# **COMMONWORK TRUST** COMMONWORK TRUST **ANNUAL REPORT AND** ANNUAL REPORT AND **STATEMENT OF** STATEMENT OF **ACCOUNTS** ACCOUNTS **----- Start of picture text -----**
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**Welcome to the Commonwork Trust's 2024-2025 annual** ## **report** Here we look at our impact and how we have met the needs of our clients and beneficiaries, as well as our achievements in delivering Year 3 of our 5-Year Strategic Plan (published in April 2022). This report sets out our vision and mission and reports on our achievements in delivering our priorities: Priority 1: Restorative and regenerative change Priority 2: Inspire, educate and involve Priority 3: Understand and influence **3** f **4** / **5 9** j —s. SS << / **17 34 39 41** aeA‘ tiesai £\S es **45** Fir en OG, . **72** eee Commonwork Trust registered company limited by guarantee 9254227 and registered as a charity number 1160725 2 ## **Contents** - **4 Administrative Information** - **5 Chair's Introduction 7 CEO Introduction 8 Vision and Mission** - **10 Priority 1 - Restorative and regenerative change 17 Priority 2 - Inspire, educate and involve 39 Priority 3 - Understand and influence 43 Developing our people 47 Our Finances 49 Our Financial Accounts 2024-2025 75 Thank you** 3 ## **Administrative Information** ## **Board of Trustees** - H. Bird (resigned 20 June 2024) - L. Davies M. Fairless (resigned 11 March 2025) - L. Pamphilon - J. Rai - E. Renals - P. Turner (resigned 11 March 2025) - W. Waterfield - N. E. Wates - A. White Jenifer Wates serves as a trustee emeritus and, as such, is neither a director of the company nor a trustee for Charities Act purposes. Antonia Dixey (appointed 11 September 2025) Martin Dunn (appointed 11 Septemer 2025) ## **CEO & SLT** CEO - Anna Bullen Finance Director - Kate Oprava (resigned July 2024), Rosalind Stokeld (appointed July 2024) Education Director - Abbi Caliandro Venue and Marketing Director - Florence Clark ## **Statutory Auditor** Azets Audit Services, First Floor, River House, 1 Maidstone Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 5RH ## **Registered Office** Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Kent TN8 7AR ## **Structure and governance** Commonwork Trust was established on 1 July 2015 following the merger of Commonwork Land Trust (established July 1977) and Neil Wates Charitable Trust (established March 1966), which both ceased operating on 30 June 2015. The Trust works alongside Commonwork Organic Farms Limited, a subsidiary focused on regenerative organic farming at Bore Place. According to the trust deed, the charity’s mission is to allocate its capital or income to charitable purposes or activities as determined by the trustees. Its Memorandum and Articles of Association govern the charity. There is a formal procedure for the recruitment and induction of trustees, who do not serve for any specific term. Appointments are made based on the needs of the Trust’s ongoing work. 4 ## **Chair’s Introduction** At Bore Place, we believe in a world where people and nature work together to regenerate our planet, and ourselves. It’s a big idea, but one that’s deeply rooted in everything we do across our 500-acre estate in the heart of Kent. Home to the Commonwork Trust, Bore Place is dedicated to fostering learning, building skills, and strengthening communities through purposeful collaboration. 2024–25 was a year of significant change for the Trust. In April, we welcomed Dr Anna Bullen as our new CEO. Anna joined us from the Centre for Alternative Technology, where she led the Zero Carbon Britain Innovation Lab. She brings a bold new vision, deep experience in collaborative problem-solving, and a strong belief in the power of people to drive lasting change. We’re excited about what lies ahead under Anna’s leadership. We also said goodbye and thank you to two long-standing members of our board: our Chair, Paul Turner, and Finance Trustee, Mark Fairless. Their insight and commitment helped shape the organisation we are today, and we’re incredibly grateful for their contribution to the Trust. In March, I was elected Chair of the Board, an enormous privilege. As we look to the future, we’re thinking carefully about how our board evolves to meet emerging needs and continue to steer our mission forward. This year also brought challenges, particularly on the farm. Climate change, fluctuating milk prices, and rising energy costs continue to put pressure on the viability of the farm, especially as we strive to balance financial sustainability with our core aim of regenerating the land. Whilst this presents a huge challenge, we are also aware of the enormous opportunity it gives us to reimagine how we farm and care for the land in ways that reflect our values and strengthen our charitable impact. As our Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) project came to a close, we launched an exciting new initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The People and Nature Together project builds on our commitment to sustainable, regenerative land management. It focuses on strengthening community wellbeing, building environmental skills, and encouraging pro-environmental behaviours. By involving local people in the hands-on care of landscapes, the project demonstrates how sustainable practices can go hand-in-hand with wildlife conservation. It also builds on our growing relationship with SES Water, who manage the neighbouring Bough Beech Reservoir, creating more joined-up habitats, nature corridors, and opportunities for volunteering and engagement. 5 Our work to increase biodiversity, improve land management, and connect people with nature remains central. In 2024–25, we delivered 11,605 person-days of activity, including visits from more than 4,500 young people. From school visits to community events, Bore Place is becoming a regular part of more people’s lives - and that’s something we’re proud of. Some of the year’s highlights included: - Continuing our education programme with six local primary schools - helping pupils become environmental champions - Expanding our programme of community events, ensuring there's something for everyone - Enhancing our Farm Gate welcome hub, supported by Kent Downs National Landscape, with funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to improve accessibility and better communicate our story to visitors - Growing our support for children with special educational needs, enabling more young people to attend regularly and gain accredited qualifications Installing a new polytunnel and deer fence in our market garden to help ensure a sustainable vegetable business amidst thriving nature and a changing climate None of this would be possible without our amazing staff, dedicated volunteers, and the many partners and funders who support our mission. Thank you to everyone who gave their time, energy, and resources to help us make a difference. Special thanks to BBC Children in Need, DEFRA, the Ernest Cook Trust, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Kent Downs National Landscape, and all those who have supported and worked with us throughout the year. Bore Place has always been about more than just a place. It’s about what becomes possible when people come together with purpose and hope. As we look ahead, we’re ready to meet the moment - with care, creativity, and a deep commitment to the people and planet we serve. ## **Jas Rai Chair of Trustees** 6 ## **CEO Introduction** As CEO of Bore Place, it is with great pride and gratitude that I welcome you to this year's Annual Report. This document reflects not only the work we have accomplished over the past year but also the deep connections we continue to foster within our community and the land we care for. At Bore Place, we are committed to creating a lasting impact through education, sustainable farming, and a deep connection to nature. We believe that these values are the cornerstone of both personal and community wellbeing, and through our programmes and initiatives, we strive to make these principles accessible to all. Whether it's through welcoming over 200 children and young people each week, providing therapeutic experiences and delicious, nourishing food, or offering families in need a chance to reconnect with nature, our mission is to engage, inspire, and heal. This year has been one of growth and adaptation as we have faced challenges together but also celebrated the resilience and dedication of our team, supporters, and partners. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and the difference we continue to make in the lives of those who walk through our gates. As we look to the future, in these increasingly challenging times, we remain committed to building on our foundation, expanding our reach, and ensuring that Bore Place remains a place of innovation and inspiration, where people can learn, connect, and thrive. Thank you for your continued support and belief in our mission. Together, we are making a meaningful difference. **Anna Bullen, Chief Executive** 7 ## **Vision** Bore Place believes in a world where people and nature work together to regenerate the planet and ourselves. ## **Mission** Our mission is to enhance the planet in all that we do, and to inspire people to live sustainable, happy and fulfilling lives. We will achieve this by inspiring people to connect with each other and with the Earth while taking responsibility for our shared future. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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8 ## **PRIORITY 1** ## **Restorative and regenerative change** We are committed to making best use of the assets of the Bore Place estate to provide a model of restorative and regenerative change, as well as sharing its unique environment with others. ## **PRIORITY 2** ## **Inspire, educate and involve** We will inspire and educate people to make a difference and positively impact the environment in their daily lives while connecting with nature to support their health, wellbeing and development. ## **PRIORITY 3** ## **Understand and influence** We will use our lived experience and extensive knowledge to build robust evidence on the impact of our regenerative practice in all our work, to influence leaders and decision-makers to take action and support change for a sustainable future. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Take ownership
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## **PRIORITY 1** ## **Restorative and regenerative change** We are committed to making best use of the assets of the Bore Place estate to provide a model of restorative and regenerative change, as well as sharing its unique environment with others. Restoring biodiversity and regenerating our land is central to our mission at Commonwork Trust. This priority area shapes how we manage our estate, engage with our communities, and respond to the ecological and climate challenges of our time. Our approach combines practical action on the ground with education, partnership, and inclusive participation, ensuring that people and nature thrive together. A key development this year was the evolution of our partnership with SES Water, formalising a longstanding relationship through a new, jointly funded programme at Bough Beech Reservoir. With support from the Farming in Protected Landscapes fund, this collaboration focuses on habitat restoration, nature-based solutions to water quality challenges, hands-on environmental education, and deeper community engagement with the landscape. It represents a significant step forward in our commitment to place-based nature recovery, co-delivered with neighbouring organisations and local people. A major boost to this work has come through new funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for our People and Nature Together project. This multi-strand programme will expand citizen science and habitat monitoring, and deliver sustainable land management training for young people and the wider community. Through this work, we aim to demonstrate how community-led stewardship, regenerative farming, and biodiversity recovery can be integrated to build a resilient landscape for the future. This year also saw significant progress in other areas of our land-based work. Our soil health monitoring programme continues to evolve, providing crucial insight into the impact of our regenerative practices across the estate. The momentum of our farm cluster has also grown, strengthening collaboration with neighbouring landowners who share our vision for sustainable, biodiversity-rich farming. 10 ## **PRIORITY 1** ## **Restorative and regenerative change Understanding and enhancing our biodiversity** ## **Species monitoring** Building on the foundations laid by the National Lottery Heritage Fund project, the Green Recovery project, and our FiPL project, we’ve established an ongoing survey programme to track six key indicator species across Bore Place and Bough Beech Reservoir. These species act as vital signs of change - positive or negative - in the health of our natural environment. Their presence, absence or fluctuations help shape our decisions on farming practices, land management and habitat restoration. Over 1,000 people were engaged in the surveys throughout this period, whether through our regular school groups, volunteering sessions or special events. Later in the report, we’ll share how this monitoring comes to life through our citizen science programme, and the difference it’s making to our work. . **----- Start of picture text -----**
