lady to build a bed as she had no one else to help her. "Julie, our lovely volunteer, is a massive supporter of cat protection, and she makes little gift sets for them to raffle off We donate some items to help her on her way. She loves to help charity and is always so thankful for the few bits she can get. **Page 10** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** A few comments from customers: "Communication with Upcycle Torfaen is great - a date was set for a pickup; we were told a window of 10am-3pm and told to expect a call on the day. Sure enough, the call came before 9am and we were given a much narrower window 1-3pm. Another call to flag they were half hour away. When O'Neil and Gareth arrived, they worked like Trojans with smiles and laughter. Removing some items was challenging in terms of exits and stubborn screws etc. that needed removing for items to be maneuvered through tight spaces - but they persevered cheerfully. Good job guys." "I just want to say what wonderful people that work for this charity organisation from the lady I spoke to on the phone to the two gentlemen who I met in person. I had some household items to donate but couldn't get them to the upcycling place. I spoke to someone on messenger and they said that they would come and collect them, so we arranged for today. The two gentlemen Gareth and O'Neil (AKA Mr Upcycle) came, and they were just so warm, friendly and bubbly!! They asked how my day was going and were just having a laugh enjoying themselves whilst moving the items out. I asked them about a few more items and they offered to take those too for a small charge which massively helped me out!! I ended up crying because of their kindness as I was so stressed about getting things out of my house as it all had to be gone by tomorrow and it's hard work moving with a child Please always be yourselves guys because you most certainly made my day 100x better" "Fab place to go treasure hunting. or have a coffee and a chat. love this place" "Been there for the first time today, lovely set up, really good deals and lovely people working in there, definitely be coming back xxxx" "Amazing place for all you needs, lovely staff" "Very friendly, great atmosphere, extremely welcoming and excellent prices. Will definitely recommend and go again myself." **Page 11** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** Main achievements of the Forest Upcycling Project We employ Joel Ekaunhannington, who oversee our Ugandan Upcycle program in Uganda. The following piece is his report. Reporting Period: June 1, 2024 - May 31, 2025 Prepared by: Joel Hannington Ekaun & Professor Ben Jones ## Executive Summary This report highlights the community development initiatives implemented by Upcycle Uganda in Eastern Uganda, made possible through generous financial donations. Projects ranged from large-scale capital investments in education and training to targeted support for vulnerable individuals through livestock and small cash grants. Major Projects (Capital Investment) 1. Construction of a Teacher's House - Kaikamosing Primary School (Katakwi District) "Budget: £6,818.90 (UGX 30,000,000) "Partners: Fr. Olivier Uwayesu (Katakwi Mission) "Impact: A new permanent house now accommodates two teachers (male and female), improving retention and learner performance in this remote village. 2. Solar Power Installation - Onyede Primary School "Budget: £2,045.50 (UGX 9,000,000) "Partners: School Management Committee (SMC), PTA "Impact: Lighting installed in two staff houses has enabled teachers to prepare lessons and stay connected, marking the first solar power source at the school. 3. Tailoring Training - St. Andrews Community (Ngora District) "Budget: £2,272.70 (UGX 10,000,000) "Partners: Executive Church Committee "Impact: Ten sewing machines were provided to train 21 vulnerable youth. Some graduates are already earning an income through tailoring. **Page 12** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** Small-Scale Livelihood Projects 4. Livestock Distribution - Multiple Communities "Kaderun (St. John's Church) o33 Sheep | Budget: £1,136.40 (UGX 5,000,000) "Nyamongo (St. Leo's Catholic Church) o32 Goats | Budget: £1,136.40 (UGX 5,000,000) "Odwarat (St. Andrews Community) o12 Sheep | Budget: £568.18 (UGX 2,500,000) "Ngora Town (Pentecostal Assembly of God) o32 Goats | Budget: £1,136.40 (UGX 5,000,000) Impact: Livestock donations have empowered vulnerable households-especially orphans, widows, and elderly individuals-to improve their food security and generate income. Some recipients have grown their herds, creating sustainable sources of livelihood. 