2022-12-31-accounts

Registered Company No: 9329522 Registered Charity in England No: 1160691

Hazel Hill Trust Annual Report and Accounts For the year ended 31 December 2022

Charity No: 1160691 Company No: 9329522

Registered office:

C/o MARTIN & COMPANY ACCOUNTANTS 2 VICTORIA GROVE BRIDPORT DORSET DT6 3AA

Contents

Chair’s statement - 3 Trustees’ report - 4 Independent examiner’s report - 12 Statement of financial activities - 13 Balance sheet - 14-15 Notes to accounts - 16-21 Income and expenditure account - 22

Investment advisors: Holden and Partners, Investment, The Piano Works, 117 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3BX.

The Hideaway, our new accommodation block at Hazel Hill Wood, is part funded by the New Forest Leader Grant scheme, part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

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Introduction

Message from the Chair

As I look back on 2022 I see a year of coming together of the community of people that serve the wood and in return are served by the wood. After the storms of Covid, we have seen full-sized groups return with their group leaders to run a wide range of events at the wood. After a busy summer in which we saw our new accommodation block, the Hideaway, operating at its greatest capacity. We came together with the community - staff, volunteers, group leaders and elders who have helped steer the course of the wood - to clarify our vision.

Reflecting on 2022, I see it as a year of returning, a time where a dedicated community gathered to serve and be nurtured by the wood. After the trials brought by the Covid pandemic, we were heartened to see groups return to their haven, guided by compassionate leaders who facilitated a wide array of events in the wood. The summer marked a period of fruitful engagement, with our new accommodation block, the Hideaway, functioning at its full potential,a significant achievement after all the work that has gone into its creation. And then, in the autumn, we gathered staff, volunteers, group leaders, and the wise elders steering the journey of the wood to refine our vision.

Vision for Hazel Hill Wood

Hazel Hill Trust’s vision for the wood is for Hazel Hill to be a thriving woodland where people come to heal and learn through deepening connection with the more-than-human world.

We understand that three missions are core to achieving this vision. The first is to nurture Hazel Hill Wood as a place for healing and learning. This involves our primary responsibility, to look after the wood, but also our buildings, which offer a place of warmth and shelter and a hearth for gathering as important as the gathering circles in the wood.

Secondly, we aspire to develop a meaningful practice, grounded in the principles of deep ecology, fostering a profound connection and understanding of the wood's intrinsic living system.

Lastly, we are focused on building robust partnerships with those who guide groups to the wood to facilitate healing and learning. This mission has been embodied by the Guild of Facilitators, inaugurated this year to serve as a forum for community group leaders.

As we step into 2023, our objective is to more closely align our operations with these missions, drawing all stakeholders closer in a joint effort to actualize our vision.

Oliver Broadbent, Chair of Trustees

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Achievements and Impact

engagement, men’s groups, support for frontline NHS workers, yoga and meditation sessions, and collaborations with groups promoting climate-positive impacts.

Achievements

Strengthening Our Volunteer Community

Participants at the Regenerative Design Lab, hosted at Hazel Hill

Reestablishing Pre-Pandemic Activity Levels

This year marked a return to the scale of operations we maintained before the pandemic hit. The charity was active throughout the year, hosting various visiting groups, running a volunteer programme, and facilitating day bookings and events spearheaded by our team.

We successfully hosted 18 group leaders and their respective groups. The events covered a broad range of critical areas, including leadership responses to the climate crisis, youth

Our volunteer community continued to be a vital part of Hazel Hill, taking care of the woods and our facilities. Their efforts are central to maintaining the charm and functionality of Hazel Hill as a retreat centre. Volunteer retention is high - some of our volunteers have now been with us for 5 years, which is amazing. We celebrate Volunteers’ Week in June, giving volunteers handmade personalised cards saying thank you and celebrating the length of time they have spent volunteering with us.

An autumn gathering of some of our volunteers

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Increased Day Bookings

This year, we saw a growth in our day bookings. Our visiting day-groups expanded to include home-school educators, local organisations, community singing groups, dementia support groups, and rural youth outreach programs. This diversification in our audience is a testament to Hazel Hill's evolving role as a versatile community engagement and learning centre, capable of catering to various groups with different needs and interests.