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11 ## **PRIORITY 1** ## **Restorative and regenerative change Farming in Protected Landscapes** ## **Update on the conclusion of the** ## **project** Our Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) funded project: ‘Farming and Nature Together’, was completed in March 2025. We delivered programmes and activities against the FiPL outcomes which are separated into groups. ## **Our outcomes included:** ## **Four nature-focused outcomes:** - There is a greater area of wildlife-rich habitat There is greater connectivity between habitats Existing habitat is better managed for biodiversity There is an increase in biodiversity ## **Four climate-focused outcomes:** More carbon is stored and/or sequestered - Flood risk has been reduced - There is a better understanding among farmers, land managers and the public as to what different habitats and land uses can ## **Three people-focused outcomes:** There are more opportunities for people to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape - There are increased opportunities for more diverse audiences to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape - There is greater public engagement in land management, for example, through volunteering ## **Two place-focused outcomes:** The quality and character of the landscape is reinforced or enhanced - There is an increase in the resilience of nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses, which in turn contributes to a more thriving local economy This project will continue and expand thanks to funding secured through the National Lottery Heritage Fund. - deliver for carbon storage and reduced - carbon emissions - The landscape is more resilient to climate change ## **PRIORITY 1** ## **Restorative and regenerative change On the farm** ## **Farm, TB and badger vaccination** The rise of bovine tuberculosis (TB) across the South East of England presents a growing challenge for farmers, including those within our own network. In 2024, following a case of positive TB reactors in our own herd, we took proactive steps to support disease prevention through wildlife vaccination. With training and guidance from VESBA – Vaccinating East Sussex Badgers – our ecology team became licensed to safely and legally trap and vaccinate badgers, helping to reduce the risk of TB transmission between wildlife and cattle. In August, we carried out our first round of vaccinations to test the feasibility of scaling this approach across our wider farm cluster. We are proud to contribute to this collaborative and science-led effort, and look forward to continuing this important work with others in the farming community. ## **PRIORITY 1** ## **Restorative and regenerative change** ## **Countryside stewardship measures** In April 2024, Bore Place entered a HigherLevel Stewardship agreement with Natural England and DEFRA, an important step in scaling up our commitment to regenerative land management. This includes planting wildflower-rich plots and bird- and pollinatorfriendly crops across the estate to support biodiversity above and below ground. As part of our leadership in this space, we hosted the Natural England and Forestry Commission Roadshow in February 2025, welcoming farmers from across the region to explore the latest environmental funding opportunities and share knowledge on sustainable practices. ## **Volunteering to support our land management** Our regular volunteer team plays a vital role in delivering hands-on conservation work across the estate, directly supporting our Higher-Level Stewardship scheme and People and Nature Together project. This year, their efforts have helped manage invasive species, restore meadows and hedgerows, and maintain public trails. Volunteers also supported our citizen science programme through species surveys and monitoring. A standout moment came in January 2025, when our conservation volunteers recorded the first brown hairstreak butterfly eggs on newly managed blackthorn hedgerows near our education gardens, a direct result of our rotational hedgerow management approach and a promising sign of nature recovery in action. Later in the report, we’ll share more about our volunteering programme: the time people give, the scale of their contribution, and how it supports our conservation and habitat work. 14 ## **Partnerships** At Bore Place, we know that regeneration is a shared journey. Collaboration sits at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to work alongside a growing network of partners based on site. Their expertise, energy and alignment with our values play a vital role in helping us deliver on our mission and deepen our collective impact. John Waller plays a key role in managing our woodland proactively for wildlife and, through coppicing programmes, produces logs for our wood burners and materials for the Green Wood Workshop where he provides courses for the public. These courses offer the opportunity to learn traditional rural skills including hedge laying, pruning, basket and chair making, willow work, gate hurdles and charcoal making. We entered the sixth year of our partnership with Dan Burdett on our organic dairy farm. It has been a challenging period for the farm. After spending considerable time working closely with Dan to explore ways the farm could evolve while staying true to our commitment to climate- and nature-friendly farming, Dan made the difficult decision to end the contract during this year. We anticipate this will conclude next year, creating an opportunity for us to explore new approaches to land management that align with our long-term objectives. We continue to work with the award-winning Blackwoods Cheese Company which moved onsite in 2017 and uses the milk produced by the farm. Blackwoods continue to be regarded as one of the UK’s finest cheesemakers, selling cheese in the world-renowed Borough Market and in cheese shops and delis across the country. In 2023, Blackwoods began selling Graceburn, their flagship cheese, in M&S stores. Free Range Glamping offers guests the chance to stay on the farm and experience a closer connection to nature. Run by Chris Allwood, the business shares our commitment to sustainable land management and eco-friendly practices, and helps welcome a more diverse range of visitors to the estate. 15 Our market gardener, Metske Van Der Laan, has been working hard to grow a diverse and resilient supply of produce at Bore Place. With support from Sevenoaks District Council’s West Kent Rural Grant, we’ve been able to install a new polytunnel and a deer fence to support his work. Wildlife damage – a sign of thriving nature – had become a growing challenge. The new fence protects part of the garden, allowing crops like sweetcorn to return, while the polytunnel extends the season and helps guard against the effects of heavy rainfall on our clay soil. Improbable is renowned for its groundbreaking show ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ and its innovative work as an improvisation and theatre company. Working with The Commonwork Trust, Improbable plans to restore a dilapidated oast house at the heart of the estate, preserving its heritage whilst creating a permanent home, providing a base for Improbable’s activities as well as a creative hub. Using raw milk from the Bore Place herd, Happy Belly Foods, run by Rachna Jhala, produces a range of fermented dairy products at a workshop near the Bore Place estate. Produce includes raw milk kefir, yoghurt, labneh (a type of cheese) and ghee - all available from our Farm Gate and local shops. Rachna also runs a series of community courses at Bore Place and leads workshops specifically for guests staying on the estate. These workshops cover yoghurt and kefir making, as well as other dairy fermentation techniques, helping to share her knowledge and passion for gut-healthy fermented dairy products with both the local community and visitors ## **PRIORITY 2** ## **Inspire, educate and involve** We will inspire and educate people to make a difference and positively impact the environment in their daily lives while connecting with nature to support their health, wellbeing and development. Building on our work to restore and regenerate the land, this next section focuses on how we engage people, through education, inspiration, and hands-on experiences, to take positive action for the environment and for their wellbeing. Across all education and community programmes, we recorded 11,281 person days of activity in 2024-25. These figures do not include informal and adhoc visits. This includes 1,920 visits from young people attending multiple times through our Local Schools Programme (more on that to come) and 2,700 visits from young people attending through our regular schools programme. Our programmes include weekly and oneoff school day visits, school residentials, a programme of community events, a club for young people with additional needs, nature connection sessions for adults and weekly volunteering sessions. **Number of education and community programme sessions delivered** **----- Start of picture text -----**
15
Additional
needs clubs
136
Volunteering
sessions
12
Secondary
School
classes
7
Residentials
8
Family
Adventure
sessions
100
Primary school
classes
14
Wilder
Wellbeing
sessions
58
Community Outreach 2
events sessions
476
EDUCATION
Ld SEN school
classes
COMMUNITY
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**We facilitated 11,281 person days** 17 ## **PRIORITY 2** ## **Inspire, educate and involve School, education and community programmes for people of all abilities** ## **School day visits** This year, Bore Place welcomed 113 school groups for day visits, providing children and young people with meaningful experiences in nature through hands-on, curriculum-linked learning. Our day visit programmes covered a wide range of topics, from minibeast hunts and pond dipping, to sustainable farming and food growing - designed to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and develop environmental awareness. We worked with pupils from pre-school to secondary age, with the majority being primary school age. Feedback from both teachers and students highlighted the value of time spent outdoors, with many noting improvements in wellbeing, teamwork, and nature connection. We continued to adapt our offer in response to school needs and curriculum changes, ensuring our learning experiences remain relevant, inclusive, and impactful. **Young people took part in our school day visits programme 3,361 times...** 18 ## **PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve Local Schools Project** Thanks to generous support from DEFRA’s Countryside Stewardship scheme, FiPL and The Big Give, we successfully concluded the pilot year of our Local Schools Partnership Programme and launched its second year. During this period, we delivered 58 fully-funded Key Stage 2 day visits at Bore Place. The programme continues to inspire and nurture local environmental champions by providing regular outdoor learning experiences. Through hands-on activities in nature-rich settings, children develop a deeper connection to the environment, food, and farming, while also enjoying the numerous physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors. ## **Local school partners** **I really enjoy learning about the bats and all the animals.** Hannah; KS2, Bidborough Primary School, 2025 **Lots of children take the food they eat for granted and they should know how much work it takes to make it.** Lyla; KS2, Bidborough Primary School, 2025 19 **17** # **We asked KS2 children visiting through the Local Schools Partnership programme how coming to Bore Place makes them feel:** It makes me feel free, it is so nice being in the nature and not being stuck in a classroom for ages. Edward Bidborough Primary School Calm, relaxed, happy and joyful. Winston Ide Hill Primary School It makes us feel energetic. Finley, Ralph and Henry Ide Hill Primary School It makes me feel happy to be around so much nature. Also I like that I can get muddy and dirty and it does not matter. Thea Bidborough Primary School Being at Bore Place is a lot better than a normal school day because you get to go outside a lot more and learn about nature which makes me feel calm. Wonderful and happy – also kinda tired! Freya and Ella Ide Hill Primary School Luke Bidborough Primary School 20 ## **PRIORITY 2** ## **Inspire, educate and involve Education programmes** ## **Bertha Earth** Our collaboration with Bertha Earth, a youthcentred environmental charity that works to inspire and empower young people to become the next generation of environmental leaders, continued to strengthen in 2024. In July, we hosted their annual teacher retreat at Bore Place, bringing together Bertha Earth staff, facilitators, and educators for a week of professional development, shared learning, and strategic planning for the year ahead. We also launched our first Bertha Earth Nature Connect Day, welcoming 60 Year 7 students from Reach Academy London. This immersive experience in nature was co-delivered by the Bore Place Education Team and Bertha Earth facilitators, offering students experiential outdoor learning opportunities to engage with the natural environment and deepen their connection to the world around them. It marked the first time Bertha Earth had worked with a two-class intake, and the pilot proved highly successful. We are now exploring how we can build on this and develop similar collaborative opportunities moving forward. ## **Department of Culture, Media & Sport funding** For the second consecutive year, we successfully secured funding from DCMS UK Youth to deliver catered day visits for children and young people aged 11–18 (up to 25 for those with SEND). This initiative continued our partnership with Thamesview School, situated in Gravesend, Kent, where a significant proportion of pupils are in receipt of Pupil Premium. These short-term funded projects provide vital support to pupils experiencing challenging circumstances by offering enriching outdoor experiences that allow them to connect with nature in a structured, supportive environment outside the classroom. **Seeing the students embracing the whole outdoor learning ethos, they were engaged, happy and relaxed. They learnt** new quote **so much! The Outdoor Teacher was amazing with the students 2024 and was so patient as they asked so many questions!