5. Direct Cash Assistance to Vulnerable Individuals "Budget: £390.90 (UGX 1,720,000) "Recipients: 12 individuals "Use Cases: Food, medication, transport to medical facilities. "Impact: Targeted support to elderly, widows, and critically ill individuals-many without family or government support. ## Community Voices "With this goat, I now have hope of paying school fees for my children." - Susan, widow, Nyamongo "Tailoring skills changed my life. I can now support my family." - Sarah, young mother, Odwarat "Thank you, Upcycle, for remembering the elderly and sick. Your support is a blessing." - Rose, Kaderun ## Conclusion Upcycle Uganda continues to make meaningful, measurable change in underserved communities across Eastern Uganda. From education infrastructure and renewable energy to economic empowerment and emergency support, each project reflects our mission to uplift the most vulnerable. We thank all donors, partners, and local leaders who make this work possible. ## The Bike Project We are now in our six year of the Upcycle Bike Project, Paul Whitcombe started working at Upcycle on a part time basis in November 2023 involved with upcycling and servicing of bicycles. This developed into full-time employment in March this year. In 2023 he suffered a range of health issues hinging gastric problems, hiatus hernia and trigeminal neuralgia. He has ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), the symptoms amplify when under stress and especially over the pandemic lockdown period. His health issues have largely disappeared since working for the Upcycle Bike Project. Our bike project works closely with Chepstow Cycling Club and our Community on a Thursday evening. We have also established ourselves as a hub for Audax cycling events from Chepstow. **Page 13** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** Our charity thrives thanks to the dedication, expertise, and generosity of our trustees and volunteers. We are deeply grateful for the contributions of the following individuals: ## Tanya Jenkins (Chair) & Jennifer Jenkins (Trustee) Tanya, recently appointed as Chair, leads with energy and commitment. Both she and Jennifer remain actively involved in day-to-day tasks, from maintaining high standards in the café to cooking for our successful cycling Audax events. Their willingness to contribute hands-on support is a significant strength for the charity. ## Ashley Martin & Rona Martin (Former Trustees, now Volunteers) As long-standing supporters, Ashley and Rona played an important role in shaping the charity's early direction during their time as Trustees. Now serving as volunteers, they continue to give generously of their time and enthusiasm, ensuring their legacy of leadership continues to make a difference. ## Andrea Davies (Trustee) Andrea is a driving force for new ideas and initiatives, providing valuable input into HR and staffing matters. Her insights are central to ensuring that the coffee shop remains both welcoming and financially sustainable, and she continues to be a key figure in guiding future growth. ## Roger Burrows (Trustee) Roger provides practical support with van operations and transport, often stepping in when needed most. Known for lifting team morale-sometimes with refreshments from his Lucozade connection-he adds both reliability and good humour to the organisation. ## Carl Lapworth (Trustee) Carl contributes deep knowledge of buildings and management structures, alongside being a long-term and generous customer. His professional expertise and ongoing support are instrumental to the charity's development and continued expansion. Trustees have recognised that although staff are supported and developed within the charity, additional investment in structured staff training is required. ## Grants: £20,000 Awards for All - To establish a permanent Repair Café and Community Hub at our newly opened Upcycle unit in Cwmbran. This will provide residents with a space to bring broken household items for repair by skilled volunteers. People can either have items fixed or learn how to repair them themselves, gaining valuable skills. To enhance the community, feel, we also plan to introduce a bean-to-cup coffee machine, creating a welcoming space for people to connect and share knowledge. A dedicated staff member will be hired to manage the project. Our project will reduce waste, increase sustainability, and provide skill development opportunities. By repairing instead of discarding, we will save more household items from landfill, while also helping people develop practical repair skills. The café will serve as a social hub, reducing isolation and encouraging community participation. This initiative will benefit Cwmbran residents, local volunteers, and individuals looking to gain hands-on experience. It will also provide a stable job for one person, supporting employment in a town which is in the 30% most derived areas of Wales. We intend this **Page 14** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** project to be long-term and self-sustaining, building on the success of our monthly Repair Café in Chepstow. We will promote it through social media, local press, community groups, and partnerships with local organizations. To measure impact, we will track participation, gather feedback, and assess skill development. This learning will shape future projects, expand our reach and refining our approach. This project is both a continuation and an expansion-our Chepstow Repair Café has been successful, and this will be a larger, more permanent version that deepens our impact on the local community. With funding, we can create a lasting, meaningful change in Cwmbran, empowering people and promoting sustainability. **Page 15** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## Helping the environment In 2024/25 we saved over 650 tonnes of furniture from going to landfill, it roughly breakdown as follows: Chepstow - 210 tonnes Cinderford - 220 tonnes Swindon - 120 tonnes Cwmbran - 100 tonnes "Wood Recycling: Scrap wood is creatively repurposed, with most of it being transformed into kindling. This kindling is then