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2022-12-31-accounts

Annual 2022 Report

Financial Statements and Trustee's report 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022

www.communigrow.com

Charity no. 1159534

Contents

03 Chairman's Introduction

05 Our Impact - Highlights 06 Our Impact - Education 09 Our Impact - Well-being 10 Volunteers

12 Working in Partnership

13 Fundraising

14 Future Plans

22 Independent Examiner's Report

Chairman's Introduction

I am very pleased to introduce the 2022 annual report which tells Communigrow’s story, what it achieved last year, the impact it has had and the ever growing support we receive both financially and from the active involvement of so many people.

Communigrow is a horticultural charity providing educational opportunities and activities for the whole community, including special needs, vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and adults. For these young people and adults we are able to promote their personal development and sense of achievement as well as providing them and all our other beneficiaries with horticultural learning opportunities. Everyone who comes to the field has the opportunity to reconnect with nature and learn about growing their own food in a sustainable way. A key benefit of what we do is being able to promote health and wellbeing.

Communigrow moved forward in a number of ways in 2022. We appointed an Operations Manager from the start of the year who has been able to coordinate and manage our activities on the ground. We have expanded our horticultural team to include a dedicated Community Gardener and Produce Gardener to support our teaching and volunteering sessions and to increase our sustainable food production. Increasing our income to £257,728 an increase of 102% on 2021, has also allowed us to take on more growing staff and improve our facilities. It has also allowed us to appoint a part time community and corporate fundraiser which has advanced our income diversification strategy. These appointments and our improved facilities have provided a platform to expand the services we offer and to increase our reach to additional beneficiaries through our new outreach work, whilst ensuring that the services we offer continue to have more impact and a greater benefit to our beneficiaries and the local groups and communities we support.

We were delighted to have the work we do recognised in the two awards we received in 2022. These were the first Produced in Kent Community Award and the Cauldron Community Champion Award.

As a board of trustees, we are greatly encouraged by the stories we hear on the impact that Communigrow is having on our beneficiaries and some of these stories are told in this Annual Report.

I conclude with a thank you to the trusts and foundations and all of our other donors who support us. We are very grateful for all the financial support we continue to receive and which allows us to do what we do. I would also like to thank our staff and all our volunteers. Both staff and volunteers are vital to the success of Communigrow and their efforts and enthusiasm on the field, with the weekly school sessions and workshops the planting and growing and the social media and marketing support is very much appreciated. Finally, I would also like to thank Simon Webley and Helen Turner who were two of the founding trustees and who retired in 2022. Since Communigrow’s inception, they have been hugely dedicated to the charity and workedI tirelessly in supporting its work. Communigrow as it is now, owes much to their visionary contributions.

Caroline Pearce

Chair of the board of trustees

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About Communigrow

Communigrow is a food education charity, established in 2011 as a locally focused community gardening group in West Kent. The organisation became a registered charity in 2014. Communigrow is based on a 2.4 acre site leased from the East Malling Trust, which is where we grow our produce in a sustainable way.

Our services and support continue to develop and each year more people benefit. Our work with children and young people continues to grow with more schools engaging with us every year and increased attendance at our family workshops. In 2022 we began our outreach work taking our skills and knowledge into local communities and engaging with residents and local community groups.

Our Mission, Objectives and Public Benefit

To use horticulture to educate, support and inspire everyone in our community by enriching their lives and, for disadvantaged groups, by achieving greater independence.

Our objectives are to support, inspire and empower children, young people and adults of all abilities by providing accessible horticultural experiences where people in our community can work collaboratively to appreciate and understand how food is grown and the many benefits it offers to their health and wellbeing, inspiring them to lead fuller lives in a sustainable community. Our work is of benefit not only to our beneficiaries but also their families, carers, local authorities and other partners, as well as the local communities in which we operate.

At our Away Day in October 2022 the whole Communigrow team contributed to the creation of our vision and plans for the next five years. We completed our ‘Theory of Change’ strategic plan consolidating our existing outcomes to six core themes:

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Highlights

Highlights and achievements of the last year include:

We are proud of these achievements, some of which are described in more detail overleaf.

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Education

Schools and SEND

We have continued to develop our relationships with local SEN Schools and the educational and skills development activities that we offer for a large number of neurodiverse students.