** Teacher, Thamesview School This year, we secured funding for 75 places, delivered across five sessions, each accommodating 15 children. Feedback from both staff and pupils positively highlighted the impact of these sessions, noting improvements not only in confidence and resilience, but also in school engagement and behaviour. **Several students have meltdowns in school due to their SEN needs and find school overwhelming. At Bore Place, they were relaxed. One student has a visible tic, which was not evident at Bore Place. One student who is ADHD and has ASD always wears her headphones; she did not wear them at Bore Place. It was fantastic to see our students so relaxed with their outdoor learning.** Teacher, Thamesview School ## **School residentials** We believe a residential stay offers a deeper immersion, with children having the opportunity to spend several days exploring the natural environment, working as a team, and building independence. With thanks to continued support from The Ernest Cook Trust, we delivered our fourth year of week-long residentials for schools. This year, Lawn Primary School (Northfleet), Broadmead Primary School (Croydon), and Marjorie McClure SEN School (Chislehurst) each enjoyed a four-night residential stay at Bore Place. In total, 44 primary school pupils and 8 secondary SEN students took part during the financial year. In addition to the funded residential stays, we also delivered shorter residential stays for two local SEN schools that would not normally have access to a school residential due to needs and requirements. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **PRIORITY 2** ## **Inspire, educate and involve** ## **Education programmes for children and young people with additional needs** ## **Weekly SEND education programmes** We have maintained a strong relationship with six local SEN schools and one mainstream school, delivering 14 sessions each week throughout the academic year, demonstrating our continued growth and long-term commitment to supporting pupils with special educational needs and those struggling in the classroom setting. Our year-long immersive educational experiences bring the curriculum to life and foster a deep connection with nature. These programmes support learners in working towards recognised, practicalbased qualifications focused on land-based learning, nature, and farming. Qualifications are offered at Entry Level 1, 2, and 3, as well as Level 1, ensuring that all learners receive meaningful recognition for their achievements during their time at Bore Place. During the period, we delivered 476 class sessions across both student cohorts. A total of 116 students were enrolled for the 2024–25 academic year, with the majority (67%) undertaking an accredited course. **95%** **accredited course pass rate 2023-24** **22** ## **Accredited courses undertaken by students at Bore Place** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Arts Award John Muir Award
LASER Award Non-accredited course
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
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25 es ## **Family support and drop-off club** Our Additional Needs Club, subsidised by funding from Kent County Council, continued to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging space for children and young people with additional needs to explore the outdoors, develop confidence, and connect with others. This year, 37 young people attended the club sessions, with many attending regularly. **Max really enjoys that he can be dropped off like his sister/other kids…he’s gained confidence from having that trust placed on him.”** Parent, 2024-25 . We delivered 15 sessions over the year, focusing on exploring the farm, sensory play, nature-based crafts, wildlife discovery and seasonal activities. All activities were carefully designed to be inclusive, flexible, and responsive to individual needs. Families reported that the sessions help parents/carers to support their child by providing respite time for themselves, and to spend time with other members of the family. For some, it was one of the few activities outside the home where they felt fully accepted and able to participate. **George loves going to the club and is so excited to attend, as this is the first time he has been allowed to go independently of me. He feels like he has a place he belongs, has made friends and is always so happy to go. He never wants to miss a session, and his independence and confidence have grown each time he attends, but most importantly, he feels like he can attend a club independently, just like his big brother does.** .” **...it’s a fun, safe environment in nature... that doesn’t involve a screen!** Parent, 2024-25 26 Victoria, parent 2024-25 **24** ## **Family Adventure (funded by BBC Children in Need)** This year marked the first of a new three-year funding grant from BBC Children in Need to support our Family Adventure programme, designed for families with a child with additional needs, as well as siblings without additional needs. The sessions provided a welcoming and inclusive environment where families can enjoy time together outdoors, building confidence, developing social skills, and creating positive shared memories. Activities included exploring the farm, nature crafts, wildlife discovery, cooking and opportunities for supported free play in a calm, rural setting. A highlight for many was the two-night residential stay in our historic manor house, which gave each family a much-needed chance to rest, reconnect, and enjoy the countryside without the pressures of daily life. With the support of our staff, families could explore at their own pace, eat together, and take part in gentle, accessible activities designed for all ages and abilities. We supported 10 families this year, many of whom shared how valuable the time and space were for their well-being. Parents described Bore Place as one of the few places where their child could be themselves and where the whole family could truly relax, and reported improvements in their children’s confidence and wellbeing, as well as the value of being able to meet other families in similar circumstances. Thanks to the generosity of BBC Children in Need, we can keep making a difference for children and young people, and we’re excited to continue this journey over the next two years. **Evie isn't in a specialist school and so coming to clubs and being around life-minded individuals with SEN is really good for her to feel like she isn't alone or strange or weird. I also think that it has been good for her this year in terms of encouraging time away from screens and inside play time, to get her focusing more on walking and exercising in a fun way, which has helped her BMI. I also find that for the next week after a visit, she is calmer and able to focus more on work at school. Overall, we have loved being a part of this wonderful programme.** Parent on the Family Programme, 2024 27 ## **PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve - community programme Volunteering** As already highlighted, our regular volunteer groups continued to play a vital role at Bore Place, with 22 volunteers working with us during the year. Meeting each week on Mondays and Fridays, they support us with tasks such as habitat management, planting wildflowers to encourage pollinators, and fixing stiles to help maintain visitor access to the countryside. Our volunteers have also helped to redevelop our education garden for visiting groups to learn horticulture skills, grown cut flowers for wedding guests and wedding confetti and helped to maintain the gardens for guests to enjoy. **I'm so pleased I discovered Bore Place and became a volunteer. I have very much enjoyed feeling comfortable in the team. It has definitely helped build my confidence.** ## **92%** said volunteering has a positive impact on their mental health In addition, 42 regular volunteers were involved at the Bough Beech nature reserve, focusing on habitat management, working on tasks such as grassland and wetland management. In total, volunteers contributed an outstanding 4,956 hours across 136 sessions this year, at both the Bore Place estate and the Bough Beech nature reserve, an incredible commitment that makes a real difference to the work we do, and supports our priority of Restorative and Regenerative Change. Carol, Monday Volunteer, 2025 **89%** reported improved knowledge of food, farming and nature Most of the volunteers we surveyed (26 in total) said their role supports their mental health, as well as building skills and knowledge around food, farming and nature. ## **PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Inspire, educate and involve - commun ty programmesInspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Education programmes for children and young people with Citizen Scienceadditional needs** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Small mammals
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This year marked the fourth year of our citizen science programme, continuing the important work we began in 2022. Through the project, we're engaging the local community and visiting school groups in meaningful wildlife monitoring and building a clearer picture of biodiversity at Bore Place. As mentioned, we continue to focus on six key indicator species, chosen for their value in assessing habitat health and changes in the local ecosystem. ## **Species Logged via the Coreo App** The programme is designed to engage and educate the members of the public who have little to no experience carrying out ecological surveys and/or knowledge about wildlife. We use the Coreo app to record and monitor species across our site, providing valuable data that informs our conservation work. Over the past year, 1,156 participants have engaged with our citizen science project, conducting species surveys and attending training events. This includes members of the public, volunteers attending weekly groups, and children and young people on educational programmes who have learned skills to help undertake ecological surveys such as earthworm counts and butterfly surveys during their visits. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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By tracking these species over time, we’re working towards creating a long-term dataset that will help guide our land management and conservation efforts. With time, our programme will allow us to compare our results year on year. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **Number of people engaging with citizen science events and surveys by month** 29 **PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Inspire, educate and involve - reaching new audiencesInspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Education programmes for children and young people with Wilder Wellbeingadditional needs** Our Wilder Wellbeing sessions are a core part of our commitment to supporting people’s mental and emotional health through connection with nature. These regular, naturebased sessions provide a safe and welcoming space for individuals experiencing isolation, anxiety, or other challenges to slow down, connect with the landscape, and experience community. The programme is open to people of all backgrounds and abilities and continues to demonstrate the powerful role nature can play in supporting personal resilience and recovery. To date, 118 people have taken part in the wellbeing sessions, with weekly groups ranging from 5 to 16 people attending. To measure the success of the sessions, participants are asked to complete a 5-question questionnaire before and after the session, with an optional section to write a few sentences on how they felt the session went. Results show a clear increase in people’s wellbeing after each session. Each session is designed to connect people with nature via activities such as woodland walks, forest bathing, birdsong identification, pond dipping, winter tree identification, reptile walks, butterfly walks, nature and art, learning about earthworms and soil, moss and lichen spotting, fungi spotting, measuring trees to ‘guess their age’, walks to Bough Beech Reservoir and walks in the rain. **We asked Wilder Wellbeing participants how they felt before and after the session** **----- Start of picture text -----**
