The Patchworking Garden Project- Trustses Report 31 March 2024 qpatchworking gJarden Project
The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2024 For the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 Reference and Admlnlstratlon Deta51s Charity name The Patchworking Garden Project Registered Charity number 1162471 (Registered in England and Wales) Charity's Principal Address Carmel O'shea 44 West Bank tk)rking Surrey RH4 3DH Website W4.patchW0(1nggardenprojeCt.Q).uk Find us also on Instagram and Facebook Trustees Name Offic• (Ef any) Isobel Gowan Chair Camel O'shea Founder Dan Andrew Treasurer Helen McHenry Chris Munford Appointed 11 December 23 Dr Glenn Comish Mental Health Adviser. Appointed 11 Dernber 23 Others who served during the year l Date of Resignatiory Val Theobald to 28 June 24 Helen Clifft)rd-Jones to 28 June 2024 Joanne Olney to 23 August 23
The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report - 31 March 2024 Structure, Governance and Management Type of governing document The Constitution was adopted on 23 April 2015. How the Charity is constitLrted The Patchworking Garden Project is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with voting members comprising its trustees and its management committee. Its registration as a Charity was effective from 1 April 2015. Trustee selection methods Trustees are appoinled for a three-year tem. There must be a minimum of five and a maximum of nine. Vacancies or new appoinbnents may be filled by the Trustees. The appointment of such interim Trustees must be confirmed at the next Annu81 General Meeting. From the second Annual General Meeting onwards one third of Trustees must retire annually but may be reappointed for further temis. Decision-making Decisions are made b)th by the Trustees or are delegated to the Management Committee. The definiiion of Members was widened in April 2024 to include both Volunteers and Supported Volunteers. in addition to the Management Committee and Trustees. In the event of a matter being raised to the members for a decision then a quorum of fifteen is required and a simple majorrty is required from the voting members. Other relevant gov•mance matters The project has policies and procedures in place covering the operation of the garden and what is expected of our volunteers. We also have policies for safeguarding. equal opportuntties, health and safety, GDPRlconsent. how we manage our income and expenditure and a reserves policy. These policies are reviewed on a regular basis. The project works closely with local mental health and leaming disability services. General Practitioners, volunteer agencies and other tharities supporting individuals with physical and mental health needs. The trustees and the management commrttee give their time voluntarily and re1ve rK) remuneration or other beneffts. The project is entirely run by a dedicated group of volunteers who give freely of their time and many skills.
The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2024 Objectlves and actlvlties The objectives of The Patchworking Garden Project are: The promotion of improvement in well-beirKJ as a result of accessing the therapeutic benefits of gardening in a volunteer supp)rted environment. which include better physical health. improved psychological health. improved social opportunities, learning new skills and access to the natural environment. The promotion of volunteering to increase engagement viith the communty. enhancing the use of community resources and raising confidence and seFf-esteem. The reduction of stigma associated with physical disability, psychological health problems, old age and infimiity by creating an indusive project where the contribution of each person is equally acknowledged. To provide this service within the Mole Valley area of Surrey. Activities and Achlev•ments 2023-2024 has been a busy and SUC$sful year for the project. We have had all sorts of weather of course but this was a year for welcoming new supported and SUPFK)rt volunteers as well as Trustees. We also said a fond farewell to many people. Our caler)dar of public facing events. spring plant sale, Summer Open Day, and Christmas wreath and craft sale were very well attended as local support continues to grow, so special thanks to all our team who make these events such a successl 2023-24 was a tough year for Fundraising but our community events along with legacies means we have continued to invest whilst also keeping a tight rein on costs. Our Academy students are to be congratulated both for their academic achievement and for the subsequent employment gained by some. We can support up to 90 people alongside our 60 support volunteers and will keep to that number. It has been lovely to see how people thrive in our project. There has been a huge drive through the year of raising our profile with other charities. social prescribers and the public with over 70 posters advertising what we offer and how to access our services FM)Sted around the area. We are lucky enough to have experienced volunteers helping with marketing and social media alongside a local company which means our profile is maintained regulady and is well recognised. We recruited two new Truslees.. one is our Mental Health Adviser, and the other is leading on Fundraising and Communications. Both bring hugely welcome experience and expertise. We have strengthened our amazing admin tearn and have a new volunteer who is focussed on helping us apply for grants. Although it is technically in our 2024125 year, we were blown away by the support shown to us during the Dorking Westival Music event at the beginning of May as the final total raised was an amazing £10.000.
Tha Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2024 Challenges Inevitably keeping up with fundraising is aVaYS a major challervJe but we have many great supporters. and our 2023 events showed us the great support we have. At the beginning of 2024 we have been successful in applying for a number of grants but know that continuing to be successful will be tougher given the impact of the pandemic and the UK economy: we are lucky to have sufficient reserves but know that other charities do not. We are close lo finalising a long-tem lease with our new landlord Stonegate homes who are developing the fonner Aviva site. Benefits in kind and Value of Volunteer Time We would like to fomially record the generous support we receive from local businesses Buckland Nurseries and t)owns Solicitors. Many others kindly give us a variety of discounts which all helps ! We would also like to acknowledge the value of the time that our volunteers, support staff and trustees contribute to the project. We are a £172,000 a year operation if you added the value of volunteer time, estimated at £125,000, to our recorded costs of £47,000. Thal volunteer time commttment is invaluable and makes the project the success it has been. Like the local business support. tl shows nowhere in our financial numbers. Looking forward We will keep publishing our quarterly newsletter to those who like to hear about our work. We will approach local businesses more fonnally with a view to establishing a networt( from whom we can ask for ongoing financial supwrt. We are continuing to build more links wtthin our community to ensure our students and others we support can find new opportunities for employment and volunt*ring. We are invesling in our site as funds become available and ensuring a wide range of activities are available for everyone who atterKIs. Financial Review This yearour income increased by £13.900 arKI ourexpenses fell £3.400 compared lo the prior year and. with reserves of £85.700, we remain in a strong financial position. Our 31 March 2024 balance sheet shows total funds of £85.700. (2023 . £79.200) an increase of £6,500.