Five Acre Wood, a school for students aged 11-18 with severe and complex learning difficulties, including Autism Spectrum Condition, attends Communigrow weekly to take part in our growing activities.

Grow 19, SEND college for learners aged 18-25, attends weekly sessions for horticultural experience and activities that increase their social and communication skills to support their City & Guilds qualifications.

Grange Park School supports students with an Autism Spectrum Condition. Attending weekly for work experience and the development of life skills, pupils assist with all aspects of food production.

In addition to the SEN Schools, we now work with with Bethany School, whose students visit weekly to learn about local food production and its environmental benefits as part of the pupil enrichment programme.

St James the Great Academy, Little Growers After School Club, is run by Communigrow on the school site in East Malling. 10 children take part weekly, learning about the benefit of growing and eating fresh food.

Joining in @ Little Growers after-school club

Max's Story

Max* (7 y/o), a Little Growers member, is under assessment for ADHD and ASD. His mother shared that he finds attending school difficult, but loves going to the gardening club on a Tuesday.

The School Liaison Officer told us, "The club provides a relaxed environment where Max knows exactly what is expected of him, is able to relax, listen and process instructions. Max feels listened to and will ask questions and make suggestions which he would not do in class."

Home Education

Our home education programme supports learners aged 4 to 16 to learn new skills, including seed propagation, pond life and amphibian study linked to the mainstream curriculum. In 2022 we introduced a new woodworking group for 12-16 year olds, teaching basic carpentry techniques.

Communigrow Awards

In 2022 we introduced our Communigrow Award scheme celebrating the achievement of learning basic horticultural and woodcraft skills. These awards support the learning of important life and vocational skills. In the year we had 36 students enrolled in the awards programme.

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"Interesting & engaging, whilst being relaxed & inclusive. Sitting together to enjoy a meal we had cooked was a lovely end to the session."

“A calming atmosphere. Excellent staff!”

“I most enjoyed making pizza & picking salad veg.”

AUTUMN FAMILY WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

SUMMER FAMILY WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT

Emma's Story

Emma* (16 y/o) attends with her SEND school. She is autistic with complex physical and learning needs.

Emma was initially reluctant to engage and required physical support moving around the field. We agreed on a plan to help her develop her physical skills and confidence. For example, Emma was encouraged to hold the handles of a wheelbarrow with support to lift and move it. Gradually she was able to take the weight alone and, with lots of encouragement, began to really enjoy the task. Since then Emma has required minimal physical assistance at Communigrow. Her communication skills developed with this confidence and we saw her joining in with a loud speaker during our 2022 challenge.

Chris* (School staff) said: “Communigrow has certainly been a catalyst in Emma’s recent improvement at school. It’s fantastic to see her enjoying herself and working as part of the class.”

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Education in the Community

Partnership Workshops

Nine targeted workshops were delivered with local partners Kent County Council and Tonbridge and Malling borough Council, Space 2 Be Me and INVOLVE. Young carers and young people with learning difficulties have learnt about wildlife and enjoyed field-to-fork cooking.

We delivered thirteen family workshops to local residents giving them the opportunity to take part in the Communigrow experience.

Bea's Story

Reducing anxiety and improving confidence

Bea* (12 y/o) is autistic, has selective mutism and generalised anxiety disorder. These affect every part of her life and can be debilitating; they often lead to her being unable to attend events or even leave the house. Bea attended four Eco-Explorer Workshops at Communigrow over the Summer.

Bea's mum says, "To find somewhere like this which was so inclusive and understanding was incredible. The difference attending the summer sessions made to my daughter's life was immeasurable. She became happier, less isolated, less anxious and more confident."

Our partnership and engagement with the East Malling Centre and local residents has strengthened during 2022 allowing us to reach more disadvantaged members of our community. This included sessions run alongside the Centre's Community Larder, Little Growers Sessions (in partnership with the Children's Centre), weekly Nature Tots sessions for pre-school children and drop in natural craft workshops during the school holidays.

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Beneficaries attending Communigrow
750 Number of beneficaries
500
250
0
2020 2021 2022
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Wellbeing Programme

Wellness Wednesday

This is the second year we have offered our Wellbeing sessions to the over 55’s and younger people with long term health conditions. Funded by Involve Kent we have run over 40 sessions supporting 42 people to improve overall wellbeing, improve their confidence and help prevent social isolation.