sold in pillowcases, providing a practical product while minimizing waste. Any wood that isn't suitable for kindling is sent to the local recycling centre, where it is converted into soil conditioner. "Metal Recycling: We prioritize salvaging all recyclable metals from waste products before they are discarded, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Our volunteers play a crucial role in these efforts, helping to make the most out of every material and supporting your mission to reduce waste. ## Reserves policy The trustees have reviewed the charity’s reserves policy in line with Charity Commission guidance. The charity holds unrestricted reserves to ensure that it can continue to operate and meet its obligations in the event of unexpected reductions in income, unforeseen expenditure, or delays in cash receipts. In particular, reserves are held to cover ongoing staffing costs, premises costs, vehicle running costs, and essential operational expenditure. The Trustees consider it prudent to maintain unrestricted reserves equivalent to approximately one to two months of normal operatng expenditure , which at the year-end equates to a minimum target reserve of £120,000 . This level of reserves provides an appropriate balance between financial security and the need to apply funds to charitable activities. The Trustees review the reserves policy annually and will adjust the target level where appropriate considering operational needs, risk assessment, and future plans. ## Sources of funding Sales of furniture have been our key income, followed by gardening, house moves, house clearances, organic produce, book sales, coffee shop events, bric-a-brac, fabric, metal recycling, vintage clothing and bike sales and servicing. ## Expenditure Our main costs are operational and include running vehicles (the Charity now has fleet of 6 vans), donations, paying rent and utility bills and most importantly wages. Income from our products and services support these costs each month. **Page 16** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees** ## **for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## Plans for future periods . There have been no serious incidents at Forest Upcycling Project this year and we continue to review our policies and risk assessments throughout the operational year. Moving into Year 12 we have some exciting projects lined up: -Selling Upcycle Swindon to another Charity in order that we can pursue growth nearer to our center -Building a School in Uganda - -Running larger cycling events -Developing an Eco shop to go alongside our café - -Running workshops in Upcycling - -Expanding the selling of books to fund our increasingly ambitious Ugandan program -Providing employment for more people in need - -Expanding our free food off for those most at need in society - -Exploring the idea for another unit **Page 17** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## Statement of Trustees' responsibilites The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS 102); - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other ## Trustees’ declaraton. The trustees declare that they have approved this end of year report. On behalf of the board **Page 18** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 May 2025** Secretary **Page 19** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements of The Forest Upcycling Project.** I report on the accounts of The Forest Upcycling Project for the year ended 31 May 2025 set out on pages 2 to 27. ## Basis of independent examiner's statement As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charites Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under secton 145 of the Charites Act 2011 and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## Independent examiner’s statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or - the accounts do not accord with those records; or - the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charites (Accounts and Reports) Regulatons 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. ........................................................... Mr Daniel J. Oversby Certfed Public Accountants Associaton Independent examiner Unit 1C Crucible Close Coleford Gloucestershire GL16 8RE **Page 20** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** Statement of fnancial actvites ## For the year ended 31 May 2025 |Notes
Unrestricted
funds
£
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generatng funds:
Voluntary income
2
2,798
Actvites for generatng funds
3
965,466
Incoming resources from charitable actvites
4
29,997
Total incoming resources
998,261
Resources expended
Purchases
53,998
Staf costs
5
636,469
Establishment costs
189,351
Motor and travelling expenses
31,427
Accountancy fees
1,495
Legal and professional fees
11,308
Communicatons and IT
5,450
Other ofce expenses
11,493
Depreciaton and impairment
20,979
Total resources expended
961,970
Total funds brought forward
289,184
Total funds carried forward
325,475|2025
Total
£
2,798
965,466
29,997
998,261
53,998
636,469
189,351
31,427
1,495
11,308
5,450
11,493
20,979
961,970
289,184
325,475|2024
Total
£
16,779
909,066
-| |---|---|---| |||925,845| |||90,151
614,375
127,797
36,313
1,495
13,451
2,600
19,606