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**Fabulous morning. Really informative, connected with nature in a far deeper way, definitely feel more chilled!** Wilder Wellbeing participant, August 2024 30 ## **PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Inspire, educate and involve - reaching new audiencesInspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Education programmes for children and young people with additional needsBough Beech Reservoir** Bore Place and SES Water have developed a strong partnership focused on enhancing biodiversity, improving land management, and delivering engaging community and educational programmes at Bough Beech Reservoir. Building on several years of collaboration, the partnership, funded through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, seeks to make the reservoir accessible to the public while keeping nature at its heart. Together, we are restoring habitats, supporting citizen science, running volunteer programmes, and providing hands-on environmental learning opportunities for schools, young people, and the wider community. As part of this work, we partnered with SES Water to create a series of 15 nature engagement events for the local community at the Bough Beech nature reserve site. Thanks to FiPL funding, all events were free to attend, helping to remove financial barriers. Responses showed that 59% of the 73 attendees surveyed had never visited the site before, demonstrating our success in reaching new audiences. Although one event was cancelled due to poor weather, 14 sessions went ahead: - 7 citizen science events expanding our species monitoring work at Bore Place. - 5 wildlife/nature sessions connecting people with the natural world. - 3 large-scale family days with a strong community focus. ## **78%** of attendees at the Bough Beech events felt inspired to take new actions for the environment. Activities included bird ringing observations, a bat night, a fungus walk, a community picnic, and various wildlife safaris, which were popular with young families. Our Apple Day was the most attended event, drawing both loyal visitors and newcomers to celebrate the ancient orchard. 31 ## **PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve Welcoming the public** Bore Place welcomes casual visitors throughout the year, providing opportunities for people to explore, learn, and connect with nature. Whether it’s discovering more about regenerative land management, enjoying a peaceful countryside walk, or simply spending time outdoors, we want everyone to feel at home here. We’re committed to making our farm, gardens and walking trails as accessible as possible, with easy-to-follow signage, helpful guides, free parking and accessible toilet facilities for all. In 2024–25, an ambition to sell our milk directly to the public was realised via our Farm Gate. Working collaboratively with our on-site partner, Blackwoods Cheese Company, we began pasteurising our organic milk and selling it directly to the public via a vending machine. This further increased our engagement with our local community, many of whom began to regularly buy our milk, using the reusable glass milk bottles available, fulfilling our aim of providing local food to our local community. The Farm Gate area was further enhanced with support from Kent Downs National Landscape, and funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The space is now more accessible and better connected to our wider site, with clearer communication about our work, and closer links to the adjacent playground. It has become a welcoming hub where visitors can relax, learn about what we do, purchase produce, and enjoy the playground facilities. 32 ## **PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Inspire, educate and involve Inspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Education programmes for children and young people with additional needsCommunity programme** Through our community events programme, we aim to create meaningful experiences that encourage participants to connect with food, farming and nature as well as reflect on their relationship with the environment and take steps toward more sustainable living. Events included workshops to learn how to make dairy products, guided wildlife walks such as looking for owls and butterflies, craft workshops including a fully-compostable wreath making course at Christmas, a rag rug making course, and foraging walks connecting people with the abundance of wild foods around us. ## **I am thinking about ways in which I can source food more responsibly, particularly eating seasonal food.** Fermentation Fundamentals participant, January 2025 This year, we continued to grow our programme. From seasonal walks and wildlife talks to family-friendly farm activities, our events welcomed a wide range of visitors to explore and enjoy the site. In total, this programme engaged with 1,935 people, including 661 children. **Next time I buy plants I will think more about what butterflies like, to encourage n more in our garden.** We also introduced several new events, and a particular success was our Biofluorescent Night Walks, which proved to be extremely popular. Another highlight was the introduction of new cooking workshops in the kitchen, including ‘Fermentation Fundamentals’ and ‘Fresh Pasta Without a Machine’, which proved popular with participants keen to learn new skills and explore locally grown, seasonal ingredients. These sessions offered a chance to cook, share, and learn in a welcoming environment, and have laid the groundwork for further food-focused events. 33 Butterfly Safari attendee, Summer 2024 ## **PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Inspire, educate and involve - commun ty programmesInspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Education programmes for children and young people with additional needsCommunity programme** **Participants gave wide-ranging examples of intended behaviour changes to benefit the environment as a result of attending an event** **----- Start of picture text -----**
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Children took part in fun, nature-based activities like butterfly and bird surveys, hobby cow rides, and campfire marshmallow toasting, while adults enjoyed a locally-sourced BBQ, local Larkins ale, and live music from a local choir and local folk musicians. The day also featured tastings with our partners and producers, and talks from our organic grower, Metske van der Laan. The Open Day was a brilliant opportunity to connect people with the land, our mission, and each other. We hope that by increasing knowledge and connection, we can inspire realworld action and foster a growing community of environmentally conscious individuals. 6 ~~SS~~ **[I particularly enjoyed] being able to get my just 4 year old involved, so that he learns by doing and cares about his environment.** Visitor, Big Bore Place Worm Count 2025 **17** ## **PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 PRIORITY 2 Inspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Inspire, educate and involve - reaching new audiencesInspire, educate and involve - Education programmes Education programmes for children and young people with additional needsSharing our space with others** As part of our efforts to diversify and strengthen our income streams, as well as provide opportunities for more people to benefit from our site and buildings, we have explored new ways to make use of the Education Centre when it is not in active use for our core programmes. In addition to our ongoing monthly rental arrangement with a local painting group, we have begun working with a local children’s after-school art club, which now hires the space on a weekly basis. While this initiative does not currently generate significant income, it does not interfere with our regular programme delivery. Importantly, it has brought more people to Bore Place, enabling them to benefit from our unique space and environment. aN 36 ## **PRIORITY 2** ## **Inspire, educate and involve Our venue** Our venue offers accommodation and spaces for visiting groups, playing a central role in the organisation. With steady growth in both occupancy and revenue, it not only provides vital income to support our core charitable activities and maintain the wider estate, but also serves as a powerful platform for influencing others The estate’s unique character, offering a genuine sense of retreat and disconnection from the demands of everyday life, combined with its beautiful grounds and surroundings, is frequently cited by guests as an environment that fosters creativity and fresh thinking. The opportunity to support our mission through their stay is also a key draw, attracting a wide and diverse range of clients, many of whom share our values or are committed to contributing to our work. Groups visiting in this period included Greenpeace International, the thinktank Green Alliance, The Food Foundation, Bertha Earth, The University of Victoria and BBC Writers. It hosts our school residentials and other funded stays, including the BBC Children in Need family stays, providing respite to families with children with additional needs. This year, we were also proud to partner with Out in the Field, an organisation dedicated to supporting NHS and other key workers through wellness retreats. Designed to help public sector staff prioritise their wellbeing, the retreats offered participants the space to relax, restore, and reconnect. In addition to rest and reflection, the programme equipped attendees with practical tools and strategies to take an active role in their own health and wellbeing, building resilience and encouraging long-term self-care. **This is not just a location — it’s a truly special place, filled with warmth, care, and a deep sense of purpose....** The venue is also key in providing us with the facilities and accommodation to deliver on our strategic objectives. **What makes Bore Place truly stand out is its authenticity. It’s more than just a venue; it’s a living example of how people can live and work in harmony with nature. The atmosphere is inspiring and grounding at the same time — the perfect setting for reflection, learning, and meaningful connection.** Raymond van Driel, F-act Training and Coaching, March 2025 **34** 37 Food is a central part of the experience for groups staying at or visiting Bore Place. Our dedicated kitchen team, led by Head Chef Natalie Harris, consistently receives outstanding feedback for the quality and creativity of its dishes. Guided by a clear food policy, we prioritise produce from our estate and neighbouring farms that share our values, with a strong emphasis on organic ingredients and reducing the carbon footprint of our kitchen. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our food offer further, recognising its potential to inspire and influence guests in support of our mission. Every guest at Bore Place has the opportunity to participate in experiences that bring our story, landscape and values to life. Whether learning a new skill, exploring the estate, or engaging with our sustainability work, these moments offer a deeper connection to our mission. Led by artisans, practitioners, farmers, and ecologists, each experience is hands-on, memorable, and rooted in the expertise and passion of the people who make Bore Place what it is. **Our team was genuinely blown away by the beautiful venue, the lovely farm tour, and all the warm, engaging chats with their staff. It was the perfect setting for us to unwind, connect, and enjoy some real quality time together. We’re already hoping to come back.** Beth Ingeldew, Doughnut Economics, March 2025 ## **PRIORITY 3** ## **Understand and influence** We will use our lived experience and extensive knowledge to build robust evidence on the impact of our regenerative practice in all our work, to influence leaders and decision-makers to take action and support change for a sustainable future. Working with others is a central part of our commitment to understanding and influencing. Throughout this period, we collaborated with a wide range of organisations and businesses. Our partnership with The Ernest Cook Trust continues to flourish, with a major focus on contributing to a joint paper recommending that outdoor learning be embedded in the national curriculum review. Alongside this, we welcomed visitors to Bore Place as part of a wider collaboration with other Ernest Cook Trustfunded outdoor learning centres, showcasing our programmes. Thanks to the Trust’s funding, we have also supported a primary school in Croydon to improve its outdoor spaces and provided staff training, creating more opportunities for city children to connect with the natural world. **Towards a Sustainable Food** We also welcomed FarmBuddies once again **System for Kent** for their regional Social Care Farm Network Day, bringing together practitioners from social care farms across the South East to share support, advice, and best practice in social care farming. ## **Farm visits** Opening up our farm to visitors is an important part of how we share and influence. Throughout the year, our Farm Manager leads tours for groups and guests, offering an inside look at our organic approach, the steps we take to improve soil health, and the realities of farming in a changing climate. These experiences are supported by our year-round Milking Parlour visitor centre, which gives people the chance to learn more about our work and the principles that guide it. Working with local partners, we have become an active member of the Sevenoaks Health and Wellbeing Partnership, working alongside the local council to develop an action plan aimed at improving health and wellbeing in the community. As part of this, we have offered opportunities for local people to use our site, enabling them to harness the benefits of nature to boost physical activity and support mental wellbeing. We continued our partnership with Bertha Earth, hosting their annual retreat for educational leaders and creating opportunities for 11–13year-olds to experience environmental education beyond the classroom. 