Participants take part in general gardening activities, are physically active and connect with nature. They meet new people in a friendly and relaxed outdoor environment.

With new found confidence, Wellbeing members often move on to becoming committed Communigrow volunteers making a long term commitment to being part of the team.

Judy's Story

Wellness Wednesday sessions - Improving Wellbeing

"Wellness Wednesday is such a lovely group of kind supportive people, with a caring, creative leader. It has given me two hours every week where my mind is able to just switch off.

I enjoy the different activities, I contribute my ideas, I've learnt so much & feel included in the development of Communigrow.

We always make time for each other & are very considerate of each person's needs, we have cuppa & cake ...most of all we chat, laugh & get to know people & make new friends."

JUDY, PARTICIPANT OF THE WEDNESDAY WELLNESS SESSIONS

"It is good for my mental health and general wellbeing as I can get away from my home office desk job and socialise with like minded people.”

WELLBEING GROUP PARTICIPANT

Volunteers

Volunteering is at the heart of everything we do at Communigrow. Our volunteers are involved in every aspect of our work. The diversity of volunteer roles that we provide allows us to appeal to people of all ages, abilities and interests. We provide opportunities for volunteers to use their existing skills and knowledge but also provide support to learn new skills.

During 2022 we were supported by 124 volunteers who donated 5958 hours, a great increase on last year. 79 were regular volunteers and 45 attended our ‘Get Away Days’ corporate volunteering events.

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N Number of volunteers 2017- 2022umber of volunteers
125
100
75
50
25
0
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
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"Our Away Day was over & above my expectations - being involved with such a positive & enjoyable project. The guided tour was excellent & I learnt a great deal in a short amount of time. It was great to be able to give such crucial support to a local charity." KCC EMPLOYEE, ATTENDEE OF CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING DAY

Our regular volunteers assisted on the field in the planting, growing and harvesting of our produce and with our educational activities including family workshops, weekly schools sessions and ad-hoc activities for other groups. Volunteers were invaluable in carrying out maintenance, clearing and on-going horticultural tasks. A dedicated group of volunteers also helped with administration and strengthened the charity’s digital presence.

In the summer we launched our pilot Men's Shed project 'Communished'.

Led by volunteer Vincent, maintenance and woodcraft activities were delivered by the 'Shedders'. This group has made a host of improvements and repairs to our resources and structures and greatly helped Communigrow enhance its environment.

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"It’s therapeutic, cost saving, planet saving, chemical free and enormously good for your own well-being to get out into the fresh air and reap the pleasure of watching something grown that you did yourself.”

VOLUNTEER (GROWER)

“People often learn from each other. Volunteers often help each other outside of the field. People ask each other for and share tips and advice, both of what to grow and eat but also just general shared interests.”

VOLUNTEER (GROWER)

VOLUNTEER HOURS 2022

5958

Volunteered hours Between 1st January and 31st December 2022

£64,079

Estimated economic value of time donated by volunteers

Six of our volunteers have now joined the Communigrow staff team as ‘Bank Staff’ these individuals have helped us to expand our services, reach more people and develop our outreach support.

Overall, volunteers made an essential contribution to the work of the charity and were active ambassadors who also helped the charity to reach new volunteers and local groups. We hugely appreciate volunteers’ efforts in continuing to make Communigrow a success.

*names in case studies have been changed

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Working in Partnership

Working in partnership is vital to Communigrow, helping us to raise our profile locally and supporting and being supported by other local organisations.

We are proactive in identifying and building relationships with community, voluntary, commercial and statutory partners who share our vision and support our objectives.

We are committed to reaching individuals and communities most in need of our help. Our offer and support helps address a number of socio-economic issues affecting individuals and families in our communities.

Our partners provide us with both financial and in-kind support that has enabled us to grow our charity, improve our resources, and reduce our environmental impact.

