The Patchworking Garden Project - Trustees Report 31 March 2025
S Patchworking
gJarden
Project

The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2025
For the year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Reference and Administration Details
Charity name
The Patchworking Garden Project
Registered Charity number
1162471 (Registered in England and Wales)
Charity's Principal Address
Chris Munford
50 Woodlands Road
Little Bookham
Leatherhead, Surrey
KT23 4HF
Website
www.patchworkinggardenproject.co.uk
Find us also on Instagram and Facebook
Trustees
Name
Office {if any)
Isobel Gowan
Chair
Dan Andrew
Treasurer
Dr Glenn Cornish
Mental Health Adviser
Helen McHenry
HR Adviser
Chris Munford
Academy and Supported Volunteer Lead
Rebecca Ward
Fundraiser (Appointed 6 March 2025)
Others who served during the year l Dats of Resignation
Carmel O'shea 26 June 2025
Val Theobald
28 June 2024
Helen Clifford-Jones 28 June 2024

The Patchworktng Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
Type of governing
document
The Constitution was adopted on 23 April 2015.
How the Charty is
constituted
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 appointed for a three-year term. There must be a
minimum of five and a maximum of nine. Vacancies or new
appointments may be filled by the Trustees. The appointment of
such interim Trustees must be confirmed at the next Annual
General Meeting. From the second Annual General Meeting
onwards one third of Trustees must retire annually but may be
reappointed for further terms.
Decision-making
Decisions are made both by the Trustees or are delegated to the
Management Committee.
The definition of Members was widened in April 2024 to add both
Volunteers and Supported Volunteers to the Management
Committee and TrUSt￿s.
In the event of a matter being raised to the Members fora decision
then a quorum of frfteen is required and a simple majority is
required from the voting members.
Other relevant governance matters
The project has policies and procedures in pla￿ covering the operalion ofthe garden and what
is expected of our volunteers. We also have policies for safeguarding, equal opportunities,
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 learning disability servI￿s, General
Practitioners, volunteer agencies and other charities supporting individuals with physical and
mental health needs.
The trustees and the management committee give their time voluntarily and receive no
remuneration or other benefits. The project is entirely run by a dedicated group of volunteers
who give freely of their time and many skills.

The Patchworklng Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2025
Objectives and activities
The objectives of The Patchworking Garden Project are:
The promotion of improvement in well-beiro as a resutt of ac￿SsIng the therapeutic
benefits of gardening in a volunteer supported environment, which include better
physical health, improved psychological health, improved social opportunities, leaming
new skills and aC￿sS to the natural environment.
The promotion of volunteering to increase engagement with the community, enhancing
the use of community reSoUr￿S and raising confidence and self-esteem.
The reduction of stigma associated with physical disability, psychological health
problems, old age and infirmity by creating an inclusive project where the wntribution
of each person is equally acknowledged.
To provide Ihis seNice within the Mole Valley area of Surrey.
Aclivitles and Achievements
2024-25 has been a busy and suc￿Ssful year for the project but also a time for thinking
about change as we enter into our 10th year. This was a year for welcoming new supported
and support volunteers as well as Trustees. We also said a fond farewell to many people.
Our calendar of public facing events, spring plant sale, Summer Open Day, and
Christmas wreath and craft sale were very well attended and an early highlight in May
2024 was Westival. This is a local music event, and we were lucky enough to be
selected as their charity of the year. Our leam were amazing all weekend and the
support we received was utterly fantastic, raising £10,0001
Fundraising continues to be hard work but our community events along with a
generous 2-year grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, additional support
from Mole Valley District Council and a new fundraising volunteer writing our
applications has made everything feel more manageable this year.
Our Academy students are to be congratulated both for their academic achievement
and for the subsequent employment gained by several.
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, especially as
we regain a focus on friendship and fun.
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 seNices posted around the area.
We are lucky enough to have eXperIen￿d volunteers helping with marketing and
social media alongside a local company which means our profile is maintained
regularly and is well recognised.
One of our supported volunteers has joined our management commbttee and is
bringing welcome insight into how our sessions operate.
Our visionary founder is stepping down in June 2025, so we used an external
facilitator to help us prepare for that big change. She designed a process thal included