Our annual programme of seasonal events

We continued to host our popular seasonal events, the Spring Bioblitz and Autumn Conservation weekends, in addition to our bat nights, offering community members a chance to connect with nature in unique and exciting ways.

Practice working group

This year we have got our practice working group up and running, helping to gather the various ways people work into the group around the practice of ‘deep ecology’. Deep Ecology is central to the way Hazel Hill Trust aims to connect people with Nature at Hazel Hill Wood. This practice guides us in the many ways individuals can come together to heal and learn through deeper connection to the living system that is Hazel Hill.

This feels like a significant step in bringing thinking that has been present since the founding of our charity into the heart of the operations.

Our newest accommodation building, the Hideaway is now fully operational and we are pleased with the positive impact it is having on the groups we can host at the wood. Having a larger set of high-quality, more accessible rooms means we can attract a wider range of groups with different needs.

Gathering on the deck of the Hideaway to hear a vision for the future

Developing a Shared Vision

In the latter part of the year, we held a community gathering with our group leaders, participants, volunteers, staff, and trustees to develop a shared vision and mission. This collaborative effort will serve as a guiding framework for our future work, fostering unity and clear direction in our initiatives.

Impact Stories

Hideaway fully operational

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A participant at a wood event re-imagining the future while emerged in the wisdom of the forest

continued into its 3rd year, with good breeding success for Great Tits and Blue Tits.

Alongside these measures, we aim to tune in to how the wood feels. Even amid the recent unpredictable times, the wood has remained a sanctuary of tranquillity. In the future, we will make this process of listening and tuning into the wood a greater part of our practice at Hazel Hill.

Impact on groups

The healing effects of spending time in the wood are reaching a widening group of people, including front-line NHS staff, young people, people with mental illness, people with trauma. We are working to increase our understanding of the impact of these groups visiting the wood. One measure of this impact is what the group leaders said when they came for our community consultation.

The wood

At Hazel Hill, our main objective is to facilitate healing and learning through a deep connection with the wood. Our first measure of impact is therefore rooted in assessing the effects of our work and our presence in the wood.

To help gauge the well-being of our beloved woodland, we conduct extensive wildlife surveys. We recorded a new species of plant in 2022 - Southern Marsh Orchid - and a new bird - Spotted Flycatcher. Barbastelle Bat was recorded again (first recorded in 2018) - a rare ancient woodland specialist species. At our annual BioBlitz we recorded a total of 177 species with a combination of wildlife experts and interested beginners. Our Nesting Neighbours bird nest box surveys

It’s a magical woodland with beautiful soulful buildings - you can feel the love poured in.

Transformation, relaxation, healing, caring and fun. We had a truly magical time and the work has helped both me and my group enormously.

Hazel Hill enables people to connect deeply with Nature, to release stress and even trauma (e.g. hospital doctors, young carers, hospice staff), and to have catalytic experiences which bring insights, healing and fellowship .

Feedback from volunteers

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When asked “What do you enjoy about volunteering at Hazel Hill Wood?”, volunteers responded:

• “Helping others learn new skills, as well as learning new skills myself.”

• “Feeling that I am making a positive and direct impact on a special piece of woodland in the company of like-minded individuals.”

• What have you learnt while volunteering at Hazel Hill Wood?

• “More about ecosystems and how to conduct nature related surveys.”

• “Scything, hedgelaying.”

• “I have learnt how to identify and differentiate various tree species and insect varieties.”

Finance and Governance

Public Benefit

The objects of the Charity as stated in the Articles of Association are:

• to promote the conservation and protection of the woodland known as Hazel Hill Wood, near Salisbury and improving its biodiversity for the public benefit by running woodland maintenance and conservation programmes, education on sustainable living and such other programmes and activities as the trustees deem appropriate; and

• to support such general charitable purposes as the trustees may in their absolute discretion determine.