The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2024 An important caveat is that in March 2024 we received a National Lottery grant of £20,000 for the years from June 2024. Adjusting this yearfs cash result for that earfy payment creates a deficit of £13.500 for the current year. Funds are held in cash at Natwest (£64.400), Wirgin Money (£1.200) and in a CCLA Equity Investment Fund at a cost of £20,000 (Market Value at 31 March 2024 - £22,575). Our funds a unstriCted funds except for the National Lottery grant and a smaller grant of £500, both of which will be released to unrestricted reserves in future years. Our income increase of £13,900 can be broken down as follows . Donations reIVed totalled £6,900 (Last year £6,500) an increase of £400. Grants were received of £29.000 (Last year £15,000) an increase of £14.000. This year included the National Lottery two-year award described above. Fundraising remained strong at £15.300 {Last year £16.800) a reduction of £1,500. Investment and Interest Income added £1,300 (Last year £100) an increase of £1,200. Legacies added £800 {Lasl Year £1.000) a reduction of £200. Our costs decreased by £3.400 to £46,900 which can be broken into fihree parts. Running costs totslled £18,400 (Last year£21.900). This includes all the costs of the garden including activities. maintenance. fund-raising and other overhead costs. Our Academy tutor and other training costs totalled £23.800 (Last year £20.000) Our investment in the Pixham stte was reduced to £4.700 (Last year £8.400). Funds this year were invested in extending our irrigation syslem to the Academy plots (and for which we received a grant of £3.000) and other improvements. Financial outlook Our total running costs for the year to 31 March 2025 are forecast at £44,000 plus additional development expenditure of £12,000. if we can secure grants or use reserves. We regard the receipt of regular grant income as essential forthe Academy due to its annual running costs of £22,000. We will manage our expenditure accordingly as there may be less grant money available in the immediate future. Resorv•s Pollcy Our Reserves Policy requires the Charity to retsin a yearfs runniro costs in reserve, which for the Garden and Academy. excluding further development expenditure, is a combined total of £44,000. We are pleased to report that we have almost two years of running costs. The reserves we have will be retained to cover any shortfalls in income, for unforeseen expenditure to make appropriate investments that the Trustees and Management CommÈttee agree should be made in furtherance of our charitable objeclives.
The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2024 Daclaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee's report above. Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 30 August 2024 Name Isobel Gowan Dan Andrew Position Chair Treasurer
The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2024 Refv 1162471 The Patchworking Garden Projert arden ioiect En8&nd &Wales Receipts and payments atcounts For theyear 01-Apr-23 To 31-Mai-24 Forni= CC16a Section A Receipt5 and payments Unrestricted Funds Re5trrted Funds Total Funds Last Year Receipts Donations including Gift Aid Grants Received Fundrai5in8 Investment income and Intwest Legacie5 Recewed 6,933 6,509 15.000 8.494 15.273 1.316 818 20.500 1.316 818 loo 1.000 Tthal recelpts ments Expenditure to devdop the Garden Garden. Craft su lies and Equipment Trainin Costs Fundraislng Costs other Expenses 4.680 8.601 23.761 2.222 7.607 4.680 8.601 23.761 2.222 7.607 8,377 10.953 19.990 1,426 9.508 Totsl payments Net surplu5lldefiatl Openlng lunds Cash fvnds thls year•end 14.036 79.238 65.202 20.5 6.464 79.238 85,702 10,8381 90,076 79,238 20.500 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year 31-Mar.24 31.M-23 ¥l- Cash ond In¥estnnts NatWest- Currenl Account NatWest- Dewsit Accounts Vir in Mon Chari CCLA- Gbjbal E 4.238 63,267 1.220 sit Account Fund Units Market Value £22 575 75,000 85,702 79,23B Funds Unrestrirted Funds RestrKted Funds 65.202 20,500 85.702 79.238 79.238 B4-Assets retalned for the charltVs own ¥se No book vahJe is placed on buildings. equIpwt or developmentexpenditureat PvAham. None None 85- Uablllties Liabilit5 None None
The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2024 Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Patchworking Garden Project Registered charity nurnber 1162471 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Patchworking Garden Project {'the Project,) for the year ended 31 March 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Project. you are responsible for the preparatKin of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,) I report in respect of my examination of the Project's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5Xb) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe thal in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Project as required by section 130 of the Act. or 2, the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concems and have come across no other matter in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Signed: Mr David Huw Bassett FCCA Tamar, Harrow Road East, Dorking, Surrey Date.. 30 August 2024