39 ## **The Farm Cluster** Throughout the year, the Eden Farm cluster, which the Commonwork Trust plays a key part in, has continued to bring together local farmers and landowners to develop our landscape-scale nature recovery strategy. Several farm cluster meetings have been held at Bore Place, with talks held on hedgerows and soils. Walkovers of farms within the cluster have been undertaken to help collect data and clarify the direction of future projects and funding opportunities, as well as helping our discussions on the future. With support from SES Water and Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) funding, we were able to undertake baseline soil samples across the majority of the farm cluster in March 2025. This will help us to understand the potential for nature recovery projects, effective regenerative farming techniques, and how to improve the carbon sequestration of the soil within the cluster. ## **Natural England Roadshow** On 20th February 2025, Bore Place hosted a Natural England and Forestry Commission Roadshow to outline various grant schemes offered by both organisations to farmers to assist with the implementation of environmental measures on farms. ## **Championing Community and Soil Association Values** This year, our CEO, Dr Anna Bullen, was invited to speak at the Soil Association’s Organic Trade Conference, joining a panel on community engagement alongside Suranga Herath (Founder and CEO of the English Tea Shop) and Bart Vollard (Executive Director of the Organic Cotton Accelerator). Anna shared how Bore Place actively engages with our local community through food, farming, and nature, demonstrating the power of place-based action to foster wellbeing, connection, and environmental awareness. The panel paid tribute to Soil Association founder Eve Balfour, who described agriculture as the "Nation’s Primary Health Service" - a philosophy that deeply resonates at Bore Place. Our work reflects this ethos through therapeutic farming with the Social Care Farm Network, wellness retreats for NHS workers in partnership with Out in the Field, and our nature-based Wilder WellBeing programme. We share the Soil Association’s belief that farming and food should put people, health, and the planet first, and we were delighted to be asked to share this platform with them. 40 **37** ## **PRIORITY 3 Understand and influence** ## **Towards a Sustainable Food System for Kent** Bore Place continues to play an active role on the steering group of the Kent Food Partnership (KFP), an initiative chaired by Anna Taylor of the Food Foundation. The partnership was established to create a more inclusive and diverse food system across Kent - one in which everyone has access to healthy, affordable food that is sustainably grown, produced, and distributed. Its vision supports a thriving local economy, improved public health, stronger communities, and long-term environmental protection. Over the past year, the partnership has faced structural challenges that have limited its activities, as it worked to establish a more formal legal identity following the loss of its parent organisation. KFP is now moving towards becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC), and throughout this period of transition, Commonwork Trust has remained committed to the partnership’s aims, continuing to contribute actively through the steering group. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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In addition, we hosted a one-day workshop at Bore Place in collaboration with Julia Kirby-Smith of Better Food Traders. The event brought together KFP members and stakeholders from across the county to reimagine the partnership’s collective vision and explore what a truly sustainable food economy could look like for Kent. 41 ## **Developing our people** The success of the Trust is built on the dedication and talent of our staff, volunteers, sessional workers, and partners. At the close of the financial year, our core team comprised 18 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, supported by many others who contribute their skills and passion to our work. Our People Working Group plays a central role in shaping and supporting our team. Bringing together members of the Senior Leadership Team alongside representatives from across the organisation, the group meets quarterly to guide our people strategy and review insights from regular staff surveys. In November 2022, we launched our People Strategy, setting out clear priorities to ensure Bore Place remains a place where people can thrive. Our focus areas include: 42 ## **Strengthening our board** Our Board is recruited to ensure the right blend of experience and expertise to deliver our charitable objectives and meet our legal responsibilities. Collectively, trustees bring knowledge in finance, business development, farming, safeguarding, education, law, people management, ecology, the environment, and social justice. Recruitment is through an open process, including national advertising and involvement from current trustees and the CEO, with all new trustees completing a structured induction programme. The full Board met four times during the year, supported by two sub-committees: the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, and the Estates Committee. Each sub-committee meets quarterly to provide focused oversight and guidance in its respective areas. ## **Strengthening our senior management and staff team** Following Caroline Arnold's resignation after leading the organisation since 2016, Dr Anna Bullen was appointed as the new CEO in December 2023, with her tenure commencing in April 2024, with Ros Stokeld joining as Finance Director in July 2024. The Senior Management Team comprises the CEO and three Directors, responsible for Venue and Marketing, Finance, and Education and Community. ## **A great place to work** At Bore Place, we actively promote a vibrant workplace culture by hosting regular staff events and activities. As a Real Living Wage Employer, we offer comprehensive benefits including life assurance, an employee assistance program, learning and development opportunities, and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance. Our Staff Working Group is key in implementing our People Plan, empowering team members to shape our organisation. **----- Start of picture text -----**
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## **Our finances** ## **Financial sustainability** The Trust continues to maintain and develop a diverse range of funding streams to ensure financial sustainability. Our operational income streams include: - Fees paid by schools for education programmes - Fees paid for Bore Place events and courses - Fees generated by running a venue for events and courses for groups who align with our work and especially in the charity/not-for-profit, health, wellbeing and education sectors. - Fees for providing catering services for venue events promoting organic produce and a healthy diet. Income generated through business partners across the Estate On-site renewable power generation In addition, we benefited from substantial grants to fund our education and community programme delivery and to support our Strategic Plan. Grant monies received by the Trust in the year can be seen below (this is different to the recognition of grants in the financial statements which totalled £259,876): **----- Start of picture text -----**
Grant Project Amount
Farming and Nature Together Programme - To
Farming in a Protected Landscape £128,523
cover staffing and other costs.
Engage people of all abilities and backgrounds
Heritage Lottery Fund in the management of our environment and £3,114
increase accessibility to our site.
Ernest Cook Trust School residential programme. £31,800
Kent Community Foundation Howard Family Funding. £4,000
Respite programmes and holiday programme
KCC £20,505
for young people with additional needs.
Whole family residential visits and fun day
Children in Need visits for children with special educational £17,853
needs and disabilities.
DCMS UK Youth Fund, Adventures Away from Home. £5,050
To expand weekly learning placements for
Bailey Thomas Educational Fund £8,000
young people with learning disabilities.
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## **Our financial reporting** Comparison 2023/24 to 2024/25 (£K) **----- Start of picture text -----**
2023-24 2024-25
2500
2455.9 2484.2
2000
1719.4
1500
1380.3
1000
500
0
-28.3
-339.1
-500
Income Expenditure Net
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After taking into account £1.1K of net investment gains, the Trust returned a loss of £27.3K (2024: £779K including the revaluation of investment properties). The significant increases in income and costs vs previous years are fundamentally due to the full integration of the dairy farm accounts into the figures (£683K Income, £647K expenditure). ## **----- Start of picture text -----**
Charitable Activities Dairy Farm
Other Trading Activities
Donations/Investment Income
Other Trading Activities
21.7%
Charitable Activities
45.8%
Dairy Farm
31.1%
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45 Apart from the dairy farm income, the majority of the Trust’s income is generated through charitable activities to provide education and deliver its environmental agenda and by running a venue to support those objectives. The Trust’s total funds on 31 March 2025 amounted to £14.65m (2024: £14.68m, as restated). These funds are primarily in the form of land and buildings, which the trustees have chosen to assign to a designated land and buildings fund (£13.10m). In addition, a designated fund has been established to provide for the extensive maintenance costs needed to manage the ageing and complex site (£500K). The Trustees consider the expendable reserves to be its net current assets and readily realisable investments amounting to £461,670 (2024: £437,807, as restated). The Trustees have satisfied themselves that the expendable reserves are adequate to cover 3 months’ running costs plus a provision for any advanced income monies held. There is no additional designated expenditure attributable to the unrestricted reserves or any funds attributable to a future year. ## **Investment powers and policy** The trustees closed all investments held in the stock market due to a failure to achieve an adequate return. These funds are now held in bank deposits. The Trust’s investment in its unlisted subsidiary, Commonwork Organic Farms Limited, is aimed at producing a return from rental and trading surpluses while also maintaining the value of the Trust’s real estate. The farm provides an educational resource for the wider Trust activities carried out at Bore Place. ## **Risk management** Risk is managed via a Risk Register, which is reviewed quarterly by the Management Team and the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee to ensure that all risks are managed and mitigated proactively. The Risk Register is also reviewed by the Board of Trustees twice a year. Designated staff lead on Health and Safety and Safeguarding, supported by external professional advisors who complete annual audits of both. 46 ## **Our Statement of Accounts 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025** Nature & People Together 47 ## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES** The Trustees (who are also directors of Commonwork Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable group for that period. 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; - make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable group will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company and the group's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and the group, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Disclosure of information to auditors** Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' Report is approved has confirmed that: - so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable group's auditors are unaware, and - that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable group's auditors are aware of that information. This report was approved by the Trustees on 14th October 2025 and signed on their behalf by: ………………………………………… ## **J. Rai** ## **Chair** 48 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COMMONWORK TRUST Opinion We have audited Ihe financial statements of Commonwork Trusl (the 'parent charity,) and its subsidiaries (the 'group'} for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash flows and notes to the financial statements. including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting frameworf( that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. (United Kingdom Generally A￿pIed Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial stalemenls.. give a true and fair view of the stale of the group's and of the parent charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of the group's incoming reSoUr￿S and application of resource5, including its income and expendilure for the period Ihen ended. have been property prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally A￿pIe￿ Accounting Practice., and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Stsndards on Auditing {UK) (ISAS (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are fijrther described in the Auditors, responsibilities for the audit of the financial slalemenls section of our report. We are independenl of the group in accordance with Ihe ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Slandard. and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suffiaent and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial statements we have conduded that the trustees. use of going concem basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed. we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions thal individually or collectively may casl significant doubt on the group or parent company s ability to continue as a going concem for a period of at least Iwelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going con￿rn are described in the relevant seclions of this report. Other information The other information comprises the information in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial slatements does not cover the other infomation and, except to the extent othe￿ise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other infomiation is materially inconsislenl with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwse appears to be materially misstaled. If we identify such malerial inconsislencies or apparent material misslatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed. we conclude that there is a material misstatemenl of Ihis other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit.. the information given in the Trustees, Report induding the Group Strategic Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements- and the Trustees. Report and Ihe Group Strategic Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 49 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COMMONWORK TRUST Matters on which we are required to report by exception In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charrtable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit. we have not identified material misstaternents in the Tru51ees' Report including the Group Strategic Report. We have nothing to report in respect of the follovAng matters in relation lo which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion.. the parent charitable company has not kept adequate and sufficient accounting records, or retums adequate for our audit have not been re￿iVed from branches nol visited by us- or the parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement wth the accounting records and returns., or certain disclosures of Truslees, remuneration specified by law are nol made," or we have not re￿iVed all the infomiation and explanations we require for our audit. the trustees were not entitled to prepare the finanaal statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies. exemptions in preparing the trustees, report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report. Responsibilities of trustees As explained more fully in the Trustees, Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees (who are also the diredors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial slatements that are free from malerial misslalemenl, whelher due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the group's and the parent charitable company's abilty to continue as a going con￿rn. disdosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going cOn￿M basis of accounling unless the Trustees either intend lo liquidale the group or the parent charitable cornpany or to ￿ase operations. or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Auditors. responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Our objectives are to oblain reasonable assuran￿ about whelher the financial statements as a whole are tree from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors, Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assuran￿ is a high level of assuran￿. but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS {UK) will always detect a material misstatement when rt exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregale. they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website al https'.IIMvw.frc.org.uklauditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors, report. Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud Irregularities, including fraud. are instances of non-¢yJmpliance with laws and regulations. We design prO￿dureS in line with our responsibilities, outlined above and on the Finanual Reporting Council's website, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities. including fraud. We obtain and update our understanding of the entty, its activities, its control environment, and likely future developmenls, including in relalion to the legal and regulaloryframework applicable and how the entity is complying with that framework. Based on this understanding. we identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial slatements, whether due to fraud or error. design and perform audil procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. This indudes consideration of the risk of acts by the entity that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations. including fraud. In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance laws and regulations, induding fraud. we designed procedures which included.. Enquiry of managemenl and those charged with govemance around actual and potential litigation and claims as well as actual, suspected and alleged fraud- Reviewing minutes of meelings of Ihose charged with goveMan￿-, Assessing ihe extent of compliance with the laws and regulalions considered to have a direct malerial effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charitable company through enquiry and inspedion., Reviewing financial stalernent disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations- COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COMMONWORK TRUST Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities. including fraud (continued) Performing auditwork overthe risk of management bias and override of conlrols. including testing ofjoumal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions oulside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting eslimales for indicators of potential bias. Because of the inherent limitstions of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, induding those leading to a material misstatement in the financial staternents or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance wilh a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk of not delecling a malerial misstalemenl resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion. forgery, intentional omissions. misrepresentations. or the override of intemal control. Other matter Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared financial statements in accordan￿ with "Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practi￿ applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan￿ with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102)" {as amended) in preferen￿ lo the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statemenl of Recommended Practi￿ issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been wrthdrawn. This has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with Generally AC￿pIed Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016. Use of our report This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordan￿ with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to stale to Ihem in an Auditors, Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law. we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and ils members, as a body, for our audit work. for this reporl, or for the opinions we have fomied. Michelle Wilkes FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Azets Audit Services Slalutory Auditor 1 St Floor River House 1 Maidstone Road Sidcup Kenl DA14 5RH Date.. 15 October 2025 51 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities Ilncorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2025 As restated Total funds 2024 Unrestricted funds 2025 Restricted funds 2025 Total funds 2025 Notes Income from: Donations Charitable activities Trading activities Investments 11,465 1.006.340 1,159,878 18.292 11,465 1,266,216 1,159,878 18.292 8,051 1,021,150 333,636 17,423 259.876 Total income 2,195,975 259,876 2,455,851 1,380,260 Expenditure on: Raising funds Trading activities farm Charitable activities 13.091 1,031,727 1.179.525 13,091 1,031,727 1,439,401 18.440 271,424 1,429,505 259.876 Total expenditure 2.224.343 259,876 2,484,219 1,719,369 Net expenditure before gainsl{losses) on investments (28,368) 128,368) (339,109) Net gainsl{losses) on investments 13 1.111 1,111 1,117,671 Net movement in funds (27,257) 127,257} 778,562 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 14.680.379 14,680,379 13,901,817 Total funds carried forward 14,653,122 14,653,122 14,680,379 All transactions are derived from Continuing activities. The notes on pages 58 to 75 form part of these financial statements. 52 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities Ilncorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2024 COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES As restated Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes 2024 2024 2024 Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Trading activites Investments 8,051 782.442 333,636 17.423 8,051 1,021,150 333,636 17,423 238,708 Total income 1,141,552 238,708 1,380,260 Expenditure on: Raising funds Trading activities farm Charitable activities 18.440 271,424 1,170,000 18,440 271,424 1.429,505 259,505 Total expenditure 1,459.864 259,505 1,719,369 Net expenditure before gainsl(losses) on investments (318,312) (20,797) (339,109) Net gainsl{losses) on investments 13 1,117.671 1.117,671 Net incomel(expenditure) 799,359 (20,797) 778,562 Transfers between funds Net movement in funds 799,359 (20,797) 778,562 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 13,881,020 20,797 13.901,817 Total funds carried foThvard 14,680.379 14,680,379 All transactions are derived from continuing activities. The notes on pages 58 to 75 fomi part of these financial statements. 53 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET For the year ended 31 March 2025 As restated 2024 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets Investment propety Investments 15 16 17 11,222,869 3,367,929 11.390,757 3,367,929 389,315 14,590.798 15,148,001 Current assets stock Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 23.351 283.957 909 749 18 210,930 535 872 1,217,057 746,802 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 19 (755,387) (698,310) Net Cur￿nt (liabilities)lassets 461,670 48,492 Creditors: amounts falling due within one vear Provisions for liabilities 20 (219,939) (290,837) 22 {179,407) (225,277) Net assets 14,653.122 14,680,379 Charity Funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds General unrestricted funds Non-charitable funds 24 25 13,600.686 709.894 342,542 13,262,601 1,149,273 268,505 Total funds 14,653,122 14,680,379 The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf, by.. 14th (ktober . 2025 JRai Chair The notes on pages 58 to 75 fomi part of these financial statements. COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) CHARITY BALANCE SHEET For the year ended 31 March 2025 As restated 2024 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed assets Tangible assets Investment propety Investments 15 16 17 10,193,831 3,367.929 150.000 10.372,501 3,367,929 477,809 13,711.760 14,218,239 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 18 626.327 638,143 589,313 358,194 1,264,470 947,507 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 19 {554,195) (599,312) Net Cur￿nt assets 710,275 348,195 Creditors: amounts falling due within one vear 20 (111,455) (154,549) Net assets 14,310,580 14.411,885 Charity Funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds General unrestricted fund 25 13,600,686 709,894 13,262,601 1,149,284 Total funds 14,310,580 14.411,885 The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf, by.. 14th (ktober . 2025 IRai Chair The notes on pages 58 to 75 form part of these financial statements. 55 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the year ended 31 March 2025 As restated 2024 Notss 2025 2025 2024 Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations Interest paid Income taxes paid 121,231 111,2251 157,921 119,4621 151,3481 Nel cash provided by operating activities 110,006 87,111 Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from disposal of tangible r￿ed assets Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds from disposal of fixed asset investments Investment income 81,596 1262,7961 43,233 17,423 (111.3921 428.161 18.292 Nel cash used in investing activities 335,061 1120,5441 Cash flows from financing activities: Repayments of borrowings {71.1881 1170,9781 Nel cash used in financing adivities 171,1881 {170,9781 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the period 373,879 {204,4111 Cash and cash equivalents brought forward 535.872 740,283 Cash and cash equivalents carried forward 909.751 535,872 The notes on pages 58 to 75 fom part of these financial stslemenls. COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting Policies Company Infomiation Commonwork Trust is a private company limiled by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Bore Place, Chiddingstone. Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7AR.. Basis of preparation of financial statements The financial statements have been prepared in accordan￿ wtlh the Charities SORP {FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan￿ with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102} (effective 1 January 2019), the Finanaal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102} and the CompaniesAct 2006. Commonwork Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise slated in the relevant accounting tx)Iicy. The financial statements are prepared in sterling. which is the fijnctional currenGy of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. Going concem At the time of approving the financial statements, the tnjstees have a reasonable expectation that the charity and its trading subsidiary have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going con￿rn basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Company ststus The company is a company lirnited by guarantee. The rnernbers of the company are the Trustees named on page 4. In the event of the company being wound up, the liabilty in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the company. Basis of consolidation The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of Commonwork Trust logether with the entity controlled by the Trust (its subsidiary). All finanaal statements are made up to 31 March 2024. Vvhere necessary, adjustments are made to the financial staternents of the subsidiary to bring the accounting policies in line with those used by the holding Trust. All intra-group transaclions. balanced and unrealised gains on transactions between the group are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. The company has taken advantage of the exemption contained within seclion 408 of the Cornpanies Act 2006 not to present its own Income and Expenditure Account. Charitsble funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. Trustees may choose during the reporting period to set aside a part of the unrestricted funds to be used for a particular future project or commitment. By eamarking funds in this way. the Irustees set up a designated fund that remains part of the unrestricted funds of the charity- This does not legally restrict the trustees, discretion in how to apply the unrestricted funds that they have earmarked. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity- Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for parb'cular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purtx)se of each fvnd is induded in the notes to the financial stalements. Income All income is recognised in the Slatement of Finanaal Activities when all of the following criteria are met= The charity or its subsidiary have entitlement to the funds., Any performance conditions attached to the item of incorne have been met or are fulty within the control of the charity or its subsidiary There is sufficient certainty Ihat receipt of the income is considered probable,. and The amount can be measured reliably. 