We have considered the key principles of the Charity Commission’s general guidance about public benefit and have concluded that the Trust meets all the requirements

Financial Summary

Our income for 2022 was £106k of which:

• £66k was from charitable activities (up from £53k in 2021)

• £0k was from grants (down from £8k in 2021)

• £40k in donations from Alan Heeks (down from £42k in 2021)

• £0k in investment income (down from £3k in 2021)

The growth in charitable activities is promising, especially as we move on from reliance on our founder’s donation. We have not secured any grant funding in 2022 as we have been focusing on growing charitable income. We will look at grant funding again in future.

The decrease in the contribution from Alan is in line with the charity’s move away from its dependence on his funding.

Over three years our income has been a mixture of capital income for the Hideaway project and operational income. Taking out the capital income, the following table shows how our operational income has changed over recent years.

Year	2020	2021	2022
Income	£117k	£104k	£106k

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Alan Heeks has pledged to continue to support the charity as major donor for the next five years.

We end the year with an operating deficit of £7k, up from a deficit of £89k at the end of 2021.

Excluding depreciation costs relating to the buildings, we generated an operational surplus of £9k in the year (2021: £33k deficit)

Our reserves policy as of 1st February 2021 is as follows. Hazel Hill Trust will hold £30k in designated reserves, only to be used in exceptional circumstances, e.g. if Hazel Hill Trust winds down its operations. In addition, Hazel Hill Trust will hold sufficient cash reserves to meet any operational liabilities as they fall due.

Staff and trustees gather outside the Oak House

Governance and staffing

Governance

The trustees of Hazel Hill Trust are:

Amrita Bhohi , Oliver Broadbent (chair), Jake Farr, Lily Gilder, Alan Heeks, Helen Kirk, Jenny Maresh, Ellie Osborne

The four trustees we recruited in 2021 are now fully embedded in operations. We continue to develop our management approach of a self-managing team, with trustees and staff collaborating to form working groups. This higher level of trustee engagement is helping to build the resilience of our operation.

Staffing

Our staff team is made up of two permanent members of staff and three regular sub-contractors. We are delighted to have appointed a third member of permanent staff to the team at the end of 2022. Antonia Skelton will be leading the day-to-day care of our off-grid buildings.

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Looking Ahead

Call to Action

Participate

Future Directions

As we forge ahead into 2023, we are enthusiastic to further refine our vision and mission, rallying even closer around our core goal: nurturing and protecting our exquisite woodland while facilitating healing and learning through deeper connections with nature.

We warmly invite you to play an essential role in our vibrant community. Engage as a volunteer, participating in the day-to-day nurturing of this unique habitat. Or enrol in our series of annual events, including: Nature and Wellbeing retreats; our Spring Bioblitz; the Autumn Conservation Weekend; and our regular Bat and Moth Nights.

Book the Wood for Your Group

In 2023, we will formally initiate our Guild of Facilitators, a collective focused on honing and expanding facilitation practices anchored in the principles of deep ecology, thereby amplifying the impact of our initiatives at Hazel Hill.

This year holds particular significance for our charity, marking the transition of our founder, Alan Heeks, from the Board of Trustees, an event we have anticipated and prepared for over several years. We intend to commemorate this pivotal milestone with a series of celebratory events spread over a weekend.

Further, we plan to enhance the resilience of our operations. We are in the process of recruiting four new trustees to inject fresh perspectives and ideas into our governing body. To ensure a sustainable and robust energy supply, plans are underway to procure a biofuel-operated generator. Additionally, we anticipate resuming forestry operations, reinstating the tradition of the honourable harvesting from our forest as an integral component of our stewardship at Hazel Hill.

Get in touch with us about booking Hazel Hill Wood for your group. The combination of a magical woodland and warm, cosy off-grid buildings create the ideal venue for transformative learning and healing through connection with the more-than-human world. When you book with us, we are on-hand to help you find the best way to work with the wood to reach the aims of your group.

Support

Stay tuned for the launch of our 'Friends of Hazel Hill Wood' initiative, a program designed to fuel our volunteer-led endeavours, which form the backbone of the upkeep and nourishment of this place.

Major Donors

We value the tremendous support we receive from our major donors in covering the fundamental expenses of our charity. Step into the role of a Major Donor and play a pivotal part in securing the future of our initiatives. For more information on the benefits and details, please contact us.