23,253| |||929,041| |||292,382| |||289,186| The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year and therefore a separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has not been prepared. All of the above amounts relate to continuing activities. **The notes on pages 22 to 27 form an integral part of these financial statements.** **Page 21** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## Income and expenditure account ## For the year ended 31 May 2025 |Notes
Income
Operatng expenditure
Operatng surplus/(defcit)
Retained surplus/(defcit) for the fnancial year
All actvites derive from contnuing operatons.|2025
£
998,261
(961,970)
36,291
36,291|2024
£
925,845
(929,041)
(3,196)
(3,196)| |---|---|---| **The notes on pages 22 to 27 form an integral part of these financial statements.** **Page 22** **The Forest Upcycling Project** **The notes on pages 22 to 27 form an integral part of these financial statements.** **Page 23** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## Balance sheet ## as at 31 May 2025 |Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
7
Current assets
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
9
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
Unrestricted income funds
10
Total funds|2025
£
£
118,883
8,558
215,960
224,518
(17,928)
206,590
325,473
325,473
325,473|2024
£
£
139,863
3,147
159,389
162,536
(13,212)
149,324
289,187
289,187
289,187|2024
£
£
139,863
3,147
159,389
162,536
(13,212)
149,324
289,187
289,187
289,187| |---|---|---|---| ||||289,187| ||||289,187| ||||289,187| The financial statements were approved by the trustees on and signed on its behalf by Tanya Jenkins Trustee **The notes on pages 22 to 27 form an integral part of these financial statements.** **Page 24** **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## **1.** Accountng policies The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year. ## **1.1.** Basis of accountng The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP): Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102), applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Charities Act 2011. ## **1.2.** Cashfow The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS1 from the requirement to produce a cashflow statement because it is a small charity. ## **1.3.** Incoming resources All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included. Gifts donated for resale are included as incoming resources within activities for generating funds when they are sold. Grants, including grants for the purchase of fixed assets, are recognised in full in the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are receivable. Income from the charity shop is included in the year in which it is receivable. **Page 25** **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## **1.4.** Resources expended Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes including the charity's shop. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. ## **1.5.** Tangible fxed assets and depreciaton Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows: Plant and machinery - 15% Reducing Balance Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 15% Reducing Balance Motor vehicles - 15% Reducing Balance ## **1.6.** Defned contributon pension schemes The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contribution payable by the charity during the year. ## 2. Voluntary income |Unrestricted
funds
Ugandan Donatons
£
2,798
2,798|2025
2024
Total
Total
£
2,798
£
16,779
2,798
16,779| |---|---| **Page 26** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025** |3.|Actvites for generatng funds|||| |---|---|---|---|---| |||Unrestricted|2025|2024| |||funds|Total|Total| |||£|£|£| ||Sales – Furniture|651,514|651,514|709,318| ||Sales – Gardening|21,466|21,466|34,965| ||Sales - House moves|21,232|21,232|21,947| ||Sales – Café|61,032|61,032|78,005| ||Sales - Bike income|11,655|11,655|3,132| ||Other Income|198,567|198,567|61,699| |||965,466|965,466|909,066| |||||| |4.|Incoming resources from charitable actvites|||| |||Unrestricted|2025|2024| |||funds|Total|Total| |||£|£|£| ||Grants|29,997|29,997|-| |||29,997|29,997|-| **Page 27** **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## 5. Employees |Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs|2025
£
581,650
44,064
10,755
636,469|2024
£
567,957
34,366
12,052| |---|---|---| |||614,375| No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 (2024 : None). ## Number of employees The average monthly numbers of employees (including the trustees) during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows: |full tme equivalents, was as follows:||| |---|---|---| |Project Manager
Overseas Staf
Co Workers|2025
Number
1
1
35
37|2024
Number
1
1
35| |||37| ## 6. Pension costs The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme in respect of the employees. The scheme and its assets are held by independent managers. The pension charge represents contributions due from the company and was as follows: |and was as follows:||| |---|---|---| ||2025|2024| ||£|£| |Pension charge|10,755|12,052| **Page 28** **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025** |7.
Tangible fxed assets
Plant and
Fixtures,
ftngs and
Cost
machinery
£
equipment
£
At 1 June 2024 and
At 31 May 2025
13,937
78,156
Depreciaton
At 1 June 2024
8,599
29,277
Charge for the year
801
7,332
At 31 May 2025
9,400
36,609
Net book values
At 31 May 2025
4,537
41,547
At 31 May 2024
5,338
48,879
8.
Debtors
Trade debtors
Other debtors
9.