The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2025
everyone in the project so we feel confident that the redistribution of roles and
responsibilities will stand us in good stead as we look forward.
Challenges
We enter the 2025 year in a healthy financial position but have been much saddened
by several break ins and will have to spend funds on increased security.
We were close to finalising a long-term lease with our new landlord Stonegate homes
who had plans to develop the former Aviva site, but the whole site is now up for sale.
At the time of writing in June 2025 we are bidding a very fond farewell to our founder
Carmel O'shea. Carmel's vision, tenacity and skills will be much missed, but we have
a strong team in place to carry the project on though we all know it will be challenging
at limes.
Benefits in kind and Value of Volunteer Time
We would like to formally record the generous support we receive from local businesses
Buckland Nurseries, Downs Solicitors, Dave Ford Tree Services and RB Fencing. Many
others kindly gave us a variety of discounts which all helps I
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 £175,000 a year operation if you added the
value of volunteer time, estimated at £130,000, to our running costs of £45,000.
That volunteer time commitment is invaluable and makes the project the success it has b￿n.
Like the local business support, it 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 fomially with a view to establishing a ne￿Ork
from whom we can ask for ongoing financial support.
We are continuing to build more links within our community to ensure our students and
others we 8UPPOrt can find new opportunities for employment and volunteering.
We are inveskn'ng in our site as funds become available and ensuring a wide range of
activities are available for everyone who atlends.
Financlal Review
This year our total income increased £goo to £54.200 however our expenses increased
£22,100 compared to the prior year. With reserves of £71,000 however, we remain in an
acceptable financial position going into this year.
Our 31 March 2025 balance sheet shows total funds of £71,000. {2024 . £85.700) a decrease
of £14.700.

The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2025
Our result for this year was close to the budget set by the Trustees and was impacted by two
significant matters.. the first being essential expenditure to replace both the kitchen area roof
and the Academy shelter for a total cost of £13,500. The second was exceptional expenditure
on consultancy fees of £4,100 to help guide the Charity on the design and adoption of a new
organisation model for the next ten years.
It should also be noted that in March 2024 we received a National Lottery grant of £20,000 for
the two years from June 2024. Our result would be close to break even if we adjusted this
yearfs result for that early funding and the eX￿ptIOnal costs mentioned above.
Funds are held in cash at Natwest (£51,000) and in a CCLA Equity Investment Fund at a cost
of £20,000 (Market Value on 31 March 2024 - £21,200). Our funds are unrestricted funds
ex￿pt forthe remaining deferred National Lottery grant (£10,000) and further restricted grants
of a net £2,007 held for future expenditure.
Our income increase of £900 can be broken down as follows .
Fundraising increased further to £23,600 (Last year £15,300) an increase of £8,300.
This included our three annual events- the April Plant Sale, July Open Day and our
Xmas Wreaths plus the result from the Westival Music Festival where. over the May
Bank Holiday weekend as their designated charity, we made an incredible £9.600.
Donations received totalled £8,100 (Last year £6,900> an increase of £1,200.
Grants were received of £16,300 (Last year £29,000) a decrease of £12,700.
However. we did receive £10,000 for this year which was shown in the 202314
accounls meaning our adjusted grant income was near flat, year-on-year.
Legacies income added £3,700 (Last Year £800) an increase of £2,900.
Interest and Investment Income added £2,500 (Last year £1,300) an increase of
£1,200.
Our costs increased to £69.000 (Last Year £46,900) an increase of £21,100 This can be
broken into three parts.
Running costs totalled £25,800 (Last year £18,400) an increase of £7,400. This
includes all garden costs including activities, repairs and maintenance. fund-raising,
insurance and other overhead costs plus, for this year. the eX￿ptIOnal consultancy
costs of £4,100 mentioned above.
Academy tutor and other training costs totalled £22,400 (Last year £23,800)
Our investrnent in the Pixham site increased to £20,500 (Last year £4.700) with
essential expenditure on the Academy shelter, Kttchen Roof (Total £13.500) and the
Events shed, replacement front gate and fencing and the Fire Pit (Total £7,000).
Expenditure to develop the site's facilities looks complete and we will move to a care
and Maintenan￿ phase from this year onwards.