Our partners include:

Crossroads Kent Young Carers East Malling Centre East Malling Trust IMAGO Community Involve Kent Kent County Council Kent Virtual Schools KRAN - Kent Refugee Action Network NIAB Space 2 Be Me Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council – One YOU

PRACTICAL SUPPORT ON OUR WILDLIFE WALK FROM KCC

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Fundraising

2022 was a very successful year for increasing our income from a variety of Trusts and Foundations, which has enabled us to achieve the following substantial progress in the development of our charitable aims:

Additionally, our newly appointed Corporate and Individual fundraiser has allowed us to diversify our income, increasing our fundraising from individuals and corporate donors from £5,585 in 2021 to £31,925 in 2022. This has strengthened the perception and image of Communigrow as a credible and capable educational charity worthy of endorsement, sponsorship and investment.

We are hugely appreciative of the support we have received from:

Albert Hunt Trust Involve Kent Atwood Benefits UK Ltd John Lewis Barbara Ward Foundation John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust Cauldron KCC Reconnect Chapman Charitable Trust KCF Anniversary Fund Childwick Charitable Trust KCF Development Fund Clarion Futures KCF Minerva Family & Howard Family CLA Charitable Trust Leigh Trust The Cleary Foundation Linda Hogan Community Fund Cllr Andrew Kennedy (KCC Member Grant) Monica Rabagliati Charitable Trust Cllr Trudy Dean (KCC Member Grant) National Lottery Community Fund Cobtree Charitable Trust New Earth Solutions Cole Charitable Trust Perrys Chartered Accountants Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust Persimmon Homes Dandara Robert Gavron Charitable Trust David Solomon Charitable Trust Souter Charitable Trust ExPAT Foundation UK Community Renewal Fund Garfield Weston Foundation United Living Golding Homes Waitrose Hasluck Charitable Trust Whitehead Monckton Charitable Foundation Hollick Family foundation Woodroffe Benton Foundation Ian Askew Charitable Trust

PERRYS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS, POND DIGGING

Our total income for 2022 from grant funding, donations and our charitable services amounted to £257,728 (£127,480 in 2021).

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Future plans

Horticulture

Build partnerships with local food outlets/restaurants, to supply locally grown, seasonal produce

Education

Wellbeing

Social Enterprise

Environment and Sustainability

Reduce fossil fuel use and invest in sustainable resources and equipment

All of which will benefit our growing areas, our sustainability credentials and our horticultural educational offerings

Fundraising

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Governance and Organisational Structure

Communigrow is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation incorporated in 2014 and is governed by a board of trustees

Charity Name Communigrow

Registered Charity No.

1159534

Contact Address

Hazel Hall, Church Road, West Peckham, Kent, ME18 5JL

Trustees during 2022

Independent Examiner

Caroline Pearce - Chair Anthony Blackman David Field Martin Long Eleanor Nicolas Alan Piper Helen Turner Greg Ward Simon Webley Priscilla Asirifi

Bank

The Co-operative Bank PO Box 200, Skelmersdale, WN8 6 WT

Website

www.communigrow.org.uk

Email

info@communigrow.org.uk

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Governance and Organisational Structure

Leadership and Management

The trustees meet every other month and are responsible for the charity’s activities for monitoring progress and policies, developing the charity’s strategy and for risk management. In 2022 we also adopted the Fundraising Regulators Code of Practice and registered with the Fundraising Regulator.

The trustees recognise that they are required to meet the objects of the charity and provide a public benefit. In making their decisions, the trustees follow the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

In 2022, two of our founding trustees, Simon Webley and Helen Turner retired. Martin Long was appointed as the finance trustee in place of Eleanor Nicholas and for a brief time Greg Ward was also a trustee, but was unable to continue owing to other commitments.

We are very fortunate in having a skilled and active board of trustees who are passionately committed to Communigrow and its work. In addition, the board of trustees is supported by a full-time operations manager and engages business development and fundraising consultants to assist with business development and income generation.

When recruiting trustees, the board of trustees identifies any skills gaps and looks for individuals who can provide expertise and leadership. There is an induction programme for new trustees and all trustees undertake training throughout the year.

Major Risks Statement

The trustees have assessed the major risks of the charity including, governance, operations, financial and external risks. They are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate the major risks.