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
Pension fund loan
Other taxes and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income||Motor
vehicles
£
127,203
41,557
12,847
54,404
72,799
85,646
2025
£
480
8,078
8,558
2025
£
1,714
13,739
980
1,495
17,928|Total
£
219,296| |---|---|---|---| ||||79,433
20,980| ||||100,413| ||||118,883| ||||139,864| ||||2024
£
899
2,248| ||||3,147| ||||2024
£
2,380
9,293
44
1,495| ||||13,212| **Page 29** **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Notes to financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025** ## 10. Analysis of net assets between funds |10.|Analysis of net assets between funds||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||Total| ||||||funds| ||||||£| ||Fund balances at 31 May 2025 as represented||||| ||by:||||| ||||||-| ||||||| |11.|Unrestricted funds|At|||At| |||1st April|Incoming|Outgoing|31st March| |||2024|resources|resources|2025| |||£|£|£|£| ||General Funds|289,184|998,261|(961,970)|325,475| ## Purposes of unrestricted funds Running cost funds **Page 30** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts. ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Detailed statement of financial activities** ## **For the year ended 31 May 2025** 2025 2024 £ £ |Charitable actvites Actvity
1
Activities undertaken directly
Actvity1 - Direct - Staf - Wages & Salaries
Actvity1 - Direct - Staf - Employer's NIC
Actvity1 - Direct - Staf - Pension costs
Actvity1 - Direct - Establishment - Rent
Actvity1 - Direct - Establishment - Rates & water
Actvity1 - Direct - Establishment - Light & heat
Actvity1 - Direct - Establishment - Rep. & maint.
Actvity1 - Direct - Establishment - Insurance
Actvity1 - Direct - Motor vehicle expenses
Actvity1 - Direct - Ofce expenses - Telephone
Actvity1 - Direct - Printng, Postage and Staton
Actvity1 - Direct - Computer Costs
Actvity1 - Direct - Hire of Equipment
Actvity1 - Direct - Staf Welfare
Actvity1 - Direct - Training Costs
Actvity1 - Direct - Subscriptons
Actvity 1 - Direct - Licenses
Actvity 1 - Direct - Staf entertainment
Actvity1 - Direct - Depreciaton & impairment
Actvity 1 total expenditure
Actvity 2
Activities undertaken directly
Actvity2 Bike - Direct - Purchases
Actvity 2 total expenditure
Actvity 3
Activities undertaken directly
Actvity3 Cafe - Direct - Purchases
Actvity 3 total expenditure
Total charitable actvity expenditure|581,650
44,064
10,755
149,199
8,657
12,888
3,221
15,386
31,427
5,450
1,219
2,432
5,664
1,588
590
-
-
-
20,979
3,238
18,334|895,169
895,169
3,238
3,238
18,334
18,334
916,741|567,957
34,366
12,052
108,788
1,863
10,839
3,963
2,344
36,313
2,600
8,724
1,109
1,257
3,166
1,200
1,524
180
2,448
23,253
1,372
35,875|823,946| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||823,946| |||||1,372| |||||1,372| |||||35,875| |||||35,875| |||||861,193| **Page 29** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Detailed statement of financial activities** ## **For the year ended 31 May 2025** |Governance costs
Activities undertaken directly
Professional - Accountancy fees
Professional - Other
Total governance costs
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year|1,495
11,308|12,805
12,805
(40,469)|1,495
13,451|14,944| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||14,944
(82,646)| **Page 30** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Detailed statement of financial activities** ## **For the year ended 31 May 2025** |Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generatng funds:
Voluntary income
Ugandan Donatons
Activities for generating funds
Sales - Furniture
Sales - Gardening
Sales - House moves
Sales - Cafe
Sales - Bike income
Other Income
Total incoming resources from generatng funds
Incoming resources from charitable actvites
Grants
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Costs of generatng funds:
Cost of generatng voluntary income
Donations
Donatons - Purchases
Total cost of generatng voluntary income
Fundraising trading:
cost of goods sold and other costs
Activity 1
Actvity 1 - Shop Purchases|£
2025
£
2,798
2,798
651,514
21,466
21,232
61,032
11,655
198,567
965,466
968,264
29,997
29,997
998,261
28,698
28,698
28,698
3,728
3,728|£
2024
£
16,779
16,779
709,318
34,965
21,947
78,005
3,132
61,699
909,066
925,845
-
-
925,845
37,781
37,781
37,781
15,123
15,123|£
2024
£
16,779
16,779
709,318
34,965
21,947
78,005
3,132
61,699
909,066
925,845
-
-
925,845
37,781
37,781
37,781
15,123
15,123| |---|---|---|---| ||||16,779| ||||709,318
34,965
21,947
78,005
3,132
61,699| ||||909,066| ||||925,845| ||||-| ||||-| ||||925,845| ||||| ||||37,781| ||||37,781| ||||15,123| **Page 31** ## **The Forest Upcycling Project** ## **Detailed statement of financial activities** **For the year ended 31 May 2025** |Total fundraising trading
cost of goods sold and other costs
Total costs of generatng funds|3,728
32,426|15,123| |---|---|---| |||52,904| **Page 32**