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Gratitude and Getting in Touch

A note of hope and gratitude

A heartfelt thanks to our dedicated team of volunteers, staff, trustees, and the wider community who have been the pillars of Hazel Hill's transformative journey this year. We hope you will continue to support us as we reach our vision and mission, to be a thriving ecosystem where people come to heal and learn through deeper connection with the more-than-human world.

We would also like to say a big thank you to our founder and major donor, Alan Heeks who continues to support the work of this charity. And also our continued thanks to the New Forest EU Leader Grant scheme for their funding of the Hideaway.

Contact Information

For further information and to join our journey, contact us at [e-mail] or visit our website at https://hazelhill.org.uk/.

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FINANCIAL SUMMARY

• 12 Independent examiner’s report to the trustees 13 Statement of Financial Activities

14-15 Balance Sheet 16-21 Notes to the Financial Statements 22 Summary of Income and Expenditure

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR TO 31st DECEMBER 2022 CHARITY NUMBER 1160691 COMPANY NUMBER 9329522

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year to 31 December 2022 which are set out on pages 12 to 22.

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 Trust’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

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

• the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

• the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or

• the accounts did 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.

Tom Swayne, CGMA

131 Western Road, Hurstpierpoint, W. Sussex BN6 9SY

25 September 2023

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the year to 31st December 2022

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 16 to 22 form part of these financial statements

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST BALANCE SHEET at 31st December 2022

The directors statements required by Section 475(2) and (3) are shown on the following page which forms part of this balance sheet.

The notes on pages 16 to 22 form part of these financial statements

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST BALANCE SHEET (continued) at 31st December 2022

DIRECTORS STATEMENTS REQUIRED BY SECTIONS 475(2) AND (3) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2022

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

For the year ending 31 December 2022 the company was entitled to the exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies

Directors’ responsibilities

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on and signed on its behalf by

Oliver Broadbent, Chair of Trustees

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022

1. Accounting policies

• a. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP) (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of investments which are included at market value. In accordance with FRS 102 no statement of cash flow has been prepared

• b. The Charity is dependent upon the continuing financial support of one of its Trustees alongside other sources of funding. It is anticipated that the financial support will continue for the foreseeable future. Although the future is unpredictable the accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.

• c. Income from government and other grants whether capital or revenue is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

• d. Donations and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable except in so far as they are incapable of financial measurement.

• e. Fund accounting

• Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the Trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations and grants which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the Trust's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the Trust.

• f. 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.

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 (continued)

1. Accounting policies (continued)

• g. Fixed assets include ancient woodland at the professional valuation of £400,000 in July 2015 when gifted to the Charity by one of the Trustees. No depreciation charge has been made in respect of the woodland. In addition to the woodland the fixed assets include various buildings valued at £400,000 in July 2015 when also gifted to the Charity by one of the Trustees, and further building work and improvements which have been valued at cost. All buildings are depreciated on a straight line basis over 50 years.

• h. Investments are shown at market value determined by reference to UK stock exchange prices at the balance sheet date and income is recognised when received

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 (continued)

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 (continued)

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 (continued)

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022 (continued)

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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HAZEL HILL TRUST SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR TO 31st DECEMBER 2022

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

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Hazel Hill Trust

www.hazelhill.org.uk | Registered charity no: 1160691 | 2nd November 2021

To whom it may concern,

Please find attached the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2022 for Hazel Hill Trust.

Registered Company No: 9329522

Registered Charity in England No: 1160691

Best wishes,

Oliver Broadbent

Chair of Trustees

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA

Hazel Hill Trust

www.hazelhill.org.uk | Registered charity no: 1160691 | 2nd November 2021

To whom it may concern,

Please find attached the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2022 for Hazel Hill Trust.

Registered Company No: 9329522

Registered Charity in England No: 1160691

Best wishes,

Oliver Broadbent

Chair of Trustees

Hazel Hill Trust Registered Charity: 1160691. Company limited by guarantee no.9329522 Registered address: Martin & Co. Accountants, 2 Victoria Grove, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3AA