Reserves Policy

The charity needs reserves to enable it to progress to completing both its long term projects, and its current activities and fluctuations in receipts and payments. The policy is to hold £50,000 for working activities. The level has been set to take account of the following:

  1. Contingency: unexpected expenditure in the event of an emergency;

  2. Cash-flow: situations where a bill has to be paid before the money to cover it has been received;

  3. Commitment: a commitment to expenditure which cannot be covered by the annual income

  4. Closure: the charity becomes financially unsustainable and has to be wound up.

'The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.

Signed: Date:

Caroline Pearce, Chairman

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Finance Report

Communigrow Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31st December 2022

Notes Unrestricted
Funds £		 Restricted
Funds £		 Total 2022
£		 Total 2021
£
Incoming resources
Charitable activities
Community fundraising
Corporate donations
Donations
Sponsorship
Grants
Vegetable sales
Other income		 7,882
2,428
9,500
1,334
1,899
8,772
-
-		 4,229
4,889
9,779
-
2,096
202,856
2,064
-		 12,111
7,317
19,279
1,334
3,995
211,628
2,064
-		 8,261
1,029
3,000
1,557
-
103,228
4,069
6,336
Total 31,815 225,913 257,728 127,480
Resources expended
Admin/utilities
Consumables
Equipment
Fundraising & business dev
Insurance & rent
Marketing
Services (including salaries)		 996
2,346
197
6,359
-
336
1,552		 4,567
1,791
1,016
9,052
2,340
304
128,538		 5,563
4,137
1,213
15,411
2,340
640
130,090		 3,063
1,899
4,643
9,000
2,005
938
83,677
Total 11,786 147,608 159,394 105,225
Net incoming resources for the year 20,029 78,305 98,334 22,255
Total funds brought forward 43,008 72,258 115,267 93,012
Total funds carried forward 63,037 150,563 213,600 115,267

The Statement of Financial Activities include all the gains and the loses in the year and therefore a statement of total recognised gains and loses has not been prepared. All the above amounts relate to continuing services.

The notes on pages 19-21 form part of the financial statements

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Finance Report

Communigrow Balance Sheet

for the Year Ended 31st December 2022

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Total 2022 Total 2021
Notes
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 2 13,987 -
Current Assets
Debtors 2,228 -
3
Cash at bank and in hand 197,901 115,267
200,129 115,267
Creditors:
Amounts falling due within 4 516 -
one year
Net current assets 199,613 115,267
Total net assets 213,600 115,267
Funds of the Charity
Restricted income funds 150,562 72,967
Unrestricted funds 63,038 42,300
Total funds 213,600 115,267
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These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small company's regime.

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 3rd July 2023 and signed on their behalf by Caroline Pearce, Chairman

The notes on pages 19-21 form part of the financial statements

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Finance Report

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended

31st December 2022

1) Principle accounting policies

Accounting convention

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting

Going concern

Communigrow, at 31 December 2022, had unrestricted funds of £63,037 and a cash balance of £197,901, and as such the trustees consider it appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis.

Incoming resources

Income is accounted for when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Resources expended

Expenditure is included on an accrual basis 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.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis: General equipment - 20% straight line

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term deposits with a maturity of three months or less.

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Finance Report

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2) Tangible Fixed Assets
General Equipment
Cost
At 1st January 2022
Additions £14,189
Disposals
At 31 December 2022 £14,189
Depreciation
At 1st January 2022
Charge for the year £202
At 31st December 2022 £202
Net Book Value
At 31 December 2022 £13,987
3) Debtors 2022 2021
Amounts falling due within one year
VAT £2,228
4) Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors £516 _
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Finance Report

5) Funds

Unrestricted funds

Comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use in accordance with the charity's general purposes.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds comprise donations and grants for specific activities intended by the donor.

6) Independent examiner's remuneration

The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £ Nil (2021 - £ Nil).

7) Trustees' remuneration

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2021 - £Nil).

8) Staff costs and pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme

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2022 2021
Wages and salaries £116,199 £76,374
Social security costs £9,083 £4,664
Contribution to defined contribution pension scheme £4,808 £2,639
£130,090 £83,677
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The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

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2022 2021
Staff 7 4
Contractors 13 7
20 11
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9) Related party disclosure

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2022 (2021 - £Nil).

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Independent Examiner’s Report

www.communigrow.org.uk

© Communigrow 2022 Registered Charity No. 1159534