57 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting Policies Income received in advance of the provision of a Se￿iCe and grant income is deferred until the crtteria for income are mel. Income given specifically lo provide a fixed asset is disclosed as an endowment fund. When the criteria for the income are met. the income is transferred to the appropriate fund unless the fund is a permanent endowment. The income is not deferred over the life of the asset. Cash donations are recognised on re￿ipt. Other donations are recognised On￿ the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of Ihe amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations re￿iVed under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notrfied of an impending distribution, the amount is known. and receipt is expecled. If the amount is now known. the legacy is treated as a contingenl asset. Interest on funds held on deposit and investment income is included when re￿1vable and the amount can be measured reliably by the company- this is normally upon notification of the interesl paid or payable by the Bank. Expenditure Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a Iransfer of economic beneffis will be required in settlement and the amounl of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure on charitable, fund-raising and publicity costs comprise these costs diredy attributable to the various programmes of work carried on by the trust or fijnd-raising and marketing activities respectively. and the support costs indirectly attributable. Support costs are those functions Ihat assist the V￿rk of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance expenditure represents the costs of Complian￿ with statutory requirements, strategic management and Truslees, meeting. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activty for which the expenditure is incurred. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation Tangible fixed assets are inilially measured at cost and subsequently measured al cost or valuation, nel of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases= Freehold land is not depreciated Freehold building & building works Motor vehicles Fami buildings Fixtures & Fittings Computers, plant and equipment 20/0 to 10 % Slraight line 10 % Straight line 2.5 to 5 % Straight line 2.5 to 33010 Straight line 10 to 33 % Straight line The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the ststement of financial acb'vrties. Tangible fixed assets with acquisition costs below £500 are not capitalized and are expensed out in the year of purchase. Impaimient of Fixed Assets At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assels to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impaimient loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impaimient loss (if any). Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution. 58 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting Policies Investments Investment property, which is property held lo eam rentals andlor for capital appreciation, is inilially recognised at cost, which includes the purchase cost and any directly attributable expenditure. Subsequently it is measured at fairvalue al the reporting end date. The surplus or defiat on revaluation is recognised in the income and expenditure account. 1.10 Fixed asset investments Listed fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction pri￿ excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting dale. Changes in fair value are recognised in net incomel(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govem Ihe financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. 1.11 Stocks Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling Pri￿ less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Standing crop stock is initially recognised at cost, which indudes the purchase cost and any directly attributable expenditure. Subsequently it is measured at fair value at the reporting end date. At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any eX￿s5 of the carying amount of #tErm5 over ils estimated selling price less cosls to complete and sell is recognised as an impaimient loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss. 1.12 Debtors Trade and other debtors are recognised at the setllement amount afler any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. 1.13 Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include Lzsh in hand, depostls held at call with banks. other short-term liquid investments with original malurilies of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. 1.14 Liabilities and provisions Liabililies are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheel date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount il has received as adVan￿d payments for the goods or services it musl provide. Provisions are measured al the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Ijvhere the effect of the time value of money is material. the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability- The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges. 1.15 Financial instruments The company only has finanaal assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequentty measured al amortised cost using the effective interest method. 1.16 Employee benefits The cosls of shorl-term employee beneffts are recognised as a liabilty and an expense, unless those cosls are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or r￿ed assets. The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in Ihe period in which the employee's services are re￿ived. Terminalion benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to temiinate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. 1.17 Retirement benefits Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. 59 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting Policies 1.17 Government grants Governmeni grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset r￿1Ved or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received. A grant that specifies perfomiance condilions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify perf0mlan￿ conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability. Critical accounting estimates and judgements In the application of the wmpany s accounling policies. the truslees are required lo make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experien￿ and other factors that are considered lo be relevant. Actual resulls may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in Ihe period in which the estimate is revised, rf the revision affects only that period, or in Ihe period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both cJJrrent and future periods. Critical judgements The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effed on amounts recognised in the financial statements. Going concern As indicated in note 1.2 it is the trustees, assessment that the group continues to be a going concem. Accordingly, assets and liabilities have been valued on the basis that the group will continue in operation. If this presumption proved lo be mistaken the carrying value of assets and liabilities would need to be reappraised to reflect Ihe impact of ￿Ssa110n. Assessing Indicato￿ of impaim7ent In assessing whelher there have been any indicators of impainnent of assels. the truslees have considered both external and internal sources of infomiation such as market ￿nditions, counterparty credit ratings and experien of recoverability. There have been no indicators of impairments identified during the current financial year. Key sources of estimation uncertainty The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows. Valuation of investmentproperties The valuation of investment properties is based on the most recent professional valuation obtained by the Trustees, dated October 2024. The change in value, apart from any additions at cost, is eslimated by adjusting the value each year by the per￿ntage change in the professional valuations of these properties. Residual value of fixed assets The group depreciates tangible assets {exduding land) over their estimated useful lives. and this annual depreciation charge is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The estimation of the usefvl lives of assets is based on historic performance as well as expectations about future use and Iherefore requires eslimates and assumptions to be applied by management. The actual lives of these assets can vary depending on a variety of factors. induding technological innovation. product life cycles and maintenance programmes. Judgement is applied by management when determining the residual values for tangible fixed assets. When determining the residual value management aim to assess the amount that the group would currently obtain for the disposal of the asset. if il were already of Ihe condition expected at Ihe end of Tts useful economic life. Where possible this is done with referen￿ to extemal market prices. 60 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Cornpany Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Income from donations 2025 2024 Donations 11,465 8,051 11,465 8,051 Income from charitable activities un￿StrICted 2025 Restricted 2025 Total 2025 Total 2024 Centre income Fees Grants Other income 769. 151 237,189 769.151 237.189 259.876 614,457 161,297 238,708 6.688 259,876 1.006,340 259,876 1,266,216 1,021,150 Income from trading acttvities 2025 2024 Power suppty Sale of produce Trading subsidiary (see note 17) 16,856 20,516 1.122,506 1,159.878 19,283 314,353 333,636 Income from investments 2025 2024 Dividends Interest 9,188 9.104 6,054 11.369 18,292 17,423 Expenditure on fundraising 2025 2024 Website costs Fundraising 10,076 3,015 13,091 11,013 7,427 18,440 61 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 Staff Direct Support costs Total Total Expenditure on charitable activities 2025 2024 Depreciation and amortisation Bore Pla￿ activities Premises costs Printing, postage and stationery Travel & subsistnece Telecommunications Sundries Computer costs Stsff costs (note 111 Cleaning. repair and maintenan Bank charges Loan interest Govemance Inole 91 225,018 126.749 10,894 225,018 128,679 36,319 3,161 3,895 4,602 12,104 24.105 869,492 95,224 924 11.225 24,653 1,439,401 212,808 239.499 17,386 1,994 2,393 4.266 15,821 26.361 799,254 61.349 1,046 19.462 27.866 1,429,505 1.930 25,425 3.161 3,895 4.602 10,038 24,105 4,670 19.855 924 11.225 24,653 130,588 40 2,026 864,822 75.369 864,862 443,951 Governance costs comprise: Audit fees Accountancy fees Trustee expenses 14,695 9,017 941 24,653 14,695 9,017 941 25,830 1,850 186 24,653 27,866 10. Trustees. remuneration and benefits There were no trustees, remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 {2024." nill. 2025 2024 Trustees, expenses 941 186 The expenses paid to 1 12024". 21 trustee were in respect of travel and recruitment costs. COMMONWORK TRUST {A Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Forthe year ended 31 March 2025 11. Staff costs 2025 2024 Staff costs were as follows.. Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs 772,381 66,741 25,698 864,820 698,022 52,588 22,680 773,290 The average number of persons employed by the company during the period was as follows.. No. No. Total staff 35 The number of employees whose emoluments as defined for laxalion purposes, amounted to over £60,000 in the year were as follows.. No. £70,000 to £79,999 £80,000 TO £89,999 During the year Key Management Personnel re￿iVed remunerats.ons linduding employer pension contributions and employer Nalional Insuran￿ contributions) of £269.815 {2024. £246.0451 and benefrts of £nil12024. £nil). 12. Net in¢omel{expenditure} 2025 2024 This is slated after char in Auditors, remuneration - audit 14,695 25,830 Auditors, remuneration - other services Movement in deferred lax Net Igains)Ilosses on investments Depreciation of tangible fixed assets.. owned by Ihe charitable group (Profit)Iloss on disposal of fixed assets 9,017 1,850 145,870) 51,348 11,111) 11,117,671) 279,270 250,254 14,500) 13. Net gainsl{lossesl on investments 2025 2024 Net gainslllosses) on inveslment properties (note 15) Net gainslllossesl on fixed asset investments (note 161 1,139,524 {21,853) 1,117,671 1,111 1,111 63 Illl" COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 15. Inveslment Property- Group and charity Fair value At 1 April 2024 Revalualion in year At 31 March 2025 3,367,929 3,367,929 The properties were vested in the Trust when it was set up on 1st July 2015 following the merger of Commonwork Land Trust (established July 19771 and Neil Wates Charitable Trust (established March 19661. It is no longer possible lo detemiine the original cost of the properties. The trustees have confirmed that their estimate of market value of the investment properties at 31 March 2025 was £3,504,902 based on a professional revaluation from Savills in October 2024. 16. Fixed asset investments Listed inveslments 2025 2024 Group Market value At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals Nel cash Iransfers out Nei gain4{losses) At 31 March 2025 389,315 43,806 1428,161} {6,071} 1,111 389,315 451,544 43,806 186,369 1428,161} (226,745) 16,071) 1,111 {21,853) 389,315 Shares in group undertakings Listed inveslments 2025 2024 Charity Market value At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals Net cash transfers out Net gainsl{losses) At 31 March 2025 150,1)00 327.809 43,806 (365.921} (6,071 } 377 477,809 501,388 43,806 186,369 (365,921} (224,681) 16,071) 377 14,733 477,809 150,000 150.000 Inveslments at market value comprise: Cash held with investment managers UK govemment bonds Overseas bonds UK bonds UK equity Overseas equity Diversified equity 5,995 54.645 30,185 19,350 155,298 108,307 15,539 389,319 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee} NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 17. Fixed asset investments - continued Inveslments at market value in excess of 5% of valuation". 