The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report- 31 March 2025
Financial outlook
Our total running costs forthe year to 31 March 2026 are budgeted at £41,000 plus additional
expenditure of £2,500 for car park repairs, if we can secure additional grants or use our
reserves. Given our typical fundraising income, we will then have a shortfall of £10,000 which
we will look for grants to cover.
Grants will always remain essential for the Academy to Cover its annual running costs of
£21,000. We will continue to manage our expenditure carefully due to the uncertainties over
the availabilty of grant money.
Reserves Policy
Our Reserves Policy requires the Charity to retain a yearfs running costs in reserve. which for
the Garden and Academy, excluding further development expenditure, is a combined total of
£41,000. With reserves of £71,000 we are pleased to report that we have almost years
of running costs.
The reserves we have will be retained to cover any shortfalls in income, for unforeseen
expendilure and to make appropriate investments that the Trustees and Management
Committee agree be made in furtheran￿ of our charitable objectives.
Daclaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee's report above.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 11 July 2025
Name
Isobel Gowan
Dan Andrew
Position
Chair
Treasurer

The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report - 31 March 2025
Re¥. 1162471
The Patchworklng Garden Project
FnBl•nd &W4es
< rc)ject
Recelpts and payments accounts
01-Apr-24
Fortheyear
To
31-Mar-25
Form.- CC16a
Section A Receipts and payment5
Unrestrlrted
Fund5
Restrtted Funds
Total Funds
Last Yar
Rec•lpts
FundralsiThg
Donations Includlng Gift Akl
Grants Received
Legacie5 and In Memory Donation5
Interestand Investment Income
23.634
8.114
14.092
3,675
2,531
52,046
23,634
8.114
16,292
3,675
2.sai
15,273
6.933
28.994
818
1,316
53,335
2.200
Tot•1 r•¢•lpts
2.2QO
Payments
Kltchen Roof and A¢ademyShelter Upgrade5
otherSSte Developtnent Expenditur
Garden, Craftsupplies and Equlprnent
Tralnlng Costs
Fundraising Cost5
Other Expenses
13,S33
7,012
7.182
22,426
2,419
16,212
7,182
22.426
2.419
16,405
68,977
8.501
23.761
2.222
7,607
193
193
Net ID*ffcltll5urplus
Transfers between lunds
Op•nln¢fvnds
Cth fundsthl$ y•ar-•nd
116,7381
10,500
65.202
58,965
2,007
110,5001
2Q.500
12,007
114,7311
6.464
85,7Q2
70.971
85,702
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year
31-M•r45
Jl-Mar-24
Bl- Cash •nd In￿5￿ments
NatWest- Cvrrent Account
NatWest- Deposfjt Accounts
Virgin Money- Charity DepositAccount
CCLA- Global Equ￿ Fund Unlts IMark•t Valu* £21.203
1.836
49,135
1,215
63,267
1.220
20,0
85.702
20,¢X
70,971
Funds
Unrestrfcted Funds
R&trictéd Funds
58.96S
12,007
65.202
20.5
85,702
F4.Ass•15 Y•tsIr￿lforth8
No bookvalue is placed on our bulldlngs. equipment or
dwdopment expenditureat Pixham.
Non•
B5- Ll•b#ltl•s
Liabilitie5
Non•

The Patchworking Garden Project Trustees Report - 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report to the trustses of The Patchworking Garden Project
Registered charity number 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 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Project, you are responsible for the preparation of the
accounts in accordan￿ 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 carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable
Directions 9iven by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) 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 that in any material
respect..
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Project as reqUI￿d by section 130
of the Act,. or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns 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 to be reached.
Signed:
Mr David Huw Bassett FCCA
Tamar,
Harrow Road East,
Dorking,
Surrey
Date: 11 July 2025