2025 2024 Genus plc ishares11 plc Physical Gold ETC 61,510 21,168 Subsidiary undertaking The investrnents at the balan￿ sheet date in the share capital of other companies include the following." Subsidiary name.. Subsidiary company number. Country of incorporation Equity shareholding Wo Nature of business". Dairy famiing Commonwork Organic Famis Limited 01977080 England and Wales 100% The Irading results of Commonwork Organis Famis Limited for the year ended 31 March 2025 are as follows". 2025 2024 Turnover Cost of sales 1,024,265 1809,680} 214,585 1190,578} 122,825 146,832 756 (33,151} 730 115,167 141.130} 74,037 277,545 {226,5851 50,960 {106,3321 56,625 1,253 1,115 {13,3601 {36,5861 {47,5781 23,338 {24,2401 Gross profit Administration expenses other operating income Operating profit for the year Interest re￿1vable Interest payable Net gains on investments Profit before tax Tax on profit Profit for the financial year The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary were: Tangible fixed assets Investments Current assets Current liabilites Long-term liabilities Provisions for liabilities 1,029,037 1,018,262 61,510 280,146 {98,2531 {617,8831 {225,2771 418,505 388,066 1200,814} 1544,340} 1179,407} 492,542 Called up share capital Profil and loss reserves 150,000 342,542 492,542 150,000 268,505 418,505 67 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the y¢ar ended 31 Mar¢h 2025 18. Dobtors As r¢$tatsd As r¢statsd Group Charity 2024 2024 Group 2025 Charity 2025 Dobtors falling due within on¢ year Trade debtors Other debtors VAT Amounts owed by group undertakings Prepayments 168,314 65.620 30,647 151,785 31,162 27,026 113,231 33,273 4,925 72,795 26,648 19,376 283.957 7,902 190.849 37,400 210,930 3,350 107,718 Debtors falling due after more than one year Amounts owed by group undertakings 435,478 626,327 481,595 589,313 283,957 210,930 The amount due from the wholty owned subsidiary is due for repayment in more than one year. The balan￿ is made up of a loan balance and an intercompany account. The loan amount of £350,000 is repayable by ad hoc payments, but with a minimum of £10,000 per annum, and interest is charged at 5% on the balance due at the end of each month. 19. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year As restated As restated Group Charity 2024 2024 Group 2025 Charity 2025 Bank loans and overdrafts other loans Trade Creditors Soaal security VAT other creditors Accruals Deletred income Inole 21) 72.204 20,647 102.843 42,750 51.986 43,791 10,651 12.231 15,869 26.881 ( 3,880 58.201 382.691 554,195 72,495 20,646 75.236 15,029 44,082 10,650 52,841 14,285 16,093 65.845 432.966 698,310 3,317 41,171 432,966 599,312 82.266 382.691 755,387 20. Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year Group 2025 Charty 2025 Group 2024 Charity 2024 Bank loans Other loans 188,491 31,448 219,939 96,321 15,134 111,455 239,518 51,319 290,837 129,544 25,005 154,549 The Group look out a boun￿baCk loan of £50.000 (luriThJ Il* pandemic on vthi¢h repayments were deferred until October 2022, although interest has been charged. No se¢urtty is wuired for this loan. The loan wll be fvlty repaid by 31 March 2028. Analysis of loans Group 2025 Charity 2025 Group 2024 Charity 2024 Bank loans other loans 260.695 52,095 312.790 140,112 25,785 165.897 312,013 71,965 383,978 173,628 35,S55 209,281 Loan maturity Debt due in one year or less Due in more than one year but not more than years Due in more than iwo years but not MO￿ than 5 years Due in more than 5 years 92,850 82.699 111,746 25.495 312,790 54,441 44,290 41,671 25,495 165,897 93,141 191,020 70,454 29,363 383,978 54,732 54,732 70,454 29,363 209,281 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee} NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 20. Creditors: Arnounts falling due after one year (continued) The bank loans are secured by a charge on one of the properties ovmed by the Trust and by a fixed and floating charge over all the assets of the Trust. The above loans which carry a fixedffioab'ng interest rate are repayable in monthly instalments ranging from £1,033 to £2,616 until June 2035. Following the increase in the Bank of England base rate, these repayments have been increased to various amounts so that the loan is repaid over the same teTh. 21. Deferred income (Group and charity) 2025 2024 Deferred income (including Payments on account) at 1 April 2024 Released from previous periods Deferred in year Deferred income at 31 March 2025 432,966 1432,9661 382.691 382,691 321,073 1321,0731 432,966 432,966 22. Provisions for liabilities (Group 2025 2024 Deferred tax Farm contract 179.407 138,277 87,000 225,277 179,407 Movements in provisions- Defer￿d lax Farni ¢ontra¢t Totsl At 1 April 2024 Movements in the year At 31 March 2025 138,277 41,130 179,407 87,000 187,0001 225,277 145,8701 179,407 These provisions all arise in the trading subsidiary. 23. Contingent liabilities The trustees omitted to file a Corporation Tax return for the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. This has since been filed and all fines setteled, however, at the date of signing Ihese financial statements the Corporation Tax Return had not been approved by HMRC and as such the Charity may be liable for unpaid corporation tax and interest. The amount cannot be estmated but it is the trustees. opinion that there is no corporation tax to pay and as such no provision has been made in the financial statements for this. 69 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 24. Restricted funds The restricted ftjnds of the charity comprise the unexpended balan￿ of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific condf(ions by donors as to how they may be used. Balan￿ at 1Apr24 Balance at 31 Mar 25 Income Expenditure Current year Ernest Cook Trust- The OWL Collaboration - OLrtdoor Leaming Cent Ernest Cook Trust- Environmental Engagement Children in Need Kent County Council - short breaks Kent Community Foundation Colyer Ferguson DCMS Bailey Thomas Charitable Trust FIPL 24125 Heritage Lottery Fund RCEF 31,200 131,2001 12.402 39,671 20,505 4,000 7.500 5,050 8,000 128,523 3.115 1901 259.876 112.4021 139,6711 120,5051 14,0001 17.5001 15,0501 18,0001 {128,5231 13.1151 90 1259,8761 Ernest Cook Trust Outdoor leaming grant 24125- provision of 3 x ￿￿ents1 weeks wrth activrties for vulnerable young people who are in receipt of Pupil Premium at school. Ernest Cook Trust Environmental Engagement- leaming from Land Intemships, tablets for children and staff training Chikjren in Need ICINI - A 3 year project delivering 3 x 1 year-long programmes to 10 families a year1120-150 beneficiariei KCC Short Breaks- provision of drop off day sessions for chikI￿n with additional needs - 15 days per year Kent Community Foundation {ESOLI- A 12 day programme of outdoor activi(ies to support local ￿fUgeeS who have been housed in local hotels and have minimal or no a￿sS to outside place. Colyer Ferguson- support the development of our education and support programme for 14-2&year-olds who are marginalised, vulnerable and or disengaged within West and Northwest Kent. DCMS- A day of outdoor leaming experience for children aged between 11-18 years Bailey Thomas Charitable Trust- support our developing education and support programme for 14-25-year-olds who are marginalised, vulnerable and or disengaged within West and Northwesl Kent. Faming in Protected Landscapes IFiPLI- DEFFiq- Funding lo connect people lo famiing and nature by providing the infrastrastructure, events and opportunrties for all lo visrt and leam al Bore Pla￿ 365 days a year. Heritage Lottery Fund - People and Nature- Funding to connect people lo nature by providing events, volunteering opportunities, habitst restoration and a cjtizen Scien￿ programme to monf(or our species on sile. 70 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 24 Restricted funds- continued Balance at Balance at 1Apr23 Income Expendilure 31 Mar 24 Prioryear Kent Community Foundation IESOLI Wates Chantsble Trust Famiing in Protected Lant1scapes IFiPLI- DEFRA 5.CKIO 7,(KlO 15,0001 17,0001 6.511 16,5111 UK Youth 2.286 12,2861 {14,0331 121.8191 130,0001 190,4311 119,8741 Big Give Children in Need ICINI ECT Outdoor leaming grant 23124 FIPL 23124 KCC Short Breaks 14.033 21.819 30,000 90.431 19,874 KCF Annual AP￿iL￿tIOn funding {H￿ward Famityl Kent Communty Foundation IKCFI RCEF 1.500 11.5001 8.500 41.982 18.5001 141.9821 12,8751 UK Youth IEduG3tion grant) LSP- Outreach Wil¢life Gar¢en incorre into 23124 Emest Cook Trust IECTI Intem CIN 23124 (deferred from 221231 2.875 2.500 12.5001 3.895 1.299 238 708 13,8951 11,2991 259.505 20.797 25. Designated funds- charity The income funds ofthe charity indude the fOlkn￿ng deswnated futvjs have LEen set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.. Balance at Balance at New Designations 1 Apr24 designations released 31 Mar 25 Current year Maintenance fund Land and buildings fund 500.000 500.000 13.100.686 13.600.686 13.262.601 13,262.601 1161,9151 1161.9151 500,000 71 COMMONWORK TRUST IA Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 25. Designated funds - charity (continued) As restated Balance at 1Apr23 Balance at 31 Mar 24 Income Expenditure Prior year Finance system Land and buildings fund 10.000 12.333,541 12.343.541 10.0001 169,4031 1179.4031 1,098,463 1,098,463 13,262,601 13,262.601 Land and buildings This fund includes funds tied up in Freehold Properties and BO￿ pla￿ Improvements £9,732,757 and Investment Properties £3,367,929 which have been transferred from unrestricted general funds. Maintenance fund This fund has been designated by the trustees for the ongoing maintenance of rts property portfolio. Finance system This fund has been designated by the Iruslees for the implemenlalion of the new finance system. 26. Capital commitments The totsl capf(al commitment as at 31 March 2025 was £nil (2024.. £24.050). 27. Operating lease commitments Lessee Al the reporting end date the group had outstanding commthents for future minimum ￿ase payments under non-cancellable operating leases, as follows.. 2025 2024 Within one year Be￿een and five years In over five years 20.000 60.000 90.000 170,000 20,000 60,000 110,000 190,000 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 March 2025 28. Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash flow from operdting activities 2025 2024 Net incomellexpenditurel for the year Adjustments for: Depreciation and impaimient of tangible fixed assets Fair value gains and losses on investments Fair value gains and losses on investment properties Investment income Finance costs Taxation charged Lossllprofit} from sale of tangible assets IDecreasellincrease in provisions Movements in working Capital- Decreasellincreasel in stock Decreasellincreasel in debtors Increaselldecreasel in creditors Increaselldecreasel in deferred income Cash (absorbed byllgenerated from operations 127,2571 800,415 279,270 250,254 11,139,524) {17,4231 19,462 51,348 14,500) 51,348 {18,2921 11,225 145,8701 {23,3501 173,0271 69,917 150.2751 121,231 9,226 20,606 29. Analysi5 of change in net funds Balance at 1Apr24 Balance at 31 Mar 25 Cash flows Cash at bank and in hand 535,872 154,7331 1154,5491 1174,6971 151,893 373,877 138,1171 165,3901 174,697 445.067 909,749 {92,850) 1219,9391 Loans falling due within one year Loans falling due after more than one year Borrowngs excluding overdrafts 596,960 30. Related Party Transactions The trustee, WG Waterfield is a director and shareholder in Waterfield & White Limited. Waterfield & White were paid fees of £886 {2024.' £11,586) for the provision of fam management advi￿ to Commonwoth Organic Fams Limited, the trust's trading subsidiary. The trustee, WG Waterfield is the owner of Fosse Organic. Fosse Organic were paid fees of £21,98812024." £7,650) for the provision of farm goods to Commonwork Organic Famis Limited, the trust's trading subsidiary. 31. Prior period adjustments There have been historic differences belween Ihe VAT per the nominal ledger and that per the VAT Return at the accounting peri(xJ end. This is due to the tharity using cash accounting for its VAT Return preparation. Theses differences are to be expected and should not have been written off in prior periods. The accumulated affect is now material and as such management have corrected this error. There have been historic dIfferen￿S be￿en the inlercompany accounts between the charity and Commonwork Orgainc Farms Limited.The accumulated affect is now material and as such management have corrected this e￿or. 73 COMMONWORK TRUST (A Company Limited by Guarantee NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the yearended 31 March 2025 31. Prior period adjustments (conlinued} Reconciliation of changes in equty 1 April 2023 31 March 2024 Adjustments to prior year Funds VAT correction Intercompany correction Total adjustments Funds as previously reported Funds as adjusted 41,677 13,744 55,421 13,841,049 13.896.470 41,677 13,744 55,421 14,619,611 14,675,032 Anaylsis of the effect upon ￿ndS Restricted funds Unrestricted funds- designated Unrestricted funds- non-ch8ritsble funds 55,421 55,421 55,421 55,421 Total funds Reconciliation of changes in the profil for the previous finaneial period 2024 Adjustments to prior year VAT correction Intercompany correction Totsl adjustments Net movement in funds as previously reported Net movement in funds as adjusted 778,562 778,562 74 ## **Thank You** This work could not happen without the generosity of our funders and partners – thank you This report was produced by Bore Place staff with the support of trustees, partners, and participants who generously shared their stories. AI tools were used to support the drafting process, but all quotes and images are genuine and drawn directly from